A Better Man A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel

Louise Penny — 2019

“‘A Better Man,' with its mix of meteorological suspense, psychological insight and criminal pursuit, is arguably the best book yet in an outstanding, original oeuvre.” —Tom Nolan, The Wall Street Journal "Enchanting... one of his most ennobling missions." —Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review Catastrophic spring flooding, blistering attacks in the media, and a mysterious disappearance greet Chief Inspector Armand Gamache as he returns to the Sûreté du Québec in the latest novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny. It’s Gamache’s first day back as head of the homicide department, a job he temporarily shares with his previous second-in-command, Jean-Guy Beauvoir. Flood waters are rising across the province. In the middle of the turmoil a father approaches Gamache, pleading for help in finding his daughter. As crisis piles upon crisis, Gamache tries to hold off the encroaching chaos, and realizes the search for Vivienne Godin should be abandoned. But with a daughter of his own, he finds himself developing a profound, and perhaps unwise, empathy for her distraught father. Increasingly hounded by the question, how would you feel..., he resumes the search. As the rivers rise, and the social media onslaught against Gamache becomes crueler, a body is discovered. And in the tumult, mistakes are made. In the next novel in this “constantly surprising series that deepens and darkens as it evolves” (New York Times Book Review), Gamache must face a horrific possibility, and a burning question. What would you do if your child’s killer walked free?

Reviews

Sonia Grgas@sg911911

Feb 23, 2024

Great as usual.

altlovesbooks@altlovesbooks

Jul 5, 2023

This has been my least favorite Gamache book yet. The mystery is straightforward, unusual for a Louise Penny book. A pregnant lady was found dead under...not really mysterious conditions. This is unusual for a Louise Penny book, because most of the time, someone is found dead under strange circumstances, or involving something unique or peculiar. We go through the motions of an investigation, but rather than methodical, calculated, and logical, both Gamache and Beauvoir feel like they're being ruled more by emotion and empathy than anything else -- again, unusual for a Louise Penny book. The ending -- usually involving a big reveal, or a big twist, or something unexpected -- was actually a bit bland and predictable. You guessed it -- unusual for a Louise Penny book. Oh, and there's this big flooding event hyped up from the beginning, but actually it turned into a nonevent that was basically not talked about once the investigation got underway. Also all the sentences. Were short and choppy. For emphasis? Maybe. Was it annoying? Irritating, even? Yes. Incredibly. Annoying. And anytime someone was tasked with guarding someone or making sure someone stayed put, they basically never did for the sake of plot convenience. Lots of thinking people were safely in rooms, only to find out they weren't there after all and were overhearing conversation elsewhere. Finally, there was this forced social media contrivance throughout the book. It definitely had the feeling of someone unfamiliar with social media shoehorning social media into a book that didn't need social media. #GamacheSux #ClaraMorrowSucks @dumbass, etc. I hope this series isn't starting to take a nosedive in quality. I've really enjoyed what I've read up until now. I hope the next book redeems this experience.

Elise Harris@elise95

May 14, 2022

This book definitely had a huge twist at the end, but I hated the twist so much!! So many mixed feelings about this book, but it is so well written! Such a tragic story.

Cindy Lieberman@chicindy

Mar 26, 2022

I should e-read Louise Penny’s novels just to make them last longer. It’s sad to anticipate a book for more than a year and to be done with the audiobook in just a few days. While I’ve loved all her books in this series, this one was not my favorite. Perhaps it was the scenario of a 100-year flood without anyone saying climate change. Or the clues not just dangled in our path but spelled out marquee style so we couldn’t help thinking “how obvious” (whether or not they were red herrings). I simply felt more manipulated than usual. That being said, I still very much enjoyed the ride and will eager anticipate her next entry.

Nadine @intlnadine

Feb 18, 2022

This book is more political and less "Three Pines" situated and quite a psychological study on leadership

Anna Adams@anna_adams_writer

Oct 18, 2021

Made me cry. Love these people. Love their work family as much as their home family. Heartbreaking story of humanity at its best and worst. Realizing that's a cliche, and I don't mind because sometimes cliches are so painfully and comfortingly true.

Nikhil Pradhan@nikhil