“Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen” by Susan Gregg Gilmore

This southern story was a predictably nice way to pass the time, as it was filled with unusual small-town characters, had a bit of humor, and was basically retelling the familiar “coming of age” story of a girl who always wanted to leave town to follow her dream, only to find it was in her own backyard. Although Catherine Grace lost her mother, she had a good life growing up with her sister and their single father, a loving, respected minister in small-town 1970s Georgia, but Catherine Grace has always wanted bigger things, and on her18th birthday she leaves home to start living her dream, only to have events occur that suddenly bring her back home. 3 Stars

“The Roaring Days of Zora Lily” by Noelle Salazar

I did enjoy this fascinating story which captured the flavor of the nineteen-twenties, describing the club scene during prohibition, the changes in fashions, and the shift in women’s attitudes and opportunities during that time period, but the story actually starts with a modern day museum employee who discovers a 1920s dress by an unknown designer, and I wish more of that modern-day story had been interspersed with the life story of Zora, a girl living in poverty who dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Zora’s story seemed to drag at times with a lot of repetition in describing her early life, dating, love affair, tragedies, disappointments, low self-esteem, and the setbacks of pursuing her dream, and although most of the characters in the book were believable, the choices Zora made late in the story, in regard to Harley, the love of her life, did not always ring true. 4 Stars (Still in all a good read).

“The Last Devil to Die: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery” by Richard Osman

This is the fourth book in this series and in my mind, it was the best one yet since it is an emotional roller coaster of humor, mystery, quirky and lovable characters, poignant scenes of grief and moral dilemma, and a fast moving plot. Each time I thought the author was tying up all the loose ends, the story took another unexpected turn, as Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, Ibrahim, and the rest of the gang set out to find out who killed a dear friend who had received a mysterious package, and before they know it, they are embroiled with a group of drug smugglers. 4 Stars

”Up On the Woof Top” by Spencer Quinn

If you haven’t yet picked up a book in this series, and especially if you love dogs, hysterical situations, or cozy mysteries, you need to start at Book 1 of this delightful series. In this episode it is Christmastime and Chet the wonder dog along with his owner, private investigator Bernie Little, become involved in the disappearance of a reindeer named Rudolph who belongs to a prominent author, but their investigation soon uncovers links to a murder from the past. 4 Stars (Just for being pleasant and funny.)