Can one quiet woman's imagination shake an entire village? In this delightful classic of British fiction, the pen truly is mightier than the gossip.Originally published in 1934 and newly embraced by modern readers, Miss Buncle's Book is a timeless novel of quiet rebellion, unexpected transformation, and the magic of seeing—and being seen. Beloved for its dry humor, unforgettable cast, and loving satire of village life, it's perfect for fans of Miss Pet...

Frances was free. She had enough money for her holiday, and when it was over she would find useful work. Her plans were vague, but she would have plenty of time to think things out when she got to Cairn. One thing only was certain—she was never going back to prison again.Young Frances Field arrives in a scenic coastal village in Scotland, having escaped her dreary life as an orphan treated as little more than a servant by an uncle and aunt. Once there, she encounters an ar...

Iain stood for a few minutes on the little bridge that crossed the burn and looked at the house—he felt that he had betrayed it. No people save his own had ever lived in the house, and now he had sold it into slavery. For three months it would shelter strangers beneath its roof, for three months it would not belong to him.Despite his passionate love for Ardfalloch, Iain has been driven to let his home and estate to Mr Hetherington Smith, a wealthy London businessman, and h...

From beloved English author D.E. Stevenson who has sold more than 7 million books worldwide!The next heart-warming installment in the life of charmingly nosy writer, Miss Buncle, who won't slow down for things as simple as marriage or a sudden move to a new town.In this light-hearted follow-up to Miss Buncle's Book, Miss Barbara Buncle had just gotten everything sorted out. She married her publisher, became Mrs. Abbott, and set asi...

Yes, her job was the loneliest in the world. No king, no dictator set high upon a pinnacle, was as friendless as the headmistress of a girls' school.Charlotte Fairlie loves her position at the illustrious St. Elizabeth's, but it's not without its challenges-first among them her trouble-making maths mistress Miss Pinkerton, who yearns for Charlotte's job and spares no effort to complicate her life. Then there's the charming Lawrence Swayne, headmaster of a nearby boys' scho...

"There's something . . . I mean we simply must see Miss Fortune now. She isn't in bed, is she?""No, she ain't," said Nannie grimly. "She ought to be, but she ain't, an' you shall see 'er. Ho, yes you shall! Both of you shall see 'er before you're any older."The village of Dingleford is all aquiver with the arrival of lovely young Miss Fortune with plans to open a tea house. Captain Charles Weatherby, just back from India, has "no use for bright little crea...

Sometimes she wished she could stick up a large notice saying: "FOUR CHILDREN ARE NOT TOO MANY" . . .Raising four young children on her own in the years of postwar rationing, widowed Dinah tends to be the subject of sympathetic murmurs. But though she has little money, is perpetually tired, and remains haunted by unresolved issues from her troubled marriage, Dinah rejects all offers of pity. When her twin brother Dan returns from the military, he sends her and the children...

"Now, listen to me," said Mr. Green earnestly. "I've brought up my little girl as a girl should be brought up. I've sheltered her from the world. She's uncontaminated by the modern ideas-uncontaminated. What d'you think of that?"Young George Ferrier's frivolous jaunt in London ends with an unexpected encounter with wealthy Mr. Green, old friend of his father, who spontaneously drafts George to be a trustee for his daughter Elma. George accepts (primarily due to the payment...

In Miss Buncles Book Barbara Buncle, who is unmarried and perhaps in her late thirties, lives in a small village and writes a novel about the village in order to try and supplement her meagre income. She thereby succeeds in taking charge of her own life. This is an entirely light-hearted, easy read, one of those books like Mariana, Miss Pettigrew, The Making of a Marchioness and Greenery Street which can be recommended unreservedly to someone looki...

There's no place like homeCelia Dunne may be an old spinster, but she's no fool. She knows that changing her will to leave the grand family estate, Dunnian, to her grand-nephew will ruffle feathers within the family. But Celia also knows that Dunnian has stood solemn and empty for far too long, and she intends for that to change after she's gone. Humphrey's children will turn the creaky old house back into a family home—just the way it was meant to be.As Hu...

Tenth May, 1934. At this moment I look up and see the Man Who Lives Next Door standing on his doorstep watching my antics, and disapproving (I feel sure) of my flowered silk dressing gown. Probably his own wife wears one of red flannel, and most certainly has never been seen leaning out of the window in it - The Awful Carrying On of Those Army People - he is thinking.Vivacious, young Hester Christie tries to run her home like clockwork, as would befit the wife of British A...

Caroline opened the door and saw Mr. Shepperton standing on the step. “Oh, it’s you!” she exclaimed in surprise.“Did you—were you expecting someone else?” he asked.“Only the Queen,” replied Caroline, chuckling. “Don’t mind me,” she added. “I often go slightly mad.”Caroline Dering, a widow with three grown children, lives a cheerful, quiet life near the idyllic English village of Ashbridge. But things are about to liven up, as daughter Leda...