I have found another book to add to my "Best Books I Read in 2007" list. I finished "Still Life" by Louise Penny this morning and I loved every minute of it. It won a host of awards including UK Dagger, the Canadian Ellis, and American Dilys, Barry and Anthony awards. The best thing about this book, for me, is the wonderful characterization including the quite charming village of Three Pines. The main character is Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec. He comes to this lovely little hamlet to solve the murder of a gentle elderly lady. Ms. Penny has written two more books in this wonderful series and I will be reading them very soon. I give this book a 9/10 and include a small quote about Three Pines to give you some idea of why I want to move there. The mystery is intriguing and the writing is lovely.
Three Pines wasn't on any tourist map, being too far off any main or even secondary road. Like Narnia, it was generally found unexpectedly and with a degree of surprise that such an elderly village should have been hiding in this valley all along. Anyone fortunate enough to find it once usually found their way back. And Thanksgiving, in early October, was the perfect time. The weather was usually crisp and clear, the summer scents of old garden roses and phlox were replaced by musky autumn leaves, woodsmoke and roast turkey.
From the publisher:
As the early morning mist clears on Thanksgiving Sunday, the homes of Three Pines come to life--all except one...
To locals, the village is a safe haven. So they are bewildered when a well-loved member of the community is found dead in the maple woods. Surely it was an accident--a hunter's arrow gone astray. Who could want Jane Neal dead?
In a long and distinguished career with the Surete du Quebec, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache has learned to look for snakes in Eden. Gamache knows something dark is lurking behind the white picket fences, and if he watches closely enough, Three Pines will begin to give up its secrets...
I've been meaning to read this one forever. I just about bought it when in Quebec and have been kicking myself ever since that I didn't. Your wonderful review tells me that I need to get my hands on it for sure. I love the cover, too.
ReplyDeleteJust came back to let you know I just ordered Still Life from a used dealer at amazon.com. I hope it comes with the same cover as you've pictured on your post.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I love the colors of your blog.
Oh, thanks so much! Please let me know what you think of it. I just fell in love with the village itself as a character and her other books feature Three Pines as well as Inspector Gamache. The US cover is different than this one. This lovely leaf cover is the UK/Canada one. Hope you get the one you want.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely book! Even in that tiny space it seems to have so much atmosphere. Hmm, off to add it to the wishlist!
ReplyDeleteI went back and re-read my review (posted here) and see that I gave it an A- rating. I hope her others are just as good!
ReplyDeleteI love the covers of these books, especially the one you're currently reading. Your review is tempting me to get them as I like books set in the wilds of Canada.
ReplyDeleteHeather, it does have so much atmosphere. For me, the village is a character in itself.
ReplyDeleteLes, I went back and reread your review before I wrote mine. I'm about 60 pages into A Fatal Grace (aka Dead Cold) and I'm liking it just as much. There's just something about that village.
Cath, the covers are very nice aren't they? I'd be interested to hear what you think if you decide to read this.
I thought this might be a good selection for the mystery book group I'm starting next spring at the library. I wrote Louise Penny an email and told her how much I liked the book and asked her if she would be available for a call to our group (or potential group). She responded quickly and said yes. She was very gracious. I'll keep you informed as to what happens in that regard.
How wonderful that Louise Penny will be available for your library group!! I wish I could get some of my favorite authors to come to the bookstore! Now wouldn't that be fun?
ReplyDeleteI wonder what's up with the title chance for A Fatal Grace? Off to look at her blog...
Ah, Canadian versus U.S. titles. I didn't realize that happened as much as with the UK books. BTW, I love her website. Maybe I need to plan a trip to Canada...
ReplyDeleteIsn't her website lovely? Her third book is out in Canada/UK and I ordered it from Book Depository. Hope it gets here soon. Yes, I think I may have to plan a trip to Canada as well. I've been visiting through books all summer.
ReplyDeleteAs I've told you, I love this book. It's so atmospheric. I wish they didn't change titles of books, movies, etc. between countries. It's so confusing.
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