Carpe Librum

The fifth book in the Armand Gamache series takes quite a different turn, still ending in Three Pines, but we find it twisted and dark rather than cozy. I connected much less with this novel than the previous ones and was actually tempted to simply DNF it a few times. If I had been reading rather than listening I probably would have quit.

The glimpses into different characters that the reader gets in most of this series is not as present in this one. Instead, the focus is mainly on Gamache, Olivier, and a character who remains unnamed for most of the book. The murder and its investigation wanders down nonsensical paths that are picked up again in book six. I know that there is something deeper, or at least different, going on here, but it's taking too long to get there.

Another unwelcome theme in this book was continued unnecessary focus on the author's personal beliefs. The series has included ideas that I don't agree with before this point, but each character has accepted each other for who they are they way they should. Until this book. I could go on, but I won't.

I'll only say that this book was a disappointment and it seemed to be missing many of the key elements that have made this series enjoyable. Since I'm already reading the next book, I know that some of this unfortunately continues. With three intersecting plotlines, only one is really interesting. Oh well, carrying on....so far.