Still Life
A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel
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4.1 • 2.7K Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
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.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
The suspicious death of a beloved educator shakes a small Canadian village to its core in this cozy mystery. Three Pines is so small, it doesn’t even have its own police department. So when local teacher Jane Neal is found in the woods with an arrow through her heart, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is called in from nearby Montreal to investigate. As the big-city detective delves into the close-knit community’s ongoing rivalries and simmering resentments, he quickly realizes that this death was no hunting accident. The first book in Louise Penny’s popular, long-running Gamache series introduces us to a detective who’s both supremely ethical and enormously likable, surrounding him with a cast of fun, quirky locals. Once this masterful whodunit whisks you into the Canadian woods, you’ll never want to leave.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Canadian Penny's terrific first novel, which was the runner-up for the CWA's Debut Dagger Award in 2004, introduces Armand Gamache of the S ret du Qu bec. When the body of Jane Neal, a middle-aged artist, is found near a woodland trail used by deer hunters outside the village of Three Pines, it appears she's the victim of a hunting accident. Summoned to the scene, Gamache, an appealingly competent senior homicide investigator, soon determines that the woman was most likely murdered. Like a virtuoso, Penny plays a complex variation on the theme of the clue hidden in plain sight. She deftly uses the bilingual, bicultural aspect of Quebecois life as well as arcane aspects of archery and art to deepen her narrative. Memorable characters include Jane; Jane's shallow niece, Yolande; and a delightful gay couple, Olivier and Gabri. Filled with unexpected insights, this winning traditional mystery sets a solid foundation for future entries in the series.
Customer Reviews
Still Life
Truly enjoyed thhis book. The characters and the plot were clever. Had me laughing out loud!
Begin at the beginning.
I love these books. The characters are so real. You’ll weep. You’ll rage. You will love. Enjoy the series. This is the beginning. ❤️
Excellent, humorous writing and brilliant characters
The plot was a lot of fun, but what worked for me was the writing, dialog, thoughts and characters. I need to move on to my list of books to read, but maybe just a quick run through the next in the series first... Yes, that’s what I’ll do.