The Angel and the Jabberwocky Murders

I've been a reader of Mignon Ballard's books since the beginning. I don't throw out 5 Stars to anything, easily. But in my opinion this is absolutely her best book. It's certainly right up there with my other favorites of hers, 'Raven Rock' and 'Angel at Troublesome Creek'. Those two novels (to me) absolutely captured the atmosphere of a small town caught up in mysterious events, and the characters were so well drawn that I could've been watching them in a movie. This book captures the same things, only the mystery plot is even better, a real puzzler. I was absolutely spellbound and amazed as I watched the plot unfold, and slowly the answers to the mystery became clear. I've read a LOT of mysteries in my day, and this one had one of the best plots I've ever encountered. I like the Angel in the series, and thankfully, she is not portrayed with any silliness (as would be the case in many cozies). She seems to exude a calmness and confidence that envelopes her charge, and the reader. This novel had more of an edge, and a feeling of real fear, than some of the other Ballard novels, and I liked that...it itensified the mystery. The identification of the culprit at the very end, though not a complete surprise to me, was nonetheless, an exciting and fun climax. The next Angel mystery is coming in November, and I'm looking forward to it...the title alone is enough to make you want to read it !

This is a mystery set in the fictional small college town of Stone's Throw, South Carolina. Lucy Nan Pilgrim is working as an adjunct faculty member teaching a class at the college. She lives in her old family home with her guardian angle, Augusta Goodnight, and a dog that they have taken in. A student at the college has been killed, and suspicion points to a number of people. The novel mainly involves the activities of Lucy Nan, who is joined by various other individuals including her woman friend, Ellis. Augusta sometimes intervenes in events, but plays a secondary role in the story. Events wind forward with the mystery, interspersed with activities at the college and side issues with family and friends. There is a lot of discussion about food (there are several recipes in the back of the book), and discussion about various individuals. While the novel is part of a series, it reads OK as a stand alone novel. I found the story interesting, although not a page turner that kept me up late. It makes good light reading.

Mignon Ballard is one of my very favorite mystery writers, and I'm biased with good reason! A great admirer of the series, I snatched up THE ANGEL AND THE JABBERWOCKY MURDERS still warm to the touch from the printing press, and squirreled it away for a couple of weeks. (Sort of like hiding chocolate for when you really NEED it!) Sure enough, along came a really, really rotten day, so . . . curled up under a comforter, hot chocolate alongside, I opened Ms. Ballard's latest, and Augusta and Co. once again wove their magic! The writing is, as usual, direct but lyrical, the characters charming but realistic (OK, there IS that supernatural deal), the plot perfectly plausible. (Who am I to say itinerant guardian angels don't exist?) Like the earlier five books in the Augusta series, it's an intelligent, fun read that leaves you feeling hugged by an angel. The only problem with THE ANGEL AND THE JABBERWOCKY MURDERS is that it ends! Back to the computer, Ms. Ballard!

In the small South Carolina town of Stone's Throw where the university is located, Guardian Angel Augusta Goodnight, who once worked the Strawberry Fields in Heaven, has lived with Lucy Nan Pilgrim for over a year. The quiet hamlet knows sudden fear when a student D. C .Hunter disappears. At first nobody is worried thinking she just extended her vacation but Lucy and her colleague Joy Ellen hear the screams of two of the students coming from an old shed; inside is the body of D.C. Hunter. In her dorm room is a Jabberwocky verse from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass. The letter was never mailed but put inside her mailbox. Four years ago almost to the month another girl was found in the lake, knocked unconscious by a blow to her head. She had received a Jabberwocky verse. Five years before that Carla Martinez fell from the Tree House. The authorities say it was an accident but Lucy Nan and Augusta think all three murders are linked and the campus handyman wants to talk to her. Before he gets a chance, Lucy Ann finds him hanging from the Tree House, a murder made to look like a suicide. Lucy wants to find the killer but the answers are found three decades in the past and she must be careful in the present because the culprit kills anyone who gets too close to uncovering the truth. An Augusta Goodnight mystery is always a special treat. She adds a touch of whimsy to Mignon F. Ballard's cozies and in THE ANGEL AND THE JABBERWOCKY MURDERS a little is needed because the town is caught in the fear that the killer will strike again. Ms. Ballard proves that a book doesn't need violence to be a good who-done-it. In fact, it is the lack of explicit violent scenes that adds to the overwhelming fear that the readers feel for the characters who are old familiar and dear friends. Harriet Klausner

I live in South Carolina and like to read stories regarding the area from writers who live here. I've been reading Mignon Ballard for years and like the concept of her Augusta Goodnight mysteries. There are six books in this series. The first three heavily involve the angel (Augusta) and are so enjoyable. Her last three don't rely on the angel as much and I have been disappointed. I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading this series because her writing is easy and fun but I think you will agree that Augusta Goodnight IS the story and you miss her in the last of the books.