Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Dinner

Paleontologist Lindsay Attwood is facing an emotional breakdown after letting her daughter go to Mexico to stay with her father for the summer. When her twin sister, Laura, suggests that she come to Texas and neglects to mention to Lindsay the real reason for wanting her to come out, things get interesting. Laura, Lindsay’s twin sister has concocted a plan, along with childhood friend Collie, to get her sister out of Denver to investigate the disappearance of dinosaur tracks at Big Lizard Bottoms, which is located on a ranch that has a “horse psychology” camp. Lindsay will masquerade as a camper, while investigating the disappearance of the tracks.

After accepting her sister’s suggestion, Lindsay heads out to Jubilee Ranch, where the tracks were located. On the way, she meets up with a very large and dirty dog that is half Great Pyrenees. With the dog, which she names “Mr. Grits”, she continues on to the ranch. From there, things begin to get interesting…

Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Diner by Lisa Wingate is a heartwarming tale of a woman learning to relax and not try to control everything. It is a highly entertaining and fun read. The reader can feel entirely comfortable with the story. The story is told in the first person and makes the reader feel that the narrator is speaking directly to them. It is set in the Texas Hill Country, which Ms. Wingate is obviously very familiar with. She brings her story to life with vivid descriptions of the countryside and the people. Her characters are strong and believable. She melds a love story in with a mystery in such a way that the reader can’t help but want more. This reviewer found the book difficult to put down. Ms. Wingate brings sensitivity and love to her storytelling. This story is of a higher caliber than most and easily equals Ms. Wingate’s first book, Tending Roses. This reviewer would readily recommend any of this author’s books to someone looking for a sensitive, heartwarming and mentally stimulating read.

Septmber 2006