Paul Milliron, his father and two younger brothers are living in the fall of 1909 on a Montana homestead, doing perfectly fine except that their mother died the year before. Then their father spies an advertisement in a newspaper from a widow offering her services as housekeeper. Even though she claims “Can’t cook but doesn’t bite” and the family could really use a good cook, the family brings her in from Minnesota.

Rose Llewellyn arrives on the train with her brother, Morris Morgan, in tow. The arrival of the pair changes life for the Milliron clan, as they become more a part of the life of the family and their neighbors than anyone would have anticipated.

The Whistling Season is a lovely book, light on its feet, with charming characters who are fully realized and a vivid setting. It is very satisfying reading.

Rated: Mild, for a few uses of mild language and a couple uses of more moderate language.