Drumberley Series, The Dering Family ~ D. E. Stevenson

 Narrated by Lesley Mackie.
Vittoria Cottage(4+)

(Rural England)  pub 1949

The way this story finishes, so abruptly, definitely makes it the first book in a series; looking forward to starting Bk2 Music in the Hills and hoping the ending in this first book is fleshed out a little more in the second book.  Vittoria Cottage is a charming, gentle story about domestic life around the WWII era.   I’m interested to see what Stevenson allows to happen to Leda, and if it will help her to stop being so self-centred.

Music in the Hills(4.5)

pub 1950 (Scotland)   

Gentle comfort read.  Stevenson is definitely meandering her way through domestic life at ‘Mureth’ and the relationships of people intersecting with James -  Jock and Mamie are just delightful, the sort of relatives that make life a loving joy -  I was keen to find out which lass Stevenson was going to match him up with;  Rhoda, the golden-haired girl who turned down James first marriage proposal, or, the beautiful avaricious, manipulative, Holly. I am glad I was listening to the audio version of the book so I couldn’t flip any pages to peak ahead and find out  ;)

I shaved off ½  a star as the ending was so abrupt and rather unsatisfying and we didn’t get to revisit with Caroline and her new husband from book 1, Vittoria Cottage.  The question of Leda from book 1, she’s still wallowing in self-pity and looks set to stay that way.

Winter and Rough Weather (5) 
pub 1951 (Scotland)       

Absolutely delightful gentle read.  I liked it so much I purchased a printed copy for our home library.    The avaricious Holly is up to her usual tricks and ends up with a fiancé that matches her in character.  I think the background story of the Surgeon and his ‘wife’ – which ended in divorce after 10 years apart - is rather sad, especially for the children involved.   So lovely to amble along with Rhoda and her inter-connecting relationships.