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The Edge of Town (Jazz Age, Bk 1)
The Edge of Town - Jazz Age, Bk 1
Author: Dorothy Garlock
At 21, Julie Jones is convinced that life is passing her by. Her mother's death four years ago left her in charge of caring for her father and five siblings, and dashed her hopes of meeting that special someone who would whisk her away to the glamorous big city. Then all at once, Julie's predictable existence is overturned when her fathe...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780446608121
ISBN-10: 0446608122
Publication Date: 5/2002
Pages: 480
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 58

3.9 stars, based on 58 ratings
Publisher: Warner Books
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The Edge of Town (Jazz Age, Bk 1) on + 43 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great, old fashioned story with wonderful characters, that leaves you feeling good. Has everything from innocent romance to danger and mystery.
reviewed The Edge of Town (Jazz Age, Bk 1) on + 50 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book gets you hooked on the Jones Clan. This one introduces you to Julie the oldest whom becames mother to her siblings at the age of 15.
Read All 15 Book Reviews of "The Edge of Town Jazz Age Bk 1"

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jjares avatar reviewed The Edge of Town (Jazz Age, Bk 1) on + 3413 more book reviews
Reading this book was an accident; I didnt know it was part of the series: the Jazz Age. It was a book-on-tape that looked like a standalone novel. Generally, Im not interested in life between the wars. However, I was hooked by the plot before I recognized the time frame.

As she does so well, Dorothy Garlock takes us on a leisurely trip through a small town (Fertile, Missouri) with a group of distinctive characters. Garlock describes small time life with such accuracy!

I would refer to this as a cozy book; not a great deal action occurs, but the plot is furthered by the characters themselves. After her mother dies, Julie Jones (at 15) stops attending school to take care of her 5 younger siblings. As the story opens, she is now 21.

The interaction between the siblings is delightful funny, scathing, caring. Julie comes to the attention of the returning war veteran Evan Johnson, who is the only child of the mean drunk of Fertile. Evans father spends much of his time frightening folks (especially girls) with his lewd remarks and threats.

As Evans interest in Julie becomes more pronounced, Julie cant believe that a world-traveler like Evan could be interested in her. To add a fly in the ointment, Birdie Stuart (an attractive young widow with a small child) sets her cap for Evan. When Evan resists Birdies charm, she searches for another victim Julies widowed father.

This part of the story takes up much of the book; the children are not opposed to their father remarrying but they do NOT want Birdie. The strain between the 6 siblings vs. their father is hard to watch. The reader, like the kids, realizes there is something not quite right about Birdie. When Mr. Jones invites Birdie to come for an extended visit, tension in the family builds.

Finally, theres a rapist in town; hes been preying on the towns young women for years. Those are the three main issues that run through the book. However, there are plenty of sub-plots bootleg liquor and Sunday afternoon baseball games are two. I didnt figure out the rapist before the town learned his ID; the author didnt give clues.

Despite the plot described, this book moves at a very leisurely pace. Julie and Evan are pleasant and well-developed, but their situation isn't dramatic. I just happened to be in the right mood for a book of this type; others might find it too static for their tastes. 4 stars
grammy4 avatar reviewed The Edge of Town (Jazz Age, Bk 1) on + 110 more book reviews
this is the first of 4. It is a slow moving intriging storyline. I enjoyed the characters, the family interaction, and the love interest. Starting on #2.
reviewed The Edge of Town (Jazz Age, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
Page turner!!
reviewed The Edge of Town (Jazz Age, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book.
reviewed The Edge of Town (Jazz Age, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
A light read, but draws one into the plot, - Julie Jones is a girl caught up in the Jazz age, and a mysterious crime spree in a small rural area.
freemom avatar reviewed The Edge of Town (Jazz Age, Bk 1) on + 11 more book reviews
"Charming story...sprightly dialogue and convincing depiction of farm life." ~Publishers Weekly~


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