If you like mystery, intrigue, a beautifully told story, and a hint of love added in for good measure, you're bound to love the novel, Still Life.
Jane Neal was a fixture in the small town of Three Pines. The retired teacher and budding artist was well-known in the area, so when she was found dead, the entire community was shocked. Being a rural town where hunting is prevalent, and the fact that she was found with an arrow in her by the woods made it a pretty much open and shut case. When investigator Armand Gamache arrives from Montreal, he sees things through different eyes. As he and his assistants delve deeper into the lives of the people in the town, they discover unexpected and sinister information that they didn't expect. The plot unravels slowly, and with each twist and turn, the truth slowly comes to light.
Still Life is the first book in Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, and has won several awards. The second book, A Fatal Grace, won the Agatha Award in 2008. To date there are 9 books in the series. Before writing, Penny worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for several years. She spends her time in her home south of Montreal, Canada writing, skiing, and helping others.
If you enjoy reading a story with some mystery and an unpredictable storyline, Still Life is a great choice. Being the first story in the series, you may find you can't wait to listen to the whole collection.
"Thoroughly enjoyed a mystery after not having read one for some time...the Quebec setting was also new to me and I found the characters interesting and the final chapters surprised me- love it when I can't pick the "who done it" character. Looking forward to going through more investigations with Mr. Armand and his crew- except that Yvette Nichol, didn't care for her one bit!"
— Cari (4 out of 5 stars)
“If you only listen to one mystery this year, make it this one…The cast is filled with remarkable characters, whose various accents are pitch perfect as read by Ralph Cosham…Cosham has helped create this new series hero by giving his words and thoughts a deep and penetrating voice. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile“A perfectly executed traditional mystery.”
— Denver Post“A stellar debut novel. The setting is entrancing.”
— Deadly Pleasures magazine“[A] clever and carefully constructed plot.”
— Chicago Tribune“Filled with unexpected insights, this winning traditional mystery sets a solid foundation for future entries in the series.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Cerebral, wise and compassionate, Gamache is destined for stardom. Don’t miss this stellar debut.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Clever, charming, with perceptively realized characters…and the enormously appealing Chief Inspector Armand Gamache.”
— Deborah Crombie, New York Times bestselling author“An excellent, subtle plot full of understanding of the deeper places in human nature.”
— Anne Perry, author of Long Spoon Lane“Still Life is a masterpiece of a traditional drawing room mystery, repainted in the autumnal colors of the Canadian countryside.”
— Julia Spencer-Fleming, author of To Darkness and to Death" My first Penny experience. I was so disappointed when I finished the Martha Grimes series, I wasn't sure where to go. Now I know. Louise Penny is the real deal. "
— christi, 6/1/2018" I'very read all Louise Penny's novels and loved them. So, I was anxious to try an audiobook. The audiobook was true to the novel, but a more animated narration would have made it wonderful. Thus, the narration was often monotone and drug at times. "
— Shari, 7/25/2017" Lovely little read. Intriguing characters. Just a fun mystery. I enjoyed it. It gets a 7 on my 10 scale. "
— Louise, 2/10/2014" After Maisie Dobbs, this is my new favorite detective series. "
— Danielle, 1/30/2014" I was so excited to begin a new mystery series. I was so hoping to adore it. It's very slow and very well written and I hated it until three quarters through it. I was just incredibly bored and looked forward to being finished so I could try again. I think it's a nice book as a novel, but complete crap as a mystery, even a cozy. "
— Nerfzilla, 1/27/2014" Lovely read, looking forward to the next one. "
— Esther, 1/22/2014" This book is a mystery my mother would enjoy, but a little too tame and predictable to get more than 2 stars from me. The head inspector guy was like able, though! The look at Canadian culture was interesting. "
— Catherine, 1/19/2014" Really enjoyed this book. Has the feel of an Agatha Christie or Ruth Rendell's Inspector Wexford stories. Looking forward to reading on in the series! "
— Jill, 1/19/2014" First time with this writer and really enjoyed her. A Little more than just a mystery. Set in Quebec which is fun since I lived in Montreal. "
— Laurie, 1/2/2014" Good and clean who done it book. I will listen to more of her books. "
— Peggy, 12/25/2013" All I can say is wow! A real good thing to be thankful for - finding a new series that, if the first book is any indication, will be a wonderful thing to read through. "
— Regina, 12/8/2013" First in a series of murder mysteries that take place in a quiet village in Canada. Great read for the beach or airplane. Held my interest and had no idea who the murderer was until all was unveiled. I understand the books must be read in order and I am looking forward to reading the next one. "
— Bea, 12/3/2013" OK, but not NEARLY as good as the reviews made it sound. "
— John, 11/27/2013" This was a good book that described the small Canadian town as well as the main characters quite well. However I had figured out "who did it" way before the end. "
— Sherry, 9/7/2013" I'm not usually a mystery reader, but I find this series of books to be good, fun beach reads. Not too taxing and fun lovable characters. "
— Tlg, 9/2/2013" Al of Louise Penny's mysteries are page turners with great plots and characters -- and I want to move to Three Pines! "
— Sandra, 8/13/2013" I love the Armand Gamache mysteries. So many light mysteries have terrible character development, but Louise Penny does a great job of making her characters complex and human. The mysteries are fun, not too scary (I HATE scary), and I enjoyed them enough to read all of them at once. "
— Marie, 6/15/2013" I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up and then put it down for awhile because I wasn't sure I liked it. I decided to try again and then I couldn't put it down. I am anxious to start the next book! It is a very good mystery which kept me guessing until the end. I like that. "
— Jane, 1/31/2013" Not as good as Bury Your Dead but still worth reading. "
— Lynn, 12/3/2012" Louise Penny transports you to Quebec and their culture. Makes you a part of three pines in short order. The format was so different from so many mysteries. The mysteries was solved more like I imagine real police work. A great read. "
— Roger, 10/30/2012" Plods along until the last 30- 40 pages. Not "thrilling" but predictable. Some good characterization. "
— Karenbike, 10/18/2012" Terrific mystery, although I figured out the killer before the last chapter, it didn't disappoint. Looks like a great series, and one that was suggested to me many times. Glad I finally took the plunge! "
— Gary, 9/30/2012" Good characters. Good storyline. Hard to put down. "
— Patrick, 3/13/2012" I love it! A cozy mysteries with good personal and environmental books. Not unnecessary bloody descriptions a detective novel based on psychology with unexpected twists. Recommended! "
— Zinnia, 2/9/2012" Very nice mystery set in Quebec. I like murder in the cold. "
— Lynn, 2/4/2012" Not bad for a cozy mystery. "
— Amy, 5/15/2011" Took a while to catch the rhythm of Louise Penny's writing but by the end I was looking forward to the next one. "
— Diana, 5/4/2011" Mystery novel with well drawn characters; gives a peak into small village life in Quebec. "
— Sean, 5/4/2011" Just discovered this author and can't wait to read more! It was a little slow to start, but once into it, I really enjoyed it. A classic "British" mystery that actually takes place in Canada. Loved it - can't wait to read more from this author. "
— Wendy, 5/2/2011" Loved it. Kind of fell in love with Three Pines, and everyone in it! AND Inspector Gamache "
— Barbie, 4/30/2011" this is the beginning of a wonderful adventure in three pines. you will fall in love with the unique characters and jump at the chance to read the next mystery in the series. get reading "
— Brenda, 4/26/2011" A little slow getting into,not too suspenseful, but did enjoy. "
— Linda, 4/25/2011" I listened to this book the first time around and loved it. I read it for my book club this time and savored the story, the characters, and the language all over again -- in short, better than ever! "
— Sandra, 4/23/2011" I like detective novel and this was a gentle approach more about the villagers and their conncetions i am looking forward to the next book in the series. "
— Sheri, 4/16/2011" Still reading. So far, very good. "
— Rochelle, 4/16/2011" This is the first Louise Penny novel that I've read, and I will definitely look for more. My only complaint was the wordiness at the end that made the suspense painful. I really wanted to know who did it and why sooner than the author revealed the details. "
— Edie, 4/14/2011Louise Penny is the multiaward–winning author of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache mystery novels set in Canada that have made the bestsellers list of the New York Times, USA Today, and Toronto Globe and Mail. She is also coauthor with Hillary Rodham Clinton of the #1 New York Times bestselling thriller State of Terror. She has won numerous awards, including nine Agatha Awards and the CWA Dagger, Dilys, Lefty, Macavity, Barry, Anthony, and Nero awards. She is the recipient of both the Order of Canada and l’Ordre national du Québec.
Geoffrey Howard (a.k.a. Ralph Cosham) was a stage actor and an award-winning narrator. He recorded more than 100 audiobooks in his lifetime and won the prestigious Audio Award for Best Narration and several AudioFile Earphones Awards.