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Summary: Inspired!
Review: A "vacation read" and the very best of the bunch. Lovely writing, inspired characters, everything works in this book. I've already passed my copy on to a friend, and she can't put it down. I absolutely loved the strong spirit of pulling together, evaluating what is important, and some of the lessons of the Great Depression -- as well as a spirt of fun with the story and characters. Wish Mamalinde's Mama was here to share this story.
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Summary: Reminders of early Tommy and Tuppence (Christie characters)
Review: A breezy,easy fun read from front to back. An entertaining mystery with intelligent people and surprises! Likable characters who would fit right in with Agatha Christie's young Tommy and Tuppence. What I liked best was the gentle, mental reminder that "class tells." In a way that is never snobbish, one is reminded of the important yesteryear virtues of finesse and good manners. An example is when the lead female character approaches the subject of the boating accident at the dinner table and then privately berates herself for doing so because one does not discuss death at dinner....where have her social graces slipped! It was a lovely read for that purpose alone, to remember a time when etiquette meant seeing to the niceties and to the comfort of those around you. You care about the characters and the changes in their lives and the mystery that surrounds them and has brought them together. Plus the main spark is that of an interesting, clever mystery that engages you with turns and twists. Hoping more will come along soon!
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Summary: Great Start for a New Series
Review: After the 1929 crash, young brother and sister Lily and Robert Brewster go from New York's high society to living in poverty. Lily doesn't even have proper clothes to wear to her low-paying job at the bank, and they can barely afford to eat. When their great uncle dies and leaves them his mansion in the country, they at least have a place to live, but they have to live in the mansion ten years before they can collect the fortune that goes with it. Taking in boarders helps them support themselves, but other problems arise. For one, it turns out uncle didn't die naturally but was murdered, and they're suspects. I loved this book. It's a little bit history and a little bit fairy tale, as well as a good mystery. I hope this is the beginning of a new series and that there will be more very soon.
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Summary: Fun, Fun, Fun
Review: As a native of the Hudson Valley and a longtime fan of Jill Churchill, I was delighted to see the new Grace and Favor series. Lily and Robert Brewster, formerly the upper crust of New York City society and now indirect victims of the Crash of '29, are surviving as best they can on their limited marketable skills. A barely-remembered great-uncle dies suddenly and leaves them a fortune--with strings . . .Jill Churchill has small-town life along the Hudson in the early days of the Depression down cold; her research is so evident in the book that I could find "Voorburg-on-Hudson" on a map. The second book in the series, In the Still of the Night, is stronger in plot and has more red herrings, but Anything Goes has more character background and development. Together they are a very intriguing beginning to a series that I hope will be expanded drastically.
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Summary: Rave review from Valley kid
Review: As a native of the Hudson Valley and a longtime fan of Jill Churchill, I was delighted to see the new Grace and Favor series. Lily and Robert Brewster, formerly the upper crust of New York City society and now indirect victims of the Crash of '29, are surviving as best they can on their limited marketable skills. A barely-remembered great-uncle dies suddenly and leaves them a fortune--with strings . . . Jill Churchill has small-town life along the Hudson in the early days of the Depression down cold; her research is so evident in the book that I could find "Voorburg-on-Hudson" on a map. The second book in the series, In the Still of the Night, is stronger in plot and has more red herrings, but Anything Goes has more character background and development. Together they are a very intriguing beginning to a series that I hope will be expanded drastically.
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Summary: An entertaining read...
Review: Definitely different from her other series, but an enticing tale of brother and sister mystery solvers in a different day and age. I liked it a lot and am impatiently waiting for the next one to come out.
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Summary: A Fun New Mystery Series Set In The 1930s
Review: Great story, great characters, great book! Later for the long, drawn out reviews! Highly recommended, 'nuff said!
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Summary: Cozy Readers Will Love This Book
Review: I enjoy Churhill's Jane Jeffrey series but I am in love with this book!! It is wonderful-a great read. The main characters are delicious and I like the time period it takes place-during the 20's depression. I am eagerly awaiting the next book.
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Summary: Wonderful new series for Cozy-lovers
Review: I love the Jane Jeffrey mysteries, so I was apprehensive that Jill Churchill would be diluting her talents. Never fear. Ms. Churchill's humor and intelligence shine through in this new book. The sister and brother protagonists are winning and sympathetic. The historical setting gives the mystery and characterizations more meaning, as the Great Depression brought out the best and worst in people. Now I get to look forward to two new Jill Churchill mysteries a year. Hooray!
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Summary: Anything Goes
Review: I loved this mystery--I have read all the books in the mystery series featuring Jane Jeffry. I think this book will be the start of an interesting new series for the author. The locale and time frame are entirely different from what she has done before. It takes place in New York in the 1930's, with an interesting brother and sister combo as the main characters. Lily and Robert Brewster have fallen on hard times after the crash of 1929 and are living a very hand-to-mouth existence. They jump at the chance at going to live in their uncle's estate after his untimely death. Their living there come with certain conditions, however. By starting to fulfill these conditions, they discover that their uncle's death may not have been an accident. When they begin to ask questions about it, they find out that they may be looked on as suspects! The book was completely enjoyable and a must for those who enjoy her other mystery series.
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