A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny
Published: August 2016
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny is the 12th in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache (Three Pines) Mystery novels.
Armand Gamache is coming out of retirement. He has decided to continue to fight the corruption that had plagued the Quebec Police Force, by tackling the school itself. He has taken over as the Head Commander of the Police Academy, in hopes that his influence and changes to the programs will provide a good basis for the cadets to follow.
As always, Armand sees the good in people, and he seems to be recruiting some of the runts of the litter as freshmen. That seems like a strange plan. As well, there are students who have already been corrupted by the old regime, and may not accept the changes which Armand is instituting. The fact that he is keeping some of the professors who may have been involved in the previous scandals but whose crime could not be proven, may also prove questionable. The professors may have been competent, but they were cruel, and their students followed suit. Armand has brought in a few new professors with integrity, but who also know that power brings temptation. However, he may have kept one too many of the old teachers. Perhaps his judgement is a little off, for it is quickly apparent that there is still an enemy or two inside the walls of his beloved Academy.
Meanwhile, an old map is found in the walls of the bistro in Three Pines. Armand takes four of his cadets and gives them the little project of discovering more about the map. Where the map takes them is beyond everyone’s imagination. And when a copy of the map turns up in the room of a dead professor, suspicions turn toward the unlikely.
This was a really good book on so many levels. The love between Armand and Rene-Marie was clear. It also shows the depths of Armand’s current friendships, and a look at his past friendships and family, and the many turns these took. As well, it showed Armand’s ability to let go of the past.
As a fellow Canadian, I love Penny’s work. I have been a die-hard fan since I picked up the first Gamache book. Her characters are strong, deep, and highly entertaining. Sometimes the humour cuts right through the suspense and gives you a needed breath. This book must have been a nightmare to write, as it was written through the heartache of her dear husband’s diagnosis and stages of Dementia. I am sure she wanted to spend every waking moment with Michael, and I am sure, while he could, he gave her that strength.
In other series, by this time my interest would have waned, but with the Armand Gamache series, my anticipation always rises, and I crave the next book.
Again, I definitely recommend this book/series/author. I encourage readers to start at the beginning of the series (Still Life).
Read: December 2017
Favorite Quotes from A Day of Reckoning:
“It’s not a ‘police kindness.’ It’s a police force. It’s called that for a reason. We use force. We are a force. And one to be reckoned with.”
“Don’t believe everything you think,” said Gamache, before releasing the hand and opening the door. “Pema Chödrön. A Buddhist nun.”
“We are introduced to Goodness every day. Even in drawing-rooms among a crowd of faults. It’s so easy to get mired in the all too obvious cruelty of the world. It’s natural. But to really heal, we need to recognize the goodness too.”
About the Author: (July 1, 1958 – ) Louise Penny is a Canadian author. Once a journalist with CBC, she now devotes most of her time to writing. She is the New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling author of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels. She has been awarded the John Creasey Dagger, Nero, Macavity, and Barry Awards, as well as two each of the Arthur Ellis and Dilys Awards. Additionally, Louise has won five Agatha Awards and four Anthony Awards.
