The Edge of Town

As with other Dorothy Garlock Americana romance-mysteries, I loved this book! It had a warm and cozy "Little House on the Prairie" feeling to it, and was very realistic and believeable. I loved the countrified descriptions of Sunday afternoon baseball gatherings at the Jones' farm, the town setup, the harvest, the meal preparation, the sightseeing drives and the dances at the lake - it gave the reader a true feeling of what life was like in that time and place in the heartland of America. Both Julie and Evan were likeable heros, and I certainly was routing for their love to conquer all that threatened to come between them, especially Birdie. What they say about a woman scorned rang true here - when Evan saw through Birdie and rejected her advances, she moved onto Julie's father Jethro, but not without cruelly trying to discredit and slander both Evan and Julie, and to selfishly break up the Jones family so she could be the center of Jethro's attention. It was nice to see the good-hearted children in this poor and motherless family find happiness despite their hardluck circumstances, such as when Jack became the hero of the local baseball team. I was cheering for sassy middle-sister Jill to find love, perhaps with Corbin the police chief, although in the end there were hints that something might go on to develop between her and another nice young character. I also would have like to see the characters of Joe and Jack fleshed out more too. (Maybe a sequel is in order??? lol). The theme of not judging a man (Evan) based upon the actions of his father was refreshing too. I figured out Julie's secret early on, but Evan's secret came as a shocking surprise. So did Birdie's. I agree with the other reviewers that the rape-pedophilia subplot was sickening, and seemed wrong for such a wholesome story, (although it was an integrel part to the secrets). My only criticism of this book was that there were too many minor characters, and too many similar names to keep track of. I found myself confused at times. Even after I finshed the book, Joe and Jack are all mixed up in my mind, and I'm not sure I know which people belong to which neighborhood family.

This highly enjoyable story stars Julie Jones, the quiet country girl living on her father's farm and caring for her siblings, since her mother's death. The nearby farm houses the town bully, that leaves many of the residents of Fertile, Missouri in fear. What happens when his son, Evan Johnson, returns from the war to care for the family farm so his father doesn't drive it into the ground, and then finds himself falling in love with Julie, and desperately trying to prove he is not like his father. Julie, believing she is nothing more than an old spinster, permanently tied to the care of her siblings, that doesn't have the heart to ever marry and leave them - feels confident that her place will never be as a mother or wife. When that dream actually seems like a possibility to Julie, she must face her deepest and darkest secret to the love of her life, and await his reaction.There are many more twists, including a new police chief in town with his own secret agenda - who also has his eyes set on Julie, a spoiled widow set on finding a new husband that sets her eyes on Evan Johnson and then on Julie's father. When she manages to become a guest of Julie's father in the Jones family farm - she creates tons of chaos, fears in the hearts of Julie and her siblings, and stress deep enough to break ties of the strong and loving Jones family forever. Among other problems, the town must face there is a rapist among them, and all eyes are pointing at Evan Johnson and his father.This is an explosive and loving family story, with dark secrets and deep passions that are threatened to go without relief. Dorothy Garlock is a genius in character development, and this book is no different. Within the entire story, you'll also experience the effects the family must endure, due to the sign of the times of the 1920's.I'm sure you will love this historical romance, and if so... check out other Dorothy Garlock historical romance books - this is one of my favorite... but not her best!!! This book will WOW you, that's for sure, and leave you wanting more! Enjoy!!!

In a time when flappers run wild, Julie Jones lives a quiet life on her father's farm, taking care of her younger siblings. Evan Johnson, the son of the town bully, has come back to Fertile, Missouri from the Great War, and his arrival heralds a season of change for the small farming community. The town's hired a new police officer who discovers that something sinister is going on in town, and a rich, helpless widow sets her sites on finding a man to take care of her...if Evan won't do it, then maybe Julie's father will. Evan spends his summer proving to the town he is nothing like his father. He doesn't look twice at the widow, his eyes are set on Julie. Together they find they can overcome any obstacle. Dorothy Garlock delivers an emotionally charged story of love and change. Change for a nation, change for a town...and change for a couple who was meant to be together.

Dorothy Garlock has long been one of my favorite authors and I have believed that her work has been of hardcover quality for many years so it is wonderful that the publisher has decided she is deserving of this as well. With her hardcover debut, THE EDGE OF TOWN, she simply outdoes herself.It is 1920s and Julie Jones has been left to care for her five young brothers and sisters while her father tends their farm just outside of Fertile, Missouri, her mother having died in a flu epidemic four years previously.Evan Johnson has returned to town years after leaving to live with his grandparents and after serving in the Great War. He is living with his father, the lecherous town bully and drunk, in a rundown home, not too far from the Jones's farm. He is immediately attracted to Julie when he saves her from his father's lecherous advances as she is walking home from town.There is something sinister about as a series of brutal rapes rock the small farming community. Who could be the culprit? Could it be the same person who molested Julie years previously? Julie's father's loneliness and desire for female companionship threaten to rip the family apart when he takes in a Birdie, a widow and her young daughter, falling victim to her charms. A series of secrets are revealed and then a near tragedy threatens to spoil Julie and Evan's chance at happiness.Julie is pretty typical of Garlock's heroines - strong, intelligent, caring, and not afraid of hard work. Evan, as a hero, is a wonderful match for Julie and embodies many of the same characteristics. Rich and multi-layered, THE EDGE OF TOWN is a wonderful story with rich characterization and several very dramatic scenes as the rapist is discovered as well Birdie's true background, and the outcome of an additional horrific crime, making for a real page turner. Garlock is known for books that are a part of the series, and I am hoping we are going to see a book soon about Corbin Appleby, the young lawman who comes to town after his fiancée has been raped and murdered by a man from Fertile.In the past, many romance readers have been disappointed in the books of their favorite authors once they go hardcover. Not with this one, this is one that is very much worth paying the hardcover price. I also hope, by being in hardcover, the books of the talented Dorothy Garlock will be discovered by more and more fans - she deserves to be a household word. Simply outstanding reading!

The Edge of Town is an excellent example of a new genre called Literary Romance, and only Dorothy Garlock and Deborah Smith are the elite members. Congratulations, Ms. Garlock. This is your best work yet!