2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

Any other topics you’d like to discuss? Your overall opinion of the story?

I'm loving this series so far. It's much better than I expected. I'm also loving Mrs. Ellsworth's superstitions. I remember my grandmother having her tea-leaves read and saying that dropping a spoon (or maybe a knife) meant that you were going to get company. I think all of the things Sarah's neighbor is saying are hilarious.

Forgot to add, I looked up information on the Elephant Hotel that was mentioned in the book. That would have been a sight.

http://www.realclearlife.com/architec...

I added a picture of that hotel to the gallery. Thanks for the reminder.

It's a charming series so I'm glad you ladies are enjoying it so far. It was the first historical mystery, or historical anything, I ever read. I never thought it'd be a genre that appealed to me but I came across the first book one day at a used bookstore and gave it a shot. It ended up introducing me to whole new genre to explore so it will always be a special series to me. The mysteries aren't always the strongest but I think the author creates a good picture of life in turn-of-the-century New York and I enjoy all the little historical tidbits I learned while reading. The real selling points to me though are the characters of Sarah and Frank, the ways that they learn to work together but also the things going on in their individual lives - Sarah with her parents, Frank with Brian.

I am learning so much about this era from this series! The mysteries aren’t real challenging but I don’t think they should be. Frank and Sarah’s relationship is just a perfect icing.

Thanks, Robin for the visual aids. I'd never imagined how big it was and how small (short) NYC was at the time.

When I read the first book, I wondered how the second would strike me. I'm in!

How I wish that elephant was still there! What a fabulous thing:)
I am really enjoying the series and I know how much because I keep wanting to move on to the next one! But I will dutifully wait until March:)

Lol! Same here, Phrynne.

Phrynne wrote: "How I wish that elephant was still there! What a fabulous thing:)
I am really enjoying the series and I know how much because I keep wanting to move on to the next one! But I will dutifully wait un..."

There were once three such elephants in the US but only one survives to this day. Lucy the Elephant still stands in Margate, New Jersey as a national landmark. I don't know if it's as big as the one that used to be a Coney Island but it gives you an idea. The link takes you to a short video with some of the history and a peek inside.

Thanks for the link Veronica. It was nice to go inside the elephant! I doubt if I will ever get to Margate, New Jersey but must say that it has a better beach than Margate, UK.

I try to collect charms for my charm bracelet everywhere I go. A friend was in NJ and brought me back a Lucy the Elephant charm. She said it was a big elephant standing near the boardwalk. I'd never heard of it before. That's an interesting clip, Veronica. If I ever go back to the Atlantic City area, I'll have to see if I can look inside of Lucy.

I'm enjoying this series a lot. I've read up to book #5 and am eagerly awaiting for you all to catch up so I can continue.

Thanks fort he great questions, Jonetta!

You’re welcome!

So far I'm enjoying this series and I'll be looking forward to the 3rd book :)