It
Had To Be You
A
Grace and Favor Series, No. 5
By
Jill Churchill
Robert
and Lily Brewster are struggling to make ends meet in their late
uncle's Grace and Favor mansion. To supplement their income, Lily
agrees to help their neighbor, Miss Twibell who has converted her
mansion into a nursing home. She has several patients: one of which,
Mr. Connor, is a cranky unpleasant old man. When Robert returns
exhausted from his trip to Washington, D.C. where he witnessed the
inauguration of FDR, she enlists his help. After carrying laundry
up and down three stories, he persuades Miss Twibell to build a
dumbwaiter.
Mr.
Connor is murdered. Even though he wasn't well liked, no one could
understand why anyone would murder him as he only had a few hours
to live. The Chief of Police, Howard Walker, isn't able to give
his complete attention to this case. He has his hands full with
a body, which had spent the cold months under the iced over pond
and has now surfaced with the spring thaw. Robert and Lily bring
their investigative talents to his aid.
This
is an entertaining read with mystery really secondary. Set in the
1930's, the years of the Great Depression, it is rich in period
color. We witness the FDR inauguration; the Fireside chats; the
repeal of prohibition. We meet a traveling salesman who dispenses
samples of Bisquick, Listerine, Fels Naptha Soap, and many other
products which provoke nostalgia. The characters are believable.
The era description is excellent with names and dates of this period
well researched. The focus of the book is more on the daily life
of the characters and the portrayal of village life in the Great
Depression than in solving the mystery. A quick read and a trip
down Memory Lane.
If
possible read the series from the first book to establish the continuity....
|
The
Reviewer |
Barbara Buhrer |
Reviewed
2005 |
NOTE:
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