The Cruelest MonthThe Cruelest Month
Score Modern
What it's about
In the village of Three Pines, the cruelest month is about to deliver on its threat.
Why it's worth reading
It was an Anthony Award finalist. It's an early book in Louise Penny's much-loved Three Pines series.
You'll love it if you liked
The Brutal Telling
The Beautiful Mystery
The Murder of Roger AckroydGood to know
It's part of a series, so earlier books help with the characters.
By the numbers
- Readers65 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics18 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller17 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #322 of the 623 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #975 of the 1,648 modern books we rank
- #1854 of the 3,057 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
More by Louise Penny
A Great Reckoning
How the Light Gets In
Bury Your Dead
A Trick of the LightIf you like this, read next
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
Verity
Gone Girl
The Martian
2666
Gideon the NinthExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is The Cruelest Month worth reading?
Yes. It was an Anthony Award finalist. It ranks #1,854 of the 3,057 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 66.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Cruelest Month about?
In the village of Three Pines, the cruelest month is about to deliver on its threat.
How long does it take to read The Cruelest Month?
About 8 hours (311 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Cruelest Month?
If you liked it, try The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny, The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny or The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie.