I have enjoyed the Elm Creek Quilts series, by Jennifer Chiaverini, for many years. Some time back, though, she stopped writing them and went on to historical fiction (they are good, too). Seems others were missing the Elm Creek gang, too, so the author provided us with The Christmas Boutique, just in time for the holidays. It was fun catching up with the familiar characters as well as meeting a few new ones. When the church that is supposed to house the annual sale is severely damaged in a flood, Elm Creek Camp steps into to provide a location, on very short notice. Lots of characters here, not all get along, there's petty jealousy and vandalism, it's also a story of redemption, family, and friendship. I sort of got the feeling it would be the last in this series ...

This was a wonderful read for one of our darker December days: The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories, by P.D. James. There are four short stories, some with a twist, some written in first person with a nod or two to Agatha Christie! One features a witness who never came forward. Why? One uncovered a family secret long buried. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Reading Hermit With Dog