Pleasant, well enough written, but not all the way there. Sigh. ( )

Knowing in advance that you are about to read the last novel in a beloved series is very bittersweet. There is an urgency to once again visit with favorite characters, to learn of their newest adventures, to imagine solving the latest mystery with your favorite sleuth and the most profound hesitation to read "The End."

There have been so many delights in reading this series:
• Setting in Philadelphia, PA (city of my birth)
• Amanda Pepper, English Teacher Turned Sleuth
• Loved the furry face Macavity the cat [An English Teacher would certainly be aware that Macavity is a fictional character who is described in a poem in “Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats,” by T. S. Eliot. He also appears in Cats, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.]
• It was such fun to continue guessing the true name of C.K. Mackenzie and follow the progression of friendship between Amanda and C.K.
• Loved all the interactions between Amanda and her students and Amanda and the school secretaries over the course of the series especially as some of the conversations brought very special memories of my teaching years.

I shall miss all the characters and the delights of the writing by Gillian Roberts. I haven't felt this way since reading "Assault & Beret" (the last novel of the Hat Shop Mystery series) by Jenn McKinlay. I understand that Gillian Roberts (pseudonyn of Judith Greber) has also written the Emma Howe Series so although it appears there are only two (2) novels, I will add them to my "to-read" list.

If you've enjoyed the series as much as I have, don't miss the interview available at this link:
https://mysteristas.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/judith-greber/ ( )