Summer at Fairacre

I highly recommend Miss Read books to everyone who enjoys reading stories about small towns with characters who have English wit and humor. It is wonderful that these books are being reprinted.

This particular year in the English village of Fairacre has seen a cold snowy winter. On the first day of spring, the grounds are still filled with snow. Custodial worker Mrs. Pringle is not just her usual sourpuss self. She claims her leg has not flared up as it has on numerous occasions due to the mistakes of the schoolmistress Miss Read. This time Miss Read learns that Mrs. Pringle's niece with the low IQ caused the noticeable limp. However, unlike the many "bad leg" moments in the past, to the schoolmistress' shock, Mrs. Pringle quits. Everyone looks forward to the warmth of summer. For the school employees including Miss Read and most villagers, the highlight of the summer is the wedding of teacher Miss Briggs. As Spring slowly turns to Summer and the wedding nears, Miss Read's friend Amy begins to act strange and ultimately vanishes. Miss Read wonders if Amy is okay, what else will happen before school starts anew, and who will become the new custodian? SUMMER AT FAIRACRE is a leisurely cozy look at a small English village. The story line is fun for those readers who want to kick back and follow a relaxing tale filled with friendly charcaters (and one not so friendly individual). Anyone who wants to observe life in a small village during the latter half of the twentieth century, this novel and the entire series provides an unhurried but insightful look.Harriet Klausner

My wife took this series out of our local library for a car trip. Prunella Scales (Fawlty Towers) is the reader and does a wonderful job. I've never read Miss Read before but definitely want to now. I feel like I've already visited Fairacre!