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The Darling Dahlias and the Naked Ladies Audiobook
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(3.03) - 484 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
As Darling's town librarian is fond of saying: "Naked Ladies is not a respectable name for a plant." A lily by any other name would certainly smell as sweet-and look just as beautiful as the Naked Ladies decorating Miss Hamer's lawn. It seems Miss Hamer's house may also be home to naked ladies of a different sort. Rumors sprout that the elderly recluse's visiting niece and her friend are actually the Naughty and Nice Sisters from the Ziegfield Frolic, known for dancing nearly naked. When a well-dressed man from Chicago arrives, asking about the mysterious ladies, the Dahlias begin to suspect it may be more than modesty that's causing both women to lie low. Someone is covering up something sinister.
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"Even though I was very skeptical at first as to how the author would bring some of Al Capone's gang to Darling, Alabama, by the end I was convinced and enjoyed a very thrilling tale worthy of a radio detective series of the period! What a fun outing with the Darling Dahlias and I think I enjoyed this second book in the series even better than I did the first. Once you step back into Darling and get reacquainted with all the characters it's just like coming home. I could feel myself sitting on the porch with Lizzy drinking lemonade or under the willow tree with Bessie who, it turns out, holds a very tragic and romantic secret in her breast! I also loved the way small town friendliness and looking out for your neighbor was rejected as nosiness by the newcomers but turned out to be their salvation in the end. Fewer garden tips and focus this time it seemed but maybe that was just because the story was so full-on. As usual, recipes in the back I'd love to try! All in all, a wonderful holiday from the cold and flu I had at the time I read this."
— Janet (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Literate and well researched.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Colorful characters and evocative period details will keep cozy fans absorbed.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“This second outing for the Darling Dahlias is a bit more streamlined than the first, as the author focuses on only a few of the members. Albert is an expert at mixing clues with character-developing subplots, resulting in a leisurely pace and an engrossing narrative. The period details are meticulously researched, the floral tidbits are informative and the conclusion contains a few surprises.”
— Romantic Times
The Darling Dahlias and the Naked Ladies Listener Reviews
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" I was excited to get this second book of the Darling Dahlias as I didn’t know it existed! Like Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber tree Ms. Albert does a great job with the setting and details of small town daily life during the depression . But like all “cozy” mysteries there is trouble afoot that the garden club ladies join in solving. I’m so glad to have found ABS—downloads to my pc are so easy and within minutes they’re on my MP3 player and an enjoyable story begins! "
— Quillee, 3/8/2021 -
" Love the time period and the characters. Enjoyable, quick read. "
— Gayle, 2/20/2014 -
" Just started it this evening. Good so far. Plot is a little flimsy, but I like the characters. Many snickers when Libby deals with her mother. Pleasant way to spend some time. "
— Shirley, 2/6/2014 -
" Charming little cozy read. Have to say it was like Mayberry in the Andy Griffith Show, except during the Depression of the 30's. No wonder the town is named Darling! "
— Elaine, 1/13/2014 -
" I liked the second book better than the first in this new series, probably because I was comfortable with the characters after having just read the first book! There is an advantage to waiting for book two before reading book one...in some cases. Enjoyed the characters and still fun reading about the 30's. "Big Berta, a 1920 green Chevrolet touring car, was ten years old and on her fifth set of tires and her second carburator, but she still had a good many miles left in her. Driving was pleasant because the canvas-topped touring car had no side curtains, admitting a breeze." I just liked thinking about that, a much simplier time, one could fix a car themselves; no computers on board! No side curtains could have admitted flying things and of course, and there were no paved roads in this town in the 30's so driving was leisurely but still faster than walking or biking. "
— Janice, 12/30/2013 -
" Not a series that is going to interest me. I think that I will stick with the China Bayles Mysteries. "
— Moira, 12/12/2013 -
" Big fan of this new series! "
— Jessica, 12/12/2013 -
" This is the second in a series of "cozy mysteries". This book is an enjoyable piece of fluff that does a good job of telling the stories of the character's lives. Though it is a bit slow moving I found it enjoyable. "
— Rebecca, 12/4/2013 -
" This is the second book in the Darling Dahlias series. Love the characters and reading about the Depression era. It's a good book. "
— Karen, 11/30/2013 -
" I love SWA's new series that is a gentle look at a Southern town, Darling, Alabama, in the depression era. She has done a great amount of research on how things were then--the cultural history of the time. "
— Helen, 11/28/2013 -
" What a great book! Can't wait for the next one! "
— Barbara, 11/27/2013 -
" Pleasant read. continuing story line "
— Alice, 11/26/2013 -
" Total fluff, but not bad. "
— Nanci, 10/16/2013 -
" Like Susan Wittig Alberts characters and the depression era setting was interesting. "
— Margaret, 4/19/2013 -
" I usually don't like "period" themes, but this one is good! "
— Laura, 2/19/2013 -
" I love the charm of these novels. "
— Sherri, 2/18/2013 -
" I love this author and whatever she writes! "
— NancyL, 1/28/2013 -
" I just couldn't get into this series. "
— Rlsalvati, 11/29/2012 -
" This book is hilarious. Set during the 1930's in a little town in Alabama. The book was a fast read and kept me interested. A couple of times, I laughed out loud. I am glad the author put the recipes at the end of the book. I would recommend! "
— Kathy, 9/16/2012 -
" (library)Set in Alabama, 1930. Not China Bayles. WAY too "cozy." (and altho' roughly accurate on 1930 details, wrong when she has somebody light up a Marlboro. That brand didn't come along til the 1950s.) "
— LDuchess, 7/18/2012 -
" I love these southern ladies who are so strong and stick together! This is a fun light read. "
— Natalie, 7/2/2012
About Susan Wittig Albert
Susan Wittig Albert is the author of over 100 books. Her work includes four mystery series: China Bayles, the Darling Dahlias, the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter, and the Robin Paige Victorian mysteries. She has published three award-winning historical novels, as well as young-adult fiction, memoirs, and nonfiction. She serves as an editor of Story Circle Book Reviews and helps to coordinate its online class program.
About Peggity Price
Peggity Price has worked extensively in television and stage, both on and off-Broadway and in regional theatres for over thirty years. She has performed in Australia and Poland and has directed plays for the Barter Theatre and the apprentice company for the Humana New Play Festival at The Actors Theatre of Louisville. Ms. Price is the cofounder and artistic director of the Blue Horse Repertory Company.