Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter

Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter 

by Susan Witting Albert

Historical Cozy Mystery Series

The Tale of Briar Bank (Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter 5)

December 1909: snow is falling softly over the village of Sawrey and Beatrix Potter longs with all her heart to be there to experience the peaceful snowfall, supervise renovations at her newly purchased second  farm and experience the Christmas celebrations in the twin villages. Defying her cantankerous mother, Beatrix heads off to the Land Between the Lakes with her guinea pig companions Nutmeg (an excitable young female) and Thackeray (a grouchy old gentleman who loves books and hates travel). Upon arriving at Hill Top Farm, Miss Potter discovers she is snowed in and there's no way of communicating with or returning to London. That suits her just fine for the moment. There's some excitement in Sawrey though, a local gentleman, Mr. Wickstead was found dead and there are rumors of a curse caused by his digging up a buried treasure. Mr. Wickstead was a collector of antiquities and a friend of Mr. Potter's. Beatrix is saddened by his death and surprised to discover Mr. Wickstead's long-lost sister Jane is the sole beneficiary of his estate. Mr. Wickstead's Fox Terrier Pickles knows the truth about his owner's death but no one will listen to him, not even the other village animals. There's another who knows the truth, Bailey Badger, a solitary creature who has an extraordinary story to tell his friends at The Brockery. Meanwhile Caroline Longford is blossoming under her new governess but still under the iron rule of her dragon of a grandmother. Miss Potter hopes the addition of two new guinea pigs to Caroline's family will help cheer the girl. Alas, Thackeray has other ideas. Also the Sutton family home is about to be foreclosed on and young Deidre Malone is determined not to lose her new home. Since Mr. and Mrs. Sutton are not very practical people, though very kind, Deidre takes it upon herself to save the day. This is the most unusual of the Cottage Tales thus far. Not only does it contain the usual mystery plot and the talking animal plot, there's a new creature introduced to the story that really stretches the credibility of the plot. The book cover illustration gives it away so readers won't be too surprised to discover the big secret. The secret of buried treasure would have been better without this new addition. There's another mystery that Miss Potter figures out that I felt was predictable. Having past experiences, I would think the villagers would be wary and aware of off-comers. As in the previous book, the narrator speaks directly to the audience, guiding the reader to and from various scenes. I found this very off-putting. I prefer to be a silent witness to events, not a silent witness being told what scenes to witness and where I am during the action. I think the author is attempting to mimic Beatrix Potter, E. Nesbitt and other children's writers of the period. It doesn't work in a modern, adult novel. Aside from a death scene, the book is family friendly. It's a nice, simple read that lacks action. I did not feel particularly compelled to find out what happens next. As usual, the descriptions and period detail are excellent but the story is weak. The series seems to be quickly losing momentum.

The Tale of Applebeck Orchard

When Miss Potter arrives in Sawrey in the late summer of 1910 she is surprised to hear the village has been shocked with the news that Mr. Harmsworth, a local farmer, has blocked the footpath that runs through his property. He claims it is in retaliation for someone burning his haystack. He's convinced it was The Ramblers and determined to punish them by blocking access to the path. The villagers, human and animal alike are stunned and determined that the path shall reopen. Captain Woodcock and Constable Braithwaite try their best but they're missing a few key witnesses who would tell them they saw a ghost just before the haystack burned. Caroline Langford, now 16, dreams of becoming a famous composer but as usual her grandmother has difficulty with the idea of letting go. Can Miss Potter help? Mr. Harmsworth's niece Gilly, an unpaid servant in his dairy, is searching for a better life. When Miss Potter hears about Gilly she is of course determined to help the sad girl. Romance is also in the air for the Big Folk. Poor Beatrix must do something about Mr. Heelis and his feelings for her. Bosworth Badger has a dilemma of a different kind. He's growing older and more forgetful. He needs an heir to inherit the Badger Badge of Honor but his top choice, Thorn, has gone roaming and hasn't been heard from since. He'd like to wait for Thorn but there's a possibility the boy will never return. Who else can he choose? The answer seems obvious to you and me but the book deals with issues about gender roles at the time and the capabilities of women. I found this book rather boring. I figured out who the arsonist was right away and didn't care any more after that. I also realized the solution to Bosworth's problem. That plot ended neatly and exactly how I thought it would. I was mostly interested to find out what had happened to Thorn. I also did not enjoy the author's inserted comments about what happens to Beatrix Potter and recapping of past events. She could have included a forward and afterward for that purpose. The narrator's addressing of the audience also bothered me a lot. I've read many Victorian novels and I don't like the style. I did enjoy the sweet romances in this book and I felt sorry for Beatrix being torn in three different directions. I hope (I know) she will find her happiness in a future book. Overall though, this book is the slowest and weakest of the series. 

The Tale of Oat Cake Crag

Miss Potter has returned to Sawrey to escape her cantankerous parents, leaving her brother Bertram to care for them. The peace she seeks is quite cut up by the appearance of a new flying machine over Lake Windemere. This machine, known as a hydroplane, is supposed to be the latest thing in military weaponry but the villagers HATE it. The pilot flies all day disturbing everyone and driving everyone crazy, even the animals. The Professor is determined to find out what manner of animal this creature is and try to stop it. Thorvald thinks it may be the mysterious sea serpent or dragon that was supposedly spotted in the lake many years ago. The villagers are angry when the project's financial backer does not turn up at a community meeting. When the animals find out why they wonder whether someone meant him harm and if the humans can figure it out without help. Beatrix Potter soon gets caught up with her friends and village gossip. Her friend Grace Lythecoe is planning to marry the vicar soon but she confides in her friend Beatrix that she has been receiving threatening notes that may impede the marriage. Grace asks Beatrix to investigate and get to the bottom of it. Meanwhile the young people have turned their attentions to grown-up matters. Deidre Malone has a happy secret she can't wait to tell Miss Potter and Caroline Longford dreams of becoming a composer and a happy wife and mother while Jeremy Crossfield seems content to teach at Sawrey School and draw. As usual the village gossips have discovered Miss Potter's secret romance. She worries about the news getting back to her parents and what she will do about it if it does. Finally, there are some real mysteries in this book. I very much enjoyed this book because the mysteries kept me interested and engaged in the book until the end. I also really liked the secret engagement plot and how Beatrix handled it. She was such an incredible woman and I really admire her. The animals take a back seat to the humans this time and their adventures are minimal. The narrator continues to talk to the audience and step out of her story to explain facts. There's less direct speaking this time but several paragraphs of information on the hydroplane that should have just been included in the author's note. This book is definitely one of the best in the series.

The Tale of Castle Cottage

Beatrix Potter arrives in Sawrey in July 1913 for a much needed rest and to finish her newest book. She's been sick and tired and is feeling unmotivated. She dearly wants to marry her beloved Will but her parents still object and their new home, Castle Cottage, is being renovated. To add to her stress, her friend Sarah Barwick suspects Miss Potter's contractor of stealing from her. When Miss Potter inspects the work site, she finds a bunch of lazy workmen and discovers her contractor has been spending most of his time at the pub flirting with the pretty new bar maid. Beatrix asks Will for help but he seems distracted. Perhaps she had better call off the engagement and allow him to go free. Will Heelis loves Beatrix Potter with all his heart and can't stand to see her so drained. His family doesn't much approve of the match either. He wonders whether he should just break off the engagement to relieve some of her burdens. How ever can they live happily ever after? He doesn't have much time to spend with her for he is busy investigating a series of thefts from some of his clients. Lady Longford is also missing something - a very rare and valuable 1000 year old book that belonged to her late husband. It would be worth a fortune, if she could find it! Then when Mr. Adcock, the only honest carpenter, is found dead, the village is rife with gossip. The doctor's investigation reveals that all isn't what it seems to be and Mr. Adcock's death and the mysterious thefts may be related. The animals discover the village has been infested with rats - large, nasty brutes who are stealing from the Big People. Tabitha Twitchett has resigned her presidency of the Village Cat Council and left Crumpet to deal with the matter. Poor Crumpet just doesn't know what to do! Not all is gloomy, however, a young couple welcomes the birth of their first child and Bosworth Badger is enjoying his retirement knowing that his successor is more than worthy. In this book, the humans carry most of the plot with Beatrix Potter being the primary character. The other characters, even the animals, are all secondary. The secret to some of the mystery is revealed and some the reader can guess but the story is interesting and engaging. All loose ends are tied up and we learn how all our favorite minor characters have ended up. The ending is sweet, at least until the readers learns the true facts which were more bittersweet than fiction. The narrator doesn't spend too much time addressing the reader and there are only two passages that step out of the story. It's not too cutesy or maybe I finally got used to the style or am in the right frame of mind. I loved the rare book subplot, having recently studied rare books and done a report on Anglo-Saxon literature. My only complaint abut this novel is that I hoped Will Heelis would be man enough to stand up to the Potters but I understand the author wanted to be true to his real-life personality. Anyway, I really enjoyed this final volume in the series. I'm a little sad to see the series end.

Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter

Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter 

by Susan Witting Albert

Historical Fiction/Mystery Series

The Tale of Hill Top Farm (Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter )

In 1905, Beatrix Potter is a best-selling author mourning the loss of her fiance and trying to become independent of her demanding parents. She has just bought Hill Top Farm in the Lakes District in Yorkshire. She loves the beauty and remoteness of the area and hopes to enjoy many getaways there. She can not yet take possession of the farm house for it is rented to the Jennings family, the tenant farmers. Miss Potter intends to stay with Miss Abigail Tolliver, a spinster in the village of Sawrey, but Miss Tolliver has just died unexpectedly and the village gossips believe it was murder. When Miss Potter arrives, the gossips have something else to talk about : the eccentric city woman who keeps wild animals as pets and wants to farm! Some of the locals are even downright hostile to Miss Potter but she endears herself to some of the ladies by befriending a young boy wrongly accused of stealing money from his school. Miss Potter also discovers that a valuable painting has gone missing from Miss Tolliver's house and the vicar can't find the parish register anywhere. A mysterious woman known only to Miss Tolliver arrives and shocks everyone for being more eccentric than Miss Potter. Miss Tabitha Twitchett, senior cat of Sawrey, formerly belonging to Miss Tolliver, enlists the aid of her canine and feline friends to solve some of the mysteries the stupid humans can't figure out. Meanwhile, Miss Potter's animal companions discover that the country is more exciting than they ever dared to dream. This is a sweet, charming book that has the flavor of Beatrix Potter's novels and reminds me a lot of Cranford or Lark Rise to Candleford (for you PBS fans). There are twin villages populated by quirky, colorful characters. The story is very quiet. There are several mysteries to be solved and none of them are heart-pounding page turners but simple, ordinary things that are lost and need to be found in the usual ways. I really liked the setting though I had a hard time keeping all the characters straight and kept referring to the cast list in the front of the book. I liked the the setting and the characters' actions felt realistic. No one was doing anything that someone from that time should not be doing, especially the female characters. Miss Potter is really a secondary character in the novel. The main characters are really the cats and Rascal, the Jack Russell Terrier. This book may not be to everyone's liking. The animals can talk to each other and even read and write. They can not talk to humans though. This book would be best enjoyed with a cup of tea and a good English scone. Those who love Beatrix Potter's books will enjoy this story and want to learn more about the author. I highly recommend the movie Miss Potter starring Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor as a starting point. 

The Tale of Holly How  (Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter 2) 

Summer 1906: Beatrix Potter is back in Sawrey working hard to renovate the farm house and make the farm productive. She has purchased some sheep from old Ben Hornby, a crusty old shepherd who breeds the best Herdwick sheep. When Beatrix goes to collect the sheep, their pen is open and Mr. Hornby turns up dead. Beatrix suspects the death was no accident. The sheep may have a clue but they've disappeared! Meanwhile, the animals have their own dilemma. Someone has dug up a badger sett and kidnapped a badger Mum and her two children to use as bait in a sport known as badger baiting. Technically, badger baiting is against the law because it's a form of gambling but the human law enforcement officials have a hard time pinning down the culprit. Bosworth Badger knows something must be done and it's up to the animals of the Cuckoo Brown Woods to come to the rescue. Other tensions in Sawrey include the position of head teacher at the school. The locals want the position to go to their own Miss Nash but old Lady Langford has proposed her own candidate, an Oxford educated missionary who is known to her companion Miss Martine. Lady Langford's young granddaughter Caroline has come to stay while arrangements can be made to send the orphaned girl to school. Caroline is lonely and unhappy with only the mean old companion/governess Miss Martine for company. Beatrix sympathizes with the poor girl and tries to help, but Lady Langford is ill and uninterested in outside influence. Then Caroline overhears a shocking conversation which could affect her life as well as her grandmother's. It's up to Caroline, her friend Jeremy and the animals to convince someone to help. Miss Potter proves adept at finding clues and she may be the one to solve the mysteries with help from her small friends. This book is much more of a mystery than the first. I was able to figure out one of the mysteries but the other two were harder and more complex. I couldn't put the book down until I was finished. I enjoyed this charming picture of country life. In this book I was more interested in the animals than the humans. The animal plot is in the tradition of of Charlotte's Web and Redwall. If you don't like talking animals who act like humans, then don't read this book. There were some shocking instances of animal cruelty and abuse that were hard to read but otherwise I quite enjoyed this story.

The Tale of Cuckoo Brown Wood (Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter 3) 

April 1907: Spring is springing in Sawrey and Miss Potter is back at Hill Top Farm happily ensconced in her newly renovated farm house. She's perfectly happy with the changes except for a problem with rats in the attic. Miss Felicia Frummety, the farm cat, is too uppity to kill rats and the other village cats refuse to violate the Cat Code Of Honour which states that no cat may poach on another cat's territory without permission. Miss Potter will simply have to hire more cats. Ridley Rattail, gentleman rat, resides in the attic with his kindly hostess Rosabelle, her sister's family and a whole host of carousing rats. Poor Ridley can never get a moment's peace. He takes it upon himself to advertise for cat assassins for hire little realizing that when a new and stubborn cat moves in, Ridley's own life may be on the line. He has to decide whether he has the courage to save his kind hostess or save himself. Other unhappy changes are coming to Sawrey. The vicar is besieged by unwanted guests who won't leave; Jeremy Crosfield is facing the end of his schooling and beginning of adult life, though he passed the entrance exam for grammar school; Caroline Longford's grandmother is still strict and refuses to allow Caroline to associate with the village children and plans to hire a governess to teach Caroline how to be a lady; Deidre Malone has been sent from the orphanage to help care for the veterinarian's children. The other children tease her because she has red hair, a sure sign of witchcraft. Only Jeremy and Caroline are kind. Deidre invites her new friends on a hunt for fairies so she can determine whether she still has the gift she inherited from her mother. The others agree to this one last journey into childhood make believe. With the help of Miss Potter and the wild creatures of Cuckoo Brow Wood, they may find their dreams coming true. Major Christopher Kittredge of Raven Hall and late of the South African war, has brought home a new bride. She too has red hair and was an actress, causing locals to believe she's a witch or a ghost. Even so the locals are excited to attend a party at Raven Hall where they can view the lady up close and get a glimpse of the famous Luck, a fairy-made glass goblet given to Major Kittredge's ancestors for good luck. Luck has caused nothing but bad luck and Major Kittredge hopes his marriage with be the start of good luck. When Miss Potter overhears some things she shouldn't, she worries that Mrs. Kittredge may bring more bad luck to Raven Hall and big changes to Sawrey. The plot in this book is slow to start. The real mystery doesn't begin until halfway through the book. Too much time is devoted to the story of the rats. I felt slightly sorry for Ridley, having been in a similar situation, but had a hard time sympathizing because he's a rat and the rats were behaving like humans and interacting with humans and I found that a bit strange. I liked the journey of the three children and how their search for fairies was their way of resisting growing up. I know how they feel and I can relate to Miss Potter's interest, never having grown up myself and wanting my young friends to stay children as long as possible. The real mystery wasn't much of a surprise. It's very similar to one of the mysteries in the previous book and even though I figured it would all end happily, I had to keep reading until I was done. This is my least favorite of the series so far.

The Tale of Hawthorn House (Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter 4)

Emily Shaw, lately maid of Lady Longford, has taken a position at Hawthorn House for the summer. The renter, a Miss Rowena Keller, has promised Emily a good job in London after the summer reason and Emily is excited to finally make it to the big city. First though, someone has to find a home for Baby Flora. When plans for the baby fall through, a mysterious old woman grabs the baby and takes off leaping over the garden wall. Miss Potter is back at Hilltop Farm enjoying the peace and prosperity of her farm. She has several new animal companions, including Kep the Collie and Jemima Puddle Duck, the hapless duck who fell in love with a fox who wanted to eat her and her ducklings for dinner. Jemima is sitting on a new set of eggs and is determined to hatch and raise her own ducklings. It's taking an awfully long time for the eggs to hatch but Jemima refuses to give up nesting through she begins to long for the comfortable lifestyle the fox Reynard Vulpes offered her before Kep discovered the fox's treachery. Miss Potter is shocked to discover a baby on her doorstep. As much as she loves children she knows she can't care for a baby at this time and turns Baby Flora over to Captain Miles Woodcock, Justice of the Peace. The Captain's sister Dimity is delighted to care for the baby. She's always wanted to marry and have children of her own. She's in love with Major Christopher Kittredge but her brother doesn't approve of the match. He'd rather see her married to Will Heelis, the solicitor while Dimity dreams of marrying her brother to Miss Potter. Soon the humans romantic entanglements and the identity of the baby will be the talk of Sawrey both from the humans and animals alike as Miss Potter strives to uncover the mystery of the baby's missing mother. Meanwhile Emily discovers that life in London is not all it promised to be. This is another very quiet mystery. There's very little plot in this novel. Most of the story centers around Jemima Puddleduck's story which parallels Emily's. The animals are charming and funny and provide the more interesting moments of the book. The mystery involves the mysterious Thorn Folk, a type of fairy seen only by children, animals and a few knowing adults which some readers may be put off by. I would have preferred more about Beatrix Potter solving mysteries of the more common sort. I disliked the way the author stepped out of the story to address the readers and explain things much like in a children's book of this period. I also did not like how the author felt the need to relate too many facts about Beatrix Potter which had little relevance to the story. The series seems to have taken an unexpected turn after the first two mysteries. I will probably continue to read the rest of the series though for I find them very calming, easy reads.