The best thing about the Inspector Gamache mysteries is that the mysteries are secondary. There are two stars in these books: Inspector Gamache, and the town of Three Pines. Louise Penny has created a town that is almost magical in its perfection. This tiny town, situated around a lake, with three giant pines at one end, is picturesque, peaceful, and beguiling to read about. The description of the town bookstore made me seriously consider quitting my job and taking out a small business loan so […]
Basic Witch
The first in Juliet Blackwell’s Witchcraft Mystery series, Secondhand Spirits reminded me a lot of a cluttered antique shop–appropriate since the main character runs a vintage clothing store in San Francisco. There were a few quality pieces, a couple of unexpected treasures, and a whole lot of random crap that it made it difficult to find what I was looking for. What’s it about? Lily Ivory (I just can’t with that name) is a powerful witch with a troubled and lonely past. After years of […]
Nothing like a cozy murder to get you through the holidays
While romance is my genre of choice, when I stray it is always to mysteries. Lately my mystery reading has taken me to the historical and paranormal sub-genres, but my first love was of the cozy variety. I read many of Agatha Christie’s books back in high school but hadn’t read any in 20+ years. I remember liking almost everything she wrote, but the Miss Marple mysteries were my favorite. Something about a woman who is underestimated and overlooked but outwits everyone is very appealing […]
A Quebecois Poirot
In the tiny town of Three Pines, the body of Jane Neal is discovered in the woods. Miss Jane was beloved by her neighbors, many of whom are her former students. It appears that her death was a hunting accident, but when Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is assigned to the case, he begins to think it may have been on purpose. There are few things in life that are cozier than laying on the couch under a blanket, reading a British murder mystery. Still Life […]
Another Murder with Inspector Gamache
This is the fourth Inspector Gamache book, set in the week leading up to Canada Day (July 1), and the Gamaches’ wedding anniversary. I’m glad I remembered when this one was set, because visiting with Gamache always tends to improve the spirits, and its ben HOT here and driving around in the car listening to Ralph Cosham while the AC did its job was a wonderful way to break up the day. Unfortunately, I felt like this was the weakest thus far of the Inspector […]
One of these things is not like the other
Well, this is awkward. I bought this book after a couple rave reviews here on CBR. As with many of my CBR reads, it’s a bit outside my usual repetoire. This is my first CBR DNF. I’m not even sure if that’s CBR legal. Can I review if I didn’t finish? I’m going with the “ask for forgiveness, not permission” route. For a while I was attending an ARC book club at the local bookstore. Each member registers and gets to borrow an Advanced Reader […]