A Rule against Murder: A Three Pines Mystery

I loved "A Rule Against Murder" because Louise Penny's writing is simply music to my ears. Her ability to develop characters, describe scenery, and create an ingenious plot are unparalleled. I am not extremely familiar with Canada or with French Canadians. Therefore, learning more about this particular culture through the characters was also of interest to me. I found myself looking forward to the evening hours so that I could sit down, dim the lights, sip a glass of cabernet and listen to this book. My only regret is that I have now finished the book!

I had Louise Penny on my author list to try for a long time, and downloaded this one before a long car trip. This was a good mystery which took a while to unwind. I was totally unfamiliar with the character and just knew the books took place in Canada. I will defintely listed to more of these in the future.

I would like to believe there is a lot of humor in this book. Unfortunately, the author's reading is so drab and bland that none of this translates. The family that is portrayed here is too cruel (not in a physical way), too unloving for my taste. For example, one character contemplates changing the already ridiculous name of their child to something even more ridiculous, just to scorn another character. This was a mountain I could not climb, and the revelation of the actual mystery requires quite leap of faith (a few actually) to go along with. However, the book is well written and the setting is wonderful.

I would recommend it for fans only.

I love this entire series. Without giving the actual mystery short shrift, the author provides some heartbreakingly beautiful passages. Rarely does writing achieve such poignancy.

So enjoy reading Louise Penny's books. I love her character development, learning more about Gamache, his character flaws and strengths. I like that he recites poetry and is truly in love with his wife of many years, and can admit when he has made a mistake to his child. Beyond that the mysteries are always good, but there is more than that to them, it's the scenery, the relationships the characters have to one another, and the lessons that are taught. I enjoy learning about Quebec, Montreal, and the village of Three Pines. I look forward to more books from Louise Penny.

This is the 4th book of a fun listen. Best listen in order as the characters are developed as the series goes along.

Louise Penny is an obviously skilled writer, but many of her characters' actions require much credulity of the reader. I regret I cannot be as enthusiastic as previous reviewers.

A great listen. Ms. Penny continues to capture the "male voice" as well as any female author, while providing a great view into another culture that is still North American.VERY interesting. I want to go to Quebec! Characters a fully fleshed out and the mystery itself, while somewhat straining credibility, is really almost secondary to the characters and their relationships.
I strongly urge you to start at the beginning of this series. The characters will become old friends.

If PD James where to put something together in Canada this is what you might get.

Louise Penny writes wonderfully descriptive books! I can feel the heat, I am sure I gained 5 pounds from the description of one delicious meal after another and I reacted to the nasty interaction the vacationing family with grown children displayed towards each other. I felt this book was a chance to get to know some of Ms Penny's reoccurring character much better. I am eager to listen to the next book in the series.

In this story, the fourth Gamache novel in the series, we encounter Inspector Gamache and his lovely wife on vacation at a charming place. Coincidentally, they run into their friends Clara and Peter from Three Pines, and Peter's extended family. What follows is an entertaining look at a dysfunctional family as well as, of course, a murder to solve. Very enjoyable read.

The narrator is great.