Exploring Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache in *Still Life*

I recently finished Still Life, by Louise Penny, the first book in the Chief Inspector Gamache series.

Blurb: A murder in the charming village of Three Pines uncovers secrets and greed. Inspector Gamache must unravel the truth.

What worked for me: The standout character for me was Inspector Armand Gamache. He’s a quiet, empathetic detective who favors observation over confrontation and values teamwork over personal glory. I especially appreciated his commitment to mentoring young talent in the department—even when they prove more resistant to change than he anticipated.

The setting is Three Pines, a small, idyllic village in the Canadian province of Quebec. It’s a cozy, artistic community inhabited by a cast of eccentric and diverse residents. But someone is hiding a secret. Thankfully, Chief Inspector Gamache is on the case—and he always gets to the truth.

What didn’t work for me.  What didn’t work for me was how disorienting the first chapter felt. It begins with the discovery of the crime scene, then abruptly jumps back several days, introducing a flurry of characters in rapid succession. I found it difficult to keep track of everyone so early in the story.

At times, I wondered whether the portrayal of the gay characters leaned too heavily on stereotypes. This is, of course, a common feature in genre fiction and television, where a stereotype can quickly populate a cast and allow the story to move forward. But is this a sign of authorial laziness, or a way to make characters immediately recognizable through familiar traits? I don’t know.

Final thoughts. This is just one book in the series, but I enjoyed it enough to want to read more. Clearly, I’m not alone—Louise Penny’s writing has resonated with so many readers that the series now spans nearly twenty books. That kind of longevity speaks to real talent. I’ve officially added Inspector Gamache to my list of series I plan to keep reading.