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Guy Fraser-Sampson is a well-known best-selling non-fiction author, and a longstanding Mapp and Lucia fan. His first Tilling novel, Major Benjy, was published to much acclaim from Benson devotees, including Gyles Brandreth (“More Mapp and Lucia – what bliss! Major Benjy on the rampage – what joy!”) and Tom Holt (“As you read Guy Fraser-Sampson's sinuous narrative and needle-sharp dialogue, Tilling suddenly takes shape all around you … Benson himself would have loved this book, and so will you”).
April 2013 Book of the Month. The delightful reinvention of E F Benson’s world of Mapp and Lucia continues with the trials and tribulations faced by Major Benjy when his irascible nature leaves him servantless and Miss Mapp making much out of the seemingly simple task of finding a summer tenant. Light, frothy and delicious with a satisfying sharp bite - any fan of the original novels simply won’t be able to resist. A ‘Piece of Passion’ from the publisher Elliott & Thompson...'Guy and I met when we published a book he had written on cricket and racial and class tensions in the 1960s and 70s; a fascinating subject, but not one I had known much about beforehand. We bonded over a mutual love of EF Benson’s classic Mapp and Lucia novels when I discovered Guy had written his own sequel – with another in the pipeline. Like me, Guy came across the originals as a child and has been hooked ever since. Although we were largely focusing on non-fiction I just couldn’t resist, and I’m so glad I didn’t. Both Lucia on Holiday and Major Benjy have been a joy to edit: the brilliance of Benson’s books is in the writing – full of nuanced and exquisitely funny observations – and Guy brings the same joyously jaded eye and fantastic turn of phrase to his sequels. Tilling (a fictional Rye) is the archetypal timeless English village: in Major Benjy, as with Benson’s novels, the plot revolves around ordinary life in the 1920s. There’s skulduggery at a cake-making competition, a disastrous dinner party and a housekeeper with designs on her employer. All so seemingly minor and yet Tilling is a hotbed of strategic alliances, fiendish plotting and one-upmanship. It’s the perfect anecdote to the stresses of the modern world; more refreshing than a gin and tonic.''Olivia Bays, Publisher at Elliott & Thompson In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for Major Benjy a small number of Lovereading members were lucky enough to be invited to review this title - 'The atmosphere of a small town and its gossipy characters are convincing and endlessly entertaining - Sue Broom' Scroll down to read more reviews.
Lucia on Holiday is a new addition to the Mapp and Lucia canon, based on the immortal characters first created by E.F. Benson. Perfect reading for followers of Benson's original novels and sure to be equally loved by new fans, this is a pitch-perfect and deliciously enjoyable social satire of an England long gone but not forgotten. A ‘Piece of Passion’ from the publisher Elliott & Thompson...'Guy and I met when we published a book he had written on cricket and racial and class tensions in the 1960s and 70s; a fascinating subject, but not one I had known much about beforehand. We bonded over a mutual love of EF Benson’s classic Mapp and Lucia novels when I discovered Guy had written his own sequel – with another in the pipeline. Like me, Guy came across the originals as a child and has been hooked ever since. Although we were largely focusing on non-fiction I just couldn’t resist, and I’m so glad I didn’t. Both Lucia on Holiday and Major Benjy have been a joy to edit: the brilliance of Benson’s books is in the writing – full of nuanced and exquisitely funny observations – and Guy brings the same joyously jaded eye and fantastic turn of phrase to his sequels. Tilling (a fictional Rye) is the archetypal timeless English village: in Major Benjy, as with Benson’s novels, the plot revolves around ordinary life in the 1920s. There’s skulduggery at a cake-making competition, a disastrous dinner party and a housekeeper with designs on her employer. All so seemingly minor and yet Tilling is a hotbed of strategic alliances, fiendish plotting and one-upmanship. It’s the perfect anecdote to the stresses of the modern world; more refreshing than a gin and tonic.' Olivia Bays, Publisher at Elliott & Thompson In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for Lucia on Holiday a small number of Lovereading members were lucky enough to be invited to review this title - 'What a delightful, funny, captivating read this book is from start to finish...A really good old fashioned and light-hearted story with endearing characters which will leave you with a smile on your face.' Scroll down to read more reviews.
When a wealthy recluse is reported missing from his home, a shocking discovery sparks a homicide investigation which begins to lead the team from Hampstead CID in some very unexpected directions. What has happened to the man's family? Who is the mysterious character with whom he appears to have been sharing his house? Do transgressions from the past have a bearing on crimes of the present day? In this, the fifth volume of the Hampstead Murders, we see a murder enquiry once more playing out against a shifting background of police politics and personal tribulations. Again, the beautiful London `village' of Hampstead with its Georgian terraces and stuccoed villas provides an unlikely setting for events which show only too clearly the dark and ugly side of human nature.