Still Life

Chief Inspector Gamache, Book 1

By: Louise Penny

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2005 Louise Penny (P)2006 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Good Story

This is my first Louise Penny book. I began with the first Chief Inspector Gamache story. He is a lovely nuanced character, intelligent, world weary from long experience as a sleuth. He is also caring and careful. I enjoyed the many picturesque details Penny adds along the way, the sound of a bird, tufts of grass that catch at a shoe. And that he enjoys the food and spirits I myself came to love while living in France, the fresh croissants, the wines. I look foreword to future Penny books with Gamache leading the way.

Meh.

The writing style is nice but the story left me completely unimpressed. It wasn’t all that interesting.

excited for the series!

I really liked these characters. That's exactly​ I was looking for. And mainly I wanted a mystery that was not about sexual violence towards women. Found one!

Great reader, great story

Surprisingly artful and rustic at the same time. How could that be? I loved it.

A good "Whodunnit "

Good little mystery, had it down to two people at the end, but wasn't able to dicern the culprit which is unusual for me. I really like Gamache, his layers, subtleties and complexities. He is not an "in your face" protagonist. Rather, to me, he is a watcher of men and the meandering tributaries of their lives. Gamache sees the worst and best in men. He is an "inspector " of their lives and in that lies THE ULTIMATE illumination.

OK

It might just not be my cup of tea, but I had a hard time staying interested. the ending was the only part that I couldn't stop listening to.

Who dunit?

Excellent character development and very involving story. Found myself developing caring, concerned feelings and regard for several characters who I actually experienced as people.

A great series with wonderful characters

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I had listened to some later books but decided that I cared about the characters enough and really like the setting in Canada, to start from the beginning. On book two but enjoying knowing somethings that will happen to them in the future.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters and setting -- and with just a bit of French.

What about Ralph Cosham’s performance did you like?

He is Inspector Gamache - that's it.

Surprisingly good

I almost returned this book because it kind of drags for the first few chapters. However, keep going to the surprise ending.

Thoroughly enjoyed!

Thoughtful insight into the human psyche. Very intelligently written. I am looking forward to reading more of the series.