Penny, Louise – STILL LIFE

[LJ Roberts]

STILL LIFE (Police Proced-Canada-Cont) – Ex Penny,
Louise – 1st book
Headline, 2005- Hardcover

Death brings Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his officers of the Sûreté du Quebec to the small village of Three Pines, Canada. Much-loved Jane Neal has been found dead in the woods. Gamache must determine whether her death was the result of a hunting accident, or deliberate murder.

2005 Top Read - Penny’s debut book is a true, classic traditional mystery. Penny has a wonderful writing voice full of introspection and humor. The captivating opening sentence “Miss Jane Neal met her maker in the early morning mist of Thanksgiving Sunday.” sets the tone for the book. The characters are interesting and well-developed. Gamache, and his side-kick, Jean Guy Beauvoir are ones I definitely felt I want to follow through subsequent outings. Gamache was ethical, even to his own detriment, and his four sentences that lead to wisdom are ones everyone should keep mindfully. The secondary are a wonderful microcosm of people everywhere. The plot was interested taking me along as story unfolded and there is a subtle depth in Penny’s writing that kept the story with me long after the last page. I loved this book, highly recommend it and am already signed up to receive her second book.