South of Sanity [Mass Market Paperback]

Oh, did I mention the wonderful, wacky inhabitants of Valhalla Springs aren't the main focal point of this book? They may remain in your memory long after you've read another 20 books or so, but we're actually supposed to be basically involved with the heroine, Hannah Garvey...the resident manager of Valhalla Springs and our hero, Sheriff David Hendrickson. A proper romance between the two just doesn't seem to get going well without help from the hilarious group of seniors.

I hadn't even heard of this book....just picked it up on a whim and thank goodness I did! Now, if only I had known at the time that there was a book proceeding it, "East of Peculiar" which I had to run right out and buy. (And am in the middle of enjoying right now.) And the good news! A third in the series, "North of Clever" is due out in December! I just found this out by reading the reviews, which I should have done to start with! Where oh where has Susan Ledbetter been and why have I never found her before? What a fun, fun mind this author has!

The dialogue's incredible with the vivid mental pictures it evokes. Some of the scenes will have you laughing out loud. The prose can sometimes require a re-read because its breeziness is confusing, but it's saucy and funny.

The mystery plot's good with a not-too-obvious twist. The romantic tense great! The rich blend of humor, romance, mystery, and danger with the author's sense of humor provides the reader with non-stop reading enjoyment.

Can't wait to read East of Peculiar, the first of the series, and North of Clever, the sequel, when it comes out. Suzan Ledbetter has me hooked on this series. Her style is fast, refreshing, and hilariously funny. Great entertainment!

Hannah Garvey has given up a high-powered job with an advertising agency to take over as resident manager for an exclusive retirement community. You might think a book featuring secondary characters from a retirement community as dull, but these characters would give any gang of teenagers a run for their money on the amount of trouble they can stir up, mostly just by trying to be helpful. Sheriff David Hendrick has the hots for Hannah. They are very aware of each other and very attracted to each other. They finally, after a few mishaps, get together for their first date. Naturally nothing goes right and Hannah ends up going with the Sheriff to answer a police call. The call goes bad and the Sheriff ends up suspended, possibly on trial for murder. The gang, from the retirement community, decides to help matters along by investigating and clearing the way for Hannah and the Sheriff to get it together.

This was one funny book. There's romance, suspense, and a lot of comic relief. I kept wondering what in the world I had bought to read-I know now. I bought a terrific book with a wonderful cast of characters.