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The Beautiful Mystery
The Beautiful Mystery: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel | Louise Penny
The brilliant new novel in the New York Times bestselling series by Louise Penny, one of the most acclaimed crime writers of our time No outsiders are ever admitted to the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, hidden deep in the wilderness of Quebec, where two dozen cloistered monks live in peace and prayer. They grow vegetables, they tend chickens, they make chocolate. And they sing. Ironically, for a community that has taken a vow of silence, the monks have become world-famous for their glorious voices, raised in ancient chants whose effect on both singer and listener is so profound it is known as "the beautiful mystery." But when the renowned choir director is murdered, the lock on the monastery's massive wooden door is drawn back to admit Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir of the Sret du Qubec. There they discover disquiet beneath the silence, discord in the apparent harmony. One of the brothers, in this life of prayer and contemplation, has been contemplating murder. As the peace of the monastery crumbles, Gamache is forced to confront some of his own demons, as well as those roaming the remote corridors. Before finding the killer, before restoring peace, the Chief must first consider the divine, the human, and the cracks in between. The Beautiful Mystery is the winner of the 2012 Agatha Award for best novel, the 2013 Anthony Award for best novel and the 2013 Macavity Award for best novel.
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kspenmoll
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
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#bookreport
At various stages in reading the first 4 books, all #NFNovember
A library book mystery, a book I am reading with an ELL student, & the last 2 books I finished-Louise Penny reread & a historical fiction audiobook.
Week of November 10-16.

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kspenmoll
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#weeklyforecast
#NFNovember, 2 books
Rereading Louise Penny because someone on Litsy said it was referenced in her latest book, The Grey Wolf- was it you Jill?
Actually finished both Historical Mysteries! Still listening to the audiobook.

Bookwormjillk Yes, that was me! 2w
51 likes1 comment
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

I was reading the new Louise Penny book, but then it referenced this one so I hit pause on Grey Wolf and re-read this one. This is another good one from the early/middle part of the series, and I enjoyed it. Now back to Grey Wolf! (And yes you do get an explanation of the title.)

#36by36 @MatchlessMarie

kspenmoll That‘s good to know! 2w
Catsandbooks Fantastic! 🇨🇦 2w
MatchlessMarie I love how you just stopped and reread an entire book 😁🧁📖 2w
Bookwormjillk @MatchlessMarie I take my mystery reading seriously 😁 2w
77 likes5 comments
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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

This made for a good listen even though I kept mixing up the names of the Monks. This story was more about Gamache‘s and Beauvoir‘s relationship which I‘m absolutely fine with! Even though it was one of the longer ones, it kept me engaged & listening! I‘m really enjoying this series and am eager to see how the next books turn out!

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LeslieO
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August is flying by and I haven‘t even started my#BookSpin or #DoubleSpin. So many books, so little time.

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staci.reads
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Pickpick

I am trying to stop myself from moving through this series too quickly, but it's hard not to run right out and check out the next book each time! I did grab 2 on this trip to the library...and then finished them both in two days 😂. This one was tough to read, as one of the main characters is in a downward spiral, and it hurts to watch 😔. It ends on a plot turn that made me glad I had the next one at hand!

dabbe I have never read a book by her! What's the 1st one in this series? 🤗 1y
staci.reads @dabbe The first one is Still Life. It's very good, but they keep getting better in the first few of the series. I think it's up to 18 now. 1y
Karisimo @staci.reads this is exactly where I am in the series! I try to read them roughly in the season they take place, but that means I have to wait until December for the next one… not sure if I will/can wait THAT long! 1y
CogsOfEncouragement I‘ve been reading this series since October 2020, reading each book in the corresponding season. I‘ve read ten, number eleven is set in September. I really enjoy them. 1y
staci.reads @Karisimo @CogsOfEncouragement You both have much more self-control than I do 😂. Maybe when I reread them, I'll do the book-a-season approach. 1y
64 likes5 comments
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kspenmoll
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Well I went way off my predicted #weeklyforecast!
Finished Silent Parade
Read section of LNATTC #sundaybuddyread
Listened to Librarian Spy #audiohistoricalfiction
But then did a marathon reread of the next 3 books in Louise Penny series #serieslove2023

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kspenmoll
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Reading before dinner. Quiet with soft breeze. #reread #serieslove2023 #gamache

Andrew65 That looks a lovely reading corner. 1y
TheSpineView Looks comfy 1y
robinb Beautiful nook…🩵 1y
JanuarieTimewalker13 Beautiful porch and surroundings!! 1y
Bklover I want to come read on your porch!! Beautiful!🩵 1y
85 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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Magpiegem
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Pickpick

22/23 I finished this one in a sheltered corner where the sun was FINALLY making an appearance (it had been a long cold spring so far). These books are moving far away from their starting point now… and although they are not cosy books I did get some cosiness out of the first few. I don‘t anymore but I‘m still enjoying each one.

tpixie Great photo, smile,and sweater! 2y
Magpiegem @tpixie thank you ☺️ 🥰 2y
tpixie @Magpiegem ☺️ 2y
BarbaraBB Beautiful pic 😍 2y
BethM Very pretty! 2y
40 likes5 comments
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Susanita
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I‘ll stay in the realm of Louise Penny for this question.

While the actual mystery was interesting, the office intrigue aspects of the story were super annoying.

#sundayfunday

BookmarkTavern I see a lot of love for Penny on this app! Thank you for posting! 2y
29 likes1 comment
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CogsOfEncouragement
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Pickpick

The eighth in this excellent series, set in mid-September.

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elkeOriginal
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Pickpick

This has zero #ThreePines connection and that was refreshing. Just Gamache & Beauvoir at a mysterious monastery in the far backwoods, where some serious real world issues rear their head. Lots of darkness vs light and many secrets to unearth. Extremely engaging from the murder mystery to the developments in the relationship between G & B. Heavy but necessary stuff - and propels me immediately into the next book in the series!
#Gamache #whodunnit

LeahBergen I‘ve been to the real abbey that this fictional place is based upon ( The Abbey of Saint-Benoît-du-Lac). And they really do make chocolates and all sorts of other tasty things. I spent way too much in their little shop. ? 2y
elkeOriginal @LeahBergen Shut up! I definitely want the chocolates. The creepy murdery monks, less so 😉 2y
LeahBergen 😆😆 And I went in autumn and the foliage was crazy beautiful. 2y
25 likes4 comments
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MittenGirlPeach
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I have curling on the tee vee and my morning is sorted! There was indeed a bookmark in the box, @AmyK1 . It was mostly hidden beneath the socks in my group pic and I missed mentioning it! Fall blew into Michigan yesterday, so those socks will be worn soon. 36 F earlier this morning.

AmyK1 Yay! I know there was a lot of packing material so glad it didn‘t get missed. It‘s finally feeling like fall here too after it was 96 yesterday (I‘m from MI so know how quickly it can get cold up there!) 2y
wanderinglynn Hi Anne. I‘ve been trying to get in touch with you to check on the status of your #HHS package. Will you please let me know? Thanks! 2y
MittenGirlPeach @wanderinglynn it‘s shipping today! I‘m just getting back to all my messages and emails; I‘ve been out of the loop for a bit. 2y
22 likes3 comments
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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

Another wonderful installment of Gamache‘s world. Loved it, can‘t wait to dive into the next one!

JamieArc Glad you liked this one! I feel that it‘s one that people like least, but it‘s the book that got me into the series because I‘m always intrigued by Gregorian chant. 2y
Deblovestoread This is one of my favorites of the series. 💜 2y
jlhammar I need to get back to this series! I read through the fifth (The Brutal Telling) so far and this is the one I'm most looking forward to. (edited) 2y
52 likes3 comments
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Pogue
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Mehso-so

I did not realize that this was part of a series. I had never read any of the Inspector Gamache books before. That is why the so-so.

CarolynM I can see why this book might not make a lot of sense out of the context of the series. 3y
21 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
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Mehso-so

I‘m not quite sure how to rate this one - it‘s not a favorite of mine in the series, but Penny‘s multiple layers of deduction and meaning are once again evident. Without going into too many spoilers, there are also themes of addiction and faith (faith is obvious, as it is set in a monastery). There are so many emotions in this book as well. In the end, I‘m giving it a so-so rating - compelling and I wanted to keep reading, but not a favorite.

81 likes2 comments
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canbku
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Mehso-so

I liked a lot of things - the development of the relationship between the inspector and the chief is a huge win for this book. The plot was even pretty good - the location superb. But the details were pretty ridiculous and far-fetched. I don't look for reality in cozy mysteries, but i'd like to avoid eye rolls and this one had more than a few

ShelleyBooksie I'd love to know what moments you found eye rolling! I've also read this one and although it's not my fav in the series, I did enjoy it. 3y
canbku @ShelleyBooksie how could the Vatican not know about them? They trade with other monasteries! 3y
57 likes2 comments
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canbku
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Back to Gamache, but I'm really missing Three Pines. I have not yet gotten into the characters and Beauvoir and Gamache are so out of their element that it's tough to see their best qualities

Jaimelire I really enjoyed this one. 3y
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ImperfectCJ
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Pickpick

I'm grateful Penny gave Three Pines a break from murder this time. This ended up being a couple of mysteries in one, one about murder and the other about music, in addition to deepening the story of the intrigue at the Sûreté du Québec. The series has become quite addictive for me.

ImperfectCJ 7 hours of listening to a theme read for three challenges = 225 pts for #TeamSlaughter #scarathlon #screamathon #LittenListen #bookspinbingo 3y
ATB I am in the middle of this right now. Like it so far and agree about three pines. 3y
ImperfectCJ @ATB I had a giggle at the subtle Monty Python reference she included in this one. Keep an eye out for it if you haven't seen it already...it goes by pretty quick. 3y
ATB @ImperfectCJ just got to the Monty Python reference. Laughed out loud. 3y
61 likes4 comments
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ImperfectCJ
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Audiostitching some fall/Halloween masks for my family. How fitting to have a novel set in autumn as my sewing machine's accompaniment! 🎃🍁🍂

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty 🍂🧡 3y
wanderinglynn How fun! 🧡 3y
Gissy 😍🍂🍁👻🖤🖤🖤 3y
78 likes3 comments
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ATB
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
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Reading with the Tiger Game in the upper right hand corner. I don‘t usually do that but the season is almost over… only 3 games and 7 innings left. Don‘t want to miss a pitch because Winter is Coming. And I am not willing to put the book down either. Win win right?

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Eggs
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
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In the serenity of the remote monastery, amid the vows of silence, the peaceful gardens, and the magic of the Gregorian chants—is it possible to find #malicious intent?? #maycharacters @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

MayJasper Surely not! 4y
39 likes2 comments
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Abailliekaras
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
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Mehso-so

Another Detective Gamache murder mystery, this time set in a monastery. It‘s a secretive, remote location so a ‘locked room‘ case. I love Louise penny but found this a bit slow, didn‘t care much about the priests and the Georgian chant storyline felt contrived. I prefer the Three Pines setting. Fans will enjoy a a comfort read with Gamache‘s usual warmth & interesting religious music detail.

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kwmg40
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
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OMG, I just found out that Hilary Clinton will be writing a thriller with Louise Penny! I can‘t wait to see what their collaboration produces!

SamAnne What what what. Intriguing..... 4y
Bookwormjillk WHAT?? Love it. 4y
TrishB That‘s awesome - thanks 👍🏻 4y
kwmg40 @SamAnne @Bookwormjillk @TrishB So happy that there are others as excited about this as I am! 4y
29 likes4 comments
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Singout
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this Louise Penny book—a re-read because was the first I read, but I‘m following the narrative order now. I really enjoyed the setting in a remote Quebec monastery, and the thoughtful insights into the joys and struggles of living in community and the beauty of plainchant, as well touching on the impact of prescription drug addiction. And, of course, a great who-dun-it. One of my indulgences that is not a Litsy challenge!

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LeslieO
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Thank you so much @staci.reads ! What great picks! The notebooks are so pretty and I‘m a notebook fanatic! And I love Hershey‘s 💋and cocoa. Wishing you the merriest of days. And thank you @Avanders for hosting. #ElfSwap

staci.reads Glad you like it all! Merry Christmas! 🎄🎅🎁 4y
Avanders 🧚🏽‍♀️♥️🎄 Merry Christmas! 4y
45 likes2 comments
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Jaimelire
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
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Pickpick

Sat outside and finished this wonderful book. I love the setting😍. Gamache and Beauvoir are called out to an isolated monastery where a monk has been murdered. These books just keep getting better and better. You develop such a deep relationship with the characters. I am passing myself because when I am done the series, I will cry.

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KimHM
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
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“When challenged we do whatever is easiest? Do we sin by silence? If we have real faith then we must have the courage to speak up. We must not protect the killer.”

💙📚💜📚💚📚🧡📚💛💙📚💜📚💚📚🧡📚

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rebbyj
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
Pickpick

This woman is amazing. Her writing is the gregoroan chant. Beauvior you break my heart. #covid #hysterectomy

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Susanita
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Mehso-so

The setting was compelling, and I really liked the musical information, but otherwise I wasn‘t crazy about this one. The pacing was uneven, and all the inter-department intrigue was a big record scratch. Meanwhile, Beauvoir is approaching caricature levels of foolishness.

Crazeedi Hes been like that in other books too, I'm wondering if I'm going to give up on this series after reading them all up to this one 5y
Susanita @Crazeedi I think I will pause for now and pick up the next one around Christmas, since that‘s when it‘s set. 5y
50 likes2 comments
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Susanita
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Well this was going fine until Gamache‘s a-hole boss showed up and everything ground to a halt. I‘m still a bit all over the place with my reading at the moment, but I‘m not going to sweat it. I might pick up something else for a while and see how that goes.

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Mshookquilts
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Pickpick

This murder occurred in a remote monastery. Gamache & Beauvoir get to know themselves a little better as they search out a killer in this timeless place until their nemesis shows up and seeks evil.

JamieArc I started the whole series because I heard someone talking about this book and the Gregorian chant in it. I really liked that aspect of this one. 5y
Mshookquilts @JamieArc I thought that part of it was really interesting too 5y
4 likes2 comments
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ShelleyBooksie
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Pickpick

My favourite in the series so far! The setting is amazing and the character development is superb.

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Jnnlb
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
Pickpick

I love this series! #louisepennyfan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Louise
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Mehso-so

While it was interesting to learn more about Gregorian chant and the daily life of a contemplative community, I found the setting of this book claustrophobic. I missed the residents of Three Pines, who add such flavor to the other books in the series. The book became monotonous. However, I respect the author‘s willingness to experiment with unusual settings and plots. Image: ABBEY OF SAINT-BENOÎT-DU-LAC, the inspiration for the fictional abbey.

MallenNC This one wasn't my favorite either, but I agree with you on respecting her willingness to try unusual settings. 5y
Bette I agree, not my favorite. But I was at a book signing and asked her if it was a Monty Python reference when that guy shows up and someone says, nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition...and she said it was. It made me happy that she likes MP. 🤣👍 5y
grumpygirlbooks I kind of felt the same way! This is actually the book that made me want to read the series lol, but I agree - not my favorite! 5y
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Louise @Bette I caught that too and figured it must have been deliberate—a tasty morsel for MP fans! 😂 I‘ll bet she was pleased that you mentioned it! 5y
Louise @MallenNC Yes, I felt the same way about the book that used the artistic process as a means to guess the whereabouts of an artist. It didn‘t quite work for me but I appreciated her risk-taking approach to writing. (edited) 5y
Louise @grumpygirlbooks Glad it got you interested in the series! There are some really good ones in the series, especially after she has developed the characters in Three Pines. Their humorous banter and care for one another make for good reading. 🤓 5y
70 likes1 stack add6 comments
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MauraReads
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It feels like the right time of the year to dive into this gem. I love this series that I started reading last year. I‘m trying to space them out a bit so that I don‘t read them all too soon.

JamieArc I‘m doing the same. I‘m a few books ahead. :-) 5y
Readswithcoffee I love the Inspector Gamache series! Welcome to Litsy ☕️📚📚📚☕️ 5y
CoffeeNBooks Welcome to Litsy! 📚 I love the Inspector Gamache series! 5y
5 likes4 comments
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TrishB
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Pickpick

I missed The Three Pines in this one! But a good mystery and the personal story development was excellent. What now 🤷‍♀️

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HollyBahling
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
Mehso-so

While excellent as a stand alone, I cannot like this book in the series. It angers me. Not just because of the struggle of the characters corrupted by the ones meant to protect them, but because it holds no baring to the previous books except to break the characters. I long for Three Pines. And I long for the comfort and tranquility of the investigators.

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Sleepswithbooks
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
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My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard @Tex2Flo !! I
L❤️VE my books and treats 😁😁 I can not wait to dive into my Hans Christian Anderson book to explore the mysteries 🕵🏼‍♀️(although my nose already sniffed out a chocolate bar)🍫 Thank you for gifting me with such awesome treasures ✨

Tex2Flo You are very welcome. This was the best time for me so I‘m glad you like it. (Lots of stuffing in the Andersen). 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awesome gifts!! 💞 5y
41 likes2 comments
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wallacereads
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
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My favourite section.

BooknerdsLife 😍😍 5y
28 likes1 comment
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kaysworld1
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
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#mysterymessageswap

1: Absolutely 😍
2: Mary Shelley
3: Its up to my sender.
4: I don't follow any
5: anything with animals getting hurt in it is a definite NO.
6: Either
7: Please don't write in or on the book's you will break my heart.💔
8: Perfectly fine
9: magnetic ones or handmade.
10: skeletons

@TheReadingMermaid my answers for everyone 🙏

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BeansPage
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
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Last day to sign up. Sign ups close at midnight tonight!!!
💌🔍👀🕯️💕

Sign Up Here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYBhg8DJGIFFnIM8eeTR0RKZ2JKay5jbECqiEs...

Watch My 🌟NEW🌟 Ideas Video Here:
https://youtu.be/HyWbW1A3ugk

#MysteryMessageSwap #LitsyHappenings #LitsySwaps

BeansPage @Ddzmini sweetie can you please give me your city, state and zip code? 6y
Ddzmini Menifee Ca 92584 😋 6y
BeansPage @Ddzmini thanks darlin 😘😘 6y
NamasteReading aww shucks!! I missed it lol 6y
Bookwormjillk Just watched your YouTube videos. I can‘t wait to put this together! 6y
54 likes5 comments
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wanderinglynn
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
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@TheReadingMermaid just announced an upcoming #MysteryMessageSwap that is going to be so much fun!

Sign-ups open this Wednesday! 4/17
Head over to her YouTube channel to watch the how-to-mystery-message video: https://youtu.be/nEIK4fqpWy0

BeansPage Thank you for sharing sweetheart ❤️🤗💕 6y
wanderinglynn @TheReadingMermaid My pleasure! 😘 6y
50 likes2 comments
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BeansPage
Beautiful Mystery | Louise Penny
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Sign-ups open this Wednesday! 4/17

Please watch this video:
https://youtu.be/nEIK4fqpWy0

#MysteryMessageSwap

MoonWitch94 Can‘t wait 😊 6y
Princess-Kingofkings I can't wait!! This swap has given me ideas for a friend's birthday gift this week. You are so creative. 6y
wanderinglynn Sounds like so much fun! I‘m in! Also, is your Litsy bookmark (which was in the video) wooden? Because I really liked it. I can see how essential oils would be great on a wooden bookmark. 6y
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ItsAngel This sounds like so much fun! I‘m in! 6y
BeansPage @Princess-Kingofkings you inspired it! Just remember that 😘😘 6y
BeansPage @wanderinglynn it is wooden! I love it! And remember that with essential oils a couple drops is all you really need so you can use them on cardboard bookmarks as well. 😉 6y
aa_guer2021 @TheReadingMermaid Just watched the video, and I would like to join the swap, please. :) 6y
45 likes7 comments
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aa_guer2021
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Pickpick

Atmospheric, emotionally charged, and fairly fast paced. The insights regarding the characters were very deep, and I can see how the detective and his partner are so popular. Furthermore the setting was very, very interesting and it did keep me guessing until the end. #recentlyread #recommendsday #mystery #seriesfiction #CIGamache