My Troubles

Margaret & Bitsy Mystery Series #2

by Molly MacRae

Southern sisters Margaret and Bitsy have been entertaining mystery readers since 1990. Seven of their stories appeared first in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.The sisters live in Stonewall, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where Margaret owns and runs a bookstore.Bitsy’s inclination to butt in and either wrest control or wreak havoc keeps Margaret contemplating rules for living, such as “lock all doors and windows anytime you see Bitsy coming.”

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 11, 2014

About the author

Molly MacRae spent twenty years in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Upper East Tennessee, where she managed The Book Place, an independent bookstore; may it rest in peace.

Before the lure of books hooked her, she was curator of the history museum in Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town.

MacRae lives with her family in Champaign, Illinois, where she connects children with books at the public library.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming volume of short stories about Margaret (narrator, bookstore owner, and adult kid sister) and her censorious older sister Bitsy (perfectly dressed, perfect housewife, and critic of all things Margaret, especially her on-again, off-again boyfriend) introduces characters from MacRae's novel "Lawn Order." Their elderly cousin Leona, who lives next door to Margaret in the determinedly quaint Blue Ridge town of Stonewall, adds her own touch to the stories, most of which are only peripherally concerned with crime, though there are many mysteries involved. Humorous and enjoyable, they are too-little known, but well worth the effort of finding.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make sure to read "Lawn Order" first. I'm not sure what order they were published in, but they read better that way.

This is a collection of light mysteries, with a murder or two thrown in.


Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of short stories was recommended by another reader and I'm glad they brought this author to my attention, I loved this collection. Sisters Bitsy and Margaret, along with their elderly cousin Leona, are very entertaining. There's plenty of sibling disputes to keep the stories going. I swear they remind me of my Mother and her sisters. Cousin Leona has lots of good advice for them both...when she's got herself together, that is. She is really a hoot. Theres a little romance, as well. I would definitely recommend this collection to anyone who likes short stories and cozy mysteries. I can't wait to read more by this author.