What do you think?
Rate this book


224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
Dated but Timeless
Sharyn McCrumb has managed to develop some truly memorable characters. The antics they get up to are priceless. The central mystery, while not truly center stage in the book, is both intriguing and satisfying in its development. Everyone contributes in their own way. Even the garden gnome helps to provide his own little mystery.
I snickered from cover to cover. While one of the key elements is meeting the royals, the novel is dominated by a wacky transatlantic relationship with some well-crafted mysteries thrown in. The dialog is quite clever and the action seems to dodge and weave where you would least expect it.
The only element that somewhat dates the work is the reference to Princess Diana, She was quite alive, well and living the fairy tale at the time of writing. An unfortunate consequence of weaving fiction with some reality. Don't let that stop you from enjoying this hilarious masterpiece.