Reviews

Still Life by Louise Penny

krisglomb's review

mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I really loved the writing in this mystery, so much so that I wished I had read a physical copy rather than listened on audio so I could re-read and savor some of my favorite lines. 

This was an excellent slice of life mystery novel. We look at a potential duo of murders that uncovers the social and interpersonal dynamics of a small Canadian town. Many of the themes tackled in this book (contemporary politics vs traditional values, the way one person can be experienced very differently by many people and have it be the truth, what it means to be a good person and if that can change) are all very much themes found in lots of contemporary fiction, but its wrapped up in a well thought out puzzle and with really interesting characters. There are light, laugh out loud moments, there are cringey moments, moments where I felt disgust, and moments that made me reflect on myself and the way I move through the world. 

I had a few quibbles with some of the switching between characters and places (sometimes I felt lost with where I was and with whom) but it could have been the large cast trying to be expressed by a single audio book narrator. 

While the story wrapped up well in the end, I also felt like I may have missed a few pieces along the way. Overall, I’ll definitely be continuing the series. 

Quotes

“My mother used to say some people are in two places at once whereas I, on the other hand, was nowhere.”

“It would be hard to find a human being less effective than Hadley.” 

“Gamache sat back and did what he did best: watched.”

“It was one of life’s mysteries that this woman who she held absolutely no respect for could lay her flat.”

“At first she thought it was the voice of God. But then Clara couldn’t imagine God’s first words to her being anything other than ‘What the hell were you thinking?!’”

“I really am a kind, warm hearted person-now out of my way motherfucker-no, wait, let me try again.”

“Life is change. If you aren’t growing and evolving you’re standing still, and the rest of the world is surging ahead. Most of these people are very immature. They lead ‘still’ lives waiting.”

welly_boot_'s review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

4.25

chrisarchbold's review against another edition

mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

bjhenning's review

3.0

3.5 stars

domicspinnwand's review against another edition

3.0

Ich bin ein bissle enttäuscht - ich hatte gehofft, dass mir diese Reihe so gut gefallen würde, dass ich alle weiteren Bände sofort würde lesen wollen - aber das ist eher nicht so. Zwar war der ermittelnde Inspektor ganz sympathisch, aber die ganze Story fand ich irgendwie schwer nachzuvollziehen und auch das Motiv für den Mord habe ich bis zum Schluss nicht verstanden und fand es etwas konstruiert. Auch was die Figur der Polizistin Nichol soll, habe ich nicht so ganz verstanden - taucht die später weiter auf? Macht die dann irgendwie eine Entwicklung durch? Sehr seltsam... Ich habe in den Goodreads-Rezensionen gelesen, dass Band 1 und 2 ein wenig seltsam sein sollen - also werde ich, wenn ich irgendwann mal noch einen weiteren Band lesen werde, wohl eher später einsteigen.
Das Cover der deutschen Ausgaben gefällt mir allerdings von allen Ausgaben mit Abstand am besten, das ist wirklich gelungen. Insgesamt war das Buch ok - ich vergebe 3 von 5 Sternen und werde vielleicht später noch einen Versuch wagen, aber definitiv nicht sofort.

tine29's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

buttercupita's review against another edition

4.0

I was a huge Agatha Christie fan in my youth, but hadn't read that kind of a mystery in a long time (Courtroom thrillers and Tana French were about as close as I got.) This book reminded me a bit of the pleasure I got from Christie mysteries -- Louise Penny immerses us in a village's life, with believable characters (ok, just a few one dimensional baddies) and a good dose of humor. I would definitely continue to follow Inspector Gamache.

titansgo12's review against another edition

4.0

This was a delightful read! Unlike most murder mysteries that I usually read this was pretty non-violent and non-sexually motivated but that is not to say that its light-hearted and watered down as it has themes exhibiting of the of the worst traits of humanity but not brutal and in your face like other novels. Character driven with a strong ,likable yet somewhat mysterious lead and great supporting cast (although I do feel as the the story line with agent Nichol was underdeveloped and somewhat unfinished) the coziness of this little town was almost tangible. I very much enjoyed this first in the series and look forward to the next.

emilyb_chicago's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. It is exactly the sort of book you'd like to curl up with in front of a fireplace. It was solidly written and had really nice set of characters. I was invested in the mystery until the end and I didn't guess in advance. I'm looking forward to picking up the rest of the books in this series.

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