Lesley Kagen, Land of a Hundred Wonders

Land of a Hundred Wonders

Lesley Kagen

NAL, Aug 2008, $14.00

ISBN: 9780451224095

In 1970 the car accident that killed her parents left Gibby McGrew with a brain injury that caused some damage that her grandpa calls not quite right (NQR). Three years later, the twenty something Gibby lives with her grandpa and works at his Top O'the Mornin' Diner and Pumps in Cray Ridge, Kentucky. Her dream of becoming a big city investigative reporter was smashed when her brain was dented on the day she became an orphan.

However, Gibby refuses to totally give up on her goal. She produces the weekly Gabby's Gazette that patrons of her grandpa's diner can pick up a copy on Fridays. However she sees an opportunity to prove to her grandpa that though she will never be quite right, she can function quite nicely. Gibby has found the murdered corpse of the alleged next state governor, Mr. Buster 'Butter' Malloy. She plans to solve the case.

Gibby hooks the audience from the onset and keeps our empathy throughout with her NQIR chick lit asides. Her commentary along with a strong support cast make for a delightful historical regional investigative tale. Fans will appreciate Land Of A Hundred Wonders due to the guide displaying an appreciative outlook for life more so than most people who are allegedly quite right. She is a 'shoe-in' to gain reader admiration for her can do lifestyle.

Harriet Klausner