Author: Louise Penny
Title: The Cruelest Month
Publication: Paperback, 2007.
Pages: 401 pages
Genre: Mystery
Acquisition: Resistance is futile
Date Completed: September 3, 2010
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache novels are deeply satisfying; as I reached the resolution I experienced that wonderful, comfortable full-belly feeling that only exceptional novels can inspire.
The primary plot of The Cruelest Month focuses on the now-infamous Arnot case which helped to define Gamache; though the case itself was long ago "resolved," the repercussions of Gamache's decisions have never fully dissipated. Now, Gamache and his team must face uncomfortable truths and a world of confrontations in order to support decisions that were honorable.
The secondary plot is the murder of a newer resident of Three Pines; unlike previous novels, the victim is not thoroughly detestable, yet there is no shortage of suspects.
The Cruelest Month is a character-driven narrative, in which quite a bit of development is presented. I enjoyed learning more about some of the principle characters, and was thoroughly pleased when my hopes for certain characters were fulfilled.
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