The Madness of Crowds- Louise Penny- Crime thriller MINE Netgalley- 24th AUG
When a statistician is giving a lecture at a hall in a village outside Quebec, the last thing the police expect is trouble. However the speaker has a theory about post covid and has been stirring up feelings- social media as ever spreads things even quicker than a virus. The police limit the number of people and everyone is searched so how on earth did firecrackers and a gun get into the hall and having been fired narrowly miss the target- the speaker herself? Chief Inspector Armand Gamache was at the scene- something everyone thought would be a non event which they tried to cancel beforehand to no avail. Three pines village has a distinguished visitor- a nobel peace prize winner- but Haniya has a very hard side to her as well as the saintly side, having endured much in her short life. This is brilliantly written and a page turner. Much is narrative rather than action but done to keep the reader's interest and the pages turning easily. Although one of a series, -this is number 17-this does stand alone ( I hadn’t read the others). To write a novel about post covid is a brave and interesting scenario when we are just coming out of it in reality and the world is a different place for all sorts of reasons, some of which is reflected in the book- of people's mindsets etc. A clever concept and one very well executed. One to keep the grey matter active and wonder about the madness of crowds.
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First novel I read by this author and I really enjoyed the whodunit mystery. I loved the setting Three Pined and the community. I liked the character Ms Penny and her little jokes. This was a great read of murder and mayhem. I will continue to read the series in order. Really enjoyable read.

Well having ready all other Inspector Gamache books I was hoping for another and this did not disappoint. I love these characters, They are not sickly sweet or the usual crime novel recovering alchoholics divorcee, which i do love too, but these are so believable and if you can call a crime novel gentle they are. I hope that this isnt th elast one!

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book, and I’m really sorry but I didn’t like it at all. To me, everything about it was boring and implausible. It seemed to drag on and on and on and the only time I was thrilled was when I reached the end. I hadn’t read a Louise Perry book before, and I won’t be rushing to read another. Nothing else to say, sorry.

Louise Penny has published earlier novels featuring Inspector Armand Gamache and reviewers have been enthusiastic with comments such as "Penny's novels unravel criminal schemes that have moral consequences... what stays with the reader are the tender passages, the human insights, the reminders of what makes life worth living.” and "Impeccable…electrifying….breathtakingly well done." So I am looking forward to reading her latest novel.

The Madness of Crowds is a whodunnit whilst diving into the moral maze surrounding death especially suicide and euthanasia. The timeframe encompasses Covid and one of the protagonists is in favour of letting the elderly and vulnerable die. Pleasant thought!

The author has chosen characters to play out around these themes. So we have a Peace Prize Sudanese woman who escaped torture and rape by brutally murdering her captors, a Professor of Statistics who proposes "euthanasia" for the elderly and vulnerable, another professor who may have killed his severely disabled daughter, and a friend who abhors euthanasia. Another retired scientist has been involved in medical experiments on unwitting volunteers. Many of the volunteers have subsequently died or committed suicide. Finally one of the cops has a child with severe problems. One of the highlights of the novel how she weaves the arguments through the novel's protagonists.

So the story opens with the Professor of Statistics, Abigail giving a lecture at a Quebec university. There is an attempt on her life but survives due to the quick action of Inspector Gamache. An investigation ensues. Against this background, there is a New Years Party in honour of Abigail accompanied by her girlfriend Debbie and the Peace Prize Sudanese woman Haniya. Around midnight Debbie is murdered, and the potential list of perpetrators is large. Inspector Gamache leads us through a maze of motives, and the finger of suspicion jumps from one character to another. Unfortunately, it goes back and forth repetitively, and there are several characters who had a compelling motive to kill. Even in the big reveal, the police have little on no evidence. Frankly, in the end, I did not care - any of the characters under investigation could have been the murderer.

The moral maze questions were interesting and formed a constant background issue along with the family life of the Police families. The list of family members is just too long for easy reading!

It is a clever idea to use historical facts as a theme, and the real-life events surrounding Professor Ewen Cameron at McGill University were disturbing. These experiments are significant in the novel but nevertheless quite appalling.

One of Inspector Gamache' traits is use famous (and not so famous) quotations. Initially this quite appealing but eventual jars and even one of the policemen agrees! The ending is weak with a Poirot type meeting, and at the big reveal, a rifle is clearly visible and within reach of possible murderers. Three senior policemen (with years of experience) are present yet fail to remove or disarm the rifle. Needless to say, one of the possible murderers grabs the rifle and threatens the police. Ridiculous.

The novel is not without its charms and clever dialogue but as a whodunnit it is disappointing. Whether the dialogue, human insights and the moral maze themes overcome its shortcomings I am not sure.

Chief Inspector Gamache is asked to provide protection for a speaker but when he finds out the content of the speech, it’s a little close to home for anyone’s liking. Then there is a murder and it’s pretty hard to know who the intended victim was. Meanwhile, Gamache must support his family and friends in the midst of the “madness of crowds”.

I haven’t read others in this series so I’m not sure if more of the back story would have helped but although I quite enjoyed this novel, there was nothing about it to make it particularly memorable. Setting the novel in the aftermath of the pandemic seemed a little premature and, although I thought the idea was interesting, I don’t think it was done well enough. In a book of this length, I would have expected a lot more action but it just seemed rather repetitive.

Not as good as it should have been.

You've got to be patient here as the story takes a while to get going. Then you get a rollercoaster of action with thoughtful consideration of free speech versus hate speech, where's the boundary? Interesting, thought provoking, this series always delivers.

This is the first book by Louise Penny and whilst I was really interested in it’s premise I found it a slog to read, I had to force myself to finish it. It was overly long and at times dragged. I read it as a stand alone and felt like I was missing something having not read the previous novels.

This was my first Louise Penny novel but it won’t be my last. Detective Armand Gamache is a likeable character and Three Pines is a great (if dangerous) setting for the latest murder mystery in what seems like a long series of books. This is a absorbing and satisfying read.

I received this book from the publishers via Netgalley for a review. A cracking read, this was my first Louise Penny novel and thoughly enjoyed it.

I wasn’t aware this book was part of a series, but as a standalone it works really well. I’m not sure if I enjoyed it enough to want to read further books in the series but as a one of it was enough to keep my interest

There were aspects to like about this novel including a strong sense of setting and well-drawn characters. The story is linked to the events of Covid 19 in that it explores what could happen post-lockdown whilst Canada is recovering from the effects of a pandemic. It centres on what approach should be taken in respect of the disabled and elderly who are most vulnerable during a pandemic and the social and economic problems that inevitably result. The idea of the plot is a good one but my major criticism is the pace which is too slow. The possible solutions are gone over repeatedly and it is not the sort of crime novel where the reader can follow the trail of clues and come to a definitive answer. In the end several solutions would have worked.

Another great Louise Penny book. This series is great and every book is just stunning with its writing and plots.
Highly recommend.

Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

While the residents of the Québec village of Three Pines take advantage of the deep snow to ski and toboggan, to drink hot chocolate in the bistro and share meals together, the Chief Inspector finds his holiday with his family interrupted by a simple request. He's asked to provide security for what promises to be a non-event. A visiting Professor of Statistics will be giving a lecture at the nearby university. When a murder is committed it falls to Armand Gamache, his second-in-command Jean-Guy Beauvoir, and their team to investigate the crime as well as this extraordinary popular delusion.

I wasn't aware of the previous books in this series but the book does work as a stand-alone. I found it difficult to put this book down even with a difficult subject matter. This is a very well written book and fits the crime/thriller genre perfectly!

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

I chose to read this after reading ‘All the Devils are Here’. The Armand Gamache series does not exclude a reader who is joining on a later book, and this has been one of its strengths - that you can pick up the latest and be absorbed into the story and settings. I found the storyline challenging in the fact that it is embedded in recent history, and that makes the possibilities of the storyline more real to me. I read this book within a day, finding time to read more as I wanted to see how the story developed. I thoroughly enjoyed this read! Thank you NetGalley!

Detective novel set in Quebec province - very good on the whole.

Inspector Gamache becomes embroiled in a murder investigation on his doorstep in Canada which involves his colleagues, his family, his friends as well as neighbours and visitors to the area. It also delves into the past regarding the main suspects. The plot is very much character-driven as well as examining various ethical and moral issues. All the main characters from previous novels are here although I have only read one of the author’s earlier books about the inspector. It’s a little longer than necessary in my opinion and perhaps slightly repetitive in places. It builds up an interesting atmosphere about the location and is a thought-provoking and successful read. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It's always a joy to pick up Louise Penny's latest in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, Head of Homicide at the Surete, series set in the stunning Canadian location of the Three Pines village in Quebec. This addition has contagion as the central theme running through it, here the people have emerged from the horrors of Covid, but its impact continues as rising numbers begin to support the unpalatable lunatic theories and ideas being put forward by the seemingly normal and innocuous statistics professor, Abigail Robinson. She is at the heart of a fast growing divisively infectious febrile climate of high emotions. Robinson is but one of many others in the history of Canada, such as the now pariah and shamed McGill psychiatry professor who carried out unethical, devastating experiments that destroyed the lives of countless ordinary people, whilst others stood by doing nothing. Such people illustrate just how normal the monsters in our society can appear to be.

The likes of Robinson are a reflection of our contemporary realities, particularly in the age of social media being used to spread discord through manipulated facts and outright lies, where people will do anything to attain and maintain power. Gamache has been asked to oversee Robinson's talk at the university, something that really shouldn't have needed his involvement. The wintry conditions of snow and freezing cold over the festive period should have ensured few attendees, but people travel from far and wide to hear Robinson. Chaos and mayhem result, and its only through good fortune that no-one is seriously hurt, but murder is to follow during New Year celebrations at the Auberge. As Gamache, Jean Guy and Isabelle investigate, the emotive conflicts and debates penetrate their professional and personal lives, raising questions such as whether murder can be motivated by love, and how far is it permissable to venture to prevent the deaths of thousands?

Three Pines has a fascinating visitor, a Nobel peace prize nominee, the Sudanese 'hero', the 23 year old Haniya Daoud, the expectations of a 'saint' are rudely shattered by the reality of someone so damaged by past traumas and horrors that can barely be imagined, making almost everyone in the village want to avoid her. What Haniya has seen and experienced suggest that she is a monster on the side of the angels, making her a suspect in Gamache's inquiries. This was a wonderfully compulsive, entertaining and engaging read, even though it trawls through the darkest side of humanity. It is always a joy to reacquaint myself with the residents of Three Pines, none more so than the poet Ruth, of whom there are key insights here, and her duck, Rosa. I am already eagerly anticipating my next visit to Three Pines. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

This is the first book I have read by Louise Penny, where have I been!!

The story is set in Three Pines, which seems to be full of characters, it was a little disconcerting, having lots of people thrown at you, which, I think, if I had read the previous books would have been less overwhelming, my head was a bit whirly trying to keep characters and who they were together.

Chief Inspector Gamache is asked to police a talk by a controversial Professor, who since the Pandemic has some 'interesting' theories about who should be saved and should be left to die, this is disguised as a simple talk on statistics.

On the whole, I enjoyed the book, I think it would have helped me to have read previous books, some situations which happened before were mentioned and sadly I was in the dark.

It was a thought-provoking read and I would read more by the author,

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me the opportunity to read the book in exchange for an honest review.

So we're back in Three Pines post-Covid, which is a bold move on Louise Penny's part, as this little corner of the world seems to be ahead of the real world in recovery. The plot revolves around a statistics professor, Abigail Robinson, who has come up with a plan for economic recovery and for minimising damage from any further pandemics - but it is a plan abhorrent to many, and has public opinion divided. Inspector Gamache is asked to provide security for one of her events.
Once again, murder and mayhem ensues, with Three Pines at the centre. (I do like the way Ms Penny gently pokes fun at herself over the number of murders in such a tiny village). Ghosts from the past are woken, and feelings become very personal for both Gamache and Beauvoir, as well as for the suspects. As usual, the characterisation is superb, with new faces as well as the old and familiar ones, and the plot is intricate and interesting, with numerous twists and turns before the denouement.
I have read all of the Inspector Gamache novels this year, and I'm now a bit lost, having to wait a year for the next one!
With thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the e-ARC of this book.

I have not read any of Louise Penny’s books before and of course not come across Armand Gamache! However this is soon to be rectified and If I start at the very beginning it may very well feel like an extremely long prequel, I have been made to feel that I know the Inspector well, his hopes, fears and character, flaws included. louise Penny is amazingly good at writing an in depth character whilst still maintaining a tight and complex plot line. The scenario of it also being set in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic is also a genius stroke, making it feel not only current but optimistic and encouraging her readers to think ( if they haven’t done so already ) about the consequences and subsequent analysis of how and why certain things have been done. Altogether a great character, plot and setting. I very much enjoyed finding a little about Canada and it’s lifestyle...even to the extent of wandering around the roads on Google maps of small towns in and around Quebec to get a feel of place. Thank you so much Netgalley, publisher and without doubt Louise Penny for the opportunity of reading this in exchange for an honest review.