Who's Sorry Now?: A Grace & Favor Mystery

Personally, I like Churchill's Grace and Favor mysteries better than her Jane Jeffrey series -- probably partly because, being set during the Great Depression, they have the flavor of a historical novel. The usual cast of residents in a small town by the Hudson River, led by Robert and Lily Brewster, works its way amiably through yet another murder in their town, making this book a nice, relaxing bedtime read.

After my disppapointment over book #5-IT HAD TO BE YOU, I didn't know what to expect with this one-#6, also after reading the negative reviews about it. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. In my opinion it's a very nice read and definitely up to par with the earlier books in this series. I'd say that the author is back on track! How nice to see Robert's character develop, change and become more mature and much less self-centered. It would have been nice to have more of Lily in the story, but that's okay. I also enjoyed the focus on Police Chief Walker and truly enjoyed his new deputy. As far as the "closure" on the finding of the skeleton, I felt that this did happen and was added to by Chief Walker's musings on his own Indian roots. I really did appreciate that aspect of the story and had been hoping since his character was introduced several books earlier that more info would appear about his Native American background. The mystery part of the story made sense and followed a logical course without being obvious, whereas in book 5, I did not think so. There was definitely something missing in book 5. Now I can hardly wait for the next title - SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES - which is suppose to be available in 8-09. Keep up the good story Judy!

I'm really enjoying this series even more than I did at the beginning. I really like that the author is bringing more characters into the stories, and developing the characters well. Not only do I get a feeling for the siblings and the accountant and his wife, now I'm getting a good feel for the characters of the other boarders, the policemen, and several other people in the town. Great character development. Reminds me of the best days in Pickaxe, back when there was a plot to follow over there..... This is definitely a series to read, and this one did not disappoint!

As always, the writing is so descriptive, you'll think you're a new boarder at Grace and Favor Mansion, the home of Lily and Robert Brewster in upstate Voorburg-on-Hudson, New York. Of course, being set in 1933, it's no picnic, being in the midst of the Great Depression. Lily and Robert have no money, and no very good way to earn any, but at least the spirited and spunky sister and brother have a reasonably good roof over their heads. The great house was an inheritance from a great-uncle they'd never met, and naturally, there's a catch. He left them no money, and the proviso that they have to live in the house for ten year-mainly by their wits-and it'll be theirs. They can't be away from the house for more than a few weeks at a time, or they'll lose it. This time around, Robert has discovered a local problem and proceeds to do something about it, surprising both himself and his sister by his acumen. Having lost its Post Office, the inhabitants of the little town receive mail by train six days a week, but they all sort it themselves. This leads to all sorts of complications, and with the help of the Harbingers-the local handymen-Robert devises a plan and presents it to the town council. Before this can even happen, the nominee for sorting the mail is killed. Another new resident, a recent refugee from Germany is harrassed, and Chief Walker is pushed to his limit trying to solve these two seemingly unrelated cases. His present deputy leaves to get married, opening the way for the Chief to bring in a more promising young deputy. And, in the commotion surrounding all these events, a skeleton is discovered buried under the shrubbery surrounding Grace and Favor. Everything else gets resolved very neatly in the 244 pages, except for this discovery. Other than sketchy ideas as to age and sex, this episode is entirely overlooked! Hmmm. I've heard of fore-shadowing events to come, but they're usually in the same book, at least. Well, at least there should be another one in this wonderful and delightful series. Right? Even considering this boo-boo, I still have to give this book 5 stars. It's a most pleasurable reading experience.

In 1933 Hudson Valley, New York, the Great Depression has wrecked havoc on everyone symbolized by the loss of the post office; residents look through the mail sacks to pick up whatever is theirs. Robert Brewster arrives at the station to get his mail and that of his sister Lily. Before picking up his letters, Robert and a porter help a young widow and her grandfather with their luggage. He returns to get his correspondence only to find an elderly woman sifting through the mail threatening to destroy it. He seeks the porter but finds the man dead. Not long afterward someone paints a red swastika on the shop window of the elderly newcomer. Robert worries that evil has invaded his impoverished town. Adding to his apprehension is back at the mansion of Grace and Favor, where he and Lily live, the Harbinger brothers uncovered a skeleton. Robert and Lily investigate seeking a link between two potential homicides and the defacing, but soon fear that the target is their hosts Grace and Favor. This is more a historical tale than a mystery even though the amateur sleuths investigate the homicides and the hate crime. Fans will appreciate this fine entry in the Grace and Favor series. The story line brings vividly to life the bygone era of survival in small town New York during a bad economic period with specific examples like the revered employed police chief unable to pay his mortgage and losing his home. The inquiries are fun to follow as the siblings seek a link between murder past and crimes today, but that takes a back row seat to the deep insightful glimpse at the Great Depression. Harriet Klausner