This is the first Louise Penny Inspector Gamache for me, and I enjoyed it.
Louise introduced many characters in the first 2 chapters which made me write out a list of the character names and their roles. Once the murder is discovered the book takes on a better pace and you find yourself quickly turning pages and getting emersed in the story.
The books whole story starts and ends over a period of a few days, and all the while Inspector Gamache and his partner JeanGuy are hard at work uncovering more clues bit by bit.
I really enjoyed both of the detectives, and Louise's writing style. I was at a loss however by not reading the novel prior to this one as there are several referrences; in fact paragraphs & chapters devoted to her previous novel which deterred from the story. All in all, the story is good up to the end, but the weak anticlimatic ending fell short for me.
But having said that, I still would read the next in the series as I would like followup to the 2 detectives.

I just finished this book and I really enjoyed it.
From start to finish the reader is emersed in the Amazon. This book is so vividly well written you feel like you are there with the characters every time you pick it up. You feel the bugs, the heat, and moisture of all the foilage that make up the forest. You "are" gently floating in a boat with your hand dipping in the water as you look around you at all things beautiful and unknown in a state of wonder.
The pharmaceutical company plot is very intriguing, and hooks you right from the start as you follow the characters from the city to the amazon.
Also weaved around and inside this main story; Ann Patchett flawlessly writes about her characters loves & loss, emotions and mistakes; and the lives lived in between. This is a beautifully written book that leaves you thinking for a while after. This is one of Ann Patchetts Best!!

This book was fantastic.
A massive hurricane, a serial killer on the loose, a parent in need of support due to dementia, and an x-special agent wanting to retire from service only to be pulled back in.
Elements of an excellent plot that actually delivers. This author finds a way to make everything come together. While the violence is gritty and at times seems over the top, he manages to layer the writing so that it is not the focus.
The chapters are spaced perfectly and you find yourself stunned at the end of some chapters, and turning the page builds into more of the same. This is a well written crafty novel, with effortless slowly unfolding twists you dont see coming. An excellent writer. Definitely on my top 10 list.

This is my first D.I. Banks novel and I do like the character that Peter Robinson has created, along with his partner D.I. Annie Cabbot.
We learn that D.I. Banks really enjoys good jazz & classical music and has a love of scotch-particularily Laphroaig.
The story centers around a suspected arsonist, and the fires that claimed peoples lives. Following that the story unfolds into the concentrated detective leg-work it takes to solve a case once you start delving into a victims past life.
There are no shortage of suspects, and the reader does not find out until pages from the end of the book who's responsible.
The story was good and interesting enough, but I would have liked it to be more suspenseful.
However, I always enjoy Peter Robinson's writing style, and the next one I will be reading will be Friend of The Devil.

I throughly enjoyed this book from start to finish.
This book has it all in terms of a good story with great ambiance and feeling.
The story is told in a slow unraveling mystery that draws you in and doesn't let go until the final ending.
All the characters are believeable, and the writing very absorbing; I found it hard to put down.
The book delivers what it promises from the dust jacket- " a modern gothic novel of love, secrets and murder set against the backdrop of Provence". - So if you are a fan of the above, then this book is for you.
I highly recommend this book, and await the next one from this author.

This is the 2nd book I have read by this author.
While the book has a "single" not overly exciting incident that joins together the storyline of this book; I did find all the other "various issues" to be still current. (book was written 2004, its now 2012).
I found the ending satisfying enough, and the characters to be believeable.
My favorite character was Spencer, and all his beliefs and inner strugles.
There was huge insight to all things vegan and all things done to the planet and animals.
The one flaw to this book would be its overwordiness. I found this harmed my enjoyment of the book because It needed much skimming throughout. However it was still an ok read.

This story begins right inside the hustle and bustle of a home in India. The central character is a father with regrets and lots of struggles with purpose in his current life. The family life inside this house is very entertaining in all ways and deals with traditions and clashes with new ways of thinking as well as corruption and love and loss.
I found all the characters multilayered and very believeable. All the chapters are titled and storied around their titles; while connecting this very good story as it just flows along, I found it hard to put down and wanted the book to continue when I was done.
Will really look forward to her new book, Tell It To The Trees, or reaching further back to Tamarind Mem.
Highly reccommended!

I selected this book from an Oprah Magazine list of thrillers.
This book is so NOT a thriller, or even a good story.
It is more a study of dementia. It is painfully boring, and I did not even finish it, which for me is rare.
Definitely feel cheated for the money that I spent on this one.

This is my second time reading this author and this book also has a supernatural vibe running through it.
I really enjoyed the authors care and attention to the character of the older lady. I loved how she had a daily Gin & Tonic at the hotel, and her entries in the book from beginning to end are very thoughtful.
Sure the book has nuances from other books or stories but for me it was a good book with solid believeable characters. And the story moves along at a good pace.
I thought some of the books strongest parts were when our main character Eric is thrust into the past to view events to see what really happened.
Some excellent writing there.
It wasnt an edge of your seat thriller, or blockbuster, but a good entertaining read.

This was a very enjoyable book.
The brothers relationship is a big part of this story, and it ebbs and flows along.
The story told is funny, sad, full of suspense,thought provoking, and is everything you would expect from that time period surrounding the gold rush, with all the saloons and towns and random violence along the way.
But its the writing style that makes this book so great. While reading you feel you are right beside these characters along for the ride.

For me this one deserves all the acolades and great press, I loved it and look forward to future writing by this author, on whatever subject he might choose, I'm sure he would be up to the task.