Who’s Sorry Now? by Jill Churchill (Historical mystery)

This is the latest in a series of historical mysteries set in Depression-era New York State. Robert and Lily Brewster are a brother and sister whose father lost their family’s money in the Crash and committed suicide, leaving them destitute. Forced to earn their livings in low-paying jobs because they are untrained for any kind of work, they’re delighted when a distant relative’s death leaves them with a substantial inheritance, albeit one with strings attached.

One of those strings leads to the Brewsters living in Voorburg, a small town on the Hudson River. Throughout the series, Robert and Lily have to come up with inventive ways to earn money, as stipulated in their great-uncle’s will. Since, though poor, they are better off than most, the Brewsters rarely do any regular work, but spend much of their leisure time helping the local Chief of Police to solve the many murders that plague their small town.

I care little about the mysteries in these books; I read them to find out what’s happening to all the characters, and for the descriptions of life during the Depression. Voorburg is charming, and all the books are undemanding comfort reads–Who’s Sorry Now? is no exception.

Tags: 50 Book Challenge 2008, Grace and Favor, Jill Churchill