Dear Great Book Guru,  With over 100 families participating in the Sea Cliff Civic Association’s Village-wide Garage Sale this Saturday, June 6,   I am sure to find some great treasures, but- of course- the greatest treasure is always a good book. Do you have something to recommend- I feel a mystery is in order…..   Garage Sale Shopper Extraordinaire

Dear Garage Sale Shopper Extraordinaire,  My first stop Saturday will be the Village Green where the remarkably energetic Friends of the Library will be holding their book sale and if I am lucky, I might find a copy or two of my new favorite mystery writer’s works : Louise Penny.  Definitely start with her first  STILL LIFE   and  if you enjoy it, you can work your way through  the ten or so books in the series.  Set in the fictional village of Three Pines ( which reminded me  very much of Sea Cliff), the novel opens with the death of beloved artist and long time resident, Jane Neal, who was about to have her first  gallery show.  Much of the mystery involves one of her paintings and its connection to family feuds going back generations.  Inspector Armand Gamache is a man of great integrity and intelligence who approaches this case with  respect for  the many colorful residents of Three Pines. So much more than the traditional murder mystery, STILL LIFE  offers an interesting take on village life, art appreciation, and the psychology involved in police investigations.  A very good read!