By D.E. Stevenson

This was another pleasant and enjoyable D. E. Stevenson that takes you to another world where not much happens. And that’s OK when there are so many other joys to be found. I listened to this on Audible, so I will have to rely on my main impressions. The book opens with Bel (from Bel Lamington) about to be married to Ellis Brownlee. Her dear friend Louise is trying to find her a house near her and her father in The Cotswolds. She happens upon Fletcher’s End, a dilapidated 400-year-old stone “cottage” that has gone to rack and ruin from neglect. Bel falls in love with it and Ellis buys it for her from the absentee owner, Roy Lestrange, a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy. With Bel safely married, we know that one of the main plot lines is going to be about finding the beautiful and vivacious Louise, whom all men fall in love with instantly, a husband. Will it be Andrew Drummond whom she turned down in the previous book because of her disrespect for his lazy self-indulgent ways? Or Reggie, the likable but plain architect the Brownlees hire to restore their cottage? Or perhaps the mysterious Roy Lestrange, whom the executor of his Aunt’s will calls a “rapscallion” due to his neglect of Fletchers End?

The book concerns itself mostly with painting a picture of the old house, its rebirth, Bel and Ellis’s happy marriage, and meeting the Brownlee’s new friends and neighbors and hearing their stories. Events do happen in the narrative which reveal true character, present dilemmas, amuse, or create heartache or joy, or disgust or satisfaction. They build on each other to create somewhat of a storyline. But what would be boring blips in more action-packed tightly plotted stories, take on importance and significance in this novel. I cared about these people and was interested in every little thing. At Bel’s wedding reception, we see Bel finally coming out of her shell and gaining new confidence. Finally! When Louise and Bel go to London for lunch with Roy Lestrange we meet his mousy cousin who provides some background to Bel’s house and the former owner. We also gain insight into charming Roy’s true character. A beautiful painting of a former owner of Bel’s house is bought for over the mantelpiece and we are enchanted and amused. An old friend’s family business is ruined, his former wealth stolen, and his life is in ruins. We are angry. But the disaster leads to his dream coming true. Bel finally shows her mettle when she is responsible for turning a friend’s heartbreak and despair into joy. And finally, the contents of a secret drawer in an old bureau shakes the newlyweds to their core and causes great fear and a moral crisis.

The book ended with satisfactory closure which I can’t always say about DES novels. We are denied a final joyful scene in which Bel will share happy news with Ellis (not what you think). But in this case, I could well imagine it in my mind as we have gotten to know them so well. I was happy that passive Bel developed some agency and gumption once happily married although she did have a weak moment near the end. I enjoyed this much better than the previous book with Bel. She didn’t make me mad this time. I look forward to spending more time with the Shepherdsford community (and maybe Louise, Bel and Ellis?) in future books.