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    Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel
    Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel
    Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel
    Ebook395 pages7 hours

    Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel

    By Louise Penny

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Read the series that inspired Three Pines on Prime Video.

    In Still Life, bestselling author Louise Penny introduces Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surêté du Québec.

    Winner of the New Blood Dagger, Arthur Ellis, Barry, Anthony, and Dilys awards.

    Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surêté du Québec and his team of investigators are called in to the scene of a suspicious death in a rural village south of Montreal. Jane Neal, a local fixture in the tiny hamlet of Three Pines, just north of the U.S. border, has been found dead in the woods. The locals are certain it's a tragic hunting accident and nothing more, but Gamache smells something foul in these remote woods, and is soon certain that Jane Neal died at the hands of someone much more sinister than a careless bowhunter.

    Still Life introduces not only an engaging series hero in Inspector Gamache, who commands his forces---and this series---with integrity and quiet courage, but also a winning and talented new writer of traditional mysteries in the person of Louise Penny.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Publishers
    Release dateSep 30, 2008
    ISBN9781429967235
    Author

    Louise Penny

    LOUISE PENNY is the multi-award winning author of the Chief Inspector Gamache novels, set in her home province of Québec, Canada. Her books, including State of Terror written with Hillary Rodham Clinton, have sold more than 18 million copies worldwide, topped international bestseller lists, including the New York Times, and been translated into 32 languages. The recipient of both the Order of Canada and l’Ordre national du Québec, her country’s highest civilian honours, her Three Pines Foundation reaches out to those in crisis and offers financial and emotional support, with a special focus on literacy as well as dementia care. Her husband, Michael, died of dementia in 2016. She lives with her Golden Retriever Muggins in a village south of Montréal.

    Read more from Louise Penny

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    Reviews for Still Life

    4/5

    306 ratings227 reviews

    What our readers think

    Readers find this title to be a captivating and well-written book. The characters are well-developed and the writing style keeps readers engaged. While some readers may have figured out the plot early on, they still enjoyed the book and were compelled to continue reading the series. Overall, readers recommend this book and are excited to explore more of the author's work."

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      Quick read. Didn't connect with the story too deeply, but I would like to visit this cute village.

      Quotes:
      Just a sliver, when does a sliver become a hunk? When you're a hunk size does not matter!

      She felt if she could just get a good look at a person's bookcase and their grocery cart she pretty much know who they were.

      Looking around he realized he liked this place and these people. Too bad one of them was a murderer.
    • 5/5
      I have read this entire series and LOVED it. For some reason though, I had missed this book, the first in the series and I wasn't all that eager to read this one, having been told by many that the first in the series wasn't nearly as good or as strong as the later books. But, after finishing this book, I have to disagree. What makes Louise Penny and this series stand out isn't the typical aspects of a police procedural -- find the clues and solve the crime. This series is filled with complicated characters and the line between good and evil is pretty blurred. And she has created Three Pines, this charming quaint village with characters that you grow to love throughout this series. But all these characters are quirky and flawed and what is amazing, is their odd behaviors are there from this very first installment. So if you are looking for a good strong solid mystery series that is character based, this is it.
    • 4/5
      Well written mystery that takes place in Quebec. The characters were interesting and I look forward to reading more of this series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache.
    • 2/5
      Might be an interesting series, however this first book in the series had so many characters that it sometimes was very confusing!
    • 3/5
      Slow moving, but well written.
    • 3/5
      In general, I am not a big fan of a mystery genre. However, after insistent nudging from my mom I finally read this book.

      Surprisingly, it was a very pleasant and engaging read. I could hardly tear myself from it. Beautifully set in an old Quebec village (with the whole Quebecois English-French conflict for drama), cutesy patootsie with some art world drama mixed in. You can picture this story wrapped with a red ribbon and placed under a Christmas tree. However, some of the characters were too shallowly depicted and made to fit a stereotype too precisely for my liking (ex. Nichol, Yolande - incarnations of self absobed pride and ostentation respectibly). A bit too "black and white". A fairy tale (if that can be applied to a murder mystery novel).

    • 4/5
      Went back to the beginning with this one. Enjoyed it a lot, but after starting with two more recent books in the series, you can tell it's her first. Maybe a bit too much with the literary references, seemed like every chapter someone was quoting literature, which is, well, unlikely. Also, Ms. Penny has guts, that's for sure: one of her characters is supposed to be a world famous award winning poet, and Penny actually writes the poetry and has characters recite it...I know nothing about poetry, but I assume there is pressure on her to make sure it's at least good!!
    • 3/5
      Too introspective & broody for me.
    • 5/5
      Great first novel.
    • 5/5
      I must confess that I don't normally enjoy books that fall into the mystery genre. I've found that they are often too easy to figure out and the writing isn't always the best. While I figured out the whodunnit? for Still Life, the writing was intriguing and entertaining enough that I didn't mind. I wanted to keep reading it anyway due to the interesting characters and the quaint town in which they lived. I think what I enjoyed most was Agent Nichol's complete obliviousness to who she really was. There were several moments involving her that made me chuckle. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series!
    • 4/5
      Gamache is a gentle but determined police official. Enjoyed the way he participated with the social life in Three Pines.
    • 4/5
      Love her writing style -- terrific characters and dialogue! Highly recommend this one, and I'll be on the lookout for her other books, as well.
    • 5/5
      Excellent cozy procedural set in French Quebec. I loved both the smart and endearing Inspector Gamache and the charming and flawed Three Pines village. A little grittier than most cozies and a little cozier than most procedurals. Literate but not pretentious. I'm looking forward to reading the whole series.
    • 4/5
      I really liked this book, the first in a series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. This particular book is set in a small town south of Montreal (Canada) where an old woman, beloved by many in the town, was killed by a hunting arrow through the heart. Penny seems to have a special skill for creating original and vividly-depicted characters. I loved Gamache, especially that he didn't embody the cliche of the brooding, divorced alcoholic who rebelled against authority. No, Gamache is happily married and is a kind soul who values teamwork. I really disliked the character of Yvette Nichol, the egotistical new agent Gamache tries to take under his wing. She refused to learn and didn't listen to simple instructions and was generally nasty to everyone. I wonder if the character is in future books? I'll definitely be picking up the next in this series.
    • 3/5
      An enjoyable debut mystery, this is a contemporary story that reminded me very much of the classics. With a terrific setting of a small Quebec village and an assortment of interesting characters, there's a lot to like here. I wasn't sold on some of the actions and motivations of both the victim and the murderer, and one of the chief inspector's subordinates was over-the-top annoying and unlikable, but none of it detracted too much from a solid outing. If you're looking for a cozy new series, this one is worth a look.
    • 5/5
      A lovely, atmospheric and cosy mystery...easy to read, a real treat!
    • 1/5
      I wanted to love this series, I really did. It is so beloved by so many people who have such great taste in books. However, after not one but two tries several years apart I still could not understand why people like Three Pines and Inspector Gamache so much. The writing was so slow, which I understand IS an issue with this particular book, and is why I tried a second time to "power on" in the hopes of getting to something better. I did not get to that place, and unfortunately ended up putting this book down a second time and crossing this series off my TBR list for good :-(
    • 4/5
      It actually kept me guessing! Quick, enjoyable read with fun, quirky characters and a twist I didn't see coming.
    • 4/5
      I loved this cozy little murder mystery in this cozy little town, Three Pines, Quebec. Loved the quirky residents, some of which had been there from 3 to 80+ years. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec with his team, arrive to solve the murder of 80 year old spinster Jane Neal a well loved and respected leader, teacher, mentor. Along the way quite a few secrets are brought to light. But the love of this small community never waivers in its support of one another. 4.2 stars
    • 5/5
      Loved, loved, loved this book. So different and so engaging. Well-written. I want to read all of her books.
    • 4/5
      I like Inspector Gamache and the mystery definitely kept me guessing - I loved the clue that gave it all away. One of the interesting aspects of the story was how narrative can be so far from the truth - everyone thought they "knew" someone because of a persistent narrative, despite the actual experiences that people had with that person.
    • 4/5
      I started reading Louise Penny books by accident. I really like this particular series. One thing that is especially good is that she keeps the same characters in the little town of Three Pines, so you really get to know them and care about them or hate them. The books are best read in order but can be stand alone.
    • 3/5
      Woman is killed with arrow in small Canadian town. Interesting plot and characters with Chief Inspector Gamache on the trail of the killer.
    • 4/5
      Louis Penny has won awards for her writing and the reason is apparent in this first novel. Although this was a Goodreads giveaway that I won recently, the book was published in 2005. I'm delighted with the introduction to this author, so it's never too late to find one after the book is published, even decades later in my experience. Now I want to read all the other books Penny has written.

      The story is well designed, thoughtful, multilayered, and kept my keen interest throughout. It's a wonderful book! Read it. During the time I read the book, I had a health crisis and then house guests, so reading time was a challenge. Normally I would have drilled through this book faster. I enjoy books that urge me to find out what's next and this one does that well. Loved the wonderful array of characters! The author has a gift for characters and plot. The setting is a tiny, charming town in Canada. The end was unexpected, and several unexpected happenstances occur along the way. This is a page-turner, for those who like that term.

    • 4/5
      I think I've found a new series to follow. Better late than never! I really would have liked to see Jane's paintings, though.
    • 4/5
      First outing for Chief Inspector Gamache. Sleepy village in Canada with lots of skeletons in the closet. An enjoyable read even if plot is lightweight.
    • 5/5
      Well-written and thoughtful book. Love style of author. Surprise til end! First in series of Inspector Gamache mysteries, set in Quebec and I am now hooked.
    • 4/5
      This is a second reading of this book. I usually do not read a read a second time, even if a book club picks the book. I thoroughly enjoyed this reading, and discovered points I missed in the first reading. Louise Penny does a wonderful job with setting and characters. Early in the novel, I would relish the abandonment of everyday life in favor of moving to Three Pines. The characters are very dimensional, and are not static or still live. I find the relationships among the characters very interesting. Penny also gently handles many of the problems and issues of life: a gay couple, an African-Canadian, the language barrier, personality flaws, and many others. I am very anxious to see the movie of Still Life.
    • 4/5
      A fun little mystery stylized with the spirit of Agatha Christie.
    • 4/5
      4 out of 5 Stars

      When the body of an elderly woman is discovered in the woods outside the idyllic hamlet of Three Pines, the first assumption is that this is the result of a tragic hunting accident. Unfortunately, in the world of mystery novels, nothing is ever as cut and dried as it seems.

      ''Still Life'' is the first novel by Louise Penny. The book was published in 2007, and the twelfth book in the series will be published in August of this year. This should give you some indication of both the series' success, and the work ethic of the author.

      The book introduces the title character, Armand Gamache, a chief inspector of the Sûreté du Québec, as he seeks to solve a murder in a small village near Montreal. The village itself, and its eclectic denizens, becomes a character in the book, quirky and unique, always providing some background movement to draw the eye. The setting in a small village in the Canadian province of Quebec also adds interest, as Penny delves (a little bit) into the tensions, and friendships, between francophone and anglophone Québécois.

      The supporting characters are also incredibly well done. From the strange and eccentric citizens of Three Pines, to the police officers tasked with solving the murder, each character is uniquely realized and speaks with a distinct voice. However, Penny tends to rely heavily on exposition to advance her characters in the story, rather than dialogue. Characters thought lines tend to spell out exactly how they are reacting to situations that arise in the book, rather than letting the subtext of their actions or dialogue advance the plot. The style is clunky and a bit disappointing, but hopefully can be chalked up to inexperience on the author's part. (I certainly hope so, I started the second book in the series, A Fatal Grace, yesterday. I'll keep you all posted)

      The mystery itself is satisfying, red herrings and false flags abound. And while the clues to solving the mystery are there to be found, they don't slap the reader in the face and scream "look at me!" This (I find) is a hard line for mystery writers to walk. Make the resolution too obscure, or the clues happen off screen, and the end is unsatisfying and feels tacked on. Telegraph the important stuff too loudly, and the mystery is solved by the read way too early, and takes a lot of the fun out of the read. Louise Penny does a great job sprinkling bits and pieces around, but blends them expertly into the background. It's only when you go back and think about it that you put the pieces together.

      In all, this is a satisfying "cozy-type" mystery, great for an afternoon's read (and it is currently beach-reading season). The book is generally well written (barring the clunky exposition I mentioned earlier), and the characters engaging enough to encourage you to jump directly into the sequel. I also have to say that Penny captures the northeastern landscape in fall closely enough to cause some homesickness in this transplanted New Englander.

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    Still Life - Louise Penny

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