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A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Adult
Length: 389 pages
First Published Year: 2016
Series: Three Pines series
Literary awards: Anthony Award for Best Novel (2017)
ISBN: 9781250022134
Language: English
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Publisher’s Description Summary
An old, complex map discovered in a bistro’s wall in Three Pines initially appears to be just an interesting find.
However, as the locals delve deeper, it becomes increasingly mysterious. The map, gifted to Armand Gamache on his first day in a new job, uncovers shocking secrets, leading him to confront both a friend and a foe from his past.
Gamache, the ex-head of Homicide at the Sûreté du Québec, is drawn into a chilling journey, despite his reservations.
His investigation brings him to a grim scene at the Sûreté academy, where he finds four cadets and a deceased professor, alongside a copy of the peculiar map.
Among the cadets, Amelia Choquet stands out with her tattoos, piercings, and defensive demeanor, an unlikely student and a mentee of the dead professor, straddling the line between a troubled past and a law enforcement future.
As the probe progresses, it shifts focus onto Gamache himself, exploring his enigmatic ties with Amelia and his potential link to the crime.
The quest for clarity drives them back to Three Pines, where a stained glass window conceals dreadful secrets of its own.
Louise Penny, a celebrated author, skillfully unravels this enthralling narrative, exposing a profound and emotionally charged truth, leading both Amelia Choquet and Armand Gamache to face their pivotal moments of truth.
Quotes from A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny
- Don’t believe everything you think.
- There is always a road back. If we have the courage to look for it, and take it. I’m sorry. I was wrong. I don’t know. I need help. These are the signposts. The cardinal directions.
- It’s so easy to get mired in the all too obvious cruelty of the world. It’s natural. But to really heal, we need to recognize the goodness too.
- Don’t believe everything you think, said Gamache, before releasing the hand and opening the door. Pema Chödrön. A Buddhist nun.
- The lines of his face were the longitude and latitude of his life.
- Love and worry. They went hand in hand. Fellow travelers.
About Louise Penny
Canadian writer Louise Penny transitioned from a successful CBC radio career to become an acclaimed mystery novelist.
Her series, centered around Inspector Gamache in Quebec, has earned her numerous awards, including the Agatha and Anthony Awards.
Penny, who has faced personal challenges like alcoholism and caregiving for her ill husband, now enjoys a peaceful life in Knowlton, Quebec.
Her contributions to literature and culture have been recognized with prestigious Canadian honors.
You can visit the author’s website for more info.
