Still Life by Louise Penny is the first book in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. A cozy mystery series with a bit more substance than your typically cozy mystery.
In this story the residents of the Village of Three Pines, located in southern Quebec, are shocked to learn that 76 year old Jane Neal has been found dead. Jane was a retired school teacher, and an amateur local artist. Initially, her death appears to be accidental. It appears that her death was caused by an old fashioned hunting arrow, and after all it was hunting season. But, what happened to the arrow, and why isn't anyone talking? Is it a coincidence that Jane is dead just days after she entered one of her paintings: "Fair Day" into the local art show? What really happened to Jane and why?
My Thoughts: I loved the setting of this book; the village of Three Pines is so scenic and quaint. The coffee shop/bistro was a locale, I could picture myself enjoying a coffee at and just hanging out. Chief Inspector Gamache is a quiet gentle man, with a precise way of getting to the bottom of things. Accompanied by his loyal assistant Beauvoir, along with a newbie on this case: Agent Yvette Nichol(irritating and arrogant), the investigators turn up several possible suspects. I loved the way that the story was told from multiple viewpoints. Most of the characters are likable, flawed or quirky, and through the author's terrific writing style, I felt like I got to know most of the characters fairly well. I discovered this series by reading book #5 first (The Brutal Telling) and loving it, so I decided to go back and read the series from the beginning; I'm glad I did. This book is recommended.
