By D. E. Stevenson

The sequel to Miss Buncle’s Book is just as charming and delightful as its predecessor. Barbara and her husband must move away from Silverstream because their friends and neighbors keep inviting them to bridge parties and they don’t know how else to get out of the constant round of social obligations without hurting or offending them. Barbara searches high and low for a new house and community to move to and finally finds her perfect place: Decrepit and neglected Archway House in Wandlebury.

Mr. Pinthorpe fitted a key in the lock and opened the door….Barbara thought that the house seemed to welcome the sun, it had been empty and darkened for so long; and the sun seemed to be glad to be welcomed back, it streamed in through the tall windows onto the bare floors, it explored the walls from which the faded paper hung down in curling strips. The dust floated in the air, it eddied and swirled…so that the whole place seemed full of golden smoke….”This is my house,” she said, and sat herself down on the broad window seat in a possessive manner.

We are treated to amusing and insightful descriptions of her new neighbors and their quirks, a nice little romance, domestic dilemmas, and comic situations. Plus a brilliant new book about her new neighbors by “John Smith”! Which will never be published to the dismay of her publisher husband. “I should be terrified,” said Barbara with a shudder. “They would recognize themselves and we should have to leave.”**5 stars after 5**

October 21, 2019