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A Great Reckoning: A Novel (Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, 12)

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Description

Instant New York Times bestseller: 1 in Hardcover Fiction 1 in E-book Fiction 1 in Combined Print and E-book Fiction "Deep and grand and altogether extraordinary....Miraculous." ―The Washington Post "Artful...Powerful...Magical." - The New York Times Book Review "Superb" - People “A Great Reckoning succeeds on every level." ―St. Louis Post-Dispatch 1 New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny pulls back the layers to reveal a brilliant and emotionally powerful truth in her latest spellbinding novel. When an intricate old map is found stuffed into the walls of the bistro in Three Pines, it at first seems no more than a curiosity. But the closer the villagers look, the stranger it becomes. Given to Armand Gamache as a gift the first day of his new job, the map eventually leads him to shattering secrets. To an old friend and older adversary. It leads the former Chief of Homicide for the Sûreté du Québec to places even he is afraid to go. But must. And there he finds four young cadets in the Sûreté academy, and a dead professor. And, with the body, a copy of the old, odd map. Everywhere Gamache turns, he sees Amelia Choquet, one of the cadets. Tattooed and pierced. Guarded and angry. Amelia is more likely to be found on the other side of a police line- up. And yet she is in the academy. A protégée of the murdered professor. The focus of the investigation soon turns to Gamache himself and his mysterious relationship with Amelia, and his possible involvement in the crime. The frantic search for answers takes the investigators back to Three Pines and a stained glass window with its own horrific secrets. For both Amelia Choquet and Armand Gamache, the time has come for a great reckoning. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Minotaur Books


Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 2, 2017


Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 400 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250022118


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 10


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.55 x 1.05 x 8.25 inches


Book 12 of 20 ‏ : ‎ Chief Inspector Gamache Mysteries


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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Another Terrific Entry in the Series
Format: Kindle
I love this series and the nuanced characters who are all flawed in some way but manage to find enough strength to meet the serious challenges facing them. This story follows Armand Gamache as he attempts to find a new path, having left his former position as Chief Inspector of the Quebec Homocide police. In this novel, he both creates and ultimately helps to resolve turmoil within the police academy. As always, Penny reaches back and pulls out stories from the past to enrich the reader's understanding of the permanent cast of characters in this series. The main characters have such heart and such a strong connection to each other whether it is spoken directly, in knowing glances, or in sarcastic sparring. An astute observer of the human condition, Penny deftly brings that to her writing by using small details and voicing each of the characters' thoughts in such a way that you get a unique perspective into the situation at hand as well as deepening the development of individual characters and their relationship to each other. This latest entry is terrific... red herrings, twists and turns, unexpected developments...a very well written story focusing on the murder of one of the Academy's professors but also moving over several sub-plots. Intelligence shines through Penny's writing, encouraging retrospection in your own life. Themes of loss, revenge, moral crossroads, forgiveness, power, responsibility, humor and love are easy for all of us to relate to. It does require some knowledge of what happened to the main characters from the other books to fully grasp some actions in this novel but Penny provides just enough set-up that it could be read as a stand alone. Highly recommended. Simply a great read. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2016 by zetetic

  • Reckoning for us All?
Format: Kindle
Here we are again. Three books, in a row. I've never reviewed two books by an author, and now MS Penny has me down for four! Each one, actually since the first has been deeper, more complex, more involving to the reader than the one before: not just a police procedural nor a mystery within a procedural, but a time interval in the lives of Armand and Reine Marie and now extensive family and friends. Originally, our point of care and concern was Chief Inspecteur of the Sûreté, Armand Gamâche, and book by book our knowledge, respect, affection, and yes, love has extended ever outward to his children, his beloved assistants, Jean Guy and Isabelle, his new friends and neighbors in Trois Pins where we KNEW he would find Sanctuary and healing, as would we. His life is now part of ours. Personally, one of the very best aspects of reading this series is MS Penny has allowed Armand not to be perfect. She has allowed us and him to learn forgiveness. That is spectacular in a hero - to be broken and mended. Side note: of course Reine Marie is perfect, but then how else would Armand learn it is human and normal to make mistakes? No, seriously, a strong loving supportive partner makes forgiveness, reparation and return to conscious repair of one's life possible. All this boils down to: read this series! You are going to get so much more out of each and every book than you ever dreamed, they are really really good, deep and thoughtful and MS Louise Penny will be the best author and friend you never met. I promise. You know me (a little bit) and I don't make promises easily. I'm an old style Texan, the daughter of a son of a Baptist minister who couldn't say a bad word about anybody, and didn't, and kept every promise he ever made. Well, I CAN say bad words about everybody, but I DO keep my promises, I reckon. Be good to yourselves and learn something important from MS Penny. Her road goes somewhere not on any map, but worth finding. P.S. I just found out today after this was posted that Ms. Penny's husband Michael has passed away. I would like those for us who feel our lives have been so enriched by her to send some support and kindness back to her for all she has given us to stretch our minds and hearts. Ms. Louise, you are an extraordinary woman, I'm certain in part because of the love and life you shared with the fine man you described as your husband and your boys. You have given us some of that through your books, so we will give back to you any way you wish, but certainly by enjoyment and purchase and loyalty of your books. Take care as we care. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2023 by chancytejana

  • Another fantastic tale from Louise Penny
Format: Kindle
I was introduced to this series in August of 2015, just after book #11 had been published. In the 6 months that followed, I read the entire series 6 times, and saw different nuances in the books every time. I read it a 7th time in preparation for this release, but didn't time it right to be able to read A Great Reckoning *on* the 30th. Next time, Ms Penny, I'll get the timing right (if there is a next time; this one ended pretty cleanly, and I could see you stopping here) . [I really want to say "please don't stop writing" here, but that just seems rude.] The reason for the 4 star rating . . . the town of Notre-Dame-de-Roof-Trusses was on a map Gamache used for navigation in, I don't remember, book 1 or 2, maybe 3. The red barn with "Roof Trusses" painted on the roof was noted in their trip. For me, even minor details like this need to be "right" in later books, and Ms. Penny tends to skew many of her minor details from book to book. There were a number of jarring "off-note" things like this throughout the book, even when the minor detail being remembered was actually kind of important to the story and the history of the characters. So, this book. Holy cow. What an emotional roller-coaster ride! Almost as heart wrenching as books 6 and 9! Some elements of this story I was able to predict after reading the short description of the book some months ago. I was not disappointed! Other elements were a total surprise. And again, I was not disappointed. The writing is so engaging, the story so intriguing, and much loved characters just continue to grow and evolve. This is a world I a can return to (and get lost in!) again and again, and never get bored with it. I want to go on and on, just writing my thoughts and impressions on this book, but I'd totally end up spoiling it, so I will restrain myself. I really need to learn how to write better reviews! What I've said here simply does not do justice to the depth, complexity, and humanity of Ms. Penny's works. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2016 by Carolyn E.

  • A Real Treasure
Format: Kindle
Louise Penny has written a work of art to be read and reread over time. She never disappoints and this exceeds all expectations. I loved this book and can’t recommend it highly enough.
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2025 by prolific reader

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