Fourth Friday Book Club in July
Fri, Jul 25, 2025, 2pm
The Fourth Friday Book Club will meet July 25th. The assigned book Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louis Penny, published in 2005.
This is a highly praised mystery. The Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team of investigators of the Surete du Quebec are called to the scene of what initially appears to be a tragic hunting accident. Gamache concludes something more sinister, that the victim was murdered, and off we go to a who-done-it mystery.
From the numerous reviews and accolades this is no ordinary mystery novel. What takes it out of the ordinary, let me summarize from several reviews. Penny succeeds in developing a highly complex, ingeniously devised plot. Beyond a well constructed mystery, the praise is in the writing: as cerebral, wise and compassionate. Not surprisingly the Inspector Gamache series has been the recipient of numerous awards. We have been shy of murder mysteries. Still Life fits the bill for a very satisfying reading experience.
Everyone is welcome to join in the FOURTH FRIDAY BOOK CLUB II meetings!
If you have questions or suggestions for future book selections, please contact Dorothy Marden at [email protected].
Upcoming Events
UMRA’s Living Well Workshop on May 12 will feature Megan Walsh from the University of Minnesota Law School for a presentation on efforts to prevent gun violence through lawsuits designed to address unlawful practices in selling, manufacturing, or advertising firearms.
Craig Moody’s Swedish ancestors were among the 60,000 Swedes who chose to emigrate to the U.S. between 1868 and 1871, because of the poor economic conditions in their homeland. He has spent the last nine years investigating their history.
Back problems as we age and how we can treat them will be the discussion topic for the UMRA Breakfast meeting on Thursday, May 14. Paul Schanfield, MD, will be our expert resource person. He is a retired neurologist, a member of UMRA, and has personal experience with back surgery.
UMRA’s Book Club I will discuss The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another by Ainissa Ramirez when it meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 15.
Peter Moe, retired University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Director and UMRA member, will lead this hike.
Executive Vice President and Provost Gretchen Ritter will discuss her role and offer reflections on her first year at the University of Minnesota as the featured speaker for the UMRA Luncheon Forum on May 19 at Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville. The forum will be preceded by UMRA’s 2026 Annual Meeting.
"Third Wednesdays in the West Wing" is a pilot program for spring 2026.
A 1987 classic, cited as the gold standard of modern legal thrillers.
Bev leads at Hyland Lake Park Reserve.
Connect, explore new ideas for what it means to live and age well, and celebrate a community of continuous learning at the fifth annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis on Monday, June 8.
Abandoned and discarded is the theme for the UMRA Photo Club meeting in June. Newcomers are welcome.
Michael leads this hike at Afton State Park.
We will gather in the Waterfall Room for an in-person, summer social and luncheon for UMRA members and guests on June 24th. Our event will include social time; a plated, seated lunch; and the always popular Summer Social Trivia Game with quizmasters Dave Dorman and Mark Jenson.
Kayaking at Lake Bde Maka Ska.
Bev leads the Nokomis walk to Minnehaha Falls.