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Still Life

Chief Inspector Gamache/Three Pines, Book 1

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About this listen

 'A cracking storyteller, who can create fascinating characters, a twisty plot and wonderful surprise endings' ANN CLEEVES

There is more to solving a crime than following the clues.
Welcome to Chief Inspector Gamache's world of facts and feelings.

The discovery of a dead body in the woods on Thanksgiving Weekend brings Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his colleagues from the Surete du Quebec to a small village in the Eastern Townships. Gamache cannot understand why anyone would want to deliberately kill well-loved artist Jane Neal, especially any of the residents of Three Pines - a place so free from crime it doesn't even have its own police force.

But Gamache knows that evil is lurking somewhere behind the white picket fences and that, if he watches closely enough, Three Pines will start to give up its dark secrets...

Ten million readers.
Three pines
One inimitable Chief Inspector Gamache

'One of the most interesting detectives in crime fiction' THE TIMES Crime Thrillers Mystery Police Procedural Thriller & Suspense Fiction Village Crime

Critic reviews

Clever, full of twists and turns . . . wonderfully satisfying
Penny's elegant style is deeply satisfying, while Gamache is contemplative even when under pressure, and remains a man you want to spend time
Louise Penny twists and turns the plot expertly tripping the reader up just at the moment you think you might have solved the mystery
Brimming with atmosphere and steeped in soul-searching . . . Penny combines clever plotting with beautifully evocative descriptions and the deep affection for her characters that keeps readers travelling back to Three Pines for more
This is a crime novel that is rich in atmosphere with a fascinating array of characters that enhance a plot of great suspense and ingenuity
Subtle, elegant and beautifully written
All stars
Most relevant
I was recommended Louise Penny by my wife and sister and now I am completely hooked. From only a few pages in, I found myself accusing just about everyone of murder. The town of Three Pines would be a wonderful place to live.... until I got murdered of course. Enjoy!

Wow! What a ride!

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Louise Penny is a truly gifted author with a far reaching imagination, never more evident than in the Armand Gamache series. We learn so much about each character, we too, develop relationships with each of them. This is natural as Louise shows us more about each character, both flaws and strengths, and let's face it, who wants perfect people?! Even in the hero Armand Gamache, we see both, this allows us to really get to know everyone, some come and go - many return, worth several reads, I thoroughly enjoyed each one

Very addictive - every book

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I enjoyed this writing but found it a bit convoluted, however I will listen to more by this author.

A bit long!

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Started really well ( had seen loads of positive reviews on Gamache ) …..trouble was - for me ,
it then went on and on and on 😳 . First one confirmed as the suspect ——-then no , it was this one.
Then , this one . Finally I just got bored and disenchanted. It was a long book ! Needed tightening up 🤷‍♀️

Interminable

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Would you listen to Still Life again? Why?

Yes. I like the setting, characters & philosophical musings.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The investigator in this series isn't a troubled man. He loves his wife and his colleagues and doesn't have too many issues with authority. Canada is beautifully evoked through landscape & characters. These are gentle, thoughtful books.

Enjoyable

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