Another Review at MyShelf.Com

On The Run
An Ivy Malone Mystery

by Lorena McCourtney



      Ivy Malone is on the run! Not from any crime that she has committed, but from the villainous Braxtons who she foiled in the series debut Invisible (also reviewed on this site). She describes herself as a LOL (Little Old Lady), but is quite a force to be reckoned with, living alone (unless you count Koop the cat) in a motor home and touring America. In Oklahoma, she chances to pick up a young woman, called Abilene, who is in some kind of trouble, as well as to hear of a caretaking job that sounds too interesting to miss. Working for Jock and Jessie Northcutt sounds as though it would be anything but boring, but Ivy never dreams quite how odd the next few days are going to be.

This really is a most enjoyable series. I am not always a fan of novels told in the first person but Ivy is a joy; empathetic, playful without being ditzy and a fine spokesman for Christianity. She tackles what life throws in her way with good sense, compassion and humor and is certainly spending her "third age" exploring the benefits rather than the tribulations of getting older. This might sound as though the series is aimed mainly at older readers, but there is plenty to enjoy for all age groups and you don't need to be a Christian either to be buoyed up by Ivy's faith and humanity. Emus, paintball battles, survivalists, stockpiled toilet paper rolls, missing wills and bizarre prowlers all add up to a highly entertaining story. Something happens on almost every page, and coupled with warmth, wit and a plot outcome I couldn't guess, had me reading late into the night. Perhaps Lorena McCourtney ought to give seminars on how to pace a book...

The Book

Fleming H Revell
1 January 2006
Trade Paperback
0800759567
Mystery/Inspirational [Contemporary, Oklahoma]
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Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Rachel A Hyde
Reviewed 2006
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© 2006 MyShelf.com