Miss Read was the pseudonym of Dora Jessie Saint (1913-2012), a British novelist of cozy fiction. She wrote two sets of novels: the Thrush Green and Fairacre series. The main character in the Fairacre books is an unmarried school teacher. This book is listed as #12 in the series and is about a different spinster. Miss Quinn is in her mid-thirties and works in a busy office in Caxley. She longs for a home in a quiet village and jumps at the chance to rent a room at Holly Lodge in Fairacre.
She is looking forward to a quiet Christmas alone when her brother suddenly calls about a family emergency. How she responds makes up the rest of this charming little book.
My one complaint is that the characters seemed sketchily drawn. Maybe if I read all the Fairacre books I would feel like I knew them better. Still, I enjoyed watching Miss Quinn stretch and grow while assuming new responsibilities and I liked the pleasant, airy tone of the book.
I'd love to pass on my ex-library copy to one of my readers. Leave a comment on my Worthwhile Books Facebook page if you'd like a chance to win it. (Winner will be announced by Dec 31st.)
Have a blessed Christmas!
Added on January 7, 2016: Congrats to Melissa for winning this!
1 comment:
No Holly for Miss Quinn is kind of like a stand alone amongst Miss Read books. Her other characters consistently show up in both her Thrush Green and Fairacres series. I love her books, so I'm not objective. :)
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