For anyone who has lived in Quebec, this story will bring back memories in the language, place and humour. An easy read, the writer holds the reader's interest with lively conversation, good character development and interesting plot.

I loved this book and the fact that the crime takes place in a secluded monastery. I enjoy a contained crime scene for once where there are only an infinite number of suspects so no chase scenes. And the location, the chanting and building are so fascinating. I learned a lot about neumes and gregorian chant. and there is more than that. We learn a lot not only about the the monks, but about the police investigating the murder. Even though it is a serious read, it also had humour.

I'm not a regular murder mystery reader, but I really enjoyed this book. It takes place in a monastery outside Quebec and involves another mystery concerning Gregorian Chant. Very enjoyable.

Well written, though I prefer the stories that take place in Three Pines.

Parts of this book were interesting, particularly around the mystique of the monastery. However, some of the main characters just didn't feel real enough for me. I couldn't relate to them, and they didn't 'come alive' for me. I made it 3/4 through the book and (rarely) didn't care enough to finish it.

I'm enjoying this Louise Penny novel so much, that I'm reading it slowly... I want it to last until her next one comes out. Another, maybe more relevant reason for reading it really slowly: I get to savour how Penny reveals the inherent poetry in the English & French languages. And best of all, I love how she develops her characters in what feels like a very real way. Yes, this is where and why the factory scene returns over & over... it is central to the development of these characters as a pivotal psychological moment for all involved. Highly recommended!

Though I have enjoyed all of the other books in this series, I was thoroughly disappointed in the ending of this one. It seemed a cheap trick, and not her style. I'll give the next book a chance, but if she is using this type of ending as a way to keep one engaged, I'll be done after that.

I learned quite a bit about Gregorian chant, and the setting was Penney's usual beautiful, peaceful and rotten at the core. The development of the feud of Inspector Gamache and Beauvoir against their nemesis, Francoeur, becomes more important. I'm very interested to see how that works out in the book that's due this summer.

This is the best Gamache novel of all. I'd recommend it to anybody. All the way through, I was thinking of the good bits and things I wanted to say in this comment, and now I'm a bit stunned by the ending and it doesn't seem important anymore. So please read and discover this book for yourself.

I have read 5 of Louise Penny's books so far. I loved them all, but I think this was the best. I couldn't put it down. The reason I think she is still labouring the factory episode is that it is still having an effect on Beauvoir. Some things are bothering me, though. The fragmented incomplete sentences at the beginning of the book are annoying, and demean her style. Thank God it didn't last. Secondly, Ecce Homo means Here is the man, not He is man (that would be homo est). I hope Louise Penny gives us some credit for our collective knowledge! Thirdly, and this has nothing to do with the book itself: on her website, it says CBC is doing a film of one of her books, and Nathaniel Parker is playing Gamache. I'm sorry, that's not how I pictured him at all. I think NP lacks the gravitas in the character of Gamache. I like Anthony Lemke as Beauvoir, on the other hand. Can't wait to find out if he succumbs to Francoeur's scheming. 5 Stars.