Set in a charming English-speaking village in Quebec. Characters are well drawn. Most are likeable. Of course, some are not. -- And they are well developed in their not-likeable-ness. In the next books in the series we learn that some characters are not who/what they seem. This book won award(s). I bought it because one of my favorite booksellers recommended it, and I liked the author. Mood and setting are lovely. This book was good enough that I read the next in the series. (Warning: for the 2nd book, and for the upcoming [Fall 2008] 4th book, U.S. title is different from Canadian title.) I liked the 2nd and 3rd books more than the first.
Good cozy with rich atmosphere, well-developed characters.

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The surprising death of a local spinster brings Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his officers to the small Canadian village of Three Pines.

This is the author's first novel and I'm really looking forward to reading the second one. Gamache reminds me a little of Maigret and I enjoyed the Three Pines village setting, the writing, and the characters.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The character development was excellent, and the ending totally caught me by surprise. I'll definitely read all of Penny's other books.

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Oh, what a great book! I FELL right into it.
I am always happy to find an ongoing series. The murder is only the beginning of a series of events, which literally chill us, and cause us to think deeply.
The other plot of Gamache's "downfall" is also explored, and woven expertly into the murder investigation. Great characters, both the local residents and the murder investigation team. Great settings. My only quibble would be - the food descriptions make me want to go right to Three pines and settle in and eat and eat and eat.
Best book I've read all year!

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This book is like a modern version of Agatha Christie: a charming village, interesting characters, and murder. This is Penny's first book and I found that she found her rhythm about half way through. The book started snapping along and her sense of humour emerged. Highly recommend and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.

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THIS BOOK GOT ME INTERESTED IN THE CHARACTER CHIEF INSPECTOR GAMACHE AND I HAVE READ A COUPLE MORE OF THE BOOKS WITH HIM AS THE MAIN GUY. WORTH READING, WELL DEVEOPED CHARACTORS

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Reminds me of The Killings at Badger's Drift but set in a border village in Quebec.

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One of the things I love about reading is the ability to go to another country, region, culture, and become immersed in the scene and situation. Thus, I was charmed to meet Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surêté du Québec and his team of investigators. They are investigating a strange and suspicious death in Three Pines, a small, French-Canadian locale, just north of the US border.

I would call this a cozy mystery and Armand Gamache spends a great deal of his time inside his head. He's a very interesting man and we learn much from his ruminations and interactions with others. The generous sprinkling of clues and food choices makes for an interesting read. I felt that I had a birdseye view of another culture.

I've read elsewhere that these books should be read in order. It is interesting to see the tension between the francophone and anglophone Québécois. This book provides a tangible understanding of the tension that I'd heard was rampant in the French part of Canada. I found this tension, plus the fine writing were sufficient to get me to read the next book in this series. Note the awards this book earned.

Awards
AnthonyAwards Best First Novel
Barry Awards Best First Novel
Dilys Awards Best Book

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I love this series. Very endearing characters and excellent writing. I want to live in "Three Pines"!

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Have you found Louise Penny yet? She creates as distinct a world as did Rex Stout in his Nero Wolfe novels, but adds layers of morality and psychological depth. Her characters are real people; you know someone just like them, just as irritating, just as human, just as sad. Add in wonderful smidgens of humor and great insight on how fine is the line between good and evil. Oh, and did I mention that on top all of that her books are great mysteries? Find this book and read it. Move to Three Pines. You'll never want to leave.

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With this award-winning first novel, Louise Penny introduces an engaging hero in Inspector Gamache, who commands his forcesand this serieswith power, ingenuity, and charm.

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec and his team of investigators are called in to the scene of a suspicious death in a rural village south of Montréal and yet a world away. Jane Neal, a long-time resident of Three Pines, has been found dead in the woods. The locals are certain its a tragic hunting accident and nothing more but Gamache smells something foul this holiday seasonand is soon certain that Jane died at the hands of someone much more sinister than a careless bowhunter.

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I had always heard people raving about Louise Penny. so I suggested her for our book club. Someone chose a title from her earliest books, figuring it would introduce us to her characters. Personally. I was very bored until about half way through. The book just didn't pique my interest. Once things actually started happening, the story got better. I'm not much for murder mysteries, so it's not getting a high rating. Maybe one day, I will pick another of her books to read. The person who chose it and several others said it was not one of her best.

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Book was okay, Good character development. Gamache Mystery series

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. First time I have read Louis Penny. I look forward to continue reading this series. A great study of the characters, some odd, eccentric, and quite captivating. Plot almost seemed incidental to the characters.

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I really enjoyed this first Chief Inspector Gamache novel. It is a good mystery, but it's more than a mystery - it is a wonderful introduction to the irresistible Chief Inspector Armand Gamache - a detective who won't allow his wife to display his commendations on the wall because every time he looks at them, he sees the faces of the dead and the living they left behind. It is also an introduction to the wonderful tiny village of Three Pines in Montreal and it's quirky inhabitants. I'm sure that this is a fictional hamlet, but Penny brought it to life and made me want to go there, and do things like stay in the B&B, visit the village bistro, hang out with its owners - Olivier & Gabri - & have coffee with Clara, and hug her. I looked at a list of Ms. Penny's books, and was very happy to see that she revisits Three Pines in subsequent books. I will work on getting some of those ASAP.

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