A Great Reckoning

By: Louise Penny

Narrated by: Robert Bathurst

Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

Former chief inspector Gamache has been hunting killers his entire career, and as the new commander of the Sûreté Academy, he is given the chance to combat the corruption and brutality that have been rife throughout the force. But when a former colleague and professor of the Sûreté Academy is found murdered, with a mysterious map of Three Pines in his possession, Gamache has an even tougher task ahead of him.

When suspicion turns to Gamache himself and his possible involvement in the crime, the frantic search for answers takes the investigation to the village of Three Pines, where a series of shattering secrets is poised to be revealed....

Ingenious, gripping, and powerful, A Great Reckoning is the new spellbinding novel from number-one best seller Louise Penny.

©2016 Louise Penny (P)2016 Little Brown

better and better

Where does A Great Reckoning rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Not among the best even though Louise Penny's writing goes from strength to strength

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes indeed, this novel is extremely well plotted

Would you listen to another book narrated by Robert Bathurst?

Possibly ...but I am too attached to the characters as created by Adam Sims to listen to another Gamache novel read by this new narrator...bought the book without realising the narrator had changed

Any additional comments?

I cannot begin to describe my disappointment at the change of narrator...am really sorry I did not just read this novel..

Fabulous

Another expertly written adventure featuring Armand Gamache, his officers and the villagers of Three Pines. I particularly appreciated the narrator's skill. Beautifully read! I recommend this series over any other.

3 Pines

What did you like most about A Great Reckoning?

I'm an avid fan of Armonde Gaumache and eagerly awaited this book. This is a very intriguing story and I'm sorry I listened to it so quickly. The characters are full of depth, warmth; even if one doesn't always show it. It's a real community , that sticks together . I could never have guessed this storyline. Intriguing til the very end.

What did you like best about this story?

As above

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Without spoiling it; the church.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

In the church

Any additional comments?

Over the years of listening to these books you really rely on the narrator for the extra touch. I am so used to the previous narrator that it took me a long time to stop picking faults with the narrator of this book, his accents and pronunciation . The previous narrator set the story and the characters for me. I still listen to them just for the naration as much as anything. As I don't have the books to know if Clara is spelt Claira? But I would repurchase a copy if done by previous narrator ....and I rarely relisten to any other authors. I do hope Gaumache continues for a while longer and has a narrator who does him justice.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Another wonderful book

I liked everything about this book, as I have done with all the Gamache novels. Some are rather better, or more interesting to me, but they are all good reads. It took some time to get used to a different narrator, but that is only to be expected after all this time. The new voice didn't fit comfortably with me initially, but it became more familiar the more I listened. Robert Bathurst is a very good actor and, I believe, has made a very good job of what I imagine was quite a daunting task to take on.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great story.

I can't fault this story or the narration. The story was engrossing and I enjoyed the new narrator.
I think this is the best of the Inspector Gamache books, I've enjoyed them all however feel that the 'layers' of stories contained in this book is the most enjoyable.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Really don’t like new narrator

Have to read as book as a book
love these stories and love last narrator put such feeling and atmosphere into the stories great allrounder.
New narrator No no no
so sad loved listening to them

I love her books but not the new narrator

Any additional comments?

I love the Inspector Gamache series and I have been listening to all of them up to now. I have tried three times now to listen to this new narrator but stopped every time as I just can't cope with him after the brilliant Adam Sims. Don't get me wrong, I think Robert Bathurst's voice is great but just not the right one for this series. I don't like the way he is reading and emphasizing words. I think he would be perfect for narrating children's books though, because of his way of narrating. And making Olivier sound camp is really annoying! I have read the book instead and loved it!

Let down by the narrator

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The Narrator

How could the performance have been better?

Sadly the change in Narrator from Adam Sims is a disappointment to the series. The very English tone and pronunciations do not do the story any justice and for fans of the books may come as a disappointment. It would be great if they could return to the previous narrator !!

Was A Great Reckoning worth the listening time?

Yes

Any additional comments?

The series goes from strength to strength, I do hope the narrator is reviewed for the next installment.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Wonderful as ever

I adore Louise's storytelling style, and I love Armand and all his friends and family. This latest book entertained me thoroughly, transporting me to Three Pines once again.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Very disappointing!

Very disappointing wish it was read by Adam Sims (like all the other Louise penny books) then I would have probably got past the first hour.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Disappointment

What did you like best about A Great Reckoning? What did you like least?

I am a big fan of Louise Penny and have listened to all the previous books. For me this was not the best (I like them when set full time in 3 Pines), but the plot was interesting. I have to say I really struggled with the new narrator, especially when he kept referring to 'Claira' and not 'Clarra' which really grated on me!

What other book might you compare A Great Reckoning to, and why?

The obvious answer is an Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot novel where the detective investigates and then has the great reveal in front of an audience, but it was part of the Gamache 'political' trilogy so was clearly similar to these earlier books in the series.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Robert Bathurst?

If this had been my first experience of a 3 Pines story I would say that Robert Bathhurst did an ok job. But coming after Adam Sims he fell well short for me and I struggled to listen as a result. All the atmosphere brought by Adam Sims voice and style was lost, the Frenchness all gone. This was a disaster for me as the place and characters all changed, even the bistro lost it;s allure! I feel future books will need to be read by someone who has a French Canadian accent. I have heard a rumour that Adam Sims is deceased (but have not been able to confirm this), hence the requirement to replace him with Robert Bathhurst.

Was A Great Reckoning worth the listening time?

Compared to most books yes, but for a Louise Penny less so for me.

Another great story

These books revolve around Canadian characters in a beautiful Quebec setting. Shame this new book narrated with an English, rather than North American accent. Doesn't capture some of the characters very well. Bring back Adam Simms!

1 of 2 people found this review helpful