Augusta is filling in for Mary George’s guardian angel who is on R & R. (Augusta’s primary duty is keeping up the strawberry fields in heaven, which is the reason there is always a scent of strawberries when she is around.) Augusta points out that Aunt Caroline had no business being in the attic and was murdered. She can’t tell Mary George who the murderer is because she isn’t clairvoyant, only a guardian angel. It is Mary George’s job to discover who killed Aunt Caroline and why.

I had been looking forward to a guardian angel mystery and the idea of a substitute guardian angel was one I thought could be a lot of fun. Augusta was last on earth during World War II and can’t get over the fact that rationing is over, nylons are plentiful and current traffic is excessive. But we don’t see enough of her and her contributions are somewhat sporadic.

In addition, the “rules” of guardian angels are not explained well. Why does Augusta need new shoes to be purchased in a store? Why does Mary George have to buy the shoes? Where does Augusta’s money come from? (Why are uncomfortable, ugly shoes allowed in heaven?) What do angels do on R&R?

A short book then becomes cluttered with Aunt Caroline’s friends and past, Mary George’s lost family, the return of a childhood sweetheart, a dog, new job, former teachers, moving, more dates, a missing cookie jar, rebuilding an orphanage, and the return of the former fiancé. I would have enjoyed the book more if the focus had been a little tighter and we were allowed to spend more time with Augusta.

Angel at Troublesome Creek is a nice cozy but with the premise, it could have been a great cozy.

--Sharon Medley