The Persian Pickle Club
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4.2 • 87 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
In her magical, memorable novel, Sandra Dallas explores the ties of loyalty and friendship that unite the women in a quilting circle in Depression-era Kansas
It is the 1930s, and hard times have hit Harveyville, Kansas, where the crops are burning up, and there's not a job to be found. For Queenie Bean, a young farm wife, a highlight of each week is the gathering of the Persian Pickle Club, a group of local ladies dedicated to improving their minds, exchanging gossip, and putting their quilting skills to good use. When a new member of the club stirs up a dark secret, the women must band together to support and protect one another.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This entertaining second novel from the author of the well-received Buster Midnight's Cafe could be a sleeper. Set in Depression-era Kansas and made vivid with the narrator's humorous down-home voice, it's a story of loyalty and friendship in a women's quilting circle. Young farm wife Queenie Bean tells about the brief membership of a city girl named Rita, whose boredom with country living and aspirations to be an investigative reporter lead her to unearth secrets in the close-knit group, called the Persian Pickle Club after a coveted paisley print. Queenie's desire to win Rita's friendship (``We were chickens... and Rita was a hummingbird'') clashes with her loyalty to the Pickles when Rita tries to solve the murder of a member's husband, in the process unearthing complicated relationships among the women who meet each week to quilt and read aloud to each other. The result is a simple but endearing story that depicts small-town eccentricities with affection and adds dazzle with some late-breaking surprises. Dallas hits all the right notes, combining an authentic look at the social fabric of Depression-era life with a homespun suspense story. Film rights to Norman Twain Productions; Literary Guild alternate selection.
Customer Reviews
Slice of life, with a murder mystery flair!
This is a great book depicting what life was like in farming country during the depression. Then a body is found, and a newcomer to the community, a reporter, wants to solve the crime because this is her way out of the country and back to the big city.
Gripping book, I couldn't put it down! There are vivid characters that everyone can relate to. I recommended this book to everyone I know, and they'll agree this book is marvelous. I can't wait to read more by this author.
First book, not the last
This was the first book I read by Sandra Dallas, and it hasn't been the last. Her writing style makes it easy to envelope yourself in the characters and her ability to describe the era is impeccable - you almost feel like you're right in the middle of the1930's. It's an easy and FUN read - highly recommended!