The Three Miss Margarets: A Novel: 1 - Softcover

"Rich, funny . . . Fans of Fannie Flagg and Adriana Trigiani, take note. Shaffer has created a little piece of heaven."--The Philadelphia Inquirer

"A romp of a read--warm but never smarmy, wise without pretense of profundity. Shaffer tells a good story that's part mystery but mostly an exploration of loyalty and friendship."--St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The Miss Margarets are treasures . . . Shaffer unfolds the story deftly. . . . Each of the three Miss Margarets is a wonderfully realized character; each has a closely guarded secret life."--The Boston Globe

"A high level of suspense . . . Drop by this charming Southern town. No doubt you'll be invited to join the three Margarets on the veranda and sip sweetened tea, lemonade, or even Gentleman Jack . . . and enjoy the promise of a good read."--The Roanoke Times

"Provocative . . . a fun read. Those who appreciated Steel Magnolias and the 'Ya Ya Sisters' will enjoy this closely bonded group of women."--Anniston Star (AL)

"Louise Shaffer is a magnificent storyteller. She weaves a tale so rich and compelling, you will be unable to put it down. A triumph!"--Adriana Trigiani, author of the Big Stone Gap trilogy

"[A] fine first novel . . . A surprising amount of suspense . . . Shaffer explores the familiar territory of the small-town South, its undying issues of race and class, with insight, humor, and compassion."--Orlando Sentinel

"I shouldn't have started The Three Miss Margarets so late in the day, nor kept on reading into the early hours of the morning. But so I did, and a fine, satisfying story it was, too--well worth the loss of sleep."--Ann B. Ross, author of Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind

"Intriguing . . . The Three Miss Margarets is immensely appealing in its depth of characterization. . . . Readers are sure to enjoy getting to know these women for their strength, daring, and selflessness."--Times Daily (Florence, AL)

"A can't-put-it-down Southern tale [with] a good plot and a sense of mystery."--The Columbus Dispatch

"A southern gothic with a sense of humor."--Poughkeepsie Journal

"What a pleasure it is to hear the voice of Louise Shaffer, and all the wonderful characters she brings to life in The Three Miss Margarets. An entire world is splendidly evoked, a gripping mystery heightens the tension, and always we are guided along with great skill by the fresh, funny voice of the author. I loved this book."--Mark Childress, author of Crazy in Alabama

"The story never lags, leaping back and forth between present and past, showing how much the latter creates the former. Shaffer has a pleasing way with a phrase."--The Philadelphia Inquirer

"Lively . . . A homey, Southern narrative voice . . . Shaffer has a knack for building complex characters with clever, cutting lines."--Book magazine

"[A] winning debut . . . The three Miss Margarets are wholly imagined, rich creations whose reticence speaks volumes about their time and place."--Publishers Weekly

Three women named Margaret--Miss Peggy, Dr. Maggie, and Miss Li'l Bit--all icons in Charles Valley, Georgia, are bound together by a thirty-year-old secret and their clandestine, illegal efforts to right a terrible wrong, until a stranger's arrival in town, a tragic death, and a troubled young woman threaten to reveal the dark legacy of the past. Reader's Guide included. Reprint.