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“Can’t wait for you to meet a new character. I’m naming her Amelia. She certainly stands out in Three Pines. Oh, and did I tell you that Gamache has a new job?”
Amelia Choquet folded her arms across her chest and leaned back at her desk. She was careful to make sure the sleeves of her uniform rode up, exposing her tattoos, and as she did she played with the stud in her tongue, shoving it up and down. Up and down. In an unmistakable display of boredom.
Then she slumped down and observed. It was what she did best. Never participating, but always watching. Closely.
At the moment she was watching the man at the front of the classroom. He was large, though not fat. More burly, she supposed. Substantial. And old enough to be her father, though her own father was even older than this man.
The professor wore a jacket and tie and flannels. He was neat, without being prissy. He looked clean.
His voice as he spoke to the first-year students wasn’t at all lecturing, unlike many of the other professors. He was talking to them, and his attitude seemed to be that they were free to take in what he was saying, or not. It was their choice.
She clicked the stud against her teeth and the girl in front turned and shot her an annoyed look.
Amelia sneered and smiled and the girl went back to scribbling notes, apparently taking down what the professor was saying verbatim.
So far they were a week into the term and Amelia had only taken down a handful of sentences in her brand-new notebook. Though, to be honest, she was still surprised to be there at all.
15 replies on “Postcards from Three Pines: A Great Reckoning”
I love your books and tell everyone about them. They are so well written and the characters are so interesting… they are like my friends when I get so wound up in the story. Looking forward to the new book
During this time of self isolation, your characters have become my friends. I have read each book in order starting with Still Life. I am taking my time as there are only two more, c’est dommage! At times I have a craving for cafe au lait and a croissant! Their meals at the bistro make me hungry! You are a truly gifted writer. I find myself wanting to read the classics! Perhaps I will go to Myrna’s bookstore and purchase them! Many blessings to you during this time in our history! You have made my past 5 weeks most pleasurable! Meet you in the bistro!
First book from the series I ever read. A friend was moving to Arizona and had just finished. She asked if I ever “read Louise Perry”. I said no – she said you are missing out on a real treat. I’m just reading the last in the series and ambwaiting for Kingdom to be delivered. I’ve passed the books on to my sister in law who has passed them on to a friend. What a journey it’s been.
Loved this book from the first sentence.
One of my favorites
Just finished Bury Your Dead for second read. The characters are even deeper the second time around, as is the landscape and weather.
Each book is better than the last!
I just adore her books. Chief Inspector Gamache is wonderful. I wait with bated breath for the new book.
A fascinating new character, Amelia, who immediately shows depths of character with twists and turns reflecting the contrast between the beginning of a career and the ending of another career. I hope we never see the ending of the career of Chief Inspector Gamache.
A Great Reckoning was actually the first book I read of the Gamache series. I loved it and have gone back and started from the beginning and am 8 books in. I want to live in Three Pines and have all the characters as my neighbors! You’ve created a world I don’t want to leave so I hope you have many books left and Gamache stories to tell!
There was one of the earlier books that had words so well phrased that I found myself wrapped up in them, not wanting to leave. Have never had that experience with a book/author before.
And, yes, I told Louise that at the Festival of Mystery in Oakmont (Pittsburgh) that year…
I love the way you let Gamache take substantial risks. He always maintains his integrity, but he is pushed and stretched more than many main characters in other series. Keep surprising us!
This was a different light for Gamache…and at the same time all the qualities that make him the character we love, come through at the end. Can’t wait to see how you follow this one….and to see you in Cincinnati!
There have been many “defiant” characters threaded throughout Louisa’s novels.
The reactions by the other characters defines themselves as well as drives the plot further.
And, and, and! I can’t wait to read more. She was still there because she heard his words.