The Brutal Telling: Book summary and reviews of The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny

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Cathryn Conroy

This Is a Marvel of a Murder Mystery: A Clever Whodunit Filled with Life Wisdom
I never read murder mysteries until I started reading Louise Penny, and now I am an avid fan—of both the genre and (especially) this author. Like the other four books that precede this novel, this is expertly written with a compelling whodunit plot, bold and vivid characters that pop off the page, and descriptions of food that will have you hunting down gourmet recipes for tonight's dinner.

In this, the fifth of the 18 (and counting) books in the Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery series, we find the brilliant and endearing Armand Gamache back in the idyllic Canadian village of Three Pines to solve (yet another) murder. (Maybe it's not so idyllic, after all.) Just before daybreak over the very busy Labor Day weekend, a dead body has been found lying on the floor of the bistro that is owned by Olivier and Gabriel, partners in business and life. No one knows the victim. At first glance, he looks like a homeless vagrant. He died after a blunt force blow to the back of his head, which should have resulted in copious amounts of blood. But there is no blood on the bistro floor. Who is this man? Who killed him? Where did the murder take place? Why was the body moved to the bistro? And why are several Three Pines residents obviously nervous, telling lies and guarding secrets? Gamache and his crew are on the case, and nothing is as it appears to be. Oh, I couldn't stop reading this one!

This is a literary murder mystery. The plot is grounded in references to art (painting, sculpture, and totem poles), poetry, literature, music, and history. In between the storyline of the murder investigation, you'll learn a lot, too!

Here is the wonder, the joy, and the marvel of Louise Penny's books: Life wisdom. These books are SO much more than riveting murder mysteries. Not only are there numerous short lessons of how to live life better, but also the books are packed with psychology—psychology that examines the human psyche better than most psychology books, baring the soul of the characters to understand the how and why of all human interactions.

The only caveat and it's an important one: You must read the Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery series in order beginning with the first one, "Still Life." Subsequent books reveal big hints and little spoilers that occurred in the previous titles. Don't ruin it for yourself! Read it from the beginning and enjoy and single one.

Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews

The Brutal Telling
A murder in a bistro during a busy Labor Day weekend in Three Pines, Quebec, makes for a great novel...add in beautiful Canadian landscapes, quiet village life, artists, hermits, bed and breakfasts, Inspector Gamache and his team, secrets, codes to break, antiques, and you can't stop reading.

Louise Penny has an intriguing method of keeping your interests through the descriptions of the characters, the settings, and the lives of those involved in the story.

Absolutely LOVED the book...a lot of life's lessons as well.

Jane N

Brutal Telling
Louise Penny has once again created an old fashioned "who done it". Three Pines is a village that I would love to exist in real life. The characters are so real that I felt that I knew them when I finished the book. The inn keepers, both old and new,Clara and Peter and all the rest. Ms. Penny weaves the history of Canada with the history of her characters in a way that entertains and teaches. I have read all of her books and this one by far, I felt was her best. The end was a shocker and I am waiting to read her next one !

Other books by Louise Penny at BookBrowse

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