Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Long Way Home
Long Way Home | Louise Penny
81 posts | 134 read | 30 to read
Happily retired in the village of Three Pines, Armand Gamache, former Chief Inspector of Homicide with the Surete du Quebec, has found a peace he'd only imagined possible. On warm summer mornings he sits on a bench holding a small book, " The Balm in Gilead, " in his large hands. "There is a balm in Gilead," his neighbor Clara Morrow reads from the dust jacket, "to make the wounded whole."While Gamache doesn't talk about his wounds and his balm, Clara tells him about hers. Peter, her artist husband, has failed to come home. Failed to show up as promised on the first anniversary of their separation. She wants Gamache's help to find him. Having finally found sanctuary, Gamache feels a near revulsion at the thought of leaving Three Pines. "There's power enough in Heaven," he finishes the quote as he contemplates the quiet village, "to cure a sin-sick soul." And then he gets up. And joins her.Together with his former second-in-command, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, and Myrna Landers, they journey deeper and deeper into Quebec. And deeper and deeper into the soul of Peter Morrow. A man so desperate to recapture his fame as an artist, he would sell that soul. And may have. The journey takes them further and further from Three Pines, to the very mouth of the great St. Lawrence river. To an area so desolate, so damned, the first mariners called it the land God gave to Cain. And there they discover the terrible damage done by a sin-sick soul."
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
Bookwormjillk
Long Way Home | Louise Penny
post image
Pickpick

I‘m trying to fit in as many re-reads of this series as I can this month before the new one comes out on the 29th. This one benefited from a re-read. I enjoyed how the residents of Three Pines helped solve the mystery. 🌲🌲🌲

Aimeesue Gamache! ❤️ 1mo
57 likes1 comment
blurb
Karisimo
Long Way Home | Louise Penny
post image

#coverlove #lightblue this was my last Inspector Gamache read as I work through them slowly- I don‘t want them to end!

@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Pretty 🩵 3mo
Eggs They are great books-I especially love the audiobook narrator‘s voice🩵🩵 3mo
Karisimo @eggs Yes, I'm listening them and enjoy the narrator! 3mo
kspenmoll Such a fabulous series! I am eagerly awaiting her next book coming in October. 3mo
33 likes4 comments
review
Magpiegem
Mehso-so

Okay I‘m going to be honest, I love this series but I did not love this book. I don‘t want to give spoilers so I won‘t mention plot points but it was the first of this series that really dragged for me. However it still served a purpose - this is my #booked23 #featuringneighbours pick. Any in the series would fill the slot really! And the relationship between the three lines characters is definitely what makes the books for me (usually).

JamieArc I feel like I‘ve seen a lot of people say that this was not their favorite in the series, so you are not alone there. 13mo
21 likes1 comment
review
staci.reads
post image
Pickpick

Book number 10 in the Three Pines series was another winner! This was a bit of a slow burn through most of it...and then that ending 😳 😭😱 I am not much of a rereader, but I have no doubt I will revisit this whole series down the road.

CatLass007 This may be the best series in any genre I‘ve ever read. So brilliant! 1y
73 likes1 comment
review
CogsOfEncouragement
post image
Pickpick

This is the tenth in the series. I‘m so glad there are still more!

review
Julsmarshall
post image
Pickpick

A great installation of the Gamache series. This one is really sad because we lose on of our long time characters 😭 #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Oh no!!! I hate it when someone I love gets killed off!!! 2y
42 likes1 comment
review
elkeOriginal
Long Way Home | Louise Penny
post image
Pickpick

Not my favorite, but was very atmospheric and introspective. Because it centered on Clara and Peter and the art world again, I was not terribly invested but glad I read it so I can keep on keeping on in my #Gamache reading! Book 10 = done.
Enjoyed my time spent with Gamache, Reine-Marie, and Beauvoir.
I found Ruth more interesting this time with depth she usually hides behind being a caricature. 🦆
#ThreePines

review
Librarybelle
post image
Pickpick

With undertones of melancholy and a sense of longing, this one in the Three Pines series can pack a punch sometimes. I was greatly annoyed by one of the characters in this one…their behavior seemed a bit out of character to me and really a disappointment. But yet, there is Gamache, battling his own demons and also lending a hand. Progress made for #20in4 #readathon

PageShifter I have been intrigued to read this series but never started 2y
Andrew65 A great series, well done 👏👏👏 2y
Librarybelle @PageShifter I love the series. She packs so many cultural references into each book that I learn something new each time I read the books - I‘ve read the first 5 at least twice and picked up something new each time. 2y
See All 6 Comments
Librarybelle Thank you, @Andrew65 ! 2y
Andrew65 @PageShifter You definitely should read this series. 2y
PageShifter Love to hear @Librarybelle! And thank you @Andrew65, now I promise to loan these books next week 😎 (edited) 2y
74 likes6 comments
blurb
canbku
post image

Eh, Peter Morrow is not my favorite side character. Got to hang with the Three Pines gang, though

Susanita Agreed! 3y
AutumnRLS I felt the ending of this one was so unnecessary. Also, the fact that Clara ignores Gamache over and over to disastrous results was so annoying. The only sour spot for me in an otherwise fantastic series. 3y
54 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
ImperfectCJ
post image
Pickpick

Congratulations, Louise Penny; you made me cry. I hope you're pleased with yourself.

I'm not totally clear on the definition of a "cozy," but this one seems to fit that definition best of the books in this series so far. It's primarily about relationships and Gamache finding his place in Three Pines. Murder is secondary, almost unnecessary in this installment of the series.

ImperfectCJ Theme read, 3 readathons (7 hrs) = 225 points for #TeamSlaughter #scarathlon #screamathon #LittenListen #bookspinbingo 3y
51 likes1 comment
review
readwithcori
post image
Pickpick

Rating: 4 stars

I love Louise Penny so much but girl, I did not see that ending coming! Penny is so talented in her ability to weave a story together in a way that you never see coming until she‘s ready to reveal it to you. Once again, another very good read!

#louisepenny #thelongwayhome #bookreview

blurb
readwithcori
post image

Seriously pumped for this #AnyWayYouReadathon because I need the motivation and dedication to really sit down and make a dent on my current reads! 🤓📖

My goal: read 10 hours over the readathon and see what happens. Happy reading!

kimmypete1 Thanks for joining! Hope you enjoy your reads! 3y
MidnightBookGirl Happy reading, thanks for joining us! 3y
11 likes2 comments
blurb
readwithcori
post image

A new #CurrentRead starting today! 📖 Must say, I am very excited to see where this one goes.

#TheLongWayHome #LouisePenny

review
Jaimelire
post image
Pickpick

It was lovely to revisit Three Pines and I am so glad to see Gamache and Beauvoir back together again. I am reading this series in order, and this was my least favourite book so far. But still a thumbs up because I love all these characters so much. Since I am living in a Covid hotspot right now, and my age group still isn‘t available for vaccine....I see many more cozy mysteries in my future.

review
Susanita
post image
Pickpick

Book 1 of 2021! I‘m happy to be back with Gamache and the gang, as they traipse across Quebec looking for the elusive Peter Morrow. I really like how she pulls the threads through from previous books and how she weaves together macro and micro story lines. And of course I love Gamache. However, sometimes the other characters are eye roll worthy annoying, and the author tends to be too clever for her own good. Next one in February. #seriesread2021

Susanita Example: do we really need to know EVERY SINGLE TIME Peter‘s “new” paintings are brought up, just how bad they are? 4y
TheSpineView 👍📖📚 4y
31 likes2 comments
blurb
Susanita
post image

1. Make phone calls. Help my boss set up a virtual offsite meeting. Pay bills. (I‘ll be listening to the end of the tagged book while I walk the rent check down to the office.)
2. Saturday was nice and sunny. I went into the countryside for a while.
#motivationalmonday

Cupcake12 @Susanita Good luck with your plans for this this. Love taking my dogs out to the countryside but not bathing them when we return 🤣 Thank you for playing x 4y
27 likes1 comment
review
rebbyj
Long Way Home | Louise Penny
Pickpick

Exquisite!

blurb
Wanders.In.Stories
post image

Louise Penny had me look up the Garden of Cosmic Speculation in Dumfries, Scotland. I LOVE when an author intrigues me to research. By the way, Louise Penny is my go to cozy author. Ok

Bookwormjillk Love her 4y
13 likes2 comments
review
ShelleyBooksie
post image
Pickpick

Just when I think I couldn't love this series more. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the many deep thoughts it provided.

ReadingRachael I really have to get around to starting this series!
4y
15 likes1 comment
review
Mshookquilts
post image
Pickpick

Louise Penny explores the insanity of jealousy over losing control/no longer getting to be the best. Gamache‘s first mystery since he retired.

review
Kat.Kao
Long Way Home | Louise Penny
post image
Pickpick

Glad to be back on this app after forgetting about it for like two years. This is the third Inspector Gamache novel I‘ve read this week (4th total—February break is amazing), and I liked this one a lot. The ending felt kind of cheap to me, but I trust the author to be curious about where she‘ll take the characters from there.

review
JamieArc
post image
Pickpick

The first book of 2020 was a tried and true Gamache novel. This wasn‘t my favorite of the series, but I still love being with the characters and the beautiful scenery of Quebec. I also love that the cover portrays part of the storyline. Clever.

hoppeduponbooks I also love the characters. 5y
56 likes1 comment
review
TrishB
post image
Pickpick

Still a pick for me. I can understand why people didn‘t enjoy it as much as the others, but I still loved the characters, we learned a lot more about them and there was still a mystery. Ended as I expected, though in a different way (that will make sense to those that have read it!)

Cathythoughts Still havnt started this series 🙄. I have some though 5y
TrishB @Cathythoughts so little time! 5y
CarolynM I liked the journey but not the end of this one. 5y
92 likes3 comments
blurb
TrishB
post image

First day of my Christmas break 😁 having a quiet read before I need to organise my day.

CarolynM Enjoy your break 🎄💕😘 5y
Cathythoughts Your finishing up nice & early ! Enjoy 5y
erzascarletbookgasm Have a wonderful Christmas break! 💕🎄 5y
See All 11 Comments
Annl I was just thinking I need to read a Louise Penny book over the holidays. Heading to the library today! 5y
TrishB @CarolynM thank you 😘 you too when you get there. 5y
TrishB @Cathythoughts Uni closes on Friday so I took a couple of extra days leave, I have so much to do! 😘 5y
TrishB @erzascarletbookgasm thank you Jessie 😘 5y
TrishB @Annl always a good read 😁 5y
Caroline2 I really didn‘t like this one...the first one I gave a Pan to. Be interesting to see what you think.....! 😬 5y
TrishB @Caroline2 it‘s not the usual style, but it‘s ok. Not had much reading time the rest of the day though. Sent you a parcel today ❤️ 5y
Caroline2 @TrishB Ahh, thanks Trish! 💖 5y
96 likes11 comments
review
Louise
post image
Mehso-so

This was a departure from the usual kind of mystery in this series. It was more of an examination of what an artist‘s work reveals about his/her inner process. It seemed the story was a thinly-veiled excuse for a conversation on this topic. I found it too repetitive and long-winded. It didn‘t reveal enough about the artistic process to justify the time spent mulling it over. Onward to the next one! 🤓

Penny_LiteraryHoarders I felt the same about this one too!! 5y
Louise @Penny_LiteraryHoarders I‘m glad to hear I‘m not the only one! I still like the series, though. (edited) 5y
Crazeedi I had same thoughts, then the next book would capture me 5y
See All 11 Comments
Louise @Crazeedi Yes! I‘m listening to the audiobooks a little out of order based on when they come available on Libby. Some of the later books are thoroughly exciting! 5y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders @Louise oh for sure! Just bought the latest in it the other day! 🌲🌲🌲♥️ 5y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders @Louise oh Ralph cosham is soooooooo great. I love love his narration. It's not the same with the newest but he's okay. 5y
CarolynM I agree with you, I think this is probably the weakest of them that I have read so far. Still better than a lot of other crime series🙂 5y
Louise @Penny_LiteraryHoarders Yes! Cosham‘s voice has become Gamache‘s voice for so many people. Did you hear the interview with Penny and Cosham, in which Penny joked (but sincerely) that she should name one of the Bistro‘s sandwiches after him as an homage? It was so strange to hear a different voice reading one of the later books! 5y
Louise @CarolynM Yes, it‘s still an excellent series. There is a lot of heart in it, even if that sometimes spills over into a few passages that wax poetic about the significance of Three Pines as a place for healing, etc. In a way, those passages reveal something endearing about the author. 🌻 5y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders @Louise yes ♥️♥️♥️ funny because right now I'm looking up audiobooks narrated by Cosham. I miss him. Have narrowed down to two - or there's always earlier Gamache series to listen to too!! 😊😊😊 5y
Louise @Penny_LiteraryHoarders I didn‘t know until today that Cosham passed away in 2014. A real loss to the world of audiobooks and to the Gamache series, in particular. 💙 5y
83 likes1 stack add11 comments
review
HollyBahling
Mehso-so

Meh. Not my favorite. It was good, don‘t get me wrong... but it definitely wasn‘t my favorite of the series. I‘ll leave it at that. Don‘t want to ruin the book for others.

Readswithcoffee Agreed! 5y
HollyBahling @Readswithcoffee makes me want to take a break from Louise for a while! 5y
Readswithcoffee @HollyBahling I know. Another Litsy reader assured me the next one in the series is better. 5y
36 likes3 comments
review
Readswithcoffee
post image
Mehso-so

Well, I finished it. Definitely my least favorite book of the series. I‘ve decided I really can‘t relate to the excessive angst felt by several of these creative characters. A little angst goes a LONG way with me. On a positive note, the narration of this audiobook is excellent. Looking forward to moving on to the next book in the series!

blurb
Readswithcoffee
post image

Ugh! I have liked every Inspector Gamache book I have read up until now. I‘m two-thirds of the way into this one and it is a let down. I‘m hoping there will be a great ending to redeem it.

JamieArc Oh no! This one is next on my list! 5y
MallenNC I did not like this one either, but I felt the series got better again with the next books. I still have one more to read, not counting the next one that is coming out soon. 5y
10 likes2 comments
blurb
HollyBahling
post image

I am in awe of Louise Penny. The way she can paint a picture so perfectly. At this moment I imagine myself standing at the lake I love so much. In complete and utter awe at its beauty. remembering the people I love so much who called this place heaven on earth. I can see the sunset. I can feel their loss and their hope of the future. I touch their tree, their water, their love in every step. So happy she can portray it. Four friends at the shore.

Bookwormjillk She‘s amazing 5y
47 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
Andrew65
post image

Good old Inspector Gamache, The Long Way Home - Book 10 in the series.
#TakeTheLongWayHome #AnglophileApril

Loved Supertramp, although The Logical Song or Breakfast in America were my favourites.

Reviewsbylola And still have never read this author. 🙈 Some day! 6y
Andrew65 @Reviewsbylola Too many great authors out there! 6y
77 likes2 comments
review
CarolynM
post image
Pickpick

Peter Morrow is missing. Clara calls on the help of Gamache and Beauvoir to find him. I enjoyed the way they followed the trail, and the people and places along the way were interesting, but I found the solution unsatisfying and the end a little rushed. I'm left with quite a few questions. Maybe they'll be answered in the next book. This isn't one of the best books in the series but it's still a pick.

Crazeedi Some of them weren't as good as others, stick with it they do get better, and might I say a bit crazy too. Lots of stuff happens 6y
CarolynM @Crazeedi I'll definitely keep going with this series, I couldn't possibly stop now!🙂 6y
82 likes2 comments
review
MallenNC
Long Way Home | Louise Penny
post image
Mehso-so

I‘ve really enjoyed the Inspector Gamache series and that‘s the only reason I‘m giving this a So-So rating. This one took the long way to get to the point. It didn‘t help that they were spending all this time looking for my least favorite character. I‘m hoping the next is back to form. This was my first time listening to the audiobook version and that did help a little.

28 likes1 stack add
blurb
MallenNC
Long Way Home | Louise Penny
post image

I really enjoy this series but this one isn‘t grabbing me! I‘m listening to it, which makes it interesting but I‘d love to jump ahead to the next book. #audiobook

Dolly Go ahead, I won‘t tell 🤐 6y
27 likes1 comment
review
Bookwormjillk
post image
Pickpick

I‘ve been skipping this one in my Gamache re-read because I had it in my head that the books set in summer aren‘t as good. But as the great Gamache says I was wrong. This is a wonderful book with a powerful ending. Recommend, especially on audio.

Crazeedi 💜💜💜💜 that is all 6y
kspenmoll Adore this series! 6y
41 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Bookwormjillk
post image

Sometimes I just need to go back to Three Pines 🌲🌲🌲

40 likes1 stack add
review
Caroline2
post image
Panpan

Cor dear, what a dud! There‘s no murder to solve in this one, the mystery is where is Peter? Is he a good artist? A tortured artist? Does anyone really care?? I‘m not angry Louise, I‘m just disappointed!! 😒

TrishB Which number is this? I‘ll remember not to be too disappointed! 6y
squirrelbrain Oh no! 😒 6y
Caroline2 @TrishB number 10. Number 9 is brilliant and kinda feels like the end of the series so I had a feeling the next one was gonna be a tough call. It‘s just daft and boring and arty, blahhhhh!!! 🤢 6y
See All 7 Comments
Caroline2 @squirrelbrain can‘t win em all....NEXT...! 😆 6y
eraderneely I always love your bookshelves. They just look so inviting! 6y
Caroline2 Aww, thanks!! They are pretty; the only trouble is a lot of them are TBR and I keep putting off reading them as I don‘t want gaps or to ruin the colour flows?! 😟 😆 6y
TrishB I‘ll remember when I get there! 6y
85 likes7 comments
blurb
Caroline2
post image

For #winterkills there can be only one....it has to be Louise Penny and her Inspector Gamache books! I love that most of her books take place in the bleak midwinter in Canada! So atmospheric! 😍 #winterwonderland #threepinesforvever

Cinfhen I really should try this author!! Do u read this series @TrishB !??? 6y
TrishB @Cinfhen yes ? @Caroline2 brought me the first one and I have now brought the whole series. I managed to get all the paperbacks for Qa each off various sites (all new!). Great reads ?? 6y
Caroline2 @Cinfhen they are good little reads! ? @TrishB and The Works have them on their 3 for Qd offer at the mo! ? 6y
See All 6 Comments
Cinfhen I‘m gonna look on kindle!! @TrishB @Caroline2 (edited) 6y
TrishB @Cinfhen I think I brought them as they never seemed to come up on any kindle offers! 6y
Cinfhen You‘re right @TrishB they are all $7.99 and up 6y
92 likes3 stack adds6 comments
blurb
laurenlovesliterature
post image

20% off at Barnes & Noble and got my free beverage for being a member. Yassssss!!!

review
Bibliogeekery
post image
Pickpick

This was another enjoyable foray into the cosy mystery world of Armand Gamache et al. I loved that part of this book took place in Baie-Saint-Paul Quebec. I was just there in the summer so it was fun to picture it.

blurb
Bibliogeekery
post image
57 likes1 stack add
blurb
Bibliogeekery
post image

Audiobook and coffee while watching the rain come down ☔

Bklover What a cozy spot! 6y
JamieArc This does feel like the perfect spot for what you are listening to! 6y
Hornsby78 That looks like a little piece of heaven to me. 6y
zsuzsanna_reads What a lovely garden! 6y
75 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
Bibliogeekery
post image

Next up #audiobook!

52 likes1 stack add
review
Blaire
post image
Pickpick

Loved! Gamache is leading a quiet life in three pines when Clara approaches him to solve a mystery. We leave three pines and travel to beautiful coastal towns as the characters contemplate the nature of art, mused, and love.

blurb
Blaire
post image

#comfortread time. This has been quite the week at work and I am ready for some inspector Gamache, a cozy blanket, and a big mug of tea.

Cathythoughts I see Louise Penny popping up again.... 💕💕💕 6y
Lcsmcat ❤️ Gamache and Three Pines! 6y
Blaire @Cathythoughts @Lcsmcat yes! Love going back to a familiar book place to escape real world stress. 6y
55 likes3 comments
review
christineandbooks
post image
Pickpick

Another wonderful story by Penny.This one seems to be less liked among fans. It takes place mostly away from Three Pines and centers on one of the more unlikable characters in the series, Peter. It doesn't have the drama and emotional heft of the last few books. But I thought it was just right. We readers needed this chance to catch our breaths. Overall I find Penny's pacing of the larger story over the course of this series to be perfect.

Lcsmcat This was actually the first of the series that I read. (I didn‘t realize it was a series.) And I loved it. 6y
42 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Dolly
Long Way Home | Louise Penny
post image
Bailedbailed

After several tries I now know that Penny‘s much acclaimed mysteries are not for me. That being said she has tons of eager readers who enjoy her work and I live among them.🤓.

Odd that my last two books had similar titles.
The previous book was Let‘s Take the Long Way Home.

TiredLibrarian This hurts my heart a little because I love this series 💔 But that's OK; Litsy would be mighty dull if we all liked the same books! 😉 6y
Tamra I listen to the audio versions for multitasking. 😄 6y
Dolly @Tamra I listened to most of the ones I “read” as they were simple enough to not have to pay strict attention. @TiredLibrarian I bet they would make good summer/beach reads. Binge reading was a problem for me when some parts (like the accident) was revisited in each book. 🤷🏼‍♀️ (edited) 6y
Readerann I made the same decision, although it was ‘one and done‘ for me. 6y
Dolly @Readerann Besides being a slow learner, others said they get progressively better. I hung in there but... 6y
44 likes5 comments
review
Jen2
Long Way Home | Louise Penny
post image
Pickpick

I just love these!

Pamwurtzler Me too! 6y
LikelyLibrarian Me too! I‘m on number 5. I like to read them with the season they‘re set in. A Brutal Telling is set in late summer 😏 6y
CarolynM Me too! I'm up to Bury Your Dead 6y
Lcsmcat I accidentally started the series with this book and it‘s still a favorite. 6y
100 likes5 stack adds4 comments
blurb
SilversReviews
Long Way Home | Louise Penny
post image
SomedayAlmost Yes! Love her characters (and the food they eat)! 6y
SilversReviews @SomedayAlmost Oh yes - love the characters and Three Pines. 6y
TiredLibrarian Love Louise Penny, Three Pines and its cast of characters! 6y
64 likes4 comments