Still Life (The Books of Elsewhere #5) by Jacqueline West

Winter has arrived and Olive fears that Aldous McMartin is still out there, watching, waiting and biding his time. What his plans are, she really doesn't know.    Olive and the cats are still protecting the house but there are questions that have been left unanswered.  Olive is determined to put all the pieces of the puzzle together, but with Morton behaving strangely and hiding secrets of his own things just got more difficult. Rutherford, his grandmother and Walter are still ever present and are helping Olive try to find Morton's missing parents.  As secrets begin to become revealed, Olive learns that sometimes it might best to "let some secrets lie."  


 I'd held off from reading Still Life for sometime.  I hated to see one of my favorite series ending.  So, I decided to wait for colder weather, curl up on the couch with my furry companion and a warm cup of coffee and then read Olive's final story.    I've always loved how West portrays Olive as a normal girl living with these two mathematical geniuses. This somewhat shy girl who is brave, trustworthy and  a steadfast loyal friend. Olive has come a long way across the five books.  This girl who is also inquisitive and wants to know the truth wherever it may lead.   Throughout she has been there for Morton, her neighbors, her cat companions and even for her home. This beautiful old Victorian house, a setting filled with mystery.  There is such charm inside  the Dunwoody house with its creaks and long stairwells.  So much history.  Still Life takes all this history of the home and the mysteries surrounding the McMartin family and delivers a satisfying conclusion.   I loved how each book in the series covered a new season and seamlessly felt like a transition from one to the next.  The story felt slightly creepy and dark, but not too scary, especially when Aldous McMartin's true intentions came to light.  Oh and the ending, what a wonderful way to wrap things up. Overall, I have adored this captivating series.  Mrs. West pairs the right amount of creepiness, with beautifully descriptive, poetic words that I hope to revisit again and again.   



"The art teacher beamed around the classroom.  Today, a blue silk scarf was wrapped around her head, making her frizzy red hair shoot up like strawberry pop exploding from a bottle."


My review copy was purchased.