Still Life is the mystery novel by Louise Penny that brought Chief Inspector Armand Gamache to the table of intriguing fictional detectives.
Gamache works for the police department in Quebec and heads up the homicide unit. He is sent out to Three Pines, a lovely little village, when the kind old lady is found dead after being shot with an arrow. She revealed a peculiar painting to be displayed at some art fair. There is some question whether this was a deliberate murder or a tragic hunting accident. Gamache has his team and his own intuition to help him reveal the truth as to why Jane Neal died in the most lovely of settings.
This novel was published in 2005 and is the beginning of a pretty solid series of mysteries. Gamache is clever and a bit more sensitive than many of his counterparts. He has a loving wife and a devoted family. Unfortunately, he often seems to come into conflict with his superiors.
Anyway. it’s a pretty good debut. Penny doesn’t really do much of an origin story here. Gamache has worked with members of his team for some time. Gamache is not new to strange homicides. I sort of liked that she chooses to start off her series with an already experienced investigator.
The actual crime is pretty interesting in spite of a somewhat cliche setting.
There is a pretty good subplot where a rookie investigator joins the team and causes s bit of an uproar, seriously testing the usually patient chief inspector.
Penny is quite a popular writer, and the affection appears to be well deserved.
Next, I call upon Freida McFadden once again as she introduces me to The Inmate.
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