#Ruth Zardo

[realclaramorrow]

how do I singlehandedly create more tumblr interest in the chief inspector armand gamache detective novel series because so far all I can see is

-1 louise penny quote (its a good one tbf)

-2 fanart

-50 bazillion simping for alfred molina

he's not an unnatractive guy and I love his portrayal of gamache but guys please

[heartofhubris-a]

Ok my reading of Still Life thus far

The first time Jean-Guy is introduced its to touch Gamache

they're?? so sweet holy shit

OH MY GOD??? I'D KILL FOR THEM. Reine-Marie are you two looking for a third. Armand are you looking for a third.

call me the hunt

Hubris stop falling for guys who like birds challenge (impossible)

canon to the books moment; Armand is aware of how often indigenous people are overlooked

Inspector PeePaw

I kin Ruth so fucking hard it's unreal I love her. I love Ruth. I'd kill for Ruth. Does she need someone dead? no. I love her. She's perfect.

[simulacra-x-simulation]

Twin Peaks // Three Pines

[ghostbusterindrag]

I love mean, eccentric old women when they're not written by misogynists and just get to be weird in peace.

[goodoldcharley]

Attention: Long post (fanfiction)

Recently @businesscalamity pointed out that there aren't enough Armand Gamache fanfictions out there. That's 100% true. I decided that something had to be done about it. And while I haven't written any ffs in years, I can now proudly say "I'm back at it". What started as an idea now already turned into something bigger than I first intended, so it will take some time, especially since English isn't my native tongue. But lovely people like @gmache and @illiana-mystery who already read my first few drafts were nothing but encouraging and supportive *thank you so much*

What to expect? A mix of show and book universe, humor, food, mentor relationship, unrequited (really?) feelings, fluff, drama, intimacy (rating M I'd say) and a desperate attempt to stay as true to the characters as possible... Oh, and there is a new rookie in town (OC, who would have guessed)...

If you read this far, congratulations!

No, honestly thank you for bearing with me

Have a short excerpt from Chapter 4 to get in the mood. Comments and reblogs are welcome... Have fun...

*throwing text in and running off*

( ‐-----------------------------------------------)

Chapter 4 (a look back)

“You should try Gabri’s pasta, it’s delicious!”, Gamache praised. He had been talking about blueberry pancakes and croissants the last 15 minutes. It seemed he had now moved on from breakfast to lunch. Her own stomach grumbled quietly in response, reminding her that a mug of hot coffee wasn’t really a sufficient meal. Maybe she’d grab something there… if they ever made it.

Tensely she sat in the backseat, right behind Gamache, desperately holding on to his seat as Jean-Guy raced over the bumpy road. A soft ping notified them that the navigation system had finally lost the last satellite. Leaning forward to check the tiny digital map, it seemed they were driving right into the middle of nowhere. Another bump made her hit her head against Gamache’s head rest.

“Careful back there in the cheap seats…”, groaning she glared at Beauvoir who completely ignored her though, keeping his eyes on the road, staring straight forward. Rubbing her temple, she shifted back, unconsciously pulling the seat belt tighter. She begged it wasn’t far anymore. Before their boss could move on to possible dinner suggestions, Beauvoir darted in:

“Speaking of being careful, shouldn’t you warn our rookie about the crazy duck lady, Patron?”

Gamache chuckled and adjusted his glasses. They kept sliding down his nose with every pot hole the car hit. And it seemed Beauvoir was determined to hit as many as human possible.

“Lady, really?” Gamache wouldn’t particularly call Ruth Zardo a lady. Forrest-witch would probably be the very first thing that came to his mind when he thought of the old poet and her pet duck Rosa.

“Well, have to watch my language, Patron, minors present”. Beauvoir pointed behind, right at her.

A deep frown appeared upon her face. Annoyed with herself she registered that a blush crept up her cheeks, too. She hated it when Beauvoir made fun of her being a rookie. However, Gamache started to laugh and turning in his seat, he wink at her playfully. His smile and laugh were always so contagious, she couldn't help but smile, too. Her blush deepened even further. If he noticed, he didn’t comment, instead, leaning closer towards her, he lowered his voice as if he was about to hand out classified information. The only thing giving him away was the boyish twinkle in his brown eyes as he whispered:

“Whatever you do, beware of the woman… the duck is harmless…”

”Alright, Sir!”, she said in all seriousness which made his grin even wider.

“We’re there, Patron”

The car climbed the final meters to the top of the hill and came to hold. Curiously, she shifted in her seat, leaning forward between the two man, taking in the scenery in front of her for the very first time.

( ‐-----------------------------------------------)

[lulabo]

Is that a Louise Penny quote on the Wanda post? Love to see Louise Penny appreciation in the wild!

YES, I love a Ruth Zardo special (via Marilyn Plessner) and will gently press Still Life into the hands of anyone seeking a new series to fall into. I do wildly appreciate Louise Penny (I am just getting into the latest). (also the quote in the post here for the curious)

[living400lbs]

Ruth Zardo with the facts.

Instead of hypothesizing, numb-nuts, why don’t you go find some actual evidence?

THREE PINES 1.04 the cruellest month: part 2 

[spockvarietyhour]

Ruth Zardo "White Out Pt. 1" requested by @kiranerys

[lemongrasslibrary]

“I just sit where I'm put, composed of stone and wishful thinking: That the deity that kills for pleasure will also heal, That in the midst of your nightmare, the final one, a kind lion will pick your soul up gently by the nape of the neck, And caress you into darkness and paradise. ~ Ruth Zardo, poet and character in All The Devils Are Here” ― Louise Penny, All the Devils Are Here

[lharvey250]

Kingdom of the Blind

Unrelenting tension and a cleverly woven tapestry of characters, story and setting.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY

Armand Gamache receives a peculiar letter inviting the former head of the Sûreté du Québec to an abandoned, dilapidated and snow ladened farmhouse. A complete stranger has named him as one of the executors of her will. Still on suspension, and curious, Gamache accepts and learns that the other two executors are Myrna Landers, the bookseller from Three Pines, and a young builder. None of them had ever met the deceased woman, Bertha Baumgartner.

The will includes bequests that are so inconceivable that Gamache and the others suspect that Bertha, who preferred to be called Baroness, must have been delusional. When a body is found in the house, the terms of the suddenly seem threatening.

But the will isn’t the only threat that Gamache is facing. The investigation into what happened six months ago—the events that led to his suspension—has dragged on. And most of the opioids he allowed to slip through his hands, in order to bring down the cartels, have been retrieved. Most, but not all. Enough narcotic to kill thousands has disappeared into inner city Montreal. Gamache races for answers, using desperate, measures to find and retrieve the drug. Will he find it in time to prevent additional deaths?

“...the four statements that lead to wisdom: I don’t know. I need help. I was wrong. I’m sorry.”

REVIEW

KINGDOM OF THE BLIND is a cleverly woven tapestry of characters, story and setting. Gamache, despite his earlier suspension, is as busy as ever investigating the will, the Baumgartners, the whereabouts of the missing drugs and a rogue detective. He naturally captures your attention and keeps you fast on your feet, in order to keep up with his fast moving mind.

This is the 14th book in the much loved Inspector Gamache mystery series and author LOUISE PENNY does not disappoint her faithful readers. All her regular characters, including our favorite poet Ruth Zardo, are all safely ensconced by the fireplace in Three Pines, anxiously awaiting the passing of a blizzard. They have plans for after the storm.

Penny’s writing is seamless and it places her in a league of her own. You will rush through the pages to find out what happens next. And despite everything going on, we can’t help but wonder, whatever will become of Gamache’s suspension? If he finds the drugs will his job be safe? The book is full of unrelenting tension and intrigue that you don’t want to miss.

“In the kingdom of the blind, Amelia recited to herself as she trudged along— —the one-eyed man is king, Gamache read.”

Publisher Minotaur

Published November 2018

Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

#kingdomoftheblind, #louisepenny, #minotaur, #bluestockingreviews, #readitloveit #findinggreatreads

[booksandwords]

Still Life by Louise Penny

Series: Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #1 Read time: 4 Days Rating: 4/5

The quote: "Please. Brie?" asked Clara "Just a sliver. Perhaps a bigger sliver than that." "When does a sliver become a hunk?" "If you're a hunk, size doesn't matter," Myra explained. "I'll remember that next time I go to bed with a hunk of Stilton." "You'd cheat on Peter?" "With food? I cheat on him everyday. I have a very special relationship with a gummy bear who shall remain nameless. Well, actually his name is Ramon. He completes me." — Clara Morrow and Myrna Landers

Warnings: discussions and depictions of racism, homophobia, blackmail, linguistic discrimination (anglophile vs francophile), kidnapping and of course murder. None of it isn't overly graphic.

As noted in the letter from Louise Penny that opens this edition this is a story about love, about varying kinds of love (I actually may have fever dreamed it but roll with it). The crime mystery comes second in a way. But to me that is effective. Think of the verse of RENT's Seasons of Love "In truths that she learned,/ Or in times that he cried./ In bridges he burned,/ Or the way that she died.". Love is important, love is possibly the most important thing. So while the crime is important it is the love around the crime that is something of a focus. Armand Gamache himself shows love in varying ways. But for this reading, love over crime, to make sense you do need to think about the many types of love. Just come in with an open mind and you'll see what I mean. Or you'll think I'm crazy. I really don't care if you think I'm projecting.

Still Life starts with the discovery of a body, Jane and moves back after that to explain some of the events that lead up to her death. Of note are an incident of homophobic harassment aimed at two members of the small community, an introduction to Jane's regular dinner friends and the commencement of events around a community art show. Those regular dinner friends, Clara and Peter Morrow, Oliver Brulé and Gabriel Dublau, Myrna Landers, Ruth Zardo and Ben Hadley are the main characters in Three Pines and most of the main characters in the story. Along with Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and fellow members of Sûreté du Québec (the Canadian police force) Jean Guy Beauvoir and Yvette Nichol. Our eyes through the story are Armand for the investigation and Clara for the town. Their perspectives are different but they are both just after answers, it is Armand's job but Clara was Jane's best friend.

I'm only going to write on a couple of characters because I'm trying to stop my reviews from getting out of control. Clara I really like she is flawed in a very human way. We read her grief the sort of grief that comes from loving someone and losing them. Her perspective is coloured as such. Armand Gamache is fluent in be Frech and English allowing him to speak to people in their language. He's old school, patient and settled. He's interesting. He can play social roles, a willingness/ need to push as required and a strong sense of justice. Yvette Nichol is a well-written character, a demonstration of the love Chief Inspector Gamache has for passing on information and training. But a reminder that training only works if someone is willing to learn. With that in mind when I was reading I wanted to slap her. At times she comes across as a b***h, lacking empathy. At times just young, arrogant and so, so stupid. I think you are meant to dislike her. But I do wonder if she is also acting as the reader would in her situation to a degree. Her counter is Jean Guy Beauvoir. Jean Guy was a recipient of Chief Inspector Gamache's tutelage years previously staying with him and becoming his trusted and loyal second in command. He is capable, good enough with people and intelligent.

Okay a comment dump because I have thoughts

Despite being Canadian it feels very British. Like British crime mystery.

The lore (I know it's a fantasy term but just roll with it) takes some time to pick up. This includes the basics of Canadian law. I know the basics of British, American and Australian. But Canadian is completely foreign to me.

There are some discussions and depictions of racism, homophobia, blackmail, linguistic discrimination (anglophile vs francophile), kidnapping and of course murder. None of it isn't overly graphic.

Jane was written as master of the misdirect and I really like it.

I did not see the ending coming but it does work well. I'm happy I read it. It's 15+ years old and hasn't dated badly. The human issues that are the reasons for the crimes and the instincts that are followed to solve them still exist.

All the characters feel very human in their actions and flaws. That can be a challenge but it works here.

The whodunit aspect not to mention the why did keep me thinking but I'm not a regular crime reader. It was as much about me trying to figure out if we are given all the info to figure to know for ourselves the answers or if it is purely in the minds of the characters.

I really like the four key sentences Armand gives Yvette (even if she's too dumb to use them). "I don't know. I need help. I'm sorry." and "I was wrong"

As a side note I wanted to read this after reading Louise Penny's collaboration with Hilary Clinton, State of Terror. While that is a thriller and you are definitely given the clues along the way I'm not so sure that is her natural style or at least not the style used here. I really recommend State of Terror if you haven't read it. A political thriller written in collaboration with someone who knows that world.

"Gabri was on his feet in his instant. His long legs propelled his bulk across the kitchen to the arrangement. Unlike Oliver who was self-contained and even fastidious, like a cat, Gabriwas more like a St Bernard, though mostly without the slobber." — This is just a really good description of the two of them. (Clara Morrow, p.28)

"Evil is unspectacular and always human, and shares our bed and eats at our table." — W. H. Auden Jane uses this line after the homophobic attack. I like it.

"And police cars. The snakes in Eden. Though Gamache knew, the police were not the evil ones. The snake was already here." — Just another good line that idea of bad things. (Armand Gamache, p.37)

"I suppose I could blame Jane's death for my poor behaviour, but you'll discover, I'm just like this. I have no talent for choosing my battles. Life seems, strangely, like a battle to me. The whole thing." "So I can expect more where that came from?" "Oh, I think so. But you'll have plenty of company in your foxhole." — I really like Ruth. She is a lot, but I do like her. (Ruth Zardo and Armand Gamache, p.64)

As Still Life is the first book in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series as such part of its role is to introduce the relevant characters in the series. Those main characters are much the same as the characters of this book I believe, at least on a level. Armand Gamache's wife the wife of 32 years, Reine-Marie makes an appearance in Still Life. I'm not sure how frequently she appears in the series but I hope it is enough that her introduction here was worth it. I really like it. She is fun, funny, adorable and loving.

Read for Dymocks 2022 Reading Challenge. Filling the prompt: "Start of a Series"

If you are new to the series, welcome. Still Life is the front door into the world of Armand Gamache, Clara Morrow, Gabri and Oliver, Ruth Zardo and all the denizens of the little Quebec village of Three Pines. I'm so glad you've found us. — Lousie Penny. This quote is from the letter to the reader added to this edition of Still Life to celebrate its 10th anniversary. I rest my case.

[citydwellercitylover-blog]

The end of DBM?

Quite some time ago while browsing through a speciality shop I came upon a magnetic bumper sticker for a car. It read, “I must read books in chronological order.” It spoke to my soul because for me it’s so true, More than once I’ve picked up a novel, at the library and shortly into the read had the nagging feeling that “This is a series, and I’ve got to get to the first book.” So yes, I Google the author, the series , finish the novel I’m reading and go back to the library for the first novel and the beginning.

I want to meet the characters at the very beginning of their journey and go with them to meet the people with whom they will engage; gain insight from their perspective and at times jot down a character’s pearl of wisdom.

Louise Penny’s character, Inspector Gamache, is well known for teaching the officers he rescues from ruin and themselves to say, “ I don’t know. I was wrong. I’m sorry. I need help.” Louie’s character Ruth Zardo is a poet. One of her books is entitled" I’m F.I.N.E: Fucked-up Insecure Neurotic and Egotistical.“ And who isn’t. And then the reverse can be true. By the time I finished watching the 3rd episode of the DBM I was confident there must be a series of novels which was responsible for the spin off of the television show. It was so well done. But my research informed me DBM was first conceived as a television show.. I still didn’t give up hope. If they could do it with Star Wars; movies first then the novels, they must have done the same for The Doctor Blake Mysteries.

I searched the stacks of my library on line with no success. Finally it occurred to me to me to search the internet- Amazon, Barnes and Noble, something. Nothing, then lo and behold, I find Fanfiction.

The DBM Fanfiction writer’s community have been nothing less then become the very best ghostwriters for the DBM staff. They have satisfied my need for a good DBM read between seasons.

I trust The DBM stories will continue as long as the Fanfiction writers contribute to the community.Continue to write for yourselves and your readers.

[dougmeet]

The final stanza of the poem, in its entirety, becomes the last words of villain Count Olaf in The End, the final book of A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. Anne Clark performs a version to music in her album R.S.V.P., calling it "a nursery rhyme for grown-ups". The song was first published on her album "Hopeless Cases" (1987). The title of the 1991 Issue 37 of Granta "The Family: They Fuck You Up" is taken from the poem, which is also referenced in the editor's introduction. The opening of the poem is referenced in the fourth episode of the third series of the E4 drama Skins. In April 2009 a British Appeal Court judge quoted the opening stanza during a custody case, saying "These four lines give a clear warning to parents". The popular tabloid newspaper The Sun, reporting on the story, took the opportunity to quote the poem in full.[4] The opening line was quoted by the Monkey Dust character known only as Chat room pervert, who writes "they fuck you up, your mum and dad... as eminem says". British clinical psychologist Oliver James published a book in 2002 entitled They F*** You Up, starting each chapter with a line or stanza from Larkin's verse, followed in 2010 by a further book on parenting and child development called How Not to F*** Them Up. The Talking Heads song "Sax and Violins" features a variation of the poem's opening line: "Mom and Pop, they will fuck you up, for sure." The Philadelphian punk band Ex Friends put the words of the poem to music in their digital single "This Be The Verse".[5] The American television program Criminal Minds quoted the first verse in the second episode of its ninth season, but used the euphemism "They mess you up, your mum and dad." Grant Morrison's Multiversity name checks the poem in the third issue, Earth Me, in which Alexis Luthor, daughter of Lex Luthor refers to it as "the best poem ever". In The Wicked + The Divine, the first verse of the poem is associated with the character of Lucifer. A former peer quotes the opening verses to Nancy in "Dearborn-Again", the episode 10, season 6 of Weeds, an American TV show. A Bit of Fry and Laurie possibly references the opening of this poem in one of the voxpops of the first episode of season four. Laurie's character says to the correct iambic rhythm: "oh, how does that poem go? 'They bring you up, your mum and dad.'" The interlude is characteristically vague and without context. Allison Williams' character can be seen quoting the first two lines of the poem to Benedict Cumberbatch's character in the trailer for Patrick Melrose. Streetwear brand Supreme used the first verse of the poem on both a hoodie and t-shirt as part of its FW16 collection. First and last stanzas credited to poet Ruth Zardo in ‘’Kingdom of the Blind’’ by Louise Penny. First line of the poem is quoted in ‘’Little Fires Everywhere’’ by Celeste Ng.

This Be The Verse - Wikipedia

[meredithandre-blog]

The Nature of the Beast - Louise Penny | British Detectives |961759511

The Nature of the Beast Louise Penny Genre: British Detectives Price: $12.99 Publish Date: August 25, 2015 Hardly a day goes by when nine year old Laurent Lepage doesn't cry wolf. From alien invasions, to walking trees, to winged beasts in the woods, to dinosaurs spotted in the village of Three Pines, his tales are so extraordinary no one can possibly believe him. Including Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache, who now live in the little Quebec village. But when the boy disappears, the villagers are faced with the possibility that one of his tall tales might have been true. And so begins a frantic search for the boy and the truth. What they uncover deep in the forest sets off a sequence of events that leads to murder, leads to an old crime, leads to an old betrayal. Leads right to the door of an old poet. And now it is now, writes Ruth Zardo. And the dark thing is here. A monster once visited Three Pines. And put down deep roots. And now, Ruth knows, it is back. Armand Gamache, the former head of homicide for the Sûreté du Québec, must face the possibility that, in not believing the boy, he himself played a terrible part in what happens next.

[annerodr-blog]

The Nature of the Beast - Louise Penny | British Detectives |961759511

The Nature of the Beast Louise Penny Genre: British Detectives Price: $12.99 Publish Date: August 25, 2015 Hardly a day goes by when nine year old Laurent Lepage doesn't cry wolf. From alien invasions, to walking trees, to winged beasts in the woods, to dinosaurs spotted in the village of Three Pines, his tales are so extraordinary no one can possibly believe him. Including Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache, who now live in the little Quebec village. But when the boy disappears, the villagers are faced with the possibility that one of his tall tales might have been true. And so begins a frantic search for the boy and the truth. What they uncover deep in the forest sets off a sequence of events that leads to murder, leads to an old crime, leads to an old betrayal. Leads right to the door of an old poet. And now it is now, writes Ruth Zardo. And the dark thing is here. A monster once visited Three Pines. And put down deep roots. And now, Ruth knows, it is back. Armand Gamache, the former head of homicide for the Sûreté du Québec, must face the possibility that, in not believing the boy, he himself played a terrible part in what happens next.

[joycelow-blog]

The Nature of the Beast - Louise Penny | British Detectives |961759511

The Nature of the Beast Louise Penny Genre: British Detectives Price: $12.99 Publish Date: August 25, 2015 Hardly a day goes by when nine year old Laurent Lepage doesn't cry wolf. From alien invasions, to walking trees, to winged beasts in the woods, to dinosaurs spotted in the village of Three Pines, his tales are so extraordinary no one can possibly believe him. Including Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache, who now live in the little Quebec village. But when the boy disappears, the villagers are faced with the possibility that one of his tall tales might have been true. And so begins a frantic search for the boy and the truth. What they uncover deep in the forest sets off a sequence of events that leads to murder, leads to an old crime, leads to an old betrayal. Leads right to the door of an old poet. And now it is now, writes Ruth Zardo. And the dark thing is here. A monster once visited Three Pines. And put down deep roots. And now, Ruth knows, it is back. Armand Gamache, the former head of homicide for the Sûreté du Québec, must face the possibility that, in not believing the boy, he himself played a terrible part in what happens next.