FOUR STARS for Cedar Cove!

I suppose one could say that I have a predilection for snooping. I admit it. I do love to look into strangers’ houses whilst walking Oz. Can I help it if they leave their curtains wide open? And, can I help it if, while I wait for Oz to stop his sniffing-in-place, my eyes wander into other people’s wide open windows?

I would love nothing more than to uncover a cache of secrets, then hurry home to relay them to the spousal unit. But alas, I’m afraid my neighbors are just as humdrum as I am. I suppose that’s why I’ve really been enjoying my wanderings through Cedar Cove (how’s that for a segue?).

I’ve finished reading the first three books in the series, and am feeling comfortable enough with window snooping that I can review Macomber with ease.

This is a series about a small town and the residents who live there. The readers’ home base shifts from house to house within the town (from book to book), and how everyone is connected in one way or another. We, the ‘snoopers’, get to get up-close and personal without being seen. How delicious is that?

So far, I’ve been inside Family Law Judge Olivia’s house (16 Lighthouse Road) who just can’t help herself from handing down unconventional sentences and/or decisions; who is best friends with Grace (204 Rosewood Lane). Grace, without spoiling anything, is the woman whose husband just ups and disappears after 34 years of marriage. Then there’s the B&B over at 44 Cranberry Point, where the dead guy is found. Oh, and did I mention Rosie (311 Pelican Court) and Zach? They’re two of many who attempt to abide by one of Olivia’s unusual hand-downs.

This is better than Peyton Place!!! Oops….I just dated myself.

Cedar Cove is filled with romance, though not so gooey that you have to roll your eyes; and, mystery and suspense, like what happened to Dan (I already know but I’m not telling) and who’s the dead John Doe - and what does he have to do Cedar Cove? I’ve only been to three houses and I already have a truckload of secrets……….Four stars in my book, and I don’t even like romance novels!

Debbie Macomber (1948-)

photo by Nina Subin