A pall is soon cast upon the Dahlia’s good fortune as a convict escapes from the local work farm; they hear that one of their members, Alice Ann, is being investigated for embezzlement by the bank that employs her. In addition, the young woman from the cosmetics counter at the local pharmacy, Bunny, is found dead in a car crash and the Dahlia’s learn that not only was the car she was in stolen, but Bunny was shot prior to the crash, meaning murder. 

In their different roles in Dahlia (diner owner, librarian, legal secretary, beauty parlor owner, probate clerk and politician’s wife), the Dahlias are privy to different parts of both the bank crisis and Bunny’s murder; by pooling all their knowledge and resources are able to track down a killer, save Alice Ann’s job and do a good turn for a stranger.  

Full of warmth and down home charm, the ladies of Darling have become experts at scrimping and saving but also at sharing their excess with neighbors, helping everyone through these difficult times.  The point of view starts out wide, panning to give an overall view of Darling, then narrows down to focus on the Dahlias, especially Lizzie, Ophelia and Verna, but staying wide enough to give readers a complete picture.  The Dahlias, with a little bit of legwork, manage to work out an answer to each incident in this well-plotted mystery.   

Darling and its residents are described so vividly, readers will feel they have landed smack in 1930’s Alabama and will feel very welcomed in no time.  A delightful first book in what is sure to be another winning series for Susan Witting Albert.                                                  

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry