Anyone here a Louise Penny fan?

[CTyankee]

my friend and former co-worker is raving about "How the Light Gets in,' Penny's latest novel. She recommended that I start with Penny's first book, "Still Life" and progress from there, so I got it from the library today.

[Lex]

1. Yes, I am. I think I may've posted about her novels

here in this forum before but it's been awhile. It definitely is best to read the novels in order to enjoy the characters' personal story arcs unfold.

[CTyankee]

2. I've started that book. It takes a bit of getting used to. I guess it's because she's a Canadian,

from Quebec. It seems quaint. But I will persist with it...

[Lex]

3. It is quaint. It's more of a cozy than anything else.

I enjoy the cozy mystery genre now and then if it's done right.

[CTyankee]

4. thanks. I'll keep up with it, even tho mystery isn't my favorite genre. Even fiction isn't my

favorite genre. I much prefer non-fiction in general.

[Lex]

6. What did you / do you think of it, CTyankee?

Not your cup of tea or did you enjoy reading it?

[CTyankee]

7. I'm having trouble getting into it.

It doesn't interest me so far...

[Lex]

8. It's not a swiftly paced

novel so I can see how it might be hard to get into, especially at first.

[CTyankee]

9. what is the best thing about this book (and her others)? Is it plot twists (which I love)?

I also like clever mysteries, but not if they strain credulity...

[Lex]

10. I love the way she describes the setting

of the village where the mysteries take place--the village of "Three Pines," and how she gives her characters flaws, even if those characters are the "good" ones.

Also I found this:

"Her oeuvre features Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, head of the homicide department of the Sûreté du Québec. The novels, although set in the province of Quebec, feature many hallmarks of the British whodunit genre, including murders by unconventional means, bucolic villages, large casts of suspects, red herrings, and a dramatic disclosure of the murderer in the last few pages of the book."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_Penny

Also it comes through in her books that's she a very progressive person politically, though that doesn't make or break the book with me.

[CTyankee]

11. I'll try again...

I'd really like to get into her series. A friend of mine raves about her on Facebook.

[elfin]

5. Haven't read her newest, but a fan

Also really like the Donna Leon Series in Venice.

[Nay]

12. Yes, I love her books. I'm on the library wait list for her latest. I usually

do not like or read 'cozy' mysteries, but hers are much different because they evoke such a beautiful setting and have such rounded characters that the usual thinness and flatness of a cozy mystery are not present in her books.

And yes, make sure to read them in order so you can get to know recurring characters well and follow the changes in their lives.

[CTyankee]

13. thanks!

[Mz Pip]

14. Just started one.

Our book club was looking for an easy read for November. Beautiful Mystery.

I just started it. Seems like it might be interesting.

[TBF]

15. I love that series -

How the Light Gets In is particularly accomplished but the whole series is good. Enjoy!

(and you were guided corrected - the backstory of Inspector Gamache is told over the course of the novels and many things are resolved in How the Light Gets In so it is best to start at the beginning so you're not missing anything in those sub-plots).