Scan barcode
A review by kimdavishb
Rest in Peach by Susan Furlong
5.0
I’ve been waiting several months in anticipation of the next installment in the Georgia Peach Mystery series…and it’s finally here! It was a joy to read REST IN PEACH by Susan Furlong and catch up with Nola Mae Harper and her family. To begin with, each chapter starts with a Debutante rule, some are funny or quirky, but to quote Nola Mae’s mama, “Debutante rules help you become the best person you can be which is the secret to a happy life.” This part of the book adds to the Southern charm of the setting and I can hear their slow, honeyed drawl even in the midst of, gasp, murder!
Nola is busy preparing to open her shop, Peachy Keen, which will sell Harper Farm’s Peach products. She, along with help from Cade McKenna, are renovating a space adjacent to Red’s Diner, owned by her very good friend, Ginny. It’s Debutante season and Ginny’s daughter, Emily, is excited her dress is being delivered for the Cotillion ball. However, when the dresses arrive at the boutique, it’s discovered that Ginny’s dress was ordered for both Ginny and the Peach Queen, and only one showed up. The Peach Queen’s mother, Vivien Crenshaw, grabs the dress and lays claim to it. Ginny blows up at the snobbery she is throwing at Emily, and tells the rich, arrogant woman she will get her due.
The next day Vivien is found stabbed to death with a pair of scissors, the fought-over debutante gown clutched in her hands. Many women saw and heard Ginny’s altercation with the dead woman so Sheriff Maudy Payne takes Ginny in for questioning and considers her the main suspect. Ginny won’t provide the name of her alibi since she wasn’t home with her husband or her daughter and Nola begins to worry about the secret her friend is trying to hide. Ginny begs Nola to help find the real killer when evidence appears that will frame her and she worries it will ruin her daughter’s Debutante season. Half the town believe Ginny is guilty so Nola starts talking to people, asking questions about Vivien. It becomes apparent that the murdered woman had made a lot of enemies, including the sweet little old lady who played the organ at church. When the minister’s wife is attacked Nola knows she needs to step up her investigation before another person loses their life. From hunting down a centuries-old buried secret to tea at the Congressman’s mansion to stirring pots of peach preserves, Nola has her hands full in her latest adventure.
The author does a marvelous job in making her characters come to life in the small Georgia town but still weaves a tight plot in this cozy mystery that kept me turning pages late into the night. I loved how Nola is close to her family, especially her mama, and loyal to her friends no matter what. The romantic tension between Nola and Cade adds just the right amount of spice to the story without being distracting. Of course I can’t forget to mention the peach-themed recipes Susan includes at the back of her book…they all sound incredibly yummy!
I received a copy of this book from the author and/or publisher in exchange for an honest opinion. All thoughts and views are my own.
Nola is busy preparing to open her shop, Peachy Keen, which will sell Harper Farm’s Peach products. She, along with help from Cade McKenna, are renovating a space adjacent to Red’s Diner, owned by her very good friend, Ginny. It’s Debutante season and Ginny’s daughter, Emily, is excited her dress is being delivered for the Cotillion ball. However, when the dresses arrive at the boutique, it’s discovered that Ginny’s dress was ordered for both Ginny and the Peach Queen, and only one showed up. The Peach Queen’s mother, Vivien Crenshaw, grabs the dress and lays claim to it. Ginny blows up at the snobbery she is throwing at Emily, and tells the rich, arrogant woman she will get her due.
The next day Vivien is found stabbed to death with a pair of scissors, the fought-over debutante gown clutched in her hands. Many women saw and heard Ginny’s altercation with the dead woman so Sheriff Maudy Payne takes Ginny in for questioning and considers her the main suspect. Ginny won’t provide the name of her alibi since she wasn’t home with her husband or her daughter and Nola begins to worry about the secret her friend is trying to hide. Ginny begs Nola to help find the real killer when evidence appears that will frame her and she worries it will ruin her daughter’s Debutante season. Half the town believe Ginny is guilty so Nola starts talking to people, asking questions about Vivien. It becomes apparent that the murdered woman had made a lot of enemies, including the sweet little old lady who played the organ at church. When the minister’s wife is attacked Nola knows she needs to step up her investigation before another person loses their life. From hunting down a centuries-old buried secret to tea at the Congressman’s mansion to stirring pots of peach preserves, Nola has her hands full in her latest adventure.
The author does a marvelous job in making her characters come to life in the small Georgia town but still weaves a tight plot in this cozy mystery that kept me turning pages late into the night. I loved how Nola is close to her family, especially her mama, and loyal to her friends no matter what. The romantic tension between Nola and Cade adds just the right amount of spice to the story without being distracting. Of course I can’t forget to mention the peach-themed recipes Susan includes at the back of her book…they all sound incredibly yummy!
I received a copy of this book from the author and/or publisher in exchange for an honest opinion. All thoughts and views are my own.