The Red Hat Society’s® Queens of Woodlawn Avenue

Regina Hale Sutherland
Warner Books (2006)
ISBN 0446616753
Reviewed by Kristina Patton for Reader Views (6/06)

Tea parties and endless chatter about the weather and men is what comes to mind when I think of a Red Hat Society get-together. Boy, did I have the wrong idea. Regina Hale Sutherland shows us that these get-togethers are all but boring. With mystery, blossoming friendships, heartache, and life lessons through a game of cards, “The Red Hat Society’s Queens of Woodlawn Avenue” is a fun, heartwarming read.

Now, personally, I’ve never sat down to a bridge game, or even watched anyone play. But, by the end of this book, I learned that the rules of bridge and the rules of life are almost one in the same. Sutherland’s elegant writing had me looking for a double meaning around every corner. For example, all of Ellie’s lessons are the titles of the chapters. My favorite of those lessons is called “Becoming a Captain”. Jane, the Queen of Diamonds, tells Ellie that “now that he’s revealed his hand, you can become the captain.” So, this quote refers to 1) the point in bridge where your partner makes her bid, which limits her hand, and you can take the lead, or become the captain with your hand, and 2) when someone you know reveals a secret that you can use to your advantage. Yes, even the Queens resort to blackmail when they feel it necessary.

Sutherland’s cozy characters became my best friends for the weekend. This storyline shows the way that I would want my life to turn out if I were in the same situation as Ellie. Because in the end all the good things were definitely worth all the bad. I found myself hoping for the best and wondering what would happen next. I will definitely be a frequent reader of Sutherland’s upcoming Red Hat Society books. Whether it’s mystery, romance, or friendship that you are seeking, I would recommend this cozy read to anyone who needs comfort food for the soul.

Make comment on weblog