When Did We Lose Harriet?

This is one of my favorite mystery series. I have read all of them. Maybe in time Patricia Sprinkle will write more with these characters.

MacLaren Yarbrough is a delightful character in this well written series that I have just recently discovered. In fact, this series has become my number one favorite because of the quality of the writing.

I bought this book a couple of years ago. I didn't know who Patricia Sprinkle was at the time. I loved the book, and I loved the way each character is brought to life by Ms. Sprinkle. They all seem so real, like someone you've met, or known before. I also like the way that she put a list of each character's name, and the role that they each play in the story in the front of the novel. That was very convenient. I didn't have to wonder who was who, and who did what. It would be great if all writers would do that in their books.

Patricia Sprinkle's Sheila Travis mysteries have given me pleasurable reading ... and rereading. I always hope for one more, expecting to spend a few hours with people I like, learning some lore of southern states I have yet to visit, chuckling at a deft touch of humor, and seeing a good mystery unfold. As a veteran of the challenges of book selection for congregational libraries, I was delighted to hear that Patricia Sprinkle had created a new mystery series heroine whose first adventure would be published by Zondervan. I've read WHEN DID WE LOSE HARRIET twice in the last few weeks, and it's all there again. MacLaren Yarbrough, at sixty-plus, in Montgomery to help bully her younger brother into the crucial heart surgery he needs, takes his shift at the teen center, and rapidly becomes involved in determining the fate of 15-year-old Harriet, missing now for six weeks. Strangely, no one else seems to care. Whether it is deep concern or innate nosiness, MacLaren precipitates events that need all her insight, pluckiness, salty wit, and tenacious faith to understand. I found the people, the humor, the sense of place, and a good mystery, as I expected. Plus, Patricia Sprinkle is superb at showing that MacLaren's faith is realistic, down-to-earth, integrally part of her character, as much as her big-sister attitude to brother Jake or her inability to let a riddle go unsolved, all revealed without fanfare throughout the story. HARRIET is a very good read for any mystery fan, and a gem for a church fiction collection. I look forward to the next title (this year hopefully).

Having read all of Patricia's mysteries, I found to my surprise, that I really liked this new character best. Perhaps that's because I can relate to her age and the time in her life. I am waiting with excitement for the next installment. Go Patty!