Customer Comments

Louise Penny has done it again. Inspector Gamache is a principled, compassionate, and flawed hero and this latest installment continues to follow his explorations into the human condition and what ultimately drives some people to kill, even in a secluded monastery deep in the Quebec wilderness. Penny's books always make me think, not only about the plot, but also about the universal issues they struggle with.

This is a great remedy for "Downton Abbey" withdrawal! It's certainly grittier than Downton, depicting the all-too-common tragedies of the commoners around Europe. Many wonderful characters who provide a myriad of perspective as their world turns upside down.

As the fourth in the Flavia de Luce series of books, I Am Half-Sick of Shadows does not disappoint! Flavia is as sassy as ever, the mystery satisfyingly juicy, and we get a further glimpse into the de Luce family complexities. This book (and the series) is a treasure--hilarious, charming, touching, and a great deal of fun.

This book shows a side of post-war Europe that we don't often see, from a place we don't often see. Peter Ho Davies not only shows the mingling of the cultures of the POWs and the townsfolk, but also the deep-seated wariness between the Welsh and the English. Davies's prose is beautiful, as are his descriptions of the North Welsh landscape. This is a great book for a quiet weekend as the weather turns colder, to be enjoyed slowly with some tea and Welsh cakes.

With each new book, I love Flavia more and more! Flavia is a living, breathing girl, hilarious and smart as a whip. As a first-rate detective and, as she notes, 11-year-olds seem to be invisible to most adults, she has a remarkable perspective on life in her family and in her village. I can't wait for the next book to arrive in November!

A delightful story of a British girl's coming-of-age. Written as entries in her journal, Cassandra's wit, humor, and insights are a joy to read. Written in the 1940s, it remains accessible and relevant to readers both old and young. A wonderfully fun book.