Miss Benson's Beetle

This book was almost good. It would have been 4 stars if the author eliminated Mr. Mundic and all of the slurs that the they felt way too comfortable incorporating. He was so unnecessary and offensive. This story did not need him in the slightest. The dog wouldn't have had to die either. I'm so mad because I loved Margery and Enid. Their friendship and how they grew together was beautiful. The mystery behind Enid's identity and what she did was hilarious. I loved that she got her baby and they found the beetle. Ugh. It really could have been 4 stars.

It was the drawing that did it. That cruel drawing from one of her students. And the laughter when they saw Margery Benson look at the drawing and realize it was of her. Margery quit teaching and decided to pursue her life's dream, finding the golden beetle of New Caledonia. To help her, she hires an assistant who, at first look, is grossly unqualified but is the only real applicant. Margery herself is ill-prepared for this adventure. But off they go.

Everything I love in a story is in this book. I don't want to say too much about what happens and give anything away. So that's it. A marvelous story.