A review by phantasmaboo
Still Life by Louise Penny

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

2.5

Still Life follows the first story of Detective Gamache as he searches for who killed an elderly woman in a small Quebec village. Overall, I found the story to be decent. However, I found the character development to be lacking. There are two gay characters in the book and one Black woman, and each of these characters seems to be fulfilling some kind of stereotypical role. For example, the gay couple run the only town’s cafe/B&B, talk about musicals, and are overly sexual and “sassy” in a way that other characters are not. There is some development outside of these roles toward the end, but it comes far too late and is not fleshed out like other main characters. They mostly feel like unsuccessful comic relief and intruders in the town where they’re supposed to be living. Ultimately, I think the cast (aka the entire village and several police officers) was far too large for this novel to have any significant amount of development for everyone. The pacing feels off as the author attempts to include everyone and thus makes time for almost no one. 

Still, it was a good story and once you pass the midway point, it’s worth finishing. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings