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Cruelest Month
Cruelest Month | Louise Penny
177 posts | 263 read | 2 reading | 63 to read
"Many mystery buffs have credited Louise Penny with the revival of the type of traditional murder mystery made famous by Agatha Christie. . . . The book's title is a metaphor not only for the month of April but also for Gamache's personal and professional challenges---making this the series standout so far." --Sarah WeinmanWelcome to Three Pines, where the cruelest month is about to deliver on its threat. It's spring in the tiny, forgotten village; buds are on the trees and the first flowers are struggling through the newly thawed earth. But not everything is meant to return to life. . . When some villagers decide to celebrate Easter with a seance at the Old Hadley House, they are hoping to rid the town of its evil---until one of their party dies of fright. Was this a natural death, or was the victim somehow helped along? Brilliant, compassionate Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec is called to investigate, in a case that will force him to face his own ghosts as well as those of a seemingly idyllic town where relationships are far more dangerous than they seem."
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Karisa
Cruelest Month | Louise Penny
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Pickpick

The village of Three Pines grows more dear with each book! In this one, the mystery that shrouds the whole series deepens as Gamache works to solve a death at a seance at the creepy Hadley Manor.

Book #3 of the Chief Inspector Gamache series is terrific! I listened to the audiobook version because it had a shorter wait. What a voice! Makes me want to try learning French. I guess I‘m in my Three Pines era now. 🌲🌲🌲

Shemac77 Love this series! 3w
Karisa @Shemac77 Right?! I want to live in this world—even with all the deaths ☠️😂 3w
Shemac77 Me too! That cafe……. @Karisa 3w
56 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Karisa
Cruelest Month | Louise Penny
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Dear Libby, You‘ve been saying “available soon” for 2 whole days. Waiting is torture… 😅

So hard to wait for the next book in the series sometimes! Would it be awful to load up the next 10 in my holds? 😂 Might be asking for trouble if they all come in at once or out of order… 🤔 #BookNerdProblems

Ruthiella Those ebook/audio book holds are tricky! 😅 1mo
Karisa @Ruthiella Right?! If it had said 10 weeks, I probably would‘ve broken down and paid for it by now. 😂 So spoiled by easy access to books😅 1mo
ImperfectCJ If you put the next several on hold, you can always postpone delivery if the holds come in too soon/out of order. 1mo
Susanita It will become available as soon as you start reading another book. 😏 1mo
DogMomIrene @ImperfectCJ Deliver Later has become my favorite Libby feature😂 1mo
44 likes5 comments
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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

This was the best of them so far! It got intense w: Gamache & the fallout of the Arno (spelling? I listen to the audio) case. I find this series overall slow paced compared to the thrillers/mysteries I usually read, but I really enjoy as the pieces come together & Gamache solves the case. I don‘t really find myself caring about the residents of 3 Pines I hope that doesn‘t make me sound terrible! I‘m much more interested in the police parts/mystery

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bthegood
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Pickpick

I think these stories are perfect. Gamache and Beauvoir and Lacoste must solve another murder in Three pines. All the characters are there - Clara and Peter, Ruth, Myrna, Gabri and Olivier. The woman murdered, Madeleine, seems perfect, loved who would want to put out her star?? Gamache's past (the Arnot case) is still a problem. ⬇️

bthegood The murder is solved, part of the Arnot problem is solved, but Clara and Peter leave us with a cliffhanger - will Peter feel joy for Clara's artistic success? Overall, a very good read!
3/19 #SeriesLove2024
Make a great day everyone 🙂
6mo
CatLass007 This is such a brilliant series! 6mo
bthegood @CatLass007 yes, I am enjoying it 🙂 6mo
See All 7 Comments
kspenmoll Oh I just live this series- I wait with bated breath. Every time there is a new one scheduled to come out. I think there‘s one I pre-ordered for this, October. 6mo
bthegood @kspenmoll I am enjoying them too - just started the series - glad to hear others have stuck with it - sounds like it holds up after several books 🙂 6mo
CatMS I love the Three Pines books also. 6mo
bthegood @CatMS right?? the setting, characters, and murder each book have been very good - 🙂 (edited) 6mo
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JenReadsAlot
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Mehso-so

This one was just okay for me, but will continue on! #readyourkindle @CBee
#serieslove2024 @TheSpineView @Andrew65

TheSpineView Well done! 9mo
CBee I liked this one! And I still need to continue with the series 🤷‍♀️😂 9mo
Andrew65 Like others I need to get back to this series. Well done 🎉🎉🎉 9mo
34 likes3 comments
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Twainy
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Pickpick

This is my favorite one to date.

It started out like a cozy creepy mystery. A seance in a haunted bred mansion? Cool. But then it turned into a police procedural. I like police procedurals but I was enjoying the mystery LOL

Everyone in town was I bit loony. The inspector continues to act patronly.

For some reason it still works! Better than the last!

4 solid stars!

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Bookish.SAM
The Cruellest Month | Louise Penny
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Our library has the best view! (More impressive in summer, when the marina is in full swing🚤⛵️☀️)

Really enjoyed the 3rd in the Inspector Gamache series. We get a little more insight into his history and the case that still haunts him… and there are some some interesting developments in the team‘s dynamics.

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staci.reads
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Pickpick

Book 3 really digs into the controversy and conflict around Gamache that the first two hinted at, and it's a great added layer to the storytelling. I am liking certain characters more and more and starting to dislike some I was taken with early on. The mystery here wasn't my favorite, but I still loved the book.

EclecticBookLover I just finished listening to the first book after watching the show, and I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to a nice, long, cozy-ish series to get into. There are so many mentions of food that it's driving me crazy! Lol 2y
62 likes1 comment
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CBee
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Pickpick

I think this might be my favorite in the series (though I still have like a million more to read 😂). It was nice to delve deeper into Gamache‘s past, and made me adore him even more. #SeriesLove2023
@TheSpineView @Andrew65

Andrew65 A wonderful series and I need to get back to them, well done 🥳 2y
CBee @Andrew65 it is! Armand Gamache has to be one of favorite book characters. So kind, so calm, so observant and brilliant. 2y
TheSpineView Great job!💙📖 2y
76 likes3 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

Continuing my Three Pines re-read. This is when the story really picks up. #SuperSeptember book 5/6

Libby1 I adore this series! 2y
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mcctrish
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Pickpick

I reorganized my family room bookshelves to have a Canadian Lit section and a mystery section, the rest are alphabetical. Of course, my LP Gamache are giving me stress cuz they belong in both 🤦🏻‍♀️😆 I love these books so much, I just want to disappear into Three Pines for the foreseeable future but I do have other books to read, so I will take a break for now ( including the new Cormoran Strike) I

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mcctrish
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I know it‘s going to work out ( eventually) and Louise Penny has a long game playing out with these mysteries but OMG I don‘t know what bugs me more, Peter messing with Clara‘s head, Agent Nichol, Agent Lemieux or that damn Hadley house

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mcctrish
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I really need to get my act together and read these in the months they are set BUT I CAN‘T WAIT

CogsOfEncouragement I‘ll read The Beautiful Mystery soon. It is set in early autumn. 2y
Bookwormjillk I‘m binging them all now but what a great idea to read them all in the month they‘re set. Maybe on my next read through! 2y
mcctrish @CogsOfEncouragement I bought the first 3 and now I need to decide if I buy them all or get the rest from the library. They are so good, I think I need to have them all 2y
mcctrish @Bookwormjillk that‘s a better plan 🤣🤣 2y
CogsOfEncouragement I‘ve borrowed them all from the library. 2y
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elkeOriginal
Cruellest Month | Louise Penny
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Pickpick

My 3rd #Gamache book and the best part was learning more about his backstory & his life. The murder mystery du jour was creepy and well done but as I will keep saying, the best part is getting deeper into the story of Chief Inspector Gamache & the primary recurring #ThreePines characters. Fun how Penny introduces new characters but makes us feel there were living here the whole time! This had a very Christie all-suspects-in-a-room scene too😉

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TheKidUpstairs
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And this afternoon's reading view! 💙🏖🏕

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TheKidUpstairs
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This morning's reading view 💚🌱🌿🌳🌲

Cailey_Mac The absolute best! 2y
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Magpiegem
Cruelest Month | Louise Penny
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Pickpick

27/22 When you have to count (e6 in loose change it‘s good to have Inspector Gamache to keep you company. I didn‘t enjoy this one as much as the first two, the characters felt less fully formed and the atmosphere was starker. But it was still fine and I‘m still looking forward to No.4 in the series. Although I have to take a break as I‘ve run out of audible credits! This series has stopped me listening to podcasts. There‘s no higher praise! 3⭐️

Dilara That's a lot of copper coins! You have a very apt litsy handle 😆 2y
Magpiegem @Dilara 🤣 I certainly do but unfortunately I can‘t line my nest with these Pennie‘s, they are part of my kids school fundraising efforts 😁 2y
20 likes2 comments
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Magpiegem
Cruellest Month | Louise Penny
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Current read- 🧐👻🐣☠️🏠🌲🌲🌲🧙🏻🥐 📚(couldn‘t resist trying to put this one into emojis!)

I would like a sequel to Nothing to see here by Kevin Wilson

And I gave Nanette by Hannah Gadsby 5⭐️

Eggs Love #1 ! Three Pines 👏🏻 2y
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Magpiegem
Cruelest Month | Louise Penny
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I‘m currently burning through my third CI Gamache mystery and I continue to enjoy them and be drawn to the characters and the place. However I have a question- Does anyone else feel like there‘s a bit too much focus on weight?? Every character seems to come with comments on their weight, even if hardly anything else is described about them.

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Susanita
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1. Azaleas. They should be blooming any day now!
2. Tagged book is the first one that came to mind.
#two4tuesday

Desha Azaleas are my favorite too!! 💗 3y
TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 😊 3y
31 likes2 comments
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swynn
Cruelest Month | Louise Penny
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Pickpick

More murder in Three Pines. I enjoy the small-town relationships, Inspector Gamache's admirable humaneness, and the pensive narrative style. I know I'm waaay behind the bandwagon on this series and am okay with that.

CogsOfEncouragement I like being late to the party, we don‘t have to wait for the next book to come out! lol 3y
swynn @CogsOfEncouragement Definitely an advantage! 3y
Erinsuereads That cover Is so pretty! 3y
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Blueberry
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Currently reading.

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ImperfectCJ
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this one more than the second book but maybe not quite as much as the first. I love binge listening, but I think I'll take a bit of a break for a couple of days, both so I don't lose interest and so I can get a few things done that I can't do well while listening for clues in an audiobook.

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canbku
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Mehso-so

My least favorite so far, but I still love all of the characters and can't wait for the next one in the series

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canbku
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Bouncing back and forth between reading on my phone and reading the paperback.

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Librarybelle
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Finished this reread this evening…almost to the point where I stopped in the series a couple of years ago (and will soon be caught up with my book discussion group reading the books in series order).

I found my second reading of this not as satisfying as my first read - still a brilliant book, but while so many felt book one (Still Life) to be less than stellar, I feel like this one lacks something, though I‘m not sure what.

Though, still great!

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JulieB
The Cruellest Month | Louise Penny
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Starting @DeweysReadathon a little late because of sleeping in. But I'm ready, and for the first time this year, reading outside with my morning coffee! #readathon

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Avanders
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Pickpick

Louise Penny‘s writing is exactly my speed right now. Interesting, well-told, and deeply satisfying. I loved reading about the Near Enemies, and I adore both Gamache‘s team and the locals of 🌲🌲🌲. So happy this is only book 3 of 17! 💃🏽💃🏽

Crazeedi You have some great reading ahead! 4y
BethM I could not get through the first book. 4y
Avanders @Crazeedi can‘t wait! ☺️🤗 4y
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Avanders @BethM I think that‘s fair.. I really liked it, but it didn‘t do for me what the 2nd one did, where I felt propelled to keep reading. I think the 1st is (as is often true) introductory, & maybe a little too much? I honestly don‘t really remember it much 😬 But also, this series... it‘s hardly cozy. While some of the elements are there, it‘s just a more serious, more involved, more literature‘y series. 🤷🏽‍♀️ & sometimes you just want a cozy! 😁 4y
Crazeedi @BethM @Avanders I dont judge a series from the first book, usually it isnt the best one. I read all of Donna Leon's series, her first one I almost didnt finish, but then when I went on to 2nd, I was hooked 4y
BethM @Crazeedi @Avanders maybe I should try book two at some@point. Book one had very disparaging views of hunters and law enforcement so I ended up DNF. 4y
JenlovesJT47 I really didn‘t like book 1 and was so disappointed. But I think I might try one more to see if I like it better. I love cozy mysteries and I‘m almost done with Agatha Raisin! 😭 4y
Avanders @Crazeedi that‘s good to know about Leon‘s series too... 😁 @BethM hmm 🤔 I‘m.l not sure where it goes re hunters... like I said, I can‘t *really* remember the 1st one.... but I don‘t think it‘s universally disparaging against law enforcement... I feel like, instead, it (the series) shows the difficulties and challenges they face and... I mean, the main character is head of an elite murder investigation team.. 🤷🏽‍♀️ But there‘re others too.. 4y
Avanders (Trying not to spoil anything in case you do read more 😜). I say: skip the first one. Start with the second. You don‘t need the first — they allude to things in the first, but I couldn‘t remember them anyway and didn‘t feel like I wasn‘t getting the full effect of the 2nd (and 3rd ;)). 🤷🏽‍♀️ @BethM 4y
Avanders @JenlovesJT47 do you remember why you didn‘t like it? I know I was surprised that it wasn‘t really... cozy. You know? More serious and dark, but the town is very cozy‘esque 😁 But I still thought book 2 was so good. Book 3 I also loved, though I know a lot of people in reviews have said it‘s one of the worst in the series... they all say it keeps getting better after 3. Well... 4 is next for me! 👏🏽👏🏽 4y
JenlovesJT47 I think it‘s because a lot of the dialogue felt very clunky, like perhaps it had been written in French first or something and the translation was slightly off. I remember one of the girl detectives annoyed me or something. But I‘ll give book 2 a try! 🤗 4y
79 likes11 comments
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MittenGirlPeach
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Pickpick

The third book in the series, and it‘s a particularly thoughtful read, especially during the season in which its set (Easter, Spring). The mystery is almost secondary to the background drama, yet they‘re also intertwined. I did guess part of the background story, but it didn‘t affect my enjoyment. This is one I‘ll reread.

Book One of my Five Book Goal for #AwesomeApril! Happy that @Andrew65 is hosting another splendid readathon!

Andrew65 Well done. I‘m in a similar place having finished the first 4. 4y
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Avanders
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It‘s been a big-bowl-of-chocolate-ice-cream kind of day.... happy to take it with me to Three Pines while I try to pretend I‘m besties with Clara & Peter & Gabri & Olivier & Gamache & Beauvoir & ....

🌲🌲🌲

Eggs Love the Gamache novels❣️ 4y
CaramelLunacy Gamache novels always make me hungry - so I commend your ice cream choices 4y
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MittenGirlPeach
The Cruellest Month | Louise Penny
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It‘s not the cruelest month this year. What a lovely spring Michigan is having. 79 predicted today, which is indeed unusually warm. We‘ve been getting a bit of rain too, which is very welcome. Look at the green!

Here‘s to a good day, dear Littens.

Librariana Beautiful! 😍 Thank you for sharing it with us 💕 4y
MittenGirlPeach @Librariana I‘m so glad you like it! That‘s the view to the front of our house. 4y
17 likes2 comments
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JackOBotts
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoy returning to Three Pines, even though the murder rate is alarmingly high for such a quaint village. ? It was fun to time this read to both the month (“April is the cruelest month...”) and holiday (an Easter séance).

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CogsOfEncouragement
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Pickpick

This third book in the series takes place at Easter. Another well written mystery. I plan to continue with the series.

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AmandaMCruz
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Pickpick

Third book into this series and thus far my favorite. It‘s Easter time in Three Pines but what great timing for me to enter October with this one! A haunted house was a nice touch and cannot get enough of Gamache. I also like that the characters continue to be familiar. Seems like every read will be even better than the last. Time to start the fourth!

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Andrew65
The Cruellest Month | Louise Penny
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A productive reading day yesterday, finished off three books and read 511 pages.

Altogether finished 3 books and read 953 over the two days. A great start, now work intervenes.

TrishB A great couple of days 👍🏻 I read 75 pages yesterday but managed 250 today! 4y
Andrew65 @TrishB That‘s great. 4y
69 likes2 comments
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Andrew65
The Cruellest Month | Louise Penny
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Starting the #SuperSeptember Readathon by listening to the third book in the Chief Inspector Gamache Series.

catebutler I adore this series! 4y
Texreader I need to start from scratch. I‘ve read a few but started well into the series. So I need to do some collecting!! 4y
Prairiegirl_reading @Texreader they are apparently really good on audio, so I‘ve heard. Might be easier to catch up that way. 4y
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CoffeeNBooks I love Inspector Gamache! 4y
Texreader @Prairiegirl_reading Yes I‘ve done all of them by audio. They are very good. Gosh I‘d feel like I‘d moved to Three Pines if I listen to them all in order! 😁🤔 4y
Andrew65 @Texreader It does have that feel @Prairiegirl_reading 4y
Andrew65 @CoffeeNBooks The books do give you that feel. 4y
Andrew65 @catebutler That‘s great to hear. 4y
CoffeeNBooks @Prairiegirl_reading The audio books are great- I really enjoyed listening to them. 4y
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Bookwormjillk
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Sitting outside with tea, reading and listening to baseball on the radio. Feels almost normal.

Nute Gosh! It‘s the way it is supposed to be! 4y
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Gina
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Finally a moring I can sit on my deck and not bake. Iced

Scandinavian coffee topped with whip and a drizzle of carmel paired with a murder mystery. Life couldn't get any sweeter!

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AutumnRLS
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Just finished Dresden. Can't wait until the next book in September. Totally freaking out on the inside, but in a good way. I love Jim Butcher. In the meantime, I have so many books to read. Jumping back into mystery with Inspector Gamache.

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Gina
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♡~Starting my weekend off in Three Pines Canada~♡

Bookwormjillk 🌲🌲🌲🦆❤️ 4y
Gina @Bookwormjillk OHMEGOSH... I am so in ♡ with this series. I tried to buy yhe first book in hard cover to add to my library and I had a hard time finding one in my price range. 4y
Bookwormjillk @Gina I love it too. I have been collecting the paperbacks secondhand, but haven‘t been able to find the second one. 4y
Gina @Bookwormjillk I, also, am having a devil of a time finding book #2. I wonder why... 4y
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BusyBookmark
Pickpick

I really enjoyed the third installment of Louise Penny‘s Inspector Gamache series. I have listened to the first three on audio and can‘t wait for the next! Witty writing, lovable quirky characters, and suspense. I can‘t decide if I will listen to the next or try an ebook version...🤔🤔

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Susanita
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1. First book that came to mind
2. Reese‘s eggs even though I know they‘re just peanut butter cups in a different format
3. Lily
4. Fluorescent yellow pen I use for my reading journal
#friyayintro

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Lcsmcat
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A book #setduringspring. The title refers to The Waste Land (T. S. Eliot) “April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.” But it could apply to Marcharound here. #MagnificentMarch @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 📚🙌🏻📚 5y
Sassy_Steph I just started this one! Love Louise Penny 5y
58 likes2 comments
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TooFoo
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I am currently reading my way through this series. Loved all of them so far! Has anyone else out there read these? I would love to hear your thoughts. Does anyone else besides me wish there was a cozy and quaint town like 3 Pines to live in? (Expect for all the murders of course 😳) #thecruelestmonth #louisepenny

TrishB I‘m half way through series too 😁 would love to live there!! 5y
melissajayne I‘m reading them, although I‘ve haven‘t picked up one in about 9 months or so. 5y
TooFoo @TrishB @melissajayne Thanks for the comments. I just finished the book. On to the next 😊 5y
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Librarybelle Love this series! I‘m towards the beginning of the series, as I‘ve been reading one a year for a book group, but would like to set some time aside to read all of them in order. 5y
TooFoo @Librarybelle I‘m going to start #4 soon. I was never much into mysteries but this series is so good! 5y
Prairiegirl_reading I stalled after book 2. I think I might try the audio I just recently heard the narrator of the first 10 is excellent. Apparently he passed away though. I loved the ones I‘ve read though. 5y
TooFoo @Prairiegirl_reading I‘ll have to try one of the books in audio. I great narrator makes such a difference. Book 3 was a good one! 5y
VioletBramble I've read the first 11 books in the series. I really like them. I did think of stopping the series after the 11th - there was a decision made by Gamache that I thought was heinous. But I have three more books in the series on my shelves so I will at least read those. 5y
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Bec_lectic
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Scored at a lending library!! Have yet to read this author but think I have a good start!

valeriegeary Nice! 🙌 5y
7 likes1 comment