Eschewing the idyllic, yet strangely murderous, village of Three Pines, author Louise Penny takes Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his second in command, Jean-Guy Beauvois, deep into the remote forests of Quebec to the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups where a group of cloistered monks from an order long thought dead live, and work, and make music.
For over four hundred years the Gilbertine monks have been thought to be an extinct order. Then one day a recording of Gregorian chant seemingly burst upon the music scene, announcing to the world that the Gilbertine’s still existed, although no one but them knew where. That secret is soon to be revealed, however, when the monastery’s normally quiet existence is shattered by an act of murder.
Louise Penny explores music and the beautiful mystery of the way in which music can enchant and entrance us in her latest book, her eighth, following the life of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete de Quebec and the group of officers and family members who orbit around this singularly fascinating character.
Some of you may remember that last August I discovered the work of Louise Penny and promptly read the first seven of her Gamache novels one right after the other. For a month and a half I was fully immersed in this world Penny created and I loved every page of it. I had actually started this novel at that time and then decided to hold off and save it for later. With the upcoming August release of the ninth Gamache novel, and unexpected autumn-like temperatures, it felt like the perfect time to return to this series.
By and large I liked the book. Much of the story was interesting and engaging in the way that I’ve found to be consistent with all of Penny’s Gamache books. However she makes story choices with her characters, particularly the relationship of Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir that not only deeply frustrated me but also rang false with the time frame in which this investigation was to have taken place. I am thankful I waited until this close to the release of the next book to read The Beautiful Mystery. What follows is a SPOILER-FILLED discussion of the novel. If you haven’t read the Louise Penny books, please consider doing so. The first book, Still Life, is wonderful despite a few debut novel issues. The second book, A Fatal Grace, sets things on a course in which each book builds beautifully on the next.
Don’t read on if you haven’t read these books. If you like good character development these books are a must-read, and being spoiled is something you want to avoid if at all possible.
My rating: 6/10 stars
There is a lot to like about The Beautiful Mystery, and those who have rated it highly on sites like Amazon and give glowing reviews take a position that it is hard to argue with. Despite some heated complaints that Penny paints a picture of monastery life that is not accurate (seems like a lot of nit-picking to me), the many one-star reviews of this book also make a compelling argument.
I love music and am acutely aware of the way in which music is a part of my life. The way in which certain songs and certain artists call out to me in different seasons is indeed a beautiful mystery. The unseasonably cool temperatures the past few weeks have had me retreating into full on autumn mode with my musical choices. I’ve had Enya and the Lord of the Rings symphony playing on my CD player at work and on Pandora in the car and at home. It is barely a conscious choice. The weather changes and something inside clicks and I pull out music that has been dormant to me for months and just get lost in it. Louise Penny captures this power of music with great skill in The Beautiful Mystery, and she does so with one character who is passionately moved by music, Armand Gamache, and one who is not, Jean-Guy Beauvoir. In so doing she creates a welcoming space for every reader on every part of the music appreciation spectrum.
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is every bit as fascinating and complex a man as he was in the first book, and that fascination has grown with the character’s development in each novel. It is Armand Gamache who truly makes these books stand out above similar mystery novels. For those who have read Louise Penny, you are aware that though each mystery is essentially a new, self-contained story, the actual lives of the characters are going through a continuous story arc that goes from one novel to the next. Jean-Guy Beauvoir is a multi-faceted and sometimes frustrating character, a work-in-progress whom Armand Gamache pulled from obscurity and saved from a path of career, and perhaps life, destruction. His devotion to Gamache has grown with each novel and the relationship between these two men has been such a draw of these novels.
In the previous novel Beauvoir had started dating Gamache’s daughter, Annie, after both of their marriages fell apart. This was supposedly unknown to Gamache and his wife, setting up an interesting tension that left the reader wondering if this relationship may drive a wedge between the two men. Turns out that Gamache, no slouch in the observation department, had already figured this out and was very pleased by the situation. Of course Beauvoir doesn’t know this and sadly doesn’t find out before the whole thing goes off the rails.
One of the ongoing story lines in these novels is the movement within the Surete de Quebec to destroy Armand Gamache because of a move he made long ago to address corruption in his department that lead to the arrest and imprisonment of a prominent officer who continues to orchestrate his revenge from behind bars. Midway through The Beautiful Mystery one of Gamache’s superior officers, also a sworn enemy, arrives on the scene to oversee the investigation. This understandably sets up tension as Gamache tries to figure out just what game Chief Superintendent Francouer is playing. In the end it turns out Francouer was there to discover what Beauvoir might know about Gamache’s investigation into a recent story event that left several police officers dead and Gamache and Beauvoir injured. To do this Francouer plants several doubts into Beauvoir’s mind about his relationship with Gamache, causing Beauvoir to spiral back into drug addiction and begin believing falsehoods about Gamache. The novel ends with Beauvoir abandoning Gamache and leaving with Francouer.
Needless to say, this kind of storytelling itself generally frustrates me. It seems like a cheap and cliched way to create tension by driving a wedge into an established relationship. It is akin to having a couple split up for a time just for narrative tension. I don’t like it. BUT, if it fits in the story and is well established I can live with it and ride it out until its resolution. The problem with The Beautiful Mystery, and I’m far from isolated in this view, is that Beauvoir’s return to drugs, addiction, withdrawal issues and complete destruction of his faith and trust in Gamache is destroyed in about two days’ time. It is crazy and makes no sense at all. It is unreasonable that Beauvoir would have such severe symptoms of withdrawal after so short of a period of time. And although Penny has established that Beauvoir has self-worth issues, it is almost comical (in a sad way) that he is so easily led astray by Francouer. It plays false. I just don’t buy it. And for me this was a HUGE disappointment because Penny has treated these characters with more care and more narrative truth for seven previous novels. To take the story in this direction now, in such a poorly-handled manner, seems to cheapen the entire enterprise.
There were a few building blocks that could be seen to lead this direction, but not enough to build a solid foundation for these events to be believable. I felt like I had to suspend more disbelief here than I do in many of the science fiction novels I read. The dissolution of the relationship between Gamache and Beauvoir, which may just be temporary, does not ring true in the way in which Penny wrote it. And although I cannot wait to read the next one, I also dread reading the next one because it is sure to be full of the drama of the “break up”. Making things worse is the declarations of love that Beauvoir and Annie Gamache were making towards one another through three quarters of the book, only to see Beauvoir start to distrust and despise her by the end. Ridiculous. Makes no sense. And is very frustrating.
If you’ve chosen to ignore the warnings and read this but have not read any, or all, of the Gamache books. Don’t let this dissuade you. I’ve read many reviews from readers who found this book to be fantastic from start to finish. I happened not to. But I am very invested in these characters and will continue to encourage readers to give Penny a try. You (mostly) won’t be disappointed.
I am so glad that you felt this way about this book. I was beginning to think that I was the only one who was so very disappointed in the ending. I have fallen in love with these characters and was so sad to see the direction Penny went with this lovely relationship. I really hope that things are put right in the new novel, and I hope it is done quickly!
The way it all played out just sat there in my gut, unpleasantly, for several days. It has been a week since I finished the book and I am still frustrated.
I’ve only read one Inspector Gamache series which I adored; thinking of you immersing yourself in the series makes me so envious I wish school wasn’t starting in less than two weeks. Such a time suck, my job… đ Anyway, I’ll follow your trail and pick up another of Penny’s books, hopefully in order of which they appear. Am just now finishing my first mystery by Timthy Hallinan. He writes with very sharp dialogue and repartee, sarcasm and insight which are fantastic and remind me of the late Robert B. Parker.
Hard to believe how quickly the summer went by for students and teachers. Wow! I was just thinking about that yesterday when driving by a local middle school where they are frantically trying to get the rest of the parking lot done before next week.
I’m glad you enjoyed the first one. Other than this slight hiccup, they do just keep getting better. I’m expecting A LOT from the one coming out in August.
I wish I read this yesterday. I was at the library trying to remember this author’s name. You and Caroline have convinced me to read this series. Next trip!
I wish I had put it up yesterday for you to read, since it is a week overdue! đ
No worries. I’m always looking for an excuse to go to the library đ
I’ve been waiting for your review of this one since I finished it a week after it came into my hands. I liked the book,of course, it’s Louise Penny, after all. Yet as the drug use, lying and hiding ramped up I started to think “Uh oh. This isn’t going to be good.”
SPOILERS AHEAD!
Still, the rapid switchover of loyalty by Beauvoir surprised me. I didn’t like it and didn’t like the complete cliff-hanger of an ending. Yet consider that the doubts Beauvoir has had about what happened in that fateful raid four books back (I think it was) has been brewing ever since. The slightest setback has made Beauvoir doubt Gramache and himself. Also, this is the third time Beauvoir has resorted to misusing drugs that he was never really weaned from after he healed physically from his wounds. Finally, in the last pages, I kept hoping that small plane would crash, everyone lost. Now I can only hope Gramache will somehow come out on top of all this. I’m eager for the next book, even if I’m slightly afraid of it.
I agree that the idea of this happening has been brewing. I would have really been livid had it not. I just thought it all came off way too quickly to be believable or plausible. And I wouldn’t have been as angry about it had not Annie been placed in to be collateral damage.
Like you I am anxious and afraid about the next book.
Oh No! I was just thinking when I saw the title of your review of how much you’d been enjoying this author so I must pick the books up as well. It seems to have gone off track a little. Might still give the first few a go – or maybe I’ll wait to see what you think of the next book first!! It’s not like I don’t already have a year’s worth of books waiting anyway.
Lynn đ
I would highly recommend reading the books. Gamache is an amazing character and he hasn’t gone off the rails, even if I feel Penny did a bit with his partner on this one. Such great books.
I second that. Lynn. This one is the weakest (or 2nd weakest) of the books but all but those 2 are really, really top notch!
My vote would definitely be for this one as the weakest, by far.
Well, I suppose the author is allowed 1 or 2 weak books – it’s sort of something you almost expect with a lengthy series – you can’t like them all the same and also I think the author sometimes likes to do something different to shake the readers out of their complacency a bit. Do you know what I mean, you get a bit familiar with everyone and everything and something more is required.
Lynn đ
I didn’t read your entire reviews since I plan to read the series – because of how much you loved the books. I’ve been loving mysteries lately, and am excited to get the first book from the series from the library.
There are some rough spots in her debut novel but I think much of what makes this series (mostly) a gem is in that first book and with the exception of this one I think each one has improved. Very anxious for the end of the month and the new book.
I haven’t read anything by Louise Penny but the premise of this series does sounds just my cup of tea đ
I think it would be Jessica. Be warned, however. They are addicting.
Like Jessica(bookworm), I haven’t read anything by Louise Penny, but the premise of this series (and, to be honest, this book) sounds like something I’d quite enjoy reading! I’ll definitely have to add them to my “Remember this for when you’re shopping for a book” list! (Or, at least, the first in the series. That’d be a good start…)
Yes, do start with the first. It would be disappointing to miss out on all the story arc and character development that happens early on in the series.
I am glad to hear that you had a similar reaction to the one I had when reading The Beautiful Mystery. I was very frustrated with Beauvoir and absolutely felt that the amount of insecurity and bad faith that he displays in the novel was completely uncalled for and very difficult to believe. I didn’t like his turn-around on Annie either without any provocation whatsoever.
On the other hand, I loved the setting for this mystery and the whole description of the monastery life and their music is just great. I thought the mystery plot itself was pretty interesting.
Louise Penny is going to be on a book tour in my part of the woods at the end of August. Maybe I can ask her what on Earth she was thinking then đ
Fully agree, Maria. He has always had a degree of insecurity, but for it to get so full blown so quickly and for him to swing from being a staunch defender of Gamache to turning on him with only a few days of drug relapse was just silly.
The setting was great, as was all the emphasis on the music. I imagined the place to be quite beautiful and liked the mystery just fine.
Yes, do ask Louise Penny why she did this to us, lol! Hopefully the new novel she is touring for will make it up to all of her faithful readers.
I’ve just read Louise Penny’s first book, but I own all of her books. You and Rick Robinson have convinced me to read the entire series. I might be able to read Louise Penny’s second novel before I go back to work (the day after Labor Day). Right now, I’m reading Big Fat Books while I have time in the Summer. When I’m working, I only have time for quick reads. Louise Penny will be at the BOUCHERCON in Toronto (which is 90 minutes away).
I hope you can get to her next book soon. It is in book two where I feel things really start picking up steam and they just get better and better (minus one obvious exception).
It would be fun to meet Ms. Penny…but not until after her next book HOPEFULLY washes the taste of this one out of my mouth.
A trip to the Toronto BOUCHERCON would be a great Road Trip, Carl!
Yes indeed!
I’m behind you in the series now (only on the 4th), so I’ve just scanned your discussion, but am really intrigued by some of the conflict on what works and what does not work, depending on different readers’ perspectives of this installment in the series. I think, like you, I would still read on, because the characters have demanded such an investment from us up until this point, but it is always disappointing when one element of a franchise does not appeal as much as some of the others; I know what you mean.
Yes, they have demanded a great investment, which is in large part why I felt cheated by this last one to some degree. Although I’ll be at the store Tuesday to pick up the newest one.
You poor thing. At least you were able to take advantage of the popularity of the novel to get your name and picture connected to it. That ought to leave you with less frustration.
I did not enjoy her first book as much, but thought that this one was brilliant, including especially the ending, because it is not neat and tidy and happily ever after. But then maybe I’m easier to please.
I’m not quite sure what you mean by “tak[ing] advantage of the popularity of the novel to get [my] name and picture attached to it” means.
If it means that I reviewed a novel a year after it came out and had a handful of people come by to talk about it then I think you might need to rethink your definition of “taking advantage”.
If you are in some way insinuating that my opinion is not valid then I applaud your right to do so while suggesting that you point out where I am wrong in my opinions. I am a HUGE fan of her work and gave gushing praise for each of the previous seven novels in the series. They don’t all end happily, in fact there is usually unresolved grief and tension either up front or in the background of each one and they are excellent. The problem with this novel is that she did provide an adequate explanation (in my opinion) to have Beauvoir make such a dramatic shift in his life, a shift that would have been more believable had it at least started near the beginning of the book, not so far in.
Having read, and loved, her latest, which wraps up this story line, I can see that she had to take the character down this road to set up what she was doing in the current novel. But that doesn’t excuse poor execution and in my opinion she made sacrifices in her writing to reach and end and it left me, and many others, unsatisfied with the end result.
I’ve read the series in order and I’ve been loving it. I am now about 3/4 through The Beautiful Mystery, and it has gotten so depressing I can’t bear to finish it. I’m glad the review told me what is to come. I think I’m done with this series. It’s just gotten too dark.
You’ll definitely want to pick up the next book then after you read this one, trust me! đ Glad you are enjoying them. Just got a friend of mine at work to give the first one a try today.
Did anyone else notice that one of the key plot elements turns on the translation of the Latin phrase “Ecce homo” — and that Penny translates it as “he is (a) man” and goes on to say, erroneously, that Pilate said this of Jesus to debunk the belief that Jesus was divine. In fact it means “behold the man,” and Pilate said it to the mob to placate them, indicating that he was about to execute him.
This kind of thing makes me want to shake the author.