Book Review: Still Life
Title: Still Life
Author: Louise Penny
Length: 312 pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery / Crime Fiction
Plot Summary: In the idyllic, peaceful village of Three Pines, nestled deep in the woods south of Montreal, the quiet rhythms of small-town life are shattered on Thanksgiving weekend by the suspicious death of Jane Neal, a beloved and retired schoolteacher. At first glance, her death in the autumn woods resembles a tragic bow-hunting accident, but Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec quickly senses that something far more deliberate and sinister has taken place. As Gamache digs into Jane’s life, he and his team unravel a hidden web of secrets buried just beneath the surface of the close-knit community, forcing the eccentric villagers to reveal their true colors before a killer can slip away unnoticed.
Review: It took me a while to get into this novel. Due to jet lag when I first opened it, I was under the misconception that the main protagonist would be a female investigator. It made me wonder how different the story might have felt if the author had gender-swapped the main detective and his mentee. I was also thrown off by the heavy emphasis on outer appearances — phrases like “impossibly handsome” and “remarkably unattractive” — as well as the references to Burberry, none of which felt like they added depth to the characters or helped solve the central mystery.
As the story progressed, however, I did appreciate that the investigation wasn’t spearheaded by a single, untouchable genius (like Sherlock Holmes, a classic that shouldn’t be massaged with or replicated), but rather relied on the village community coming together alongside the police. Ultimately, my biggest takeaway wasn’t the mystery or the detective work itself, which moved at a rather slow pace. Instead, I truly appreciated the philosophical discussions woven throughout the narrative — particularly Gamache’s four statements that lead to wisdom (“I don’t know. I need help. I’m sorry. I was wrong”) and Myrna’s perspective on life:
“Life is change. If you aren’t growing and evolving you’re standing still… Most of these people are very immature. They lead ‘still’ lives, waiting. Waiting for someone to save them.”
Rating: 2.5/5
