But like I’ve come to adore Midsomer Murders (very reminiscent), I found myself adapting and enjoying this one a lot. The relationships and language were a little different, plus it was as if the humor was off and some details were missing that I needed to adjust. While I end up liking some British ones, depending on the style and setting, it’s often hit or miss, and I’ve only read a couple of books set in Canada. Part of why I struggled in the beginning is the process of settling into a non-American cozy mystery. And don’t forget about all the artwork that must mean something, but it’s uneasily grasped by most, even arguably considered amazing and horrific all at the same time. Toss in a few friends of Jane’s, a relative or two, and strange folks around town, you’ve got quite the mystery to solve.

The kid’s father confesses, and Gamache decides something is amiss. Poor Jane Neal! Everyone liked her… well at least one person didn’t, obviously! LOL Armand works with a few police members on his team and determines that a young teenager must’ve done it. It appears to be a hunting accident, shot with an arrow. He rarely has any homicides, but one of the elderly villagers is found dead in the wooded area. Let’s dive a little deeper…Īrmand Gamache is an inspector in a small country village set not too far from Montreal, Canada. At first, I had a difficult time connecting with the characters, but by the third chapter I was invested and really enjoyed the book. Still Life by Louise Penny won the Book Bucket List contest on my blog in August 2020, which meant any friends, followers, and fans wanted me to read this one next… so I grabbed a copy from the NYPL and read it last week.