Discussions About A Great Reckoning By Louise Penny

Book Club Friends Discussions About:
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny

A Great Reckoning

Published: 2016

A Great Reckoning is Book #12 of the Chief Inspector Gamache series

See The Full List of Books In Order

Louise Penny

A Great Reckoning Discussions

Please note that links for future chats will only be activated on the day of the discussion.
All links are active for past discussions.

Topic

Date

Direct Link

Detecting The Wisdom of Gamache

Sleuth work: identify potential phrases that could be selected for discussion next week

27/08/2024

Read/Participate
The spirit of the Three Pines community

Identify a phrase that embodies this topic, discuss the quote and what it means to you or how it inspires you.

28/08/2024

Read/Participate
The humour of Louise Penny

Identify a phrase that embodies this topic, discuss the quote and what it means to you or how it inspires you.

29/08/2024

Read/Participate
An insight into human nature

Identify a phrase that embodies this topic, discuss the quote and what it means to you or how it inspires you.

30/08/2024

Read/Participate
A historical detail of interest

Identify a phrase that embodies this topic, discuss the quote and what it means to you or how it inspires you.

31/08/2024

Read/Participate
An enticing food moment

Identify a phrase that embodies this topic, discuss the quote and what it means to you or how it inspires you.

01/09/2024

Read/Participate
Discussion of The Wisdom of Gamache phrase chosen by Louise Penny

We encourage everyone to discuss the quote and what it means to you or how it inspires you.

03/09/2024

Read/Participate
What did you think overall and why?

15/01/2024

Read/Participate
What do you think of Gamache’s decision to invite Brébeuf to teach at the academy? What does the invitation, and Brébeuf’s acceptance of it, say about the two men?

16/01/2024

Read/Participate
In what ways is the map significant to Gamache, the villagers, and the various cadets? What significance does it have for you?

17/01/2024

Read/Participate
How do you feel about the character of Amelia? Did you see the final words in the book coming, and did they change your view of Gamache or Amelia in any way?

18/01/2024

Read/Participate
What are the most important things Gamache teaches the cadets? What does he learn from them?

19/01/2024

Read/Participate
Did you laugh or cry at any point during A Great Reckoning, and if so, what made you do so?

“Few writers in any genre can match Penny’s ability to combine heartbreak and hope in the same scene,” said Publishers Weekly in a starred review of Bury Your Dead.

20/01/2024

Read/Participate
What would YOU like to discuss about the book?

Burning questions? Favorite character? Reactions you’d like to share?

21/01/2024

Read/Participate

More Book Discussions

See All book Discussions

Latest Releases From Recommended Authors

An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s

The Leadership Journey: How Four Kids Became President

The Frozen People: An Ali Dawson Mystery

Girls' Night Out: A J. P. Beaumont Short Story

The Ghost Orchid: An Alex Delaware Novel

An Island of Suspects: A Brittany Mystery

The Verts: A Story of Introverts and Extroverts

This Is Why We Lied: A Will Trent Thriller

Death of a Master Chef: A Brittany Mystery

Dark Storm Rising: A Kate Burkholder Short Story

The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2024

See All New Releases

Newest Recommendations

Ann Cleeves

If you love the Vera Stanhope series by Ann Cleeves, try

Donna Leon

Donna Leon’s books are fantastic! Start from the first book since

Charles Finch

Charles Finch mysteries with Charles Lenox as detective are excellent. Start with first or there are

Elizabeth Peters

I have read the whole Amelia Peabody series at least four times! Like the Inspector Gamache series,

William Kent Krueger

William Kent Krueger’s Cork O’Connor Series are wonderful books, a fantastic series. Excellent characterization,

Craig Johnson

Highly recommend Sheriff Longmire series by Craig Johnson. He’s a sheriff in Wyoming. There’s a tele

ML Longworth

One of my favorite authors while waiting for LP’s newest book is ML Longworth. Her mysteries take pl

Louise Erdrich

Louise Erdrich is one of my all time favourite authors. You need some perseverance to read her earli

Donna Leon

A friend of mine recommended the Guido Brunetti mysteries by Donna Leon, and told me they were “as g

Faye Kellerman

I recommend Faye Kellerman’s Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus series. I own every book in hard copies a

Rhys Bowen

Rhys Bowen’s Molly Murphy series is a lot of fun and well researched (an Irish immigrant turned New

CJ Sansom

C J Sansom is my favorite author. I can reread his books so many times. He is a master of words. If

Julia Spencer-Fleming

I’m really enjoying Julia Spencer-Fleming’s Fergassun/Van Alstyne series! Just keep getting better and

Bonnie Garmus

Lessons in Chemistry is a wonderful read. It doesn’t shy away from showing how prejudices can negati

Louise Erdrich

The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich is an all time favorite of mine. She is an amazin

Rhys Bowen

I love Rhys Bowen’s stand-alone novels and the three called the WW collection. I particularly recomm

Tony Hillerman

Tony Hillerman then his daughter Anne Hillerman, mysteries set in the Navajo Nation in the Southwest

Margaret Maron

While we wait for the next Gamache, I want to recommend the late Margaret Maron’s wonderful Deborah

Barbara Kingsolver

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver is one of my all-time favorite novels – terrific, funny,

Martha Grimes

Martha Grimes’ mysteries with Richard Jury and Melrose Plant are well written and entertaining. I en

Laurie R. King

Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell books are up there with Louise’s on my favorites list. I just read “Th

CJ Sansom

The only books I truly adore the same as Gamache are CJ Sansom’s Shardlake series. There aren’t enou

Peter James

I recently discovered Peter James’ “Roy Grace” series. There are 17 books in the series, and they’r

Gail Bowen

I’m a huge fan of the Joanne Kilbourn Shreve books. I’ve read every one, all 22. Joanne, her family

Abraham Verghese

I just finished reading The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. I couldn’t put it down. I loved h

Louise Erdrich

LOVE Louise Erdrich. She is brilliant and one of my favorite authors! I love all of her books but Th

Charles Todd

Just finished the newest Charles Todd. Excellent historical mystery series featuring Inspector Rutle

Jan Karon

Jan Karon’s Mitford series is one of my very favorites, too. It’s a wonderful series, full of fully

Tana French

Tana French is a genius at creating a slow-burning, increasingly

Deborah Crombie

Deborah Crombie’s books about Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James. Like LP’s books, they can each stand a

Janet Evanovich

I’m a huge fan of mysteries with humour and a dash of romance Janet Evanovich’s books are on the top

Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett is one of my favourite authors, and Bel Canto is one of my all time faves. Truly a wond

Barbara Kingsolver

One word to describe Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead is transformational. It changed my percep

ML Longworth

M.L Longworth’s books are under appreciated in my opinion! I love the series and recommend them as v

Anne Perry

I recommend the William Monk series by Anne Perry. He loses his memory and has to pretend to know ho

Jo Nesbo

I love Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole books. Excellent series. The main character is intriguing and I grew to

Richard Osman

Just finished The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. Delightful! Can’t

Annie Proulx

Barkskins by Annie Proulx is a really good book. The stories, characters, and places were compelling

Ian Rankin

Ian Rankin is a fantastic storyteller and writes well on so many levels. Has a great ear for dialogu

Tara Westover

Tara Westover book “Educated” is a great book. A powerful book, and a resilient woman. I recommended

Jean-Luc Bannalec

Jean-Luc Bannalec’s Brittany Mystery Series follows the cantankerous, Parisian-born caffeine junkie

Isabel Wilkerson

“Caste“ is among the best of the non-fiction books I have ever read. I HIGHLY recommend it. There ar

Anne Perry

I have read many of the recommended series here and my favorite is still Anne Perry. I love her seri

Peter Lovesey

I first learned about Peter Lovesey books featuring detective Peter Diamond from Louise Penny who ha

Tana French

Just finished The Searcher by Tana French. Riveting, great mystery and the main character reminded m

Jan Karon

I started reading, and for some reason, did not enjoy. THEN, a few years later, I started again and

Dana Stabenow

I want to recommend Dana Stabenow’s Kate Shugak series. These books help fill the empty place until

Amor Towles

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles is one of my all time favourite books. Absolutely magnificent.

PD James

PD James is my all time favorite mystery writer. I’ve reread the books several times. I also immense

Jacqueline Winspear

I love Maisie Dobbs! One of my favorites. Maisie is a very strong woman with an exceptional mind and

Jo Nesbo

Jo Nesbo is one of my favorite authors. Great mysteries. Much darker in tone than the Louise Penny b

Ken Follett

Ken Follett is one of my favourite authors. He has written so many excellent books, it’s hard to pick

Faye Kellerman

I love Louise Penny’s books, but I wait for the Kellermans’ books with bated breath. Of all the Kell

Alice Ozma

As Father’s Day is tomorrow, I want to share with you about an extraordinary father who made a promiseAmor Towles

Peter May

Peter May never disappoints, his writing is always amazing. I just read A Winter Grave and highly re

Lindsey Davis

I think Lindsey Davis is underrated. I recommend her books. The books are set in Ancient Rome. The latter

Louise Penny

Before I discovered Louise Penny, I was very taken with Elizabeth George and Laurie R. King. I devou

William Kent Krueger

I love the Cork O’Connor series. Read those first before

Jacqueline Winspear

Jacqueline Winspear is an excellent writer. Maise helped me get through a tough time in my life. She

Julia Spencer-Fleming

I absolutely love the Russ Van Alstyne books!! I salivate just thinking about them. Sooooo GOOD!!! H

Laurie R. King

I just finished reading The Lantern’s Dance by Laurie R. King and loved it! If you’ve never read any

Rhys Bowen

Rhys Bowen’s Molly Murphy series is great. Good stories with a sense of humor. This is one of my fav

Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn is my all time favorite author in the mystery/thriller genre. Her books are beautifull

Richard Osman

I just finished Richard Osman’s 4th Thursday Murder Club Mystery. I think it’s

Louise Penny

Just finished Bury Your Dead, book #6 in Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache series and it is the

Shelby Van Pelt

I just finished “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt. I got the recommendation from my L

Tara Westover

Tara Westover’s Educated is a beautifully written memoir of an amazing young woman who overcame unim

Peter Robinson

I’ve read all of Peter Robinson books, some more than once. He is a bit of an unsung hero I believe.

Tana French

Tana French’s The Hunter. WOW! What an amazing book. The audiobook is perfection. The writing is sub

Elizabeth George

Elizabeth George is one of my top 4 favorite authors. That whole series has the best character devel

Kim Michele Richardson

One of the best books I have ever read is The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. It’s definitely not a

Nita Prose

I want to recommend Nita Prose. I just finished “The Maid” and really enjoyed it. It took me a while

Faye Kellerman

I am completely addicted to Faye Kellerman’s books. Her main characters are Peter Decker, policeman,

Dorothy Gilman

Mrs. Polifax is so much fun. We listened to her books as a whole family on road trips and even the t

Rhys Bowen

I love Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness series. Such fun! They’re light, but clever and amusing. I started

CJ Box

I recommend CJ Box’s Joe Pickett series. I’m already on the 4th book! Love the setting – knew nothin

Ruth Ware

Ruth Ware has been dubbed ‘the modern day Agatha Christie’ and I completely agree. She really knows

Shelby Van Pelt

I really loved Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures and have recommended it to everyone. I

Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett is one of my favorite authors. She never disappoints! I just listened to the audio of T

Isabel Wilkerson

I recommend Isabel Wilkerson’s “The Warmth of Other Suns.” It’s an excellent non-fiction book. She t

Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly writes great mysteries. My husband and I both enjoy them. He sometimes includes a s

Margaret Coel

Margaret Coel’s Windriver Series, also called the Father John series is great. The series is set on

Kate Atkinson

I absolutely love Kate Atkinson. I don’t buy many books, because I’m an avid library patron and our

Jane Harper

Jane Harper is a very good “go to” while waiting for LP’s next book. Harper is an excellent writer a

Annie Proulx

Annie Proulx is one of my favorites. She may be best known for “Brokeback Mountain” and “Shipping Ne

Amor Towles

A Gentleman in Moscow is a jewel! I had a hard time getting into it on my first try, but I went back

Donna Leon

The Donna Leon, Commissario Guido Brunetti is excellent. They are set in Venice which becomes as muc

Barbara Kingsolver

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver is eye-opening and so well-written. Raw, powerful, and heartb

MC Beaton

MC Beaton writes funny, cool mysteries. I love her Agatha Raisin Mysteries. Quick reads and so very

Kim Michele Richardson

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson is one of my very favorite books. This

Tara Westover

Educated by Tara Westover was an amazing story of resilience and strength but is also heartbreaking

Margaret Maron

I love every book of Margaret Maron’s Deborah Knott series. This is a favorite series of mine. I liv

Kate Morton

Kate Morton is one of my very favourite authors. The House at Riverton is brilliant! A murder myster

PD James

I love P.D. James and the Dalgliesh books. I reread and re-listen to them quite often. I even named

Daniel Silva

I will literally buy and read a shopping list if Daniel Silva writes it. I love Gabriel Allon! He’s

Donna Leon

While you’re waiting for the next Gamache book, I recommend Donna Leon’s inspector Brunetti. He too

Kate Quinn

I just finished “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn. I am so very grateful that I received a recommend

Craig Johnson

I recommend the Walt Longmire books by Craig Johnson. Just finished “Hell and Back” and it is outsta

Anne Perry

I have read many of the mysteries that have been recommended here and I find the Charlotte and Thoma

Annie Barrows

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is a WWII st

Iona Whishaw

I’ve fallen in love with Iona Whishaw’s Lane Winslow Mystery books. They are great reads that aren’t

Martin Walker

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Police Chief Benoit Courreges series by Martin Walker. They are lighter in to

Louise Erdrich

The Sentence by Louise Erdrich is a book lover’s book. My favourite read this year. It was hard to g

Tana French

Let me just say if you have never read author Tana French you need to. Her books are brilliant. Trul

Amor Towles

A Gentleman in Moscow is a fabulous read! Amor Towles’ other two novels are great, too, but this one

Kate Morton

I just finished reading “The Lake House” by Kate Morton and I would recommend her books to Louise Pe

Dorothy Gilman

The Mrs Pollifax series by Dorothy Gilman are beyond terrific. The books are about a middle aged, mi

Abraham Verghese

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese is one of my all time favorites. It’s a slow start with lo

Jonathan Kellerman

Jonathan Kellerman is one of my all time FAVORITE authors. I just read Serpentine. It starts out slo

Kim Michele Richardson

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek authentic piece of historical fiction and so wonderfully written

Annie Barrows

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a very sweet and charming book with wonderful c

Jacqueline Winspear

Of all the movies and books I have read about WWl, The Care and Management of Lies touched my heart

Louise Penny

I read the entire Gamache series every year, starting with Still Life, and every time, it’s as thoug

Patricia Cornwell

I’m hooked on Patricia Cornwell’s series. If you’re looking for something to read this may be for yo

More Recommendations

Next Book Discussion

No posts

More Discussions

Recent Quote Shared

Discuss what this quote means to you

You know, one of the tragedies of real life is that

Fictional characters, he had lately found,

Life will break you. Nobody can protect from that, and living alone can’t

We all have flaws we’re working on. Denying them doesn’t help.

“‘Should I carry him?’ asked Gamache, feeling badly because he hadn’t

He said nothing. Very sarcastically.

I write traditional drama, and the small enclosed communities work will with this form. I enjoy exploring

“All food starting with p is comfort food:

Can’t imagine what Gamache thinks of us,” said Myrna. “Every time

Reading fiction is important. It is a vital means of imagining a life other

More Quotes

Book-Inspired Art, Food and Travels

Still Life by Louise Penny Canada Day Celebration

The Louise Penny "Bury Your Dead" walking tour adventure shared by Jo-Anne Dulcie Maurits

Dr. Whitehead memorial bench in Knowlton, Quebec

"Having a bit of fun painting today" by Karen Doucet

Three Pines Pie made by Sandy Taylor Kempton

See More book inspirations

Our Most Recommended Authors, Series And Books

Read more about how our lists are curated.

Latest Releases From Recommended Authors

Recommended Authors

Recommended Series

Recommended Books

Share Your Knowledge

Recommendations

Quotes

Discuss Your Thoughts

Book Of The Month

Discussions

Inspire With Your Creations

Book Inspirations

Book Club Friends Discussions About: A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny

A Great Reckoning

A Great Reckoning is Book #12 of the Chief Inspector Gamache series

Louise Penny

A Great Reckoning Discussions

Detecting The Wisdom of Gamache

The spirit of the Three Pines community

The humour of Louise Penny

An insight into human nature

A historical detail of interest

An enticing food moment

Discussion of The Wisdom of Gamache phrase chosen by Louise Penny

What did you think overall and why?

What do you think of Gamache’s decision to invite Brébeuf to teach at the academy? What does the invitation, and Brébeuf’s acceptance of it, say about the two men?

In what ways is the map significant to Gamache, the villagers, and the various cadets? What significance does it have for you?

How do you feel about the character of Amelia? Did you see the final words in the book coming, and did they change your view of Gamache or Amelia in any way?

What are the most important things Gamache teaches the cadets? What does he learn from them?

Did you laugh or cry at any point during A Great Reckoning, and if so, what made you do so?

What would YOU like to discuss about the book?

More Book Discussions

Latest Releases From Recommended Authors

Newest Recommendations

Latest Releases From
Recommended Authors

Book Club Friends Discussions About:
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny