THE TEA-OLIVE BIRD WATCHING SOCIETY

Author: Augusta Trobaugh ISBN: 0452287499 8/2006 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: PLUME

In a story replete with coconut cake, grits, and poisoned turtle stew, the founding members of the Tea-Olive Bird Watching Society in tiny Tea-Olive, Georgia, are conspiring to murder retired judge L. Hyson Breed, a newcomer to Tea-Olive. It all begins when the judge tricks one of them into marriage, steals her land for a development project, and sweet talks his way right onto the town council. By the time they discover his evil plans the judge is already a permanent fixture in town. Or is he?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Augusta Trobaugh's new release is THE TEA-OLIVE BIRD WATCHING SOCIETY. It's an entertaining mix of dark humor and Southern congeniality. The bonds of friendship between these prim and proper ladies are strong enough to make them think of doing the unthinkable. Just watch out for the turtle soup!

What happens between the ladies of the Tea-Olive Bird Watching Society, stays between the ladies of the Tea-Olive Bird Watching Society; especially if they are contemplating "exterminating" the new husband of one of their members and dearest friends. What begins as a story about five ladies, who not only love to go bird watching but also are the very best of friends, quickly turns into a dark comedy of "taking care of each other" and "doing what needs to be done." You don't honestly think that these proper women of society are going to call themselves prospective murderers, do you?

This is when the fun starts. I have to honestly say that I laughed out loud reading how these women plan on murdering their friend's new husband. There is a scene in the book that involves a turtle, a porcelain bathtub, a knife and a band-aid. I laughed so hard I had to put the book down and dry my eyes.

On a serious note, it is a book about the bonds of true friendship and how far friends will go to ensure the happiness and safety of each other. Trobaugh ingeniously wrote a story that at times is rip roaring funny, and at other times incredibly heartbreaking.

THE TEA-OLIVE BIRD WATCHING SOCIETY is a clever read that if I had to compare it to anything, it would be like watching Steel Magnolias and Goodfellas made into one movie. If I learned one thing while reading this book, it is that nobody messes with the members of the Tea-Olive Bird Watching Society and lives to tell about it!

I'd suggest spending a little time reading about the ladies from Augusta Trobaugh's THE TEA-OLIVE BIRD WATCHING SOCIETY.

Julie Kornhausl