Bramton Wick (1952) by Elizabeth Fair

 

💙 I still find it quite hard to believe that Bramton Wick was Elizabeth Fair's debut novel. It doesn't feel amateurish the way she had interwoven so many characters into one coherent story. Bramton Wick is an English rural country side, the setting of this cheerful slice-of-life story in the aftermath of WWII, where ration coupons were still in use, and fuel is a luxury. Fair opened this by introducing her characters, bringing us from one cottage to the mansion; from one family to other residents. As usual, there is a healthy mix of eccentricity and pompousness to spice up the plot. First there's the pompous Lady Masters with her son Toby, who was tyrannized by his mother; then the Coles who've been living in Lady Masters' house before moving to a humbler place - Mrs. Cole lives with her daughters: war widow Gillian and the dreamy Laura.

💙 Next, there's the Misses Cleeves, whose poverty doesn't diminish their dignified place in Bramton. But, when they are quite dull (excepting Pussy-the-gossip-monger), there are the other spinsters who're more interesting: Miss Selbourne and Miss Garret, who had first met when they drove ambulances during the war, and now live together as dogs breeder. Besides those spinsters, we also have two middle-aged bachelors living in Bramton Wick to balance the equation (and to create one or two love-is-in-the-air situation). A young man called Jocelyn (Isn't Jocelyn a girl's name? It is where I live) was added to the mix, being a nephew of a Major Worthy and his wife. 

💙 At first it seems we don't have any definite plot. Just the interaction of these people and several events, like a dog show, which create the usual stir in a small village. But later on I realized that it is centered, at least, upon one family. And the issue that bind the whole story together is romance. The characters are mostly amiable, each with his or her own eccentricity; and they were nicely portrayed. The little village dynamic is plausible and felt as charmingly as one would expect in this kind of story. My only regret is the abrupt manner which Fair ended the story. I realize that this is called slice-of-life story for a reason. However, I would prefer to get a slightly more neatly tying-up of the many lose ends of every character. Or perhaps, just the one other than the main character. I mean, it's such ashamed to waste the entire characters to focus only on one of them, isn't it? But on the whole, this is just the perfect comfortable read to close a day.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Woods in Winter (1970) by Stella Gibbons #DeanStreetDecember25

❄️ The story centers on Ivy Gover, a thrice-widowed char woman, who inherited a cottage in the countryside of Little Warby. Ivy's eccentric character is the backbone of the story. She has a gypsy-strand from her ancestors, and it reflects on her longing of freedom and solitude, now that she is in her fifties. The cottage was in bad condition when she inherits it, but it doesn't concern her much. Accompanied by a rescued dog, a pigeon, and a host of several other creatures (fox and cockroaches included), she leads a carefree life which disgusted others, but suits herself.

❄️ The rough beauty of winter landscape in the woodland and Ivy's solitude existence surrounds by animals and nature are two dominant elements in this book, and I think not everyone would be charmed by these two qualities. But for an introverted like me, who is tired of the modern life's buzz, they provide a perfect escape. If only I can live carefree like Ivy - not to the extent of ignoring sanitation (the cockroaches really annoyed me) - but living on my own, without burden of constantly keeping respectability or appearances, or the worst - social convention, is what I always dream of. ❄️ However, despite of Ivy's keep-herself-to-herself kind of life, she, nevertheless, has certain effects upon her neighbors or people who interact with her. These 'satellites', so to speak, consist of a Lord Gowerville - who's lenient to her eccentricities after Ivy cured his beloved dog; Helen Green - Ivy's former boss - who's considering marrying an old flame; sisters Coral and Pearl Cartaret who has just opened a tea shop; the young vicar who fell head-over-heels with Pearl, and last but certainly not least, a runaway boy who shows up at Ivy's door one snowy evening, and became attached to her in no time. Despite of her intention of living as recluse, Ivy has had some dealings with them all, some time or other. And it just shows us the challenges of living in solitude and defying social conventions. I would have loved this more had the cockroaches didn't make appearances at Ivy's cottage. I'm okay with the idea of ignoring appearances, but living with cockroaches is too much for me. Hence, the half stars less from the rating. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐1/2

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Dean Street December 2025 hosted by Liz @ Adventures in reading, running and working from home

Mrs. Lorimer's Quiet Summer (1953) by Molly Clavering #DeanStreetDecember25

✍🏻 Mrs. Lorimer's Quiet Summer is an autobiographical novel on Molly Clavering's friendship with D.E. Stevenson; both were women writers at that time. Lucy Lorimer, from whose point of view the story was told, was neighbor to D.E. Stevenson, the more successful of the two, though by no means the more talented. In my opinion, both were talented, though each had her own style in writing. Molly Clavering was represented in this story by Grace 'Gray' Douglas, a spinster neighbor and closest friend of Mrs. Lorimer. If their characters did truly represent both writers, I was surprised to learn that their writings were the opposite of their true characters. I thought D.E. Stevenson (in Lucy Lorimer) would have been more meek and sweet in writing, while Gray Douglas' (in Molly Clavering) would be more intense. But I found Molly Clavering's is more suitable to Lucy Lorimer's than the other way round. Very interesting!

✍🏻 Mrs. Lorimer was married to Jack Lorimer, and on that titular summer (which was a far cry from "quiet"), was expecting her offspring and their families came for holiday. They were consisted of three married couple, and Guy Lorimer - still a bachelor who had just been broken hearted over a broken engagement. One couple and Guy were staying at Miss Douglas', since the Lorimers' was fully occupied. You might imagine the chaos on these occasion - I'm very glad that I never married, because things like these would have distressed me a lot! Anyway, Lucy had bitten off more than she could chew; what with marriage problem of her daughter, a serious illness of the other, and love affair of the son. Not mentioning, the arrival of an old flame to her door. In all that time, only Gray's peaceful company and advice (and a cup of tea at the right time) that helped Lucy to stay cool and collected. I loved their picnic on the river bank, especially, where they sit "on a grassy bank with a young river talking quietly to itself at their feet and a heather-scented breeze drifting overhead."
✍🏻 If you ask me whether this is a good story, I can't answer you. Because, frankly, this isn't the usual story with plot or structure. This is just a snippet of the three main characters' lives (Mrs. and Mr. Lorimer, and Gray Douglas) during a particular summer, with all the quiet as well as the stormy times. They, and the only outsiders in this story, the Smellies, who lived in a charming house that Mrs. Lorimer had been wanting to buy herself, but was rejected by her husband. The Smellies (what a name!) consisted of a Mr. Smellie and her daughter Nesta Rowena. She hated her name, and preferred 'Rona' as the Lorimers nicknamed her. I thought Nesta Rowena is a charming name. I would have been proud to be called that, rather than Rona, which sounds childish. It would have been a nice name for a pet, though... :)

✍🏻 All in all, this is a charming and comfortable read during the hectic days which usually happen near end of the year. I loved Mrs. Lorimer's and Miss Douglas' friendship, loved the developing romance between Guy Lorimer (my favorite of the offspring) and Nesta Rowena Smellie (I loved her unique character and sensible personality). Many thanks to Dean Street Press for bringing this book up from the dead into our current literary world!
 

Read for:

Dean Street December 2025

hosted by Liz @  Adventures in reading, running and working from home

Three Different Genres I've Enjoyed Recently: Mini Reviews

I have successively enjoyed three books from three different genres: one is a young-adult fantasy, the other a Golden Age mystery. The last one is a book from the middlebrow collection of Dean Street Press. I loved them all, and here's why...

Book of a Thousand Days (2007) by Shannon Hale

💙 This story was reimagined from a Grimm's fairy tale (an obscure one, which I doubt you've ever read - I haven't even heard of it). It becomes a sort of fairy tale, set in medieval Mongolia. Young Dashti is an orphaned commoner girl, who's brought up in steppes. After her parents died, she got a job as a lady's maid of Lady Saren, whose father is imprisoning her for seven years in a tower, for refusing to marry a wicked and cruel Lord Khasar. When Dashti agreed to serve her lady in imprisonment - for seven years, no less - I instantly loved her character. Serving here isn't just in the ordinary way, Lady Saren asked Dashti to pretend to be her, whenever Khan Tegus - Lady Saren's betrothed - came secretly to the tower. Thus I learned that Lady Saren isn't just a spoilt or lonely gentry girl, there's something dark and mysterious lurking in her heart. The mystery revealed when they have been out of the tower. Another thing revealed is that the Titor's Garden, the Realm whence they came, had been destroyed by Lord Khasar. Homeless and fearful, Dashti must save and protect her lady. But where could she go? And how could she do that by herself?

💙 All in all, it's a wonderful tale. There's enough of everything for everyone - the romance, the humour, the battle, the exotic background. And the story is told from Dashti's point of view, as a diary. When you read a diary of a pleasant and interesting character, it's bound to be entertaining. Add that with a medieval realm in Mongolian, well... like I said, a wonderful tale, is what you'll get.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Crook o' Lune (1953) by E.C.R. Lorac

🧡 Derived from the idyllic rural village in England, Lunesdale, E.C.R. Lorac presented a mystery set in High Gimmerdale, in the same dale. Chief Inspector Robert Macdonald is on holiday, and aiming to learn more about farming - an occupation of his dream after future retirement. However, when an arson and sheep-stealing cases took place, he couldn't say no when the local constable asked him to co-investigate. The fire was aimed to destroy Gilbert Woolfall's - the current owner of Aikengill - study. But his housekeeper was also found dead because of the fire. Who would have the motive? Was it the vicar, who resented the lose of a stipend; or the shepherd and his bethroted, who were promised by Gilbert Woolfall to stay at Aikengill if the housekeeper handed in her notice? Or was it only a decoy to smoothen a sheep-stealing scheme? 

🧡 I have realized from quite the beginning of the story, that its main attraction wouldn't be the mystery itself, but the vivid description of the beautiful countryside, the farming's hardship, and the people, which Lorac made live with her wonderful penmanship. You'd feel as though you yourself are making a holiday in Lunsdale, and breathing its countryside air. The result is a refreshing novel with an entertaining mystery. For once, I didn't try to guess the whodunnit or howdunnit, but just flowed with the story.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ten Way Street (1941) by Susan Scarlett

🤎 I have enjoyed some of Susan Scarlett's (pseudonym of Noel Streatfeild) novels before, and this one is no different. Number ten of Way Street is the the abode of an actress called Margot Cardew, with her three children. And that's where Beverley Shaw had landed her first job as governess right after finishing the training, provided by the orphanage school, where she had come from. Beverly is a spirited young woman with positive attitude, ready to bring the three unruly children to their better selves. Peter Crewdson, Margot's admirer and friend to the children, saw Beverley as Joan of Arc. You know the drill... a governess to work her way to the children's heart that they're afraid of losing her, again. Then a handsome guy fell in love with her, triggering jealousy, not only from the children, but their temperamental narcistic mother too.

🤎 As were with all Susan Scarlett's, though the premise is predictable, the story was woven skillfully, and the characters are perfectly drawn. The result is a delightful story and a page turner - I knew how it will end, but still, there'd be little surprises along the way - that in the end, I sighed contentedly after "the end". What more would you ask?

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Because of Sam (1954) by Molly Clavering #DeanStreetDecember

🐶 After my satisfying read of Molly Clavering's Near Neighbours, I decided to take one more of hers for my final entry of #DeanStreetDecember. Because of Sam was my choice, and what a perfect one it proved to be!

🐶 Upon his death, Millie Maitland's husband left her almost nothing besides their house, Fernieknowe, and their only daughter Amabel. So bleak their condition were, that Millie's lawyer, Mr. Ramsay, proposed Millie to marry him. She wisely rejected it, and made a living as a dog boarder, or in modern day, household dog care facility - a rare occupation, let alone of women, at that time.

🐶 She's saved by an inheritance from her husband's great aunt, though it was given to Amabel. But Millie is a kindhearted, generous woman who doesn't grudge the slight injustice, but lives peacefully on her meagre income from her dogs, and the company of the acerbic and sharp-tongued daughter Amabel.

🐶 Now, in her middle age, two middle-aged men entered her peaceful existence. One is Mr. Martin Heriot, who, besides enjoying her company and homely cooking, asked Millie to take Sam, a black Labrador belongs to his 'cousin'. Millie suspects that Martin's frequent visits to Fernieknowe aren't just to see Sam's condition - it must be that he's in love with Amabel - or is he? The other frequented is Mr. Ramsay, the lawyer. Amabel suspects he's renewing his proposal to her mother, which she witnessed years ago - but is he?

🐶 That kind of romance is good, but would be rather dull without complications, isn't it? Enter the beautiful Mrs. Noble, whose husband has been abroad, and for whom men usually lose their heads. Martin Heriot seemed to be her first 'victim', though later on she moved her course to newly married Jack Ross. The Rosses are Millie's friends, and she's fond of them. So, when things seemed out of control, she came to the rescue.

🐶 On the whole, it's a charming, comforting, heartwarming story - the quality you expect from Molly Clavering. She did it again to me, and I'm sure I'll continue reading her books, at least for #DeanStreetDesember. Molly Clavering was D.E. Stevenson's friend and neighbor. They have similar writing styles, but I find Molly's more gentle but satisfying. She's my newly found favorite author of the year!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Read this for:

Dean Street December #DeanStreetDecember

hosted by Liz @ Adventures in reading, running and working from home

Kate Hardy (1947) by D.E. Stevenson #DeanStreetDecember

💚 When a lady bought the Dower House which Mr. Richard Morven from the Manor House had put for sale, it piqued the curiosity of the whole village of Old Quinings. The lady is Kate Hardy, a best seller novelist who impulsively bought the house to escape from her self-centered sister Milly and her spoiled niece Minta, whom she had brought to live with her at her London flat after the war.

💚 Kate, who had expected to be able to write peacefully in the countryside, was quite surprised by the variety of characters she encountered daily. Not mentioning the village life drama in the postwar; from the possible romance for herself between the estate owner (whom everyone believes is a suitable candidate for her) and the village war-hero, the son of her cleaning woman; to a poison pen campaign, and childish games.

💚 Like any D.E. Stevenson's, this one is a charming story of an independent woman, a city girl who lives and tries to mingle with the villagers. As a single woman with self income and self confidence, Kate faces what women like her at that era faces - bloodsucker relatives and gossips. I could well relate with Kate in how she hates, and tends to avoid, drama. Like her, I also find relatives are quite annoying sometimes. And like her, too, it is rather difficult to find friend who really understands me, and with whom I can find an equal. 

💚 On the whole, Kate Hardy is a comforting, witty, and funny story, sprinkled with a bit of mystery, superstition, and romance. Oh, and a glimpse of daily life of an author. It might not be my favorite from Stevenson (I found it less neatly ended), but I still enjoyed it very much.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Read this for:

Dean Street December #DeanStreetDecember

hosted by Liz @ Adventures in reading, running and working from home

A Winter Away (1957) by Elizabeth Fair #DeanStreetDecember

💜 Maud left her overbearing stepmother to stay with her relative in the countryside: cousin Alice and her companion Miss Conway or Con. Her cousin had arranged a job for Maud, as secretary to an old eccentric miser: Mr. Feniston, or Old M.

💜 Maud herself is a shy and 'delicate' girl. The kind that unfortunate incidents often befall onto. I think the center of her problem is her stepmother; she grew up lacking of confidence, and this makes her shy. Maud is actually a quite smart girl, albeit naive, and competent secretary.

💜 Settling into her new job, Maud begins to meet more interesting characters. Charles and Oliver Feniston are the most important, as they provide possibility for romance. At first Maud was more drawn to Charles, the son in exile, so to speak. Old M had quarreled with him, and broke the relationship. The temperamental Oliver seemed to be Old M favorite, though he couldn't seem to stay for more than a few days until another quarrel would break.

💜 The love plot is dragging on until almost the end. It's funny but sometimes frustrating how Maud is struggling to recognize her own feeling, and what's really happened. However, the second characters (and their background stories) are mostly interesting. From the jealous Con with her mischievous pranks aimed to the unwitting Maud, to Maud's friend Ensie with her selfish father to her love of a vicar lover. It should have been a totally charming book, but it gets rather boring near the end. And the end itself felt rather too abrupt and less neat. But in general, it's a warm and comforting story.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐1/2

Read this for:

Dean Street December #DeanStreetDecember

hosted by Liz @ Adventures in reading, running and working from home

Near Neighbours (1956) by Molly Clavering #DeanStreetDecember

Book Beginnings on Fridays (hosted by Rose City Reader)

The elegant oval of Kirkaldy Crescent was placed on the downward slope from Queensferry Street with such consummate art that it looked ad though it had arrived there by happy chance.

🌳 Miss Dorothea Balfour of Kirkaldy Crescent No. 4 has been dominated all her life, first by her father, then, after his death, by her elder sister Belle. Now that her sister was dead, she is free finally - free to do anything she likes. Free, for example, to observe her neighbors, the Lenoxes, who occupy no. 16, from her window. Miss Dorothea is always interested in her neighbors' lives, and so very delighted when one of the Lenox girls impulsively made a visit to the poor old lady at no. 4.

Friday 56 Quote (hosted by Heads Full of Books):

She sounded so wistful that Rowan said: "I would love to call you 'Miss Dorothea' if you didn't think it cheek."

That was the beginning of the warm and affectionate relationship between the two near neighbours.

🌳 Willow, Rowan, Hazel, and Holly - that's how Mr. and Mrs. Lenox had named their girls - from trees. The only son, Murray, escaped this faith, and got a normal name. These five young ones are the center of this story, with the old ones, Miss Dorothea and her brother-in-law, who joined her at Kirkaldy Cresent soon after, as a lingering background. Their fates and lives are intertwined with the young ones, but theirs are more subdued, though not the least significant. I've had suspicions of the brother-in-law along the book, is he really what he says he is? Or will he cause trouble for the naïve Miss Dorothea? The toxic relationship Rowan had had with the dancer was quite alarming too, and I'm glad how it ended.

🌳 With less of a plot, Clavering has cleverly woven the slices of every day life into a charming story. From ex-marital problem to little romances; from awkward adolescence to work-and-love relationship - everything is plausible; sweet, but not overdone. The result is a tender, charming, a bit funny, and heartwarming, wholesome read. If you ever need a book for comfort, this one will be perfect!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Read for:

Dean Street December #DeanStreetDecember

hosted by Liz @ Adventures in reading, running and working from home

Babbacombe's (1941) by Susan Scarlett #DeanStreetDecember

Book Beginnings on Fridays (hosted by Rose City Reader)

We are this term losing a head girl who has been in every way splendid. For me, and for the staff, and the school, next term will be the poorer because Elizabeth Carson is not with us.

👗 I have read three Susan Scarlett's so far (two adults' and one children's), and they're all so satisfying, that I decided to keep exploring her books. Babbacombe's combined working life, family dynamics, and romance. Beth Carson is just finishing school with great marks, and is now ready to enter working life as a junior in Gowns department at the Babbacombe's - a department store belongs to old Mr. Babbacombe.

👗 Beth is lucky because she would join her father, who has been working at the same establishment for many years. How many girls could boast the privilege to go to and from work in their father's company and protection? That would be an ultimate father-daughter time. Providing they have an intimate and affectionate relationship, which the Carsons possess. They embody the perfect family one could ever wish - loving each other, and thriving in each others' being. And now it's time to throw some prickly pins into their blissful existence.

👗 First, a spoilt, self-centered cousin has arrived from the country to live with them: a Dulcie Carson. Her single aim is to get a rich husband. Then Edward, Beth's brother, begins to show early stages of cataracts which affect his sights. An operation would be performed to see whether his sights would be improved or go totally blind. A devastating condition that shakes the family. Lastly, old Babbacombe's ne'er-do-well bur handsome son, David Babbacombe, who entered Beth's life as she was trapped inside the lift with him, and scorned him for not earning his own money, which in turn inspired him to get a job at the Babbacombe's.

Friday 56 Quote (hosted by Heads Full of Books:

You know, she was a girl of sense. I'm not sure she wasn't right. How would it be if I came back into Babbacombe's? ~ David to his father

👗 It's not difficult to imagine how the story would go from here (and even how it would end). And your guesses wouldn't have been very far from true. This is that kind of story, but with a cheerful and affectionate tone, as well as vividly portrayed characters. The characters are the strongest point of this book. I loved the family's dynamic; the way they daily interact. You can feel that they belong to each other, and feel at ease among the others. They become companions and partners, though they keep respecting each according to their merits. It reminds me a lot of my own family. I loved too, that Scarlett didn't "punish" the antagonist too severely.

👗 Babbacombe's reminded me a lot of Émile Zola's The Ladies Paradise. Both have similarities; from the setting (a department store), to the heroine (Denise and Beth are both junior salesgirl in Gowns department), and they both fell in love with their bosses, though in Beth's case, the boss' son. Denise and Beth are also torn between the decency of class difference and their hearts, with Mouret and Babbacombe are both despaired by their girls' aloofness. I wonder if Susan Scarlett was inspired by The Ladies Paradise, though Scarlett's version was stripped of any Victorian's superfluous exaggeration, typical especially of Zola's. All in all, this is a charming story and perfect read for #DeanStreetDecember. Many thanks to Dean Street Press to republish it!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Read for:

Dean Street December #DeanStreetDecember

hosted by Liz @ Adventures in reading, running and working from home

Fresh from the Country (1955) by Miss Read

👩🏻‍🏫 Miss Read is the pen name of Dora Jessie Saint MBE, an English writer and schoolmistress who was famous for her novel series such as the Fairacre and the Thrush Green. She also wrote some children novels, as well as a couple of standalone novels like this one: Fresh from the Country.

👩🏻‍🏫 Anna Lacey is a "fresh from the country" young teacher who's starting her career in a London suburb primary school. The story is about her challenges and struggles. Not only the kind of new teachers would face in their early stage of educational career, like dealing with unrelenting pupils, facing "difficult" parents, or even "rum" characters of her colleagues. Those are minor challenges, as little by little Anna gets the hang of the teaching business. The real struggle for her is the contrast of city life with her countryside origin.

👩🏻‍🏫 Anna experiences a culture shock. Being used to simple life with simple country folks, she's having hard time to adapt with the boasting or greedy people around her. Not mentioning their obsession in money and achievement. Poor Anna is always distressed near the end of term, and can only return to herself after a few days breathing the pure and calm air in the country.

👩🏻‍🏫 Overall, it's a refreshing read that calm you down after work rush, and it makes me want to read the countryside series. This charming and at time funny book was first published in 1955, and re-printed by Furrowed Middlebrow (the imprint of Dean Street Press) in 2020.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐1/2

The Fair Miss Fortune (1930/2011) by D.E. Stevenson #DeanStreetDecember

👗 Jane Fortune is a new comer at a small picturesque English village. She stays at Dingleford Cottage, formerly owned by Mrs. Prestcott. As the title hinted, she is a fair girl with sweet nature, who intended to open a tea shop.

👗 Enters Captain Charles Weatherby, a smashing gentleman with good upbringing and lovely personality, who's immediately smitten to Jane, a sentiment that she reciprocates. Charles isn't the only man attracted to Jane, Harold Prestcott is another admirer. Harold is what we call "his mother's son". Mrs Prestcott is a selfish woman who dominate her son to be quite her slave.

👗 Unknown to anyone, Jane has a twin sister, Joan. While they are physically identical, Joan is quite different in personality to Jane. Joan is bolder, carefree, and often mischievous. She ran away from a bullying ruthless suitor from London, and take refuge at Dingleford Cottage. And for that reason, the sisters agree to keep Joan's presence a secret. And this forms the foundation of hilarious incidents and misidentification that made this novel another, softer, version of Wodehouse's stories.

👗 When Harold first came to Dingleford Cottage, it was Joan that he met, but he thought she's Jane. Joan seemed to equally like this sweet and simple young man. You can imagine, then, how astonished Charles, Harold, and others when they met Joan, whom they thought was Jane. Some awkward and comical meetings and misunderstandings are sure to take place! Not mentioning how Stevenson deliberately naming her heroine "Fortune". If you imagine there would surely be someone mentioning Miss Fortune, and the other misinterpreting it as "misfortune", well, you're not wrong. It sounds foolish, but to me those make this novel charming and delicious to read! Just the kind I need during the craziest time of year - December.

👗 The funniest scene is when a colonel is picking up Jane to be his guest at a dance party. Jane caught a cold the day before, and can't go to the dance. Joan, who loves dancing, insisted on replacing her place. When the colonel arrived - through kitchen door - he incidentally saw Jane, clad in pajamas, going down stairs. The two were astonished, the colonel was especially annoyed in finding Jane wasn't ready yet and thought he must wait at least twenty five minutes more. Imagine how astonished he was when not five minutes later Joan entered the kitchen, beautifully attired in gorgeous dress, make up, and all - and didn't understand the colonel's astonishment. (If you don't think it's that funny, it's because I'm not good at describing it😆)

👗 All in all, it's a satisfying read for me. This is just my second D.E. Stevenson, and though it's in different league from Vittoria Cottage, I still love it. I love them both equally. Interesting fact: D.E. Stevenson wrote this in 1930s but the book was only published posthumously in 2011, and Dean Street published it in 2022.

Rating: 4,5 / 5

I read this book for:

Dean Street December

Hosted by Liz @ Adventures in reading, running and working from home

Murder While You Work (1944) by Susan Scarlett #DeanStreetDecember

❤ On board the train which takes Judy Rest to her new work in a munitions factory during WWII, she met Nicholas (Nick) Parsons, a handsome young man who works as some kind of explosive researcher at the same factory. He gets rather queer when Judy told him she'd been billeted with the Formers. That's apparently the first foreboding about the house.

❤ The household which would become Judy's temporary home consists of old Mrs. Former - a half-dead elderly woman who's fond of her equally old dog: Mr. Roger; her daughter Rose - a sweet, naive woman; Clara Roal - an intelligent widow and Mrs. Former's niece who manages the household with strict economizing. Last but not least is the boy - Clara's son Desmond - a queer child upon whom Clara's existence is centered.

❤ Judy sees clearly that Mrs. Former and Rose are afraid of Clara. She herself are instantly attached to them both, but she stands out against Clara, who dislikes her, especially after she learned about Judy's former work as hospital nurse. One day Mr. Jones, the dog, was found dead. Clara has been despising him, she thought it's a waste to feed a dog, that the food should be given to her child instead. In fact, that's her view of her economizing - Desmond should receive all the best, and the adults should make sacrifices for the sake of the child.

❤ Mr. Jones's death occurred right after he's stolen meat from the larder. And this incident raised Nick's first suspicions towards Clara. Things get worse with Mrs. Former's sudden death of, apparently, heart problem. The question raised whether it's natural death, or is it murder? If it's murder, what's the motive?

❤ This story is an inverted mystery. The readers - as well as our main characters - know without doubt whodunnit, but the motive and method remain a mystery, or at least, a doubt. Is it worth reading, then? Of course! If you are a hardcore fan of proper Golden Age mystery, though, you might be disappointed. But on the whole, this was a good entertaining read. There's the eerie Gothic atmosphere of it, fast-paced psychological thriller, a spark or romance to spice up the story, and loveable characters on the whole. My favorite is Judy Rest. She's a plucky young woman with determination, but also kindhearted towards the weaker. I love how she determined to stay in the house, despite of the looming danger, for the sake of poor Mrs. Former and Miss Rose. A strong headed but soft hearted heroine makes a perfect story!

Rating: 4,5 / 5

I read this book for:

Dean Street December

Hosted by Liz @ Adventures in reading, running and working from home

Vittoria Cottage (1949) by D.E. Stevenson #DeanStreetDecember

💚 In this quiet domestic post-war novel, we get acquainted with Caroline Dering, a forty something widow who lives in a rural village of Ashbridge, and the owner of the titular Vittoria Cottage. She is a simple, quiet, and charming woman, doting mother of two daughters and one son.

💚 Caroline's son is in Malaya, serving the British military. Her older daughter, Leda, is nineteen, and in love with Derek, son of the local squire. In this peaceful atmosphere, Caroline's life is suddenly stirred by the arrival of a Robert Shepperton, a widower who is recuperating from war and the loss of his wife and bombed London house. Reluctant at first to accept the fact, Caroline realizes that she is in love with Mr. Shepperton.

💚 Complication arises in the form of Caroline's sister Harriet, a vivacious actress from London, who, soon after her arrival to stay at Vittoria Cottage, falls in love with Mr. Shepperton. It is with anguish that Caroline watches them comfortable in each other's presence. But whom does Robert Shepperton - who always have reasons to visit Vittoria Cottage - really love?

💚 In contrast with these middle-age triangle-love, is Leda and Derek turmoil relationship. Leda is a spoilt girl who must get what she wants, while Derek a lazy chap. They want to get married, but Derek's father and Caroline advise them to wait until Derek finishes his law school (which he hates), and get settled.

💚 My favorite character, excepting Caroline and Mr. Shepperton, is Caroline's son James, who comes home from war midway through the book. He's Caroline dearest offspring, and James is so care and tender towards his mother. I love their relationship. If only every man in the world can treat his mother like James to Caroline, I believe our world would be much better to live in.

💚 All in all, this is a charming and comforting story of domestic life in a rural village after WWII. A perfect vehicle to catch a glimpse of post-war life - the peacefulness of the middle-ages, as well as the restlessness of the youths, all interwoven in one beautiful canvas, skillfully crafted by D.E. Stevenson. A very soothing read for the hustle-bustle of life during the end of year.

Rating: 4,5 / 5

I read this book for:

Dean Street December

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