“This book is stupid,” I said to my husband as I finished the last page of Still Life and closed the book. Needless to say, I was not a fan. It was boring and weird. I honestly cannot even remember why this was in my pile of books to read. My best guess is that the library accidentally added it to my pile of check-out requests.
I’m going to share the summary from the book jacket because the only thing I remember is that the murder victim is a bad painter, enters a competition, dies, and somehow her painting is supposed to frame the murderer.
A picturesque village just north of the U.S. border. A place where neighbors greet each other, where visitors feel right at home, and where the truth hides behind closed doors…
Enter the world of Three Pines – and discover why Louise Penny is the blockbuster #1 New York Times bestselling author who has enthralled millions of readers.
Jane Neal – well-loved in her community – does not appear to be a woman anyone would want to harm, let alone murder. But when she turns up dead, with an arrow would to her chest, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache can’t help but think that Jane died at the hands of someone much more sinister than a careless hunter. Now it’s up to Gamache to find a killer who’s on the loose… and on his trail.
When it comes to murder, you have to see the forest for the trees.
Dear reader, don’t let that suspenseful “summary” lead you astray. This book is a yawn-fest. However, it did fulfill a CBR12 Book Bingo square by being the first in the Inspector Armand Gamache series. Alas, it will also be my last in this series, especially given the fact that the character was so dull I can’t tell you a single thing about him.
So, my recommendation is to not read this book, though I’d be interested to hear if anyone else did and what they thought.