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

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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


  • Great book very different from the others
I really enjoyed this book and actually believe it has been my favorite one. You have a good plot and a great ending.
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2025 by pjean

  • Another Terrific Entry in the Series
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

  • Another fantastic tale from Louise Penny
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.

  • GREAT STORY FROM A GREAT WRITER
Louise Penny writes about Chief Inspector Armand Gamache’s new job in “A GREAT RECKONING.” As Director of the Surete du Quebec’s cadet academy, Gamache finds the body of a professor who has been shot, four cadets with secrets, many people with motives, and an old map that doesn’t make sense but that becomes very involved in the story. Further investigation reveal his own partial fingerprints on the murder weapon, his manipulation of the faculty and curriculum, his odd behavior prior to and during the investigation, and his apparent closeness to a suspicious girl; actions that put him right at the top of the list of suspects. Penny, a master at creating mysterious plots takes the reader on a journey of puzzling activity. It doesn’t seem likely that Gamache, the beloved central character of her most successful mysteries would be involved in a murder but the story creates doubt in the reader’s mind and poses the question of how will he extricate himself from the suspicion. Many characters in the novel have long standing roles in the Gamache series, many others surface, and all are unique in their participation. The author is adept in developing her characterizations with their various eccentricities. It’s not likely they will become bosom buddies with the reader but they will be unforgettable. Their roles add depth to the exciting and perplexing story. Some are pompous, some are officious, some are eccentric, some are disrespectful, some are distasteful; but their oddities add surprise as the investigation unfolds. Penny has a great website that invites close regard by visitors. All the usual entries are there, arranged in a manner that strongly encourages one to poke around. There are no secrets, Penny is loquacious and open, and the information is intriguing. Extensive detailing of her books and an impressive listing of her awards attest to her writing skills. One could, and should, spend hours there reviewing her thoughts and the details of her many mystery novels. Particularly touching is her tribute to her late husband, the driving force behind her devotion and sensitive approach to life. I admire Louise Penny and her love of writing. I also consider her to be a thoughtful and caring person with an immaculate mind and knack for telling stories. Does Gamache wriggle out of his dilemma? You know the answer to that. What you don’t know is the inventive scheme developed by the author to make it all happen. Read the book. Schuyler T Wallace Author of TIN LIZARD TALES ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2017 by Schuyler T Wallace

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