Reviews

I was hoping to find a new series and I'm glad it's going to be this one. Still Life is a cozy and funny mystery novel that had some fantastic one-liners; it was perfect to read in the winter. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

jes806's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

awesomebrandi's review against another edition

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2.0

I kept seeing Inspector Gamache books mentioned, and I see they're working on a new series based on this, so I thought I would give it a try. I love mystery novels!

Ms. Penny has a strong way with words in a large portion of the book. Just the way she uses words and puts together phrases, is pleasant to read. Unfortunately, a lot of the subject matter wasn't pleasant, ranging from boring to problematic.

So, it started off pretty well. Quaint town, artists, a mystery (obviously). Sounds like my type of thing! From the beginning, the character of Gamache is talked about with a lot of reverence, and praise. Talking about what a great man he is, etc. Even though this is book #1, we're just supposed to jump into loving Gamache, without any real history or back story on him. Other than he loves his wife a lot, which is great, but not too interesting.

The best characters in the book happen to be Clara, and the victim herself. The townspeople in general are much stronger characters than any of the law enforcement characters, including Gamache himself. What really stuck out to me, is I never saw a real personality for Gamache develop. It mostly jumped back and forth between bland nothingness and being offensive. Speaking of, this book has some mind blowingly bad cliches and offensive content. I had to look up the publication date, based on how it read, and was surprised to find it was written in 2008.. so not that old in the scheme of things.

First of all, this book reads like it's written by someone who really hates women. Like, a LOT. Which is a double blow, considering it's written by a woman. The way the young law enforcement woman, Nichol, is talked about, and talked TO, is beyond the pale. I don't care if she isn't a great person, it's never okay for a man to tell a woman she's acting like a 'petulant child'. Gamache and his right hand man, Bouvier, say some of the most awful things about this woman behind her back. My eyes truly widened in shock at the way it was written.

Additionally, the single Black character in the book is an embarrassing and offensive "Mammy" archetype, who also apparently spouts toxic positivity. But, that's what a "Mammy" does, is she goes around like a little ray of sunshine, helping everyone else out.

There is a gay couple, and there are also some really bad stereotypes in writing them as well.

Also, tons of negativity around young people, teens; talking about them in really hateful ways.

This is just an awkward, somewhat unpleasant, disappointing book, and I will not be reading more by Louise Penny.

0uterspacebookwyrm's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

mallomar91's review against another edition

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challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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