A World of Curiosities

After a weak few books, I'm glad to see I'm enjoying this series again. We're back in the Three Pines, we're well-fed off Gabri's food, and the neighbors are (mostly) just as delightful as they used to be. Things do feel a tad...messy, however.

I don't want to get too far into the plot of this book since it is a mystery after all, but I do feel like it's noteworthy to mention that two real life events are referenced in this book, and play a role in the mystery: a graduation honoring the (real life) tragedy of the École Polytechnique massacre, and a giant reproduction of (the real life) The Paston Treasure being found in an walled off attic space in the Three Pines. The mystery revolves around how the painting got there, why this particular painting was given modern touches in its reproduction, and what role two siblings play in both the murder of their mother when they were children and the current events happening in Three Pines.

There's a lot going on in this one. I think that the author should have chosen to focus on either (major plot spoilers here) Fiona and Sam as the killer(s), or John Fleming as the mastermind, but not both. I feel like the siblings are just in the story to serve as misdirections to conceal the true plot, but they don't even really have much of an impact that way either. It just felt unnecessary to have both, and muddied the case even more than it already was. A lot relied on coincidence and timing too, which drove me up a wall. My brain kept feeding me reasons why this whole thing would have fallen apart if Gamache or anyone else at all had done even one thing differently, which took me out of the story a bit.

Still, this kept me reading to the end, as a good story will. I just feel like these books are getting messier and messier.

I enjoyed this novel, although I do wish there had been a trigger warning due to some of the content. The character of Chief Inspector Gamache was interesting and I felt like you really got to know him and his heart through the story. Some of the other characters weren't fleshed out as much as I would like, however, it is the 18th book so that could be why.

The story involves a case that had happened years before and now the two children from that case are all grown up and return to Three Pines. Things begin to happen that seem connected to that time and Gamache begins to suspect that one or both of the children are involved.

I read this slowly, because I know it will be a long time before another of her books comes out, but I had to read quickly through the last third, as the momentum and suspense picked up. It's classic Louise penny, and I love it. I do think that may be there was a little bit less of the cozy village feels, and more of the twisty mind games.

4.5/5 stars

Phew, this one was a doozy. This one is very dark compared to most of the other Gamache books, but also absorbing and hard to put down.

This one was special, overarching the entire series, bringing up little bits and pieces and people from over the years; even the first case involving meeting Jean Guy.

»A tale of demons and witches, hidden rooms and unexpected saviors.Of Fate both cruel and kind.«“[b:A World of Curiosities 60899502 A World of Curiosities (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #18) Louise Penny https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1660936424l/60899502.SY75.jpg 96053091]” by [a:Louise Penny 194243 Louise Penny https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1591027995p2/194243.jpg] is another brilliant entry into a series that has long ensnared me with its curious mixture of crime, mystery and thriller in combination with true emotional depth. The almost mystic village of Three Pines and its cracked and sometimes broken inhabitants also plays a central role in this instalment.Gamache no. 18 grants us insights into the past of Armand Gamache and how he came to join the homicide department of the Sûreté in the first place. Even more importantly to the story, though, we finally learn how both Armand and Jean-Guy Beauvoir first met each other which is enticing on its own. Around this old case of murder and corruption, the story in this book evolves as the victims of the past re-emerge in Three Pines. A secret room, an old grimoire, a spellbook, a curious painting “The Paston Treasure” (nicknamed “A World of Curiosities”), a witch of old (and Ruth), an old nemesis - they all play a central role in this suspenseful novel.»Jean-Guy Beauvoir, lashed to the mast, would sink or swim with this man. Their fates were bound together, as the winds howled, and the storm descended, and they traveled deeper into Hell.«Not only are the old friends and foes back, though, but new friends take the stage as well: Myrna's niece, Harriett, as well as Agent Amelia Choquet. The latter proves not only to be an indispensable part of the team but also a true friend... The only person conspicuously absent was, sadly, Isabelle Lacoste who's on vacation and only cursorily helps towards the end...This novel has a strong focus on the mystery and is, at times, very, very suspenseful. I read at almost every possible moment, chasing pages and chapters! Every night I was sad to go to sleep but also looking forward to resume reading this excellent novel again. It is very slightly less focussed on moral, emotional or intellectual aspects than some of the other novels in this series but this in no way diminishes its literary value.And it still touches upon important topics...»They didn't need proof. All a woman had to be was alive. Just being a woman was, in the church's eyes, evil.”“But there must've been a reason,” said Gabri.“Is there a reason gay, lesbian, and transgender people are attacked?” asked Ruth. “Is there a reason Black men are shot? Is there a reason women are raped, abused, refused abortions, groomed and sold as sex slaves?”“Murdered,” said Myrna, looking at the bouquet of white roses on the kitchen island.«Since “A World of Curiosities” explores all the background and the past to the extent needed to enjoy the novel, it could even be read on its own or serve as an introduction to Armand Gamache.As is the case with most of Penny's novels this one also has a central idea which permeates everything. As always, though, this is rather subtly done by Penny so I won't mention it here but maybe you'd like to find out for yourself? Because just like our world, this novel is, indeed, in the best sense “A World of Curiosities”...Five out of five stars!»I honestly don't feel I can take full credit for the books. There is, finally, an element of magic, of inspiration that seems to come out of nowhere. I have my own theories about where it comes from. I wanted, at the end of this, the eighteenth novel, to make it clear that in writing the Gamache books there is more than meets the eye. And always has been.«Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

Summary: Gamache and Beauvoir's first case together is introduced in flashback as a mystery in Three Pines slowly unfolds.

This fall, I have reread the entire Inspector Gamache series because I was asked to contribute an essay to an online collection of essays inspired by the Gamache series. Yesterday my essay was posted. And next week, there will be a discussion of A World of Curiosities.

I cannot think of another series that has kept my interest after 18 books. Inevitably with a series so long, there has to be an exploration of the characters in ways that will not entirely make sense of the timeline until this point. We previously know that Gamache got Beauvoir from his exile as an officer in charge of evidence lockup because no one wanted to work with him. A World of Curiosities explores that first case together and fills in the back story. Of course, new characters are introduced in ways that do not entirely fit in, but new characters must keep being introduced to the series to keep it fresh.

One of my minor frustrations with the series is that the Three Pines and the surrounding community expand and contract to fit the storyline. Again the community expands, and the history of Three Pines is explored. I appreciate most of this because it brings depth to the series to thicken the characters and setting. I want to say having finished the book about a week ago, I did enjoy the book, and I might go ahead and reread it before the end of the year.

On the positive side, this book explores Gamache's weaknesses and resists making him too much of a perfect hero. I also appreciate how Penny uses real people and events to ground the series and provide ideas for the mysteries. In this case, the mass shooting at the start of Gamache's career was an actual event. Likewise, the Paston Treasure painting, which is a significant part of The World of Curiosities, is also real. There are other real people referenced that I won't detail for fear of giving away part of the story.

On the negative side, this book needs a content warning. Child sexual abuse and a ritualized serial killer are discussed in the book. I do not like reading about either of those two types of crime. It is one of the reasons I'm not too fond of the Robert Galbreath series, even if I like the main characters, because the crimes are stomach-churning.

Secondly and more problematic, I think, for this book and for maybe a sign of weakness in the series, this book, in particular, attempts to use the idea of being able to “see evil” in people as a theme.

Gamache looked deep into Claude Boisfranc's eyes and saw ... nothing. Well, he didn't see a monster, a lunatic. He did see anger, but that was not uncommon for a cop.