Which of Louise Penny books would you suggest to begin this reading experience?
I have not read anything by Louise Penny. Which of her books would you suggest to begin this reading experience?
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Best to read them in order as she builds characters from book to book.
I always like to read authors books in the order in which they’ve been written, but I’m weird that way. Glad to know her characters pop up again.
What @Jeanne says 🙂
Still Life is the first book of the series which I am reading now. I first read Book 6 before I realized it was part of a series. ?
I think Amazon identifies them by order. If not, you can Google it and find out. Definitely read them in order.
I love all her books…you can’t go wrong!
http://bookseriesinorder.com/
I would definitely start with the first book, Still Life. So much of the stories revolve around the development of the characters.
I loved the first 3 and then I started reading the 4th book, A Rule Against Murder, and I found it so boring I had to put it down!
I did too.
Keep reading. Most are wonderful
That’s the slow one — it picks back up.
@Catherine #4 picks back up or the series?
@Claudia It’s been about 6 years; but I’d say the series, more than that particular book.
I am definitely not ready to give up on the series, but it makes me feel better about abandoning that particular book.
I started with #12. 🙂
Rebel! LOL!
@Carolyn My book club had to choose a book from the NY Times Best Sellers list, and that one made the cut. 🙂
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As others have said, start with Still Life. She’s a wonderful builder of characters.
Also, if you ever get a chance to see her speak about her work, definitely go. Saw her last month. Charming, funny, kind.
Still Life, the first book.
Still Life. Her books are meant to be read in order.
You know, I’ve never read any books by her either, and I see her name and books posted here often. So this has been very helpful. Putting Still Life on the TBR!
I’m currently reading her series on the Inspector Gamanch (not sure how that’s spelled my mind just went blank) I’m on #9 and she end each one so I am compelled to immediately begin the next in the series.. I really like her writing but you do need to read in order.
#9 was the BEST. Enjoy!
@Nancy I agree, I stayed up till one AM to finish it.. but it was worth it.
@Nancy my favorite
The only one I didn’t care for was the one set in a monastery. I was addicted to the others and the concept of a village where everyone knew each other so well. Like family with Ruth as the black sheep. L O L
I loved that one!
I agree. I found that one very, very dark. It saddened me greatly to see what was happening to Beauvoir.
@Leigh but it made sense in the larger story.
I agree that it made sense in the direction of the larger story. But there was not one of those monks who happened to be likable in my mind.
@Mary true dat!
That was the one I read first and absolutely loved it. Being a musician helped, I guess.
@Carole I can see that.
Start with the first and work forward. I started in the middle; each book can stand alone but there are threads that connect them all. I went back to the beginning and read forward.
I’d start with Still Life and go from there. My FAVORITE is A Beautiful Mystery which I think actually holds up on its own more than her other ones.
Thank you.
Agreed.
For sure to read in order
Start with one! I didn’t and sorry. Quite a bit of confusion
As.others have said, start with the first one of the series, “Still Life” The characters develop in each book and there are references to what has happened previously. All the rest will make much more sense if you read them in order. Enjoy
Start at the beginning, the characters and the story build over time. I didn’t and I regret it though they re each awesome stories.
I recently finished Still Life, the 1st one. It was so good. Read it based on all of the high praise!
Definitely read them in order.
Start with Still LIfe and read them in order…I hope you like them as much as I do!
I would start with Still Life. And read in order. There are developing plot lines.
I think we have what you call a consensus!
Start at the beginning! Still Life is the first. Her books are also wonderful on audio.
Agree. Still Life and read in order.
Yes.
Still Life it introduces you to all the Characters. After that you can read them out of order after that but they all fun reads!
Thank you.
@Susan Definitely read Still Life first. I personally wouldn’t skip around because there are some characterizations and secondary plot lines that build as the series progresses.
Start at the beginning. I ❤️ her books!
I read ‘The Beautiful Mystery’ first because a friend who knows I love Gregorian Chant recommended it. Since then, I’ve read them all in chronological order and the character development is phenomenal. IMHO, even better than the great Donna Leon’s Commissario Guido Brunetti.
We read The Beautiful Mystery for book club and everyone enjoyed it.
You’ll enjoy them better if you read them in order.
I absolutely love all her books. I would start with the first one and read them in order. I felt like I had discovered a whole new world. ENJOY!
Read all books in order.
Start at the beginning of the Inspector Gamache series, Still Life. It’s a wonderful series and it’s helpful to read it in sequence because of how the characters and action develop over time.
She is one of my favorites.
I cannot say enough good things about Louise Penny and her main character, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. He is someone I would truly love to know — along with all the other residents of Three Pines, the fictional location for most of the books, and a place that many of us wish were real.
I would of course recommend starting with Still Life, the first in the series, but I think perhaps the one book that resonated with me more than any other was Bury Your Dead, the sixth in the series.
I absolutely cherish this series. Penny’s books and characters become friends.
Enjoy!
Books 6&9. Amazing!
http://www.gamacheseries.com/
http://www.louisepenny.com/
How have I missed this author? I guess it’s going on the list!
she’s great.
You really need to to read them in order. I’ve read 10 of them so far – and love them. Her Inspector Gamache series is now one of my favorites
I agree with all those who say read in order because the characters do change and develop in a chronological fashion.
I began with the 8th one, A Beautiful Mystery, and loved it, but now that I’ve read the first and am on the second, realize that they really should be read in order. You’re in for a treat and a half!
Read in order
Read them in order.
Yup, read them in order. And they get better as you read each one and get to know the reoccuring characters. The setting of Three Pines is a character in and of itself. Enjoy!
Yes, start with Still Life. The unfolding characters and the magical town is worth the ride.