All roads lead home

This is probably my favorite series of all time! Polly Giller has decided to move back to small town Iowa and decides to buy an old school. She turns it into a community center of sorts. While doing the renovations two skeletons are pulled from the ceiling. The town of Bellingwood doesn't know what hit them. 

What makes this such a great book are the amazing characters. First there is Polly navigating a new place and a huge project. Then there is Henry Polly's contractor who makes her dream a reality. And the awesome Lydia, Andy and Beryl are the first friends Polly makes. These three women are something else. And when you add all of Henry's crew and the Sheriff you have a town full of characters that you just have to get to know.

The way Diane writes you start to think she just follows her characters around and records whatever they are doing. That is how real they become. Nothing ever seems far-fetched or contrived. Just everyday people living their lives. And we get to read about it. When Polly takes Henry to task you can feel his embarrassment and his shock at what she has to say. Polly's big heart and no nonsense attitude make the people around her love her and want to do what is right. And Polly never preaches, she just believes that everyone should try to be their best selves and help other people do the same.

The bones that fall out of the ceiling reopen a thirty year old cold case. And the solving of their disappearance and murder takes many of the residents of Bellingwood down memory lane. For some of us that grew up in a small town this will bring back memories, everyone knew everyone and a tragedy was felt by all. I am so glad this is a series because you can't wait to get to know all of the characters. Fortunately, this is the first in a the Bellingwood series.

There are so many categories this book fits into; strong women, amateur sleuth, small town, cozy mystery, and I am sure there are more. My rating:*- ☕☕☕☕☕

Available in ebook or paperback