Great humor! Good for light reading. ( )

I received this from the Library Thing Early Reviewer program with the understanding that I would review it here. I had read a number of Rita Mae Brown's other books, but not met the Runnymede series. This is an addition to that after hiatus. It follows a cast of women in a small town just after WWI. Interesting and fun to follow characters in an interesting time.

Rita Mae never disappoints. I'd not read anything previous to Cakewalk dealing with the Runnymede series, but as I always enjoy immersing myself in Rita Mae's worlds, I felt no hesitation in requesting an Early Reviewer's copy. To those who are still unfamiliar with Runymede and the Hunsenmeier sisters, Cakewalk functions well as a stand-alone book. The characters are warm and familiar, and sometimes, at the perfect moment, maybe just a little bit snarky. I think that I'll go hunt up an earlier Runnymede book and settle back into Rita Mae Brown's world that could've/should've been. ( )

I was happy to see the return of the Hunsenmeier sisters! Brown has nobly resisted her tendency, notable in her recent Sneaky Pie mysteries, to put speeches into the mouths of her characters. In this book, they have actual conversations.

I quite liked this book. First, the characters are interesting and full of personality and depth. Second, the historical details are fun and nostalgic. Third, nothing terrible happens to anyone. In a world where so many terrible things are happening, and where it seems that there must be at least one terrible, tragic twist in every book, this was refreshing. Fourth, it makes you think about love and relationships, and the place of women in the world then (the 20's) and now. Five, it's just good story telling. Fun details, great characters, romance, humor, and a little kitty too. What more could you ask for? This is another winner for Ms. Brown, and I hope she writes about these characters again. ( )