The Edge of Town

The town of Fertile, MO is rocking along on its way into the Jazz Age. With the boys home from the war, barnstorming, baseball and ice cream gaining popularity, and all the small-town prejudices one would expect, the town is ripe for anything to happen. The Jones family (all J names) aren't wealthy, aren't "town" folks, and have some unfortunate neighbor in the drunk, unpleasant Walter Johnson and overly flirty, widowed Birdie Stuart.

In typical fashion Garlock weaves together a historical romance with multiple plot-threads and not quite enough misdirection to hang on to a surprise ending. A budding romance, rape and murder all tied up in the normality of everyday life make this a quick, enjoyable read.

The Edge of Town was a wonderful glimpse into small town life in the 1920's. The story kept me turning the pages and it made me wish society today was interested in the simple pleasures and family values that were portrayed in the book. My only complaint was that I had a hard time at first keeping everyone's name straight.

A nostalgic look into the past. A sweet novel!

Very enjoyable.

Julie Jones es una muchacha sencilla que vive con su padre y sus cinco hermanos en una granja a las afueras de Fertile, un pequeño pueblo de Missouri, en la que el tiempo transcurre al ritmo de las cosechas y las estaciones. Pero pronto los locos años veinte traerán a la ciudad sus ruidosos automóviles, el jazz y el charleston, y también un par de recién llegados que alterarán por completo la vida de los Jones: una atractiva viuda en busca de marido y un joven veterano de guerra del que Julie se enamorará. Sin embargo, su amor se verá truncado por el horrible asesinato de una niña del pueblo y por un terrible secreto.