I truly love this series. Ivy is a joy to begin with; intelligent, compassionate and good-humoured, she seems to show what being a good Christian is all about. There is plenty to enjoy in here, with the rigors of amateur dramatics, a new suitor (and an old one) in the offing, and all the fun of a crime to solve. With so much to occupy her time, Ivy seems to get younger and livelier, if you compare her to the bereaved lady in the first book, showing the benefits of an unconventional "third age."

This is not a series just for older readers by any means, and you don’t need to even to be a Christian to enjoy this buoyant and inventive tale. As usual, events crowd in on every page, and I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a better cozy (not this year, certainly). But there is more her than just action and laughs, and the warmth of the narrator shines through, making it a very positive and uplifting book about meeting life head-on. Highly recommended.