Constancy's Waltz

Tuesday night I couldn't sleep until after 2:00 a.m. It wasn't because the man I watch wouldn't go to sleep or that he got up in the middle of the night wanting to go home. It wasn't because I drank too much caffeine during the day Tuesday. It wasn't even because I am going through the valley in my sleep cycle--ya know, the times I don't seem to be able to sleep well. It was because I was reading Constancy's Waltz by DH Parker.

Just in a general way--I gotta say--I liked this story! It was very easy to read. The author has a great mastery of words and even uses some big ones now and then! However, they don't cause any halts in the reading. It is easy to just go and go and go with this story. It is a realistic story (even though we all wish that murder mysteries weren't so real to life, yeah?) and the characters seem like real people. They are revealed a little at a time so that as we read, we learn to like--or dislike--them more and more as the book continues. By the way, if after reading this one, you find you REALLY like Constancy and Danny and the others, you'll be heartened to know that there is a sequel entitled Dark Diamond Reel.

One of the absolute BEST thing about this book is the ribbon which runs through it--quietly but firmly. The ribbon, you wonder? The Gospel! Several of the main characters are solid Christians. I can't remember if these characters every actually SAID they were Christians; however, their actions and words illustrate clearly that these people serve God. By the way, the author is a Christian,--a member of the church of christ--so God's thoughts on how we should live our lives--as found in the bible, are weaved into the tapestry of the story, but not in a hard, in-your-face kind of way. DH Parker did a really great job with this aspect of the story.

The story is about Constancy Grace Stafford, a kindergarten teacher who lives in a small town in the Ozarks (or maybe it is just Missouri, but I feel like the Ozarks are in the setting somehow.) On the last day of school, she trips over the dead body of one of her fellow kinder teachers. Immediately, she is the chief suspect in the murder. The story tells of her struggle to deal with her unfair treatment at the hands of a long time enemy who just so happens to be a high official in the local police department. She is also worrying about the health of her beloved grandmother, struggling against feelings for a visiting policeman, and trying to find the REAL murderer. There are some moments of danger, some good food (and a 3X5 recipe card is found in the book), a little bit of romance, and the love of friends and family.

All in all, I find it a wonderful story and can't wait to read the sequel. The author, DH Parker, has written five other stories--one of which I have already read (The Cameron Connection, a fun book for probably 7 to 15-year-olds) and really enjoyed. Her books can be found--and purchased--at the following website: http://www.wingsepress.com/Author%20Pages/Author%20%20D.%20H.%20Parker.htm

I highly recommend Constancy's Waltz to all who love a good mystery--specifically--and to all readers--generally. It is just a great read! Hope y'all enjoy it!

Love,

Lolly Fab :)