Reviews

Still Life by Louise Penny

gwencl's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

abbyprinceatwood's review against another edition

3.0

I learned of this series and author through Anne Bogel's What Should I Read Next podcast. I enjoy the writing style and appreciate a good mystery series.

canthaltme's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

3.5

dghoiem's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

3.5

lydiaann's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

izedriftwood's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

3.0

Once I figured out it's a cosy mystery, much more enjoyable. Did not feel like the gay character storyline was necessary, felt like trying to shoehorn in a Very Special Episode moment that added nothing. Also not a huge fan of Gamache, came off more a jerk than just focused curmudgeon with redeeming charm. On the fence whether I'll read more in the series ...

bluehound's review against another edition

3.0

I really wanted to like this book. And I can see why people do. But here are a few things. The writing is in third person, that is fine. But every few paragraphs it changes to a different person in third person. At the most, there should only be one person's thought every chapter, even better only one or two for the entire book. It is very distracting. Which brings me to the second part. There is no mystery if every person except the one who did it, displays their thoughts. And the third part. There are so many unnecessary characters it is hard to keep them separated and none have any true depth. Fourth, the mystery isn't what is happening here. The story is about how the characters interact with each other, the murder is beside the point.
Why did I give it three stars? Because I loved the main character, even though there was not enough book to make him a three dimensional person. I felt like it might the beginning of something, but hadn't yet gotten there by the end of the book and I felt like it had potential. Alas, I don't think I can read anymore of the series because I have better books to spend my time on.
I can see why people like these books and you may also, but I need substance in a book and this just does not have it.

alissamk's review against another edition

3.0

I'd probably rate this book somewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars overall because there were some really awkward moments, but overall I enjoyed this mystery. I also like the way Louise Penny writes so I'm excited to read more in the Armand Gamache series. I'm hoping the awkwardness improves later in the series (there were some one-note characters and it got a little distracting and repetitive) but I really love a story with a team doing teamwork-y things and the police procedural mixed with cozy mystery feel of this was nice.

carmelaannaimprota2023's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

callienicole's review against another edition

2.0

I've tried this book twice now, and I just can't. I didn't finish it. The writing is good and the characters are interesting, but the author is just so ignorant about hunting and conservation. She writes as if hunters are complete bafoons who go out shooting anything that moves, and as someone who comes from a long line of hunters and conservationists, I was pretty offended. It would be one thing if it was one character who had this opinion of hunting, but no, the author is clearly trying to make a point with stating her own opinion of hunters, and as I said, her ignorance is showing. I might try the next book in the series, in hopes that it will be a straight-up mystery instead of a platform for the author's opinions.