The Tale of Applebeck Orchard (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix P) [Hardcover]

Susan Wittig Albert (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Cottage Tales of Beatrix P | Publication Date: September 1, 2009

The latest delightful tale in Albert's Beatrix Potter series.

Out of spite for having his haystacks burnt, Mr. Harmsworth barricades a common path through his orchard-and Tabitha Twitchet and her Cat Council want answers. Reliable witnesses, including some Big Folk, say the arson was the handiwork of a lantern-wielding specter. The mournful ghost has a message-and Miss Potter, for one, hopes to figure it out.

Meanwhile in Sawrey, romance buds between the schoolmarm and a confirmed bachelor; Hyacinth Badger hopes to be the first female to earn the Badger Badge of Honor; and a rumor has Beatrix and the solicitor practically betrothed. But the matter of the barricade involves everyone-and Miss Potter and her friends might have to take matters into their own hands-and paws.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan Wittig Albert grew up in Illinois and earned her Ph.D. at UC- Berkeley. A former English professor, university administrator and vice- president, she also writes the China Bayles mysteries. She and her husband co- author a series of Victorian-Edwardian mysteries under the name Robin Paige.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover; First Edition edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425229777
• ISBN-13: 978-0425229774
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #695,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My husband Bill and I live on 31 acres in the Hill Country of Central Texas, and have longhorn cows, sheep, geese, as well as the wild things that roam the meadows and woods. Our best buddies are our three dogs (Zach, Lady, and Toro) and our cat, Shadow. I'm a passionate gardener and am concerned about issues of global warming and energy depletion. You can find out more about the way I live in my new memoir, Together, Alone: A Memoir of Marriage and Place.

I've been writing professionally for nearly 25 years, after a stint in higher education as a faculty member and administrator. When I first started writing full time, I worked in the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series--yep, you got it: I am both Carolyn Keene and Franklin W. Dixon! (How cool is that?) In the years I was writing young adult novels, with Bill or by myself, I wrote over sixty books. In addition, Bill and I wrote a series of Victorian/Edwardian mysteries together, as Robin Paige.

Now, I write three mystery series: the China Bayles herbal mysteries, the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter, and a new series (starting in July, 2010) called The Darling Dahlias, about a Southern garden club in the 1930s. Writing is not only my work, but my passion. Truly a right livelihood, and I'm grateful to have found it. I am also a member (and the founder) of the Story Circle Network, a nonprofit organization that supports women who want to write about their lives.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Tale of Applebeck Orchard (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix, January 27, 2010

By 

Lilli Bean "BetwixtnBetween" (Morgan's Point) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Tale of Applebeck Orchard (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix P) (Hardcover)

This book along with the others about Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert has continued to enchant and satisfy my two grandchildren (8 & 10), my daughter who reads to them every night and me, an old, old lady. How I ever picked up the first one is beyond me but I am so glad that I did. I see each book in color, in action and look forward to any others she writes. I appreciate the opportunity of sharing these comments.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing entry in an enjoyable series, September 9, 2009

By 

History Buff - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Tale of Applebeck Orchard (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix P) (Kindle Edition)

I've enjoyed the other entries in this series, although I will admit that all of them are rather thin on plot. Nevertheless, I've found the characters, human and animal, likable. I've enjoyed following along on the various adventures set out in each book.

Unfortunately, this entry lacks focus and goes beyond cosy to overly cutesy. The author engages in too many addresses to her audience, in a tone that might be found in a book addressed to Beatrice Potter's audience. I had the feeling while I was reading it (skipping pages of Ms Albert's addresses to the reader) that the author had contracted for a book and simply tied this and that together to meet a deadline.

There is no real plot, no questions to be answered, and precious little action of any kind. The incident mentioned in the teaser review (the closing of the footpath)is almost lost in the lesser tales, with the solution to the "mystery" of the fires obvious almost as soon as the characters at the orchard are introduced.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasy Fun, September 15, 2009

By 

Sandy Rhoad "Insatiable reader" (Branchville, SC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Tale of Applebeck Orchard (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix P) (Hardcover)

To all who read the reviewer who said this book has "no plot" -- of course it doesn't and don't expect one. These books are a "Jerry Seinfeld" trip - no plot, no reality -- just fun. It is as if you were a spirit flitting around in the towns of Near and Far Sawrey, drifting in and out of homes and lanes and the lives of the animals and just observing and listening. It's FUN - get it --- a FUN read. It is also a collectible set of books by an excellent author and you will not be disappointed to pick them up again after a first read - on a sleepless night or a cold evening and reread in comfort. You will be SORRY when it ends. Excellent series - do buy them.