The Lumby Lines

The Lumby Lines, Gail Fraser’s first novel in the Lumby series, takes readers to quaint and quirky town of Lumby. Town residents include the testy William Beezer, owner of The Lumby Lines, the town’s only newspaper. Beezer’s estranged son, also a newspaperman, lives in Lumby as well with wife Gabrielle, proprietor of The Green Chile, a local restaurant. There is Charlotte Ross, an elderly and somewhat eccentric resident who enjoys giving generous gifts. Sheriff Dixon and his deputy stay busy with, among other incidents, a couple of juvenile troublemakers and goats eating the cash deposits at the local bank. A woman contractor with flaming red hair and the blind man who insists on driving his horse and cart into town are also included in the book’s list of unusual cast of characters.

Quaint. Quirky. Such quaintness and quirkiness and the humor therein abound almost to the point of the absurd. A dog being elected mayor? Really?

The more interesting parts of The Lumby Lines surround Montis Abbey, a ruined monastery nearly destroyed by fire several years prior. Mark and Pam, outsiders, from the East Coast even, decide to purchase the buildings and property in order to restore them and open an inn. Not only do Mark and Pam endure suspicion and skepticism due to their outsider status, someone is trying to hinder their efforts at the abbey. As Mark and Pam persist in their dream they find themselves in the middle of the mystery surrounding the monastery and the fire that almost destroyed it.

The Lumby Lines is a sweet, pleasant read. I was a little disappointed in the resolution but overall I thought this book an easygoing, amusing diversion.

Thanks to FSB Associates for the review copy!

Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….