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Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1)
Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1) | Louise Penny
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review
lauraisntwilder
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Pickpick

Well, now I have a new series that I want to read all of! This was perfect for the first few cold days we've had. #OhCanada

dabbe Oh, you will be hooked! ♥️🍁🧡 5d
Jess861 So glad you enjoyed it! Lots of books to read in the series! 8h
31 likes2 comments
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LitsyEvents
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The #OhCanada November/December read has kicked off and feel free to read any book from the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny. I will be reading book #1 (Still Life) as I haven't read any of these books before. Discussion will be high level with no spoilers since there will likely be multiple books read.
Anyone is welcome to join - easy going group read where we explore Canadian authors.

LitsyEvents We will be continuing in 2026 too. Via @Jess861 2w
32 likes1 comment
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Jess861
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The #OhCanada November/December read has kicked off and feel free to read any book from the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny. I will be reading book #1 (Still Life) as I haven't read any of these books before. Discussion will be high level with no spoilers since there will likely be multiple books read.

Anyone is welcome to join - easy going group read where we explore Canadian authors. We will be continuing in 2026 too.

Jess861 @Suet624 Thank you for the link! I had not heard - interesting read! A reading in an Opera House will be neat for those able to attend but it's too bad she cancelled her American tour (although understandable to me anyways). 2w
See All 12 Comments
willaful Oh, you are in for a treat. (Probably. I suppose somebody doesn't like Still Life. ;-) )

I'm on book 10, The Long Way Home.
(edited) 2w
Jess861 @willaful I hope so - I've never really gotten into cozy mysteries (only because I don't have time to read a ton) but I did read Murder at Fenway Park a few years back and enjoyed it. So hoping the same with this one! 2w
LapReader Starting Grey Wolf on the train this morning. Found in my building‘s library so I was pretty happy about that. 2w
Jess861 @LapReader Always nice to get a library find! 2w
kwmg40 My library hold on the newest, The Black Wolf, should be available in a couple of weeks, so that's the one I'll be reading. 2w
Jess861 @kwmg40 Awesome!! 2w
CarolynM 👍 2w
PurpleyPumpkin I happened to read the first in the series earlier this year. So I'll read the second. Looking forward to this! 2w
Jess861 @PurpleyPumpkin Glad you're able to join in :). 2w
39 likes12 comments
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kspenmoll
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This beautiful 20th Anniversary edition of Still Life by Louise Penny arrived from Barnes & Noble tonight. I think I need an easel to display it so the edges can be seen. 💙🩵💙

Aims42 Gorgeous!!! 😍 2mo
Bookwormjillk 😻😻😻 2mo
bookandbedandtea Beautiful! 😍 2mo
Librarybelle OMG! I may have to splurge and get a copy…complete FOMO! 😂 2mo
AnnCrystal 🎨🤩👍🏼💝. 2mo
50 likes5 comments
review
Doll8455
Pickpick

LAST PUZZLE PIECE!! The author offers subtle clues to the mystery with descriptive feelings, conversations and reflections. Each leading to a dead end.

Often in this novel all clues lead to a dead end.

The path not taken, the picture not observed could be the “last puzzle piece”.

Solution will give you goosebumps.

Karisa Love, Love, Love Louise Penny! Such a great series! 1mo
25 likes1 comment
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kwmg40
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Pickpick

Having read all the books in the Inspector Gamache series that have been written so far, it was interesting to go back to the beginning and revisit the characters as they were introduced to us the first time.

#gottacatchemall (Smeargle: art or artist as the central theme or character) @PuddleJumper

PuddleJumper I really enjoyed this one. I struggled with the later books which is me and not the books 2mo
kwmg40 @PuddleJumper I'm a big fan of the series, partly because of the setting, which is very close to my hometown. I loved most of the books, but the series does bog down in parts, so it might not be just you! 2mo
51 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Centique
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Pickpick

Finally started this series and it was really good! @CarolynM @TrishB I think it was you two who put this on my radar years ago! I do love a detective novel with interesting character work - and the setting and community was warm and friendly.
This isnt a photo of Three Pines of course - my local beach walk on the other side of the world 😁

CarolynM I think I can count 12 pines there😆 It‘s a great series. Hope you go on enjoying it💕 3mo
Centique @CarolynM oh yes the Norfolk pines! I forgot they were there! They were visible out my window for most of my childhood so I shouldnt have forgotten them 🤪 3mo
CarolynM They were a feature of my childhood too - a South Australian seaside staple. 3mo
See All 10 Comments
Reggie Ya‘ll are about to come out of winter right? Ps love the new photo! So cute! 2mo
Centique @Reggie yes! Here comes Spring 👍 and pollen 🤪 Thankyou re the photo. It was an app that turns people into plush toys. You could do one for free - love a free trial 😂😂 How are you Reggie? We are going to England for Christmas and I have been obsessively researching every bit of our itinerary and hardly reading. Better than scrolling through the news though. 😬 xxx 2mo
TrishB Hope you love the series! If you‘re anywhere near me on your trip let me know! I‘m sure we can get some Litsy peeps together 😁 2mo
Reggie @Centique omg!!!!!! I hope you get to meet TrishB. Also, I‘m glad you took your trip to the US when you did. This 2nd term is so awful. It‘s just being mean to be mean. There‘s no good excuse for it. Everyone who voted for him was voting to hurt someone else. I hope you and ur family have a lovely Christmas vacation! Ur kids must be huge now, right? She‘s in Uni and he‘s probably in 8th or 9th grade? 2mo
Centique @Reggie thank you Reggie! Yes there is an enormous amount of pain in the world at the moment - its heart breaking to see. Keep hoping for better days, people with compassion and wisdom to get some wins for a change. Yes oldest is in 3rd year of uni and youngest is I think grade 9 for you. Both doing good and will feel like travelling with grown ups this time xxx How are you doing? 2mo
TrishB Aww - if we had a car I might have done it on Christmas Eve but there‘s no way I‘m taking the train and chancing getting stuck. That‘s a shame- but it looks like you have a fabulous trip planned ♥️ 2mo
Centique @TrishB yes im learning that trains can be unreliable! Next time I am definitely coming to Manchester (is that where you are - or near there?) My best friend used to live there and has told me so many times that I should go there xxx 2mo
65 likes10 comments
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BiblioLitten
Pickpick

My family and I were planning a trip to Montreal next month. Plans changed, so now I‘m armchair travelling to Three Pines with Chief Inspector Gamache. I wouldn‘t say it‘s an amazingly gripping book. It is interesting and cozy enough for me to look forward to the second in the series. #Quebec

ShelleyBooksie Hang tight - the series gets so much better 6mo
33 likes1 comment
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PuddleJumper
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Giving this a try tonight. Has anyone watched it?

Lands I had mixed feelings about it. Try it out. I ended up liking the quirky characters and seeing Quebec. 7mo
Susanita Mixed feelings is a good description. Alfred Molina is great. It‘s based on the second book with some other bits thrown into the mix. 7mo
PuddleJumper @RowReads1 @Susanita I've watched the first two episodes and I'm a bit underwhelmed. There wasn't much substance to it. I'll stick with it and see if it gets better 7mo
41 likes3 comments
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Karisimo
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#coverstories #barn
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I don‘t remember a barn in the story, but it sure looks like one or two on the cover!

Eggs Absolutely 💯 8mo
39 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Born.A.Reader
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Finished what's technically my 2nd #AuldLangSpine as it's the first of the series and @kspenmoll suggested I read it first. Loved it and already have books 2 and 3 on order from Thriftbooks! Thank you for the recommendation! @monalyisha

kspenmoll I am do happy you are enjoying this series! 9mo
32 likes1 comment
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Scochrane26
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Pickpick

My first Penny book. Set in Quebec, making the the story more interesting to me because I can armchair travel. Armand Gamache he has to investigate an older woman‘s murder in a small village. Interesting characters in the village, one trainee detective who you can love to hate, & a good mystery with a satisfying ending.

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dabbe
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#12BooksOf2024
@Andrew65

Chief Inspector Gamache and the bucolic community of Three Pines, Quebec, has enchanted and engaged me with an intriguing murder of a beloved member of the village, one whose death shatters all who loved her. I look forward to learning more about the characters and this enchanting town.

Thanks for helping all of us revisit our year of reading, @Andrew65. 🩶🖤🩶

Andrew65 A brilliant series.

Thanks for playing along, it‘s been great seeing everyone‘s books. Hope to see you on the First day of Christmas later this year for #12Booksof2025. 👏👏👏😊🎉🥳
10mo
dabbe @Andrew65 Me, too. 🤩 Already on to Book #3! 10mo
Andrew65 @dabbe Brilliant 😍 10mo
56 likes3 comments
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dabbe
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I mistakenly read #2 in this series last December and decided to start from the beginning this December. Happily, I believe I have found a new series to explore. Chief Inspector Gamache and the bucolic community of Three Pines, Quebec, has enchanted and engaged me with an intriguing murder of a beloved member of the village, one whose death shatters all who loved her. I look forward to learning more about the characters and this enchanting town.

Amiable The books get better as the series goes on, too! 11mo
dabbe @Amiable Ooh, that's good to know! 🤩😂🤗 11mo
Librarybelle I agree with @Amiable . I love the series and am up to book 8, I think. I miss Three Pines and really need to pick them up again. 11mo
See All 17 Comments
Amiable @dabbe @Librarybelle Around book 4 (I think?) is when the larger plot thread starts to play out. I enjoyed each book/mystery individually, but the overarching narrative that carries across the entire series is even more compelling, IMO. (edited) 11mo
Amiable @Librarybelle I‘m on the library waitlist for book #19 and I‘m very impatient! Everyone ahead of me needs to read faster. 😀 11mo
Librarybelle @Amiable 😂 I like your comment about the overarching mystery. What really drives me to this series are the layers of info that Penny adds to them. I‘ve read Still Life a few times, and each time I pick up on another thread, another layer. She‘s an amazing writer. She‘s also an auto buy author for me, so I have the whole series waiting for me to read! 11mo
Desha Yes this is such a great series! I‘m up to book 8 in reading all of them but I had to skip ahead and read her most recent one The Grey Wolf….wow so good!! She has gotten better over time!! 📚♥️ 11mo
Mollyanna I agree with everyone, this is such a wonderful series. I am on book 4 and need to get back to it… 11mo
dabbe @Amiable @Librarybelle @Desha @Mollyanna ... wow! Such intriguing comments! I'm on to my 2nd read of A FATAL GRACE and hope to continue on in 2025! 🤩 11mo
staci.reads It's a great series! It gets better as it goes. I just finished books 14 yesterday. I'm trying to space them out and read one every few months. 11mo
staci.reads @Amiable Agreed! Each book's plot is compelling enough to stand alone, but the arcing storylines and the character development makes it so much richer. 11mo
dabbe @staci.reads This will be my big new series read for the year! 🤩😂🤗 11mo
Susanita You‘re in for a treat! ❤️🌲🌲🌲 (edited) 11mo
dabbe @Susanita Yay! 🤩😂🤗 11mo
bthegood Glad you are enjoying the series! I love it🙂 11mo
dabbe @bthegood Already on to Book 2! 🩵💙🩵 11mo
bthegood @dabbe 🙂 11mo
57 likes17 comments
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dabbe
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#Two4Tuesday
@TheSpineView (thanks for the tag! ❣️🎄❣️)

1. My best start to every day is having the girls (aka Kate and Pippa) wake us up. It is always the ultimate joy as they really do live in the moment.
2. In the tagged book, Inspector Gamache is one of the most methodical detectives I've ever read--maybe even more than Holmes.

Play? @IndoorDame @Sleepswithbooks @TheBookHippie

TheSpineView ❤️🐕❤️ Thanks for playing 11mo
44 likes1 comment
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willaful

“Abby Hoffman said we should all eat what we kill. That would put an end to war.“

Not for the first time Beauvoir was at a loss for words with Gamache. Was he serious? Was he, perhaps, a little touched? And who was Abbé Offman? A local cleric? Sounds like exactly the sort of things some Christian mystic would say.

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dabbe
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#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

1. Not having children to come home for the holidays, we really don't have many traditions. Mine are steeped in my childhood. One I do have, though, is to reread all of my mom's Christmas newsletters from 1974 until she died. I put them together in a spiral book and gifted them to my sisters the year she passed. She loved Christmas. How I miss her. ❣️🎄❣️
2. Tagged. I hope to read the whole series.

All are tagged! 🤩

AmyG #1….that is lovely….especially that you have them all together and passed on copies. ❤️ 12mo
Susanita That‘s a sweet tradition. 🥲 12mo
Deblovestoread 💙❄️💙 12mo
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Lesliereadsalot Such a thoughtful and beautiful thing to do 🩷 12mo
Read4life That is a wonderful tradition 💙💙💙 12mo
TheSpineView Lovely tradition! Thanks for playing 12mo
dabbe @AmyG It's fun to read what she thought my sisters and me as we were growing up. 🤩🤗🤩 12mo
dabbe @Susanita Thanks. 💙❄️💙 12mo
dabbe @Deblovestoread 💙❄️💙 12mo
dabbe @Lesliereadsalot I'm so glad she had kept them in a file! 💙❄️💙 12mo
dabbe @Read4life Thanks. 💙❄️💙 12mo
dabbe @TheSpineView YW and TY! 💙❄️💙 12mo
Lesliereadsalot They were waiting for you 🩷 12mo
dabbe @Lesliereadsalot 💙❄️💙 12mo
bthegood Beautiful tradition and lovely gift for your sisters 💕 12mo
dabbe @bthegood Thanks, m'dear. 💙❄️💙 11mo
46 likes16 comments
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dabbe
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TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!! 12mo
kspenmoll You have sone good books in your mix! 12mo
dabbe @kspenmoll Sansoms, Sherlocks, and Drews! 🤩😂🤗 12mo
dabbe @TheAromaofBooks 💙❄️💙 12mo
45 likes4 comments
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willaful

Dull ride home yesterday but my loan on this fortuitiously came in, so I read the first chapter aloud to my husband to keep him entertained.

19 likes1 stack add
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dabbe
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#WinterGames2024
#HolidayBookDragons @Liseworks @StayCurious
#earlybirdpoints
#mostanticipateddecemberread
+10 points

I've only read one of her books (out of order! 😱) last December. I'm hoping to start anew with Book #1 and actually read the whole series! #readinggoals2025

Kerrbearlib I still need to read this one. I‘ve heard great things. 12mo
dabbe @Kerrbearlib I loved FATAL GRACE. I'm just so horrible at starting and finishing and entire series ... well, if I'm to be honest, pretty much anything! 🤩 12mo
willaful This is very much in demand at all my libraries, so my husband and I will be sharing a copy. 😂 12mo
See All 6 Comments
bthegood I started this series this year, love it! Hope you enjoy it too!🙂 12mo
dabbe @willaful Luckily, my sister gave me her copy, so I'm good to go! I just have to start the damn thing! 🤩😂🤩 12mo
dabbe @bthegood 💛🧡🤎 12mo
64 likes6 comments
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Texreader
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I‘m going through some reading trauma right now apparently. I‘ve read this one five years ago! And I remembered it once I realized the plot. So I checked out book 2, and turns out, I‘d read it too! And reading my review I remembered it as well. So, I‘ve returned books 1 and 2, and now I‘ve put a hold on book 3. I‘m just a mess with my reading this week!! #Canada #foodandlit @Catsandbooks

Bookwormjillk It happens! 12mo
Catsandbooks 😅 try again lol 12mo
TheBookgeekFrau 😂😂 Are you even really a reader if you haven't experienced this?! I just did this last week with one of my BookspinBingo books 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 12mo
52 likes3 comments
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Texreader
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I‘ve been wanting to start this series for ages. I‘ve read 2 or 3 of it out of order. Finally my library hold came in so I can read it for #Canada #foodandlit @Catsandbooks

TEArificbooks This is the book I pulled for Canada too 12mo
Jerdencon Such a great series! 12mo
kspenmoll Love this series!!! 12mo
52 likes3 comments
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Elizabeth2
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Pickpick

This book introduces Inspector Gamache and the residents of Three Pines, a small town in Canada. The mystery kicks off when a beloved resident turns up dead under mysterious circumstances. The quirky cast of characters and cozy setting are what really sell this series. The audiobook format wasn‘t ideal for an intro to so many characters though. I‘ll stick with reading this series in print for now and look forward to more Three Pines. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ❤️📚

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Karisa
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Pickpick

So freaking good! This series has been on my #tbr for a while, but the size of the series was daunting… It has so much more depth than I expected. I love Penny‘s take on the bookish detective with Chief Inspector Gamache. Plus the village of Three Pines is swoon worthy! Lives up to the hype!

49 likes1 stack add
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Teresereading
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I‘m in Three Pines, a tiny hamlet in Quebec. Happy #CanadaDay
#whereareyouMonday
@Cupcake12
#24countriesin2024

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kspenmoll
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#Two4Tuesday

Fav meal: Turkey soup after Thanksgiving,

Tagged book has descriptions of Autumn & hot cider etc.
in the village of Three Pines.

Littens, consider yourselves tagged!

TheSpineView Love turkey leftovers! Thanks for playing! 13mo
33 likes1 comment
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Sparklemn
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Pickpick

I can‘t believe I waited so long to start this series! I love curmudgeonly detectives. 🙂

Pic is how I imagine Three Pines in the winter. ❄️

marleed Oh same! There‘s just so many boooks in the series that I haven‘t started it, but I really want to read the series. 1y
Sparklemn @marleed It is intimidating! 1y
CoffeeNBooks I love Inspector Gamache and Three Pines! 1y
Sparklemn @CoffeeNBooks Do the other books take place in the same area? 1y
CoffeeNBooks @Sparklemn Some of the books in the series are entirely in Three Pines, and sometimes part of the story is there. 1y
41 likes5 comments
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NovelNancyM
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Pickpick

I'm not sure why I've never read Louise Penny before (other than that mysteries aren't my first genre choice). However, this did not disappoint as the writing is so descriptive and the characters are intriguing. I plan to continue reading the series.

ShelleyBooksie The series gets better and better. Enjoy! 1y
35 likes1 comment
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Susanita
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I‘m not ready for fall! But I‘ll give this a go.
1. Tagged
2. High Country Fall
3. Cider
4. All day!
5. City of Ghosts
6. Cozies
7. Cookies 🍪
8. I don‘t burn candles very often
9. Leaf peeping
10. So many!

Thanks for the tag

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

I listened 2 the 1st book in the Gamache series & perhaps bc of that I had problems following at times. It changed perspectives so many times it was hard to keep track. I think I‘ve been reading/listening to just thrillers that it was challenging to listen to a slower paced mystery. I liked the reveal at the end & more of the pieces came together. I will give the 2nd in the series a chance. Most likely on audio.

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Shemac77
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Pickpick

Lovely to start from the beginning again. Three Pines and Gamache are two of the best characters in fiction.

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CatLass007
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#NationalEggMonthChallenge @TieDyeDude Thanks for the tag!! 1) Tag a favorite mystery you‘ve read: This is the first book in the brilliant Armand Gamache/Three Pines series. Her writing is so poetic! 2) What is your favorite way to prepare eggs? If I‘m eating out, I enjoy Eggs Benedict or a good omelette. I‘m not really much of a cook but I will occasionally scramble up some egg with my cheese. Also deviled eggs or egg salad. Join in!

TieDyeDude We had to institute a two egg limit when my mom made deviled eggs for holidays so everyone was able to have some 😅 2y
CatLass007 @TieDyeDude Two whole eggs or two half eggs? We never instituted a limit, we just knew to make extra for Daddy. Everyone else was expected to just have self control.😂🐣 2y
WildAlaskaBibliophile ❤🍳 thank you for playing! 2y
CatLass007 @WildAlaskaBibliophile Thanks for posing the unusual question. 2y
36 likes4 comments
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Shemac77
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Next audible.

27 likes1 stack add
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BookishBelle
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Pickpick

Catch-up post #5: I was very happy to get around to reading this. It was a top notch murder mystery and I am happy there are so many in the #Series to catch up on!

Bookwormjillk They get so much better too! 2y
BookishBelle @Bookwormjillk Good to know! Thanks! 2y
27 likes2 comments
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JenReadsAlot
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I only managed the first two books in this series this year so hoping for more in 2024! @Andrew65 @TheSpineView #serieslove2024

CatLass007 I think this a wonderful series! I‘ve completed the first 14 books and finishing the rest of the series this year is one of my goals. 2y
CoffeeNBooks This is a great series! 2y
TheSpineView Great series! Enjoy! 2y
Andrew65 It‘s a wonderful series, and one I too need to make good progress on. 2y
31 likes4 comments
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LeticiaToraci
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Mehso-so

This is interesting enough for me to continue the series even if I didn't like some things in the plot.

Bookwormjillk They get better from here. 2y
14 likes1 comment
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KathyWheeler
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Pickpick

I liked this book well enough. I‘ll definitely read more. I don‘t get the one star reviews on Goodreads. I really enjoy Gamache as a character. #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
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I love that Gamache is afraid of heights! I can relate. Because I watched the Amazon show, I picture Alfred Molina as the inspector. I hope Nichol gets better. Right now, she‘s annoying. #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
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This book seems to get mostly “meh” reviews, but I do want to read the series, and this is the first one. So far, it seems fine to me, but I‘m only a few chapters in. #audiowalk

Librarybelle I love the series, and I really liked the first one. But, the books do get better, in my opinion. 2y
KathyWheeler @Librarybelle That‘s what I‘ve heard. 2y
25 likes2 comments
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CaitlinR
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“‘You described a personality type. The ones who lead what you called “still lives.” Do you remember?‘”

“‘Yes I do. The ones who aren‘t growing and evolving. The one‘s who are standing still. They‘re the ones
who rarely get better.‘”

Rereading Penny‘s Still Life which is just as good as I remember! Going to read the series ( on Libby during appointments) to catch up on the one‘s I‘ve missed.

28 likes1 stack add
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BookNAround
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Finally starting last month‘s #doublespin while Gatsby naps. Just a tad late. LOL! #serieslove2023 @TheSpineView @Andrew65

dabbe Oh, Gatsby. #toocuteforwords 🖤🐾🖤 2y
CogsOfEncouragement I just finished The Nature of the Beast. I‘ve been enjoying the series for a couple years, reading each book in the month/season it is set. 2y
TheSpineView ❤️📖📚 2y
Andrew65 An excellent choice. 2y
53 likes4 comments
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Eggs
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💛💛💛 2y
50 likes1 comment
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Jgacreations
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Mehso-so

It was a little boring and pretty easy to guess the killer mid way in.

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Jen2
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Pickpick

I‘m caught up with the paper books, going back to listen to them. Three Pines is my happy place.

TiredLibrarian Agreed! 2y
68 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Twainy
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Pickpick

🎧 Starting a new police procedural series. This was a solid start.

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is our MC. There‘s a mysterious death of an artist to investigate. I look forward to the next book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

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Twainy
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I somehow thought I needed to start another long series …

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JenReadsAlot
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Pickpick

Finally getting around to this. First book was decent but will continue as reviews say the series gets better. #serieslove2023 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

TheSpineView Great job! Hopefully they will get better. 3y
FlowerFairy I‘m late to the party as well. Am currently on book 6. Have been reading this series like it‘s my job. LoL And yes, they get better and better with each book. 3y
JenReadsAlot @FlowerFairy LOL! Good to hear! 3y
44 likes3 comments