A Journey to Three Pines - Episode 3: The Cruelest Month

We are so excited to journey with you to Three Pines, the fictional French-Canadian village created by Louise Penny for her Three Pines series, featuring Armand Gamache. This spin-off podcast series will tackle each of the books in the series in turn, in a spoiler-FILLED format. Be sure you’ve read the book before listening to the episode.

As you’ve come to expect with all Currently Reading content, Meredith and Roxanna will follow a regular episode format, with regular segments, so you know what to expect each and every time. We love staying focused on the book, rather than conversational rabbit holes. 

Show notes for this series will not be time-stamped, but will include links to Bookshop dot org or Amazon for any books or resources referenced in the episode. These are affiliate links, so they kick back a small percentage to us if you buy through them, and help support the work we do on Currently Reading.

1:56 - The Set Up

The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny (one L simply due to demographic of readers? Please don’t fight me over this!)

3:05 - Putting the Book Into Context

Publication date 

Seasonal setting - Spring, around Easter

Book Awards: Agatha Award for Best Novel in 2008, Nominated for: The Anthony Award, The Macavity Award and the Barry Award for Best Novel of 2008

Critic Reviews

Alternate Title: Cruelest vs Cruellest - that’s the only difference dependent on geographic location of publishing.

Meredith’s and Roxanna’s encounters with the book

Currently Reading Season 5: Episode 45 w/Ezeekat

8:46 - A Deeper Exploration

Setup and first few paragraphs

A seance as the driving source of the mystery

Still Life by Louise Penny

One note character in Madeline/lack of care for her as a character

Gamache not introduced until chapter 9

Pg. 69 - Make note for future reads

Gamache as a father and grandfather figure versus an inspector

The pacing of the novel

Quality of writing itself

Themes: Regeneration, Resurrection and its unpredictability, jealousy, equanimity, grief, platonic love, 

Character Development - Gamache’s Pride, Beauvoir

The Fear Factor

55:58 - What Do We Need to Know?

Village of Three Pines - The Hadley House, Hazel’s House

A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny

Homes as a driver for the plot/characters

The Oddness Factor

Gamache’s accented English

1:06:00 - Superlatives

Favorite scene

Character MVP

Biggest loser

Best food description

1:16:32 - Within the Series

Is this book skippable?

Setting the foundation

Favorite quote

*Does the reading of passages take you out of the conversation or help enhance it? Let us know at the socials below!

Next episode’s read: A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny

No Spoilers this episode! 

Connect With Us:

Please note the change in Meredith’s Instagram handle. This was recorded prior to the change. 

Meredith is @meredithmondayschwartz on Instagram

Kaytee is @notesonbookmarks on Instagram

Roxanna is @roxannatheplanner on Instagram

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