"Still Life" is the first Louise Penny book featuring the sleuthing abilities of Armand Gamache. I don't often pick up what I consider to be "cozy" mysteries, but being a fellow Canadian I thought I shouldn't pass by the opportunity to read a novel that takes place in a part of Canada I've never been to.

I liked this mystery. I wanted to curl up in an armchair beside the fireplace in the Bistro and order a croissant and a latte. The characters in this book are solid…a bit quirky…likeable. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is the ideal detective…thoughtful, gentle, wise…and yet ready to admit to his own flaws. His side-kick, or second in charge, is Jean Guy Beauvoir…a man who brings efficiency and calm to the story. Then there is Yvette Nichol…a cantankerous, defensive, spiteful young newbie to the team. I'm interested to know whether she features in the next Louise Penny books or if she's dropped.

The plot was also solid and flowed at a good pace. The ending of the book wrapped things up nicely in my head. This was a good first novel for Penny. I'll definitely be starting the second book in the series before the year is out.

In a small town near Montreal, a well-liked 76-year old woman is found dead via bow and arrow in the woods. Investigators are called in to figure out if it was a hunting accident or murder.

It was o.k., but I don't think I'll be seeking out others by Penney. If something by her happens to fit a game/challenge or a group I'm in, I'll consider it, but I wasn't kept interested enough to go looking for another one. There were times when I did find myself more interested, but my mind also wandered a lot in other parts of the book. Overall, it was just o.k. for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful mystery! I am a fan of P.D. James and other British Mysteries. This is a fabulous Canadian author who has written a book about a death that takes place in a small Quebec town by the name of Three Pines. The lead dectective, Armand Gamache reminds me somewhat of Adam Dagliesh of the P. D. James series of mysteries.

Thi is a so -called cozy mystery in that it is set in a closed village setting, and the murder takes place without our watching it. That said - in past I have always considered a cozy mystery to be a light romp with a bit of humour and lead by a non proffesional detective. This is not the case with this book - nor the rest of the series.

There are many characters, well drawn, and very diverse. Many red herrings, and I could not guess who commited the murder until the very end. I really enjoyed the many well fleshed out characters, getting to know the village and Adam Gamache - the Dectective of this book. One might want to note that this book nearly won the CWA Dagger 1st book prize.

I'm so glad I discovered this new series of mystery books. This may be the first book I have read in this series -but it won't be my last.

Louise Penny is an amazing Canadian mystery writer!! Her books are almost poetic in nature. I'm so glad I discovered her first book when it first came out. And I've avidly anticipated her following books with bated breathe!!

This is the first in a series of mystery books by Louise Penny.
I thought I would read it now, as we are fast approaching Thanksgiving and the murder of an elderly woman, named Jane Neal, was killed on Thanksgiving weekend, in the small village of Three Pines. The locals call in Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, from Surete du Quebec to help them with the case. Louise Penny uses a wonderful cast of quirky characters in this story, and you might be surprised with just who the killer really is. I guess you'll just have to read it to find out. I would recommend this book as I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan to read the next 3 that she has written( I own them all

This novel is written with the bilingual, bicultural aspect of the Québécois life in mind. It is narrated with emotions and very delightful; the characters have depth and are compassionate. This mystery is very engaging and Inspector Gamache is destined for stardom....can't wait to read the next novel in this series.

A thoroughly enjoyable read. A well researched, well written "cosy" mystery & a wonderful trip down memory lane for an ex-Montrealer who enjoyed many trips to the "Cantons de l'Est". No blood & gore; no sensationalism; no endless trips to the forensics lab; just a very good old fashioned mystery that keeps you guessing up to the very end. The author sits you right down in the village & lets you absorb & observe the people & the goings on in town. Gamache does an excellent job of delving into everyone's individual personality & past to eliminate the possibles & close in on the perpetrator. Louise Penny, who obviously has some interest in pyschology, includes some interesting conversations between characters which makes one pause in thought, outside the story, before reading on. Highly recommended. I can't wait to read Dead Cold.

A great read. no car chases, gruesome murder scenes, demented serial killers; just a well written story that pulls you into a small Canadian village where a patient, intelligent detective unravels the victims life and in turn her killer. An English cosy, but better; much better.

I picked up the book because of fond memories of Louise as a radio personality (CBC Montreal) Got ready for a Quebec-based mystery, and found so much more.
Louise has not only set up an interesting, and slightly original murder, but she rolls out a canvas celebrating the feel, colours, and crispness of a part of our province. And then there's the village itself- peopled with some of the most interesting, quirky and profoundly human individuals- many from our own lives- all with Louise's usual insights, enthusiam and her own wise humanity.
Bravo Louise! A wonderful read and a loving celebration d'ici!