Too Late for Angels: An Augusta Goodnight Mystery (with recipes) (Augusta Goodnight Mysteries)
The graceful language and endearing characters in this series are both delicate and sturdy, like old cotton lace. Augusta Goodnight, an angel with impeccable taste and wonderful recipes, leaves the scent of strawberries in her wake and usually something to ponder. Lucy, a widow, needs all the help Augusta has to offer after a deranged older woman turns up at her door, wanting to see what she refers to as her childhood bedroom (in Lucy's house); later, the woman's body is found in Lucy's own coat. This woman's history as an abducted child is well known in Stone's Throw, South Carolina, and Lucy's book group gathers to try to piece together the mystery and to figure if two other corpses--of a town benefactor and an ancient local--are somehow connected. Lucy works out her own loneliness and her place in the world while Augusta offers heavenly advice in antique--and antic--language. The denouement strains credulity some, but probably not if you find Augusta as easy to believe in as she is to read about.GraceAnne DeCandidoCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved