The Darling Dahlias and the Silver Dollar Bush by Susan Wittig Albert

I love reading Susan Wittig Albert! She has such a way with setting and characters. I just know when I see her name, I am going to be transported away and enjoy the ride. It is no mystery why she is a national best selling author and why so many love reading the Darling Dahlias series. 

From the back of the book:

National bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert takes readers back in time to small-town Darling, Alabama, in the 1930s—where the Darling Savings and Trust has just closed and the women of the Darling Dahlias’ garden club are betting their bottom dollar there’s going to be trouble… 

It’s the spring of 1933 and times are tough all over. The only businessman not struggling is moonshiner Mickey LeDoux, though he still has to steer clear of federal agents. But banks are closing all over the country, and the small town of Darling is no exception. Folks are suddenly caught short on cash and everyone is in a panic.

Desperate to avoid disaster, several town leaders—including Alvin Duffy, the bank’s new vice president—hatch a plan to print Darling Dollars on newspaperman Charlie Dickens’ printing press. The “funny money” can serve as temporary currency so the town can function. But when the first printing of the scrip disappears, the Darling Dahlias set out to discover who made an unauthorized withdrawal.

Meanwhile County Treasurer Verna Tidwell questions whether she can trust Alvin Duffy—and the feelings he stirs up inside her. And Liz Lacy learns her longtime beau may be forced into a shotgun wedding. Seems other troubles don’t just go away when there’s a crisis. There’ll be no pennies from heaven, but if anyone can balance things out, folks can bank on the Darling Dahlias…

My thoughts:

This series is all about characters, and that is absolutely perfect when you have have characters like these. You will come to enjoy being part of their day. While you don't have to read all of the parts, I suggest you do. It adds so much enjoyment when you are so strongly bonded and care deeply about what happens. 

While this is a traditional cozy murder mystery per-say, there is tension and you do get that cozy feeling. This is more about friendship and how people work together in difficult times. I do strongly recommend this series and that you read them all. 

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Disclosure: I may receive products in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally believe will be good for my readers.