If I had listened to the saying that “if a book doesn’t hold your interest in the first fifty pages, put it down and get another,” I would have missed out on a good wholesome read.
Set in Darling, Alabama in the summer of 1934, this quaint murder mystery transports you into the lives of the members of the Darling Dahlias garden club. This sixth mystery in the Darling Dahlias series takes place during the Depression where many of the club members take jobs at the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) camp, Camp Briarwood.
The small town of Darling benefitted from Camp Briarwood through jobs, purchases of local supplies, and money spent in the town from workers at the camp. Darling is looking up and the citizens are very happy about the progress being made until the night Rona Jean Hancock is murdered. Rona Jean was a switchboard operator, with a somewhat wild reputation, who loved the nightlife of Darling and the surrounding towns.
The garden club ladies won’t let grass grow under their feet as they gather information to help Sheriff Buddy Norris solve this murder mystery. It appears that Rona Jean’s murder is somehow entangled with some wrongdoings at Camp Briarwood. Murder, extortion, bribery. This novel has it all and life in the sleepy town of Darling, Alabama will return to normal when all is solved.
Those of us not very familiar with the Great Depression will benefit from the historical notes the author included. She also includes Depression era recipes that were used by garden club members at their meetings and dinners.
Susan Wittig Albert has done her research and presented an insight to daily life in small town America during the FDR years. Her authentic period details and charming characters make this book an enjoyable read.