OoOoOoOhhhh Kathy's first read of 2023 is the new Gamache book by Louise Penny. Have I shocked you?? 

This was the first of the series whose release I actually had to WAIT for—not fun but the payoff is worth it! Opening (sh pressing play on) this book was like a homecoming, and I was so happy to be back with all my old friends. 

"A World of Curiosities" was probably Penny's best (to date) balance of an investigation and the Three Pines characters/setting. Read any of my other reviews, and you'll find that I quickly tire of the quirks of Three Pines and prefer them in small doses. The mystery here originates in the village, yes, but also pulls Gamache and co. away to chase leads and revolves closely around characters new to us. I really enjoyed learning about Gamache and Beauvoir's first case together in this book and was pretty floored by how Penny managed to connect it to the mysteries popping up in the present. I'll admit that some of the connections felt like a bittttttt of a stretch, but it was still a fun one to puzzle out. 

I know I gave this read five stars, but I do have to linger on some of the *stretchier* moments for a bit.

I am glad John Fleming made a return to the series... not because I enjoy him as a character, but I think it gives more weight to his presence earlier in the series and introduces some consequences for the absolute INSANITY that was Gamache agreeing to release him in "The Nature of the Beast" [for a separate rant on that please see my review of book #11 lol]. But Fleming managing a seemingly easy escape from the supposedly highest-security SHU was not at all explained to my satisfaction—how can a serial-killing long-term prisoner have enough money/knowledge to bribe/blackmail guards??—and was frustratingly glossed over. The explanation of Fleming's connection to Fiona and Sam was again also a little rushed—NO context given for any relationship to their mother??—but I guess was interesting enough that I won't stay mad about it. And ok, I know Gamache emphasizes over and over that Fleming had spent years planning this intricate plot to destroy Gamache and his entire family... but some of the things he was able to accomplish without being caught still boggle the mind.

But this is fiction and this is GAMACHE, and dammit I will suspend my disbelief to enjoy myself.

And I absolutely did enjoy myself! This mystery was very very complex, but also felt like one of the best in terms of figure-out-ability. There were clues we couldn't parse without more information, sure, but some of the mysteries even I could make guesses on, and I enjoyed seeing them through (basically seeing how wrong I was) and realizing how all the pieces clicked together. And while

John Fleming took us through his deceit as the minister near the end

I was impressed to learn that I'd noticed something even Gamache had overlooked! All my time with the Chief Inspector has really started to rub off on me. ;) 

Louise will probably have to pause the life-or-death situations for the Gamache family for a few books at least for believability, but boy do they make for a great conclusion and prompt me to race to the finish. Not sure how I'll wait for the next... someone please check on me in a few months to see how many times I've reread the series in the meantime.