“Disturber of the Peace.” Miss Buncle’s book intrigued Mr. Abbott, and Miss Buncle herself intrigued him. She was such a queer mixture of simplicity and subtlety (at least he thought she was). She spoke bad grammar and wrote good English. She was meticulously truthful in all she said (it was almost as if she were on oath to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth all day long and every day of the week).”–D.E. Stevenson, Miss Buncle’s Book
Barbara Buncle is in trouble. Her bank account is very low and she is short on ideas of how to improve her situation. Could she write a book? The problem is she is not creative and can’t think of a potential plot. No problem–she’ll just write about the people in her little English village, with a few exciting and completely fabricated details thrown in. No one is more shocked than Barbara when her book becomes a hit. The only wrinkle in her success is that the residents of Silverstream have figured out they are the characters in the book and many of them are not too happy about it. They are on the hunt for the author and good luck to Barbara if they figure out it is her.
I admit I judged this book by its cover. I came across it completely by accident while searching for another book. I don’t even remember which book I was looking for! The cover looked fun and I decided to give it a try. I was charmed and delighted by the story. I grew up in a small town and the dynamics described in the book felt very authentic to me. Barbara is a hoot and I laughed more than once while reading. If you are looking for a light hearted, feel good read, look no further–and if you like it, you are in luck because there are three more books in this series by D.E. Stevenson.
Content Advisory: Nothing I can think of!