Still Life combines elements of a cozy (small intimate community, violence occurring off stage) with a police procedural (the detective is a genial detective from out of town). The community secrets are a bit too abstractly complicated for me to really love the mystery, but it's good enough to be interesting.
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Phil in SF reviewed Still Life by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Gamache, #1)
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surêté du Québec and his team of investigators are …
A cozy police procedural
4 stars
Phil in SF quoted Still Life by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Gamache, #1)
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surêté du Québec and his team of investigators are …
'Christ,' said the lovely, soignee woman, waving to Gamache and the room in general as though perhaps she was the first to notice the drawings.
— Still Life by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Gamache, #1) (Page 529)
New word to me: soignee
"Dressed very elegantly; well groomed"
Phil in SF quoted Still Life by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Gamache, #1)
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surêté du Québec and his team of investigators are …
The tail of Hurricane Kyla was forecast to hit later that night and the expectation added a frisson to the event, as though going to the opening meant taking your life in your hands and reflected both character and courage.
— Still Life by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Gamache, #1) (Page 516)
Sorta new word: frisson. I've seen the word before but never looked it up. Turns out it means what i thought from context.
"A sudden strong feeling of excitement or fear; a thrill: a frisson of excitement."
Phil in SF quoted Still Life by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Gamache, #1)
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surêté du Québec and his team of investigators are …
It was Thursday evening and Arts Williamsburg was enjoying a record turnout for a vernissage.
— Still Life by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Gamache, #1) (Page 516)
New word for me: vernissage.
"A private view of paintings before a public exhibition."
Phil in SF commented on Messy Middle by Scott Belsky
Chapter 1, Section 1 - Short circuit your reward system
Says that we need short term validation while pursuing long term goals. Gives an example from his company, Behance. Does not give any guidance on how to do this other than "lower the bar for how you define a 'win'."
Phil in SF started reading Messy Middle by Scott Belsky
Phil in SF wants to read Messy Middle by Scott Belsky
Boss handed this to me today. Reserving judgement.
Phil in SF rated Tripwire: 3 stars
Phil in SF rated Echo Burning: 3 stars
Echo Burning by Lee Child (Jack Reacher, #5)
Ex-military cop Jack Reacher returns in this latest in the award-winning series critics call "spectacular" (The Seattle Times), "relentless" (Denver …
Phil in SF rated Persuader: 3 stars
Phil in SF started reading Still Life by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Gamache, #1)
Still Life by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Gamache, #1)
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surêté du Québec and his team of investigators are called in to the scene …
Phil in SF stopped reading
Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall (Politics of Place, #1)
All leaders are constrained by geography. Their choices are limited by mountains, rivers, seas and concrete. Yes, to understand world …
Phil in SF commented on Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall (Politics of Place, #1)
All leaders are constrained by geography. Their choices are limited by mountains, rivers, seas and …
The chapter on Europe is also a mish mash of opinion and observation untethered from serious analysis. Not exactly wrong, but unprovable.
Software startups make global headlines every day. As technology companies succeed and grow, so do …
Not recommended
3 stars
Best when it covers the basic nuts & bolts of conducting 1-1s, reviews, etc.
Gets very hand-wavy when it covers office politics or networking.
This was a book that was recommended on Rands Leadership Slack, and I don't know why.