Book notes | Still Life
Louise Penny, the author of Still Life, lives in a small village south of Montreal. Three Pines, the setting for this murder mystery and for the others in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, is a haven for artists and those looking for a peaceful place to live. Although also in Canada, it is not a real place.
In this book, Penny’s debut novel, we are introduced to Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, whom we can follow in the entire 18-book series. He is a wise man, beloved by his colleagues and those under him.
The victim is Jane Neal, a retired school teacher. At first her death is considered to be a hunting accident. The mystery centers around her art work. Jane has finally succeeded in having a painting accepted for the annual village fair. Not only did she never allow anyone to look at her art, but she also never allowed anyone to come into her house except for the kitchen. We learn at the end that Jane had painted the walls in the same fashion as the painting she did for the fair.
Red herrings
Those who live in Three Pines include Ruth, Clara and Peter, Ben, Myrna, Gabri, and Beauvoir. A couple of others are Matthew Croft and Jane’s niece and supposed heir Yolande Malenfant. These two are among the red herrings who throw us readers off the track of the murderer.
Myrna is a psychologist who gives a telling clue to Inspector Gamache that he doesn’t recognize until after he knows who the murderer is. She says that someone could be dangerous if they cannot do anything to change themselves. They are immature and “lead ‘still’ lives, waiting.”
Several UMRA Book Club I members are avid fans of the Louise Penny books while for a few this was their first introduction to the mysteries set in Three Pines. The book was well received by the group. The book club members thought the characters were the best part of the story but, at the same time, thought it was difficult to keep them all straight. They especially liked Armand Gamache, considering him to be a good teacher.
—Pat Tollefson, UMRA Book Club I member
Book Club I reads Still Life
Wed, Jun 22 2022, 2pm
Louise Penny, the author of Still Life, lives in a small village south of Montreal. Three Pines, the setting for this murder mystery and for the others in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, is a haven for artists and those looking for a peaceful place to live. Although also in Canada, it is not a real place.
Upcoming Events
We are fortunate to have UMRA member and former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director Peter Moe to lead this approximately 3.7-mile hike at the Arboretum on Monday, May 6. Plan to have lunch together after the hike at the Eatery café inside the Oswald Visitor Center.
This session will continue the discussion begun in the May 8, 2023 session. See that article for details.
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.