What do you think?
Rate this book
Bellingwood #17
Marks in a Lifetime
Polly Giller is having difficulty motivating people in town to dig into a mystery she uncovered at the Bell House. Finding two metal boxes hidden in an old fireplace mantle might change that. In fact, she's about to insist. In the meantime, life at the Bell House is never boring. The chaos of construction, moving, growing kids, life ... there's always something going on. Thank goodness for terrific friends and endless amounts of coffee. Even when she should be doing something else, Polly finds a reason to drop in at Sweet Beans Coffee Shop and Bakery. Sometimes all it takes is seeing a friend's car parked in front. Aaron Merritt and his deputies are trying to find out who is breaking into the homes of elderly women. So far, the thieves haven't gotten to Bellingwood, but they've been in other parts of the county. It's just a matter of time. Little do those men realize it, but Bellingwood is the last place they want to show up. This is a community where people watch out for each other, and once they hit Polly's radar, she's not afraid to create a little chaos of her own to stop them. The townspeople are becoming a bigger part of Polly's life every day. You will get to know many of them better in "Marks in a Lifetime" and, like Polly, you'll fall in love with these fabulous characters.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 18, 2017
I love the Bellingwood series. I think I read 1 - 15 one after the other and just didn't want to stop. When I found that there were two more I got so excited. This particular one was a bit different from the others. For one, no dead bodies. But there was still a couple of mysteries going on in this daily life of a small town.
I believe one of the best things I love about these books is that they remind us of how important friends are and the love we have with them and family. And most of all, a family does not just mean about those that we are related to by blood.
I believe one of the best things I love about these books is that they remind us of how important friends are and the love we have with them and family. And most of all, a family does not just mean about those that we are related to by blood.
April 19, 2021
Bell House
Polly is certainly a busy person. The family keeps growing and are now living and working on Bell House. While tearing a mantle off a wall they discovered two metal boxes. The items discovered caused Polly to investigate about what happened at the hotel. What was really happening in Bellingwood when it was first built? She also saved people and caught some bad individuals. What is going to happen next? Good reading.
Polly is certainly a busy person. The family keeps growing and are now living and working on Bell House. While tearing a mantle off a wall they discovered two metal boxes. The items discovered caused Polly to investigate about what happened at the hotel. What was really happening in Bellingwood when it was first built? She also saved people and caught some bad individuals. What is going to happen next? Good reading.
May 29, 2026
new friends and new adventures
Polly continues to be unstoppable in her daily tasks. She and Henry continue to love each other and their love grows to include all the new people in their lives. The new Bell house is coming along. Mysteries are being solved and lots of coffee is being drunk.
Always fun!
Polly continues to be unstoppable in her daily tasks. She and Henry continue to love each other and their love grows to include all the new people in their lives. The new Bell house is coming along. Mysteries are being solved and lots of coffee is being drunk.
Always fun!
July 30, 2017
I Love These Books
I have read every one of these books and I love them. They are easy to read. No sex. No violence. Just stories about the families involved. It's very hard to find books like these without having a lot of religion involved. Just stories about people
I have read every one of these books and I love them. They are easy to read. No sex. No violence. Just stories about the families involved. It's very hard to find books like these without having a lot of religion involved. Just stories about people
March 8, 2018
A fun read. What is needed more in today's communities
These books are wonderful and unique. What draws me to them is the special friendships the women have with each other. If we had more of this--the world would be different.
These books are wonderful and unique. What draws me to them is the special friendships the women have with each other. If we had more of this--the world would be different.
November 12, 2018
Love this series
I have enjoyed this series, what trouble will Polly get into, the love of Henry Polly have, the unconditional love of others, pollys friendship with the people of bellingwood.
I have enjoyed this series, what trouble will Polly get into, the love of Henry Polly have, the unconditional love of others, pollys friendship with the people of bellingwood.
May 11, 2020
Surprisingly fabulous
This series really has me reading day in day out. Diane is a great storyteller. When I read the words ‘spoken’ by the jeweler, I heard him as a NY Jewish man. I love this series. Read it. Got it?
This series really has me reading day in day out. Diane is a great storyteller. When I read the words ‘spoken’ by the jeweler, I heard him as a NY Jewish man. I love this series. Read it. Got it?
August 29, 2020
I really enjoy these books about the area where I grew up. This book has a new twist in that Polly does not find any dead bodies but she is still fighting crime and solving mysteries. A wonderful, delightful read.
March 30, 2022
Lova Kitchen
Another great read. I really like how the towns people are there to help each other. I like the excitement of what goes on in the town. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Another great read. I really like how the towns people are there to help each other. I like the excitement of what goes on in the town. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
December 26, 2022
Polly is busy in this book, from renovations to the Bell house to helping little old ladies to entertaining guests. Will her efforts prove to be productive? Only time will tell.
I love reading this series and look forward to the next book.
I love reading this series and look forward to the next book.
December 18, 2023
Marks in a Lifetime by Diane Greenwood Muir - Bellingwood # 17
Oh how much I truly enjoyed this book! Polly saves not 1, but 2 older ladies from a couple of dirt bag thieves! And not one dead body to be found 😊
Oh how much I truly enjoyed this book! Polly saves not 1, but 2 older ladies from a couple of dirt bag thieves! And not one dead body to be found 😊
March 26, 2017
Marks
Another great and wonderful book in the bellingwood series.
It was a Nice surprise,this time it was a little different and I totally love it .
Come to Bellingwood .you will love it there its like coming home.
If you read this book please leave a honest review
Another great and wonderful book in the bellingwood series.
It was a Nice surprise,this time it was a little different and I totally love it .
Come to Bellingwood .you will love it there its like coming home.
If you read this book please leave a honest review
April 10, 2017
K
Love the Bellingwood community. So many towns used to be like that and have since lost so very much in the hussle and bustsle of life
Love the Bellingwood community. So many towns used to be like that and have since lost so very much in the hussle and bustsle of life
July 10, 2017
Great book
I can not tell you how much I love this series ..On to the next one..I wonder what or who. Polly will find next
I can not tell you how much I love this series ..On to the next one..I wonder what or who. Polly will find next
July 24, 2017
Bellingwood 17
Polly rescues live people this time. Lots of chaos after moving into Bell house but good mysteries and excitement too.
Polly rescues live people this time. Lots of chaos after moving into Bell house but good mysteries and excitement too.
January 2, 2018
one of my favorite series - love the characters and plotss
January 4, 2019
This was a great addition to the series. Not quite as active as the others. Can't wait to read Book 18.
March 27, 2019
My favorite author
My favorite author has done it again. Her charades are warm and believable. Her plots are awesome and I am glad to see her books.
My favorite author has done it again. Her charades are warm and believable. Her plots are awesome and I am glad to see her books.
July 21, 2019
Great story
I think this may be my favorite installment so far. Love the mysteries to solve without the murders. Learning the history of a place whether real or fictional is fun for me. And I love the interactions between all the characters. Can't wait to jump into the next book.
I think this may be my favorite installment so far. Love the mysteries to solve without the murders. Learning the history of a place whether real or fictional is fun for me. And I love the interactions between all the characters. Can't wait to jump into the next book.
June 7, 2020
Really good book
Love Bellingwood books. You never know what's gonna happen next with Polly. Lovely ready-made family. Really glad she solves her problem.
Love Bellingwood books. You never know what's gonna happen next with Polly. Lovely ready-made family. Really glad she solves her problem.
June 21, 2020
Wonderful adventures, as usual!
Every time I finish., a book, I can hardly wait to jump right back into the next to see what happens!! Always the unexpected and lots of adventures!
Every time I finish., a book, I can hardly wait to jump right back into the next to see what happens!! Always the unexpected and lots of adventures!
July 21, 2020
Yeah Humboldt
Loved that my hometown got a mention in this book. Love the entire series !! Would highly recommend to anyone
Loved that my hometown got a mention in this book. Love the entire series !! Would highly recommend to anyone
July 8, 2017
Polly wants to solve the mystery of the strange symbol at the Bell house, but no one in town wants to talk about it. What in the world happened 100 years ago?
To make matters worse, someone is attacking elderly women and stealing from them. Once Polly gets involved, it's just a matter of time before they're caught.
Life is never quiet in Bellingwood!
Followed by Vignettes Book 9:
1. "Coffee, Please"
(Nate is grumpy to everyone at the pharmacy until Joss brings in coffee and muffins from Sweet Beans)
2. "Outtakes"
(A reprise of Book 1, Chapter 10. Polly says she's in touch with Diane Muir, and Beryl, Lydia, and Andy each have a request)
3. "Let's Go Out"
(With both Jason and Andrew out of the house for the evening, Sylvie and Eliseo go on a date)
4. "Dance for It"
(Dylan & Lisa Foster spend an evening at home)
To make matters worse, someone is attacking elderly women and stealing from them. Once Polly gets involved, it's just a matter of time before they're caught.
Life is never quiet in Bellingwood!
Followed by Vignettes Book 9:
1. "Coffee, Please"
(Nate is grumpy to everyone at the pharmacy until Joss brings in coffee and muffins from Sweet Beans)
2. "Outtakes"
(A reprise of Book 1, Chapter 10. Polly says she's in touch with Diane Muir, and Beryl, Lydia, and Andy each have a request)
3. "Let's Go Out"
(With both Jason and Andrew out of the house for the evening, Sylvie and Eliseo go on a date)
4. "Dance for It"
(Dylan & Lisa Foster spend an evening at home)
June 6, 2017
I think I've read everything in the Bellingwood series. The books are a bit slow with so much detail... like what they're eating, how a recipe is made, or who is walking the dogs... but you find yourself being pulled in by the great characters and their relationships with each other. Now when a new book comes out, I get excited to go home to Bellingwood again!
July 20, 2017
Excellent
This is a superb series that I love. They make me laugh, cry and think. Everything one needs from a good book. I really love this particular book as there are two special storylines that are resolved.
This is a superb series that I love. They make me laugh, cry and think. Everything one needs from a good book. I really love this particular book as there are two special storylines that are resolved.
October 30, 2018
She didn't find a body.
It took 17 books but she found her victims alive not dead. Can it possibly continue? At least she caught the villains. The only problem is She's not seeing much of her friends. Can we bring them back in?
It took 17 books but she found her victims alive not dead. Can it possibly continue? At least she caught the villains. The only problem is She's not seeing much of her friends. Can we bring them back in?
March 26, 2017
Great Story
I loved getting back to Bellingwood again. It is a wonderful happy place. Diane your stories grab me in from page 1 all the way to the end. Thanks for sharing your talent with us. Can't wait for the next book.
I loved getting back to Bellingwood again. It is a wonderful happy place. Diane your stories grab me in from page 1 all the way to the end. Thanks for sharing your talent with us. Can't wait for the next book.
March 26, 2017
Love the Bellingwood series
Just finished reading # 17. Can't wait for #18. Wish you could write faster or I could read slower. I really enjoy your stories.
Just finished reading # 17. Can't wait for #18. Wish you could write faster or I could read slower. I really enjoy your stories.
March 27, 2017
You won't believe this, Polly found no dead bodies, LOL.
I love this series, having grown up in the Midwest in a small town, I can really relate to Bellingwood. Polly and her ever-growing family, are now living in Bell House, amid the chaos of renovations. Finding metal boxes in the fireplace mantle, confronting strange men roaming around Sycamore House, a little girl who can't find her mother is keeping Polly plenty busy as she attempts to solve all the mysteries. This is an excellent read, and I encourage everyone who enjoys good clean family mysteries to give this series a try, you won't be disappointed.
I love this series, having grown up in the Midwest in a small town, I can really relate to Bellingwood. Polly and her ever-growing family, are now living in Bell House, amid the chaos of renovations. Finding metal boxes in the fireplace mantle, confronting strange men roaming around Sycamore House, a little girl who can't find her mother is keeping Polly plenty busy as she attempts to solve all the mysteries. This is an excellent read, and I encourage everyone who enjoys good clean family mysteries to give this series a try, you won't be disappointed.
March 28, 2017
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning. The characters are so well fleshed out that I feel like I know them personally. I find myself wondering what they are going to get into next. The mystery in this book was well done too, and something that I think actually could have happened in some small towns. I like that she is getting more into social justice, and diversity, and that her town is having some growing pains. I am glad that her daughter isn't perfect any more, that she does bratty things on occasion.
The author maintains a great website with drawings of the town and floor plans of the buildings she writes about, which is nice. She is also very responsive when you have questions, and she has an active social media presence, which I find that I like very much. These books are written every quarter, I think the next one will be coming out on June 25th, and you can bet I will be waiting at midnight on the 24th to download it!
The author maintains a great website with drawings of the town and floor plans of the buildings she writes about, which is nice. She is also very responsive when you have questions, and she has an active social media presence, which I find that I like very much. These books are written every quarter, I think the next one will be coming out on June 25th, and you can bet I will be waiting at midnight on the 24th to download it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews