Glass Houses

I get the feeling I'm going against the grain on this one.

For whatever reason, I didn't find this book as satisfying as others have been in this series. Maybe it was the constantly shifting viewpoints between different plot lines, not necessarily happening at the same time? The sense that the murder wasn't even really the point of the book at all, but a misdirection away from the actual story? Unsure. I know the last 20% of the book or so, when the plot lines start converging and exposition happens linking it all together, is where the real fun for me was. The rest felt a bit like I was just along for the ride and not really invested in the proceedings.

3.5 stars.

This book was a so-so read for me. It was the first Louise Penny novel that I have read and because of that I had no history with the characters or town of Three Pines. That being said, I didn't feel like there was enough character development for me to feel any attachment to the townsfolk. I thought the mystery and plot was okay and enjoyed how the murder trial and drug trade threads ended up coming together. I think that those readers who are already fans of the Armand Gamache books will like this one more than I did.

I'm trying to read 2 Classic and 2 Award winning books each month! For Dec. this was my 2nd Award winning book for the month (2017 Agatha Winner for Best Contemporary Novel). This was a good one!! The author starts it out in a courthouse. A defendant is on trial but book doesn't mention why but instead goes back in time repeatedly! I really liked that alot and also a character is mention often just standing in the middle of a park, morning noon & night without a reason. Great characters and some twists and turns! If you like mystery & suspense get this book! (It's is a part of a series) - David N.

Short Review: The series is now 13 books in. Gamache has been at every level from outside the force to the head of the training academy and now the head of the whole force. The plots have been simple murder to international intrigue to internal police corruption, and now the drug trade.

I think Penny falls into the trap of thinking the crimes need to keep getting bigger to keep the reader engaged. But I do appreciate that the characters keep getting more complicated. I have no idea where the series can go from here. But if this is where it ends, I would be thrilled for a series to actually end well.


My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/glass-houses/