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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Great story, but I wish I had read this 2nd in the series closer to the first book. Many allusions to events that took place in the first book that I could not recall, so make sure you read the books in order and fairly close together. The characters were all so likable...even the "murderer"! I hope there is a 3rd book in the works
"It's September 1943, and the town of Elderberry, Georgia, including their beloved first-grade teacher, Miss Dimple Kilpatrick, has exciting plans for the Bond Rally to support the troops fighting the war abroad. Miss Dimple's friend, Virginia Balliew, has agreed to chair the big event, with the help of Buddy Oglesby. But when children discover a skeleton at the edge of a field, and Buddy disappears along with the war bond money, it's clear that something is amiss in the little town; and Miss Dimple, along with her fellow teachers, is soon on the case."
"It's September 1943, and the town of Elderberry, Georgia, including their beloved first-grade teacher, Miss Dimple Kilpatrick, has exciting plans for the Bond Rally to support the troops fighting the war abroad. Miss Dimple's friend, Virginia Balliew, has agreed to chair the big event, with the help of Buddy Oglesby. But when children discover a skeleton at the edge of a field, and Buddy disappears along with the war bond money, it's clear that something is amiss in the little town; and Miss Dimple, along with her fellow teachers, is soon on the case."
These are quiet books. The mystery tends to not be sensational and it's not the most suspenseful book, but I enjoy this group of characters. I like that all of them help to solve the mystery, it's not just one sleuth who leads the charge.
Although Ballard is an accomplished author, there was a little bit of the sophomore jinx about this story of an unearthed corpse, blackmail, and stolen war bond money. The exposition of the villain, set in italics at each chapter's beginning, exposes the culprit(s) a little soon. Plus, many of the descriptions feel lifted from the first book. Therefore, you won't feel confused if you start the series with this episode. But I'd advise starting there and possibly skipping this.
Miss Dimple Rallies to the Cause is far from being a bad book: it just feels a little threadbare and worn, like the synthetic rubber tires Ballard seems obsessed about.
Miss Dimple Rallies to the Cause is far from being a bad book: it just feels a little threadbare and worn, like the synthetic rubber tires Ballard seems obsessed about.