Search - The Gourdmother (Gourd Craft Mystery, Bk 1)

Not a bad first mystery. The central characters were likeable enough and the setting was nice. The murder and the circumstances surrounding it were really sad. The town bigot made me want to scream, he was such a S.O.B. The teenaged boy who Lili has come work for her was a heartbreaking character. So repressed and introverted. His life circumstances and what happened to him during the course of the book were high school bullying at its most extreme. Ssdly, something that is all to true in this country.

The book style feels a little shy and tentitivly funny. I see great possibilities in this author. Her flow is spot on and the subject matter is never too overwhelming. By the end of the book I was looking forward to the next AND looking for craft gourds online.

Mystery in a small town with realistic drama plus a bonus about carving and using gourds! Lili Marino moves to a small town and tries to fit in and also learn to grow her own gourds, but the secrets of the small town keep seeping out and entwining her in the lives of those around her!

really enjoyed this book, was a fast read

Interesting hobby background - secondary to the mystery

Th writing is a bit clunky, but the characterizations aren't bad, and the guord lore is very interesting.