The Darling Dahlias and the Confederate Rose

Set in 1931 Darling, Ala., Albert’s captivating third Darling Dahlias mystery (after 2011’s The Darling Dahlias and the Naked Ladies) finds the ladies of the Darling Dahlias garden club planning a rose planting in honor of Confederate Day. Their determination to defy the grim Depression mood and make the day a success is challenged, however, when one of their number, Verna Tidwell, is accused of stealing from the county treasury. As club president Elizabeth Lacy tries to clear her fellow Dahlia’s name, their resident historian, Bessie Bloodworth, helps garden club member and town librarian Dorothy Rogers unravel the meaning of the strange code stitched into the inside of a pillow passed down in her family and its possible relationship to Confederate history. Charming characters, a fast-paced plot, and a strong sense of history help make this a superior cozy. (Sept.)