The County Fair: A Novel [Paperback]

Katherine Valentine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 13, 2007

The annual County Fair sparks a flurry of activity and brings some surprising secrets to light in this heartwarming conclusion to Katherine Valentine’s beloved Dorsetville series.

It’s the end of summer and Dorsetville folks are busier than bees. Days are filled from dawn to sunset with last-minute chores, while the women struggle to find time to prepare their special dishes in hopes of winning a coveted blue ribbon at the annual County Fair. As opening day of the fair draws near, folks have plenty to occupy their minds as well. Much to the chagrin of Father James, he has been chosen to help judge the apple pie contest; Matthew Metcalf worries about how to keep his girlfriend and pay for college at the same time; the Petersons welcome a long-awaited and newly adopted baby; and Hudson, Marion Holmes’s butler, hopes to give his beloved employer a new reason to live by researching the parentage of a young boy who has just arrived in town along with the fair. The boy is a carbon copy of Marion’s deceased son, William. Could he be the product of an old love affair between William and a girl whose uncle once owned a carnival? Before this mystery can be solved, however, the sheriff and the FBI must figure out—before it’s too late—that the owner of the fair is planning to risk the lives of the fairgoers in order to hide a major drug deal he is taking part in.

THE COUNTY FAIR is a wonderful continuation of the Dorsetville series, where good friends are never farther away than a handshake and God’s intervention is as close as a prayer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

PRAISE FOR the Dorsetville Series:

“One of the loveliest novels I’ve read in years. Kate Valentine has created a world filled with laughter, tears, and enough goodness to warm the heart. Her return to Dorsetville is a triumph of faith, humor, and hope.”
—New York Times bestselling author Barbara Delinsky

“A hot cup of hearth, home, and hope in the cold, snowy cynicism of our times. Drink up!”
—Brian Bird, co-executive producer, Touched By An Angel

About the Author

KATHERINE VALENTINE is the author of A Miracle for St. Cecilia’s (winner of honorable mention by the Catholic Press Association), A Gathering of Angels (winner of a Popular Presentation Award of the Catholic Faith from the Catholic Press Association), Grace Will Lead Me Home, and On a Wing and a Prayer.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: Image (March 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385516088
• ISBN-13: 978-0385516082
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.6 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #798,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faith Filled Fiction, June 8, 2007

By 

Lisa M. Hendey "Mom, Blogger, Podcaster, Author" (Fresno, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The County Fair: A Novel (Paperback)

I have been a fan of the writing of Katherine Valentine since I discovered A Miracle for St. Cecilia's, the first in her Dorsetville series. So I was excited to read The Country Fair and become reacquainted with the lovable characters that fill the pages of Valentine's stories. I must say that The County Fair exceeded all of my hopes and expectations. Not only was the plot line wonderful, but the message of faith and hope that fills this novel is completely uplifting.

You need not have read the other Dorsetville books to enjoy The Country Fair, but after having read it you may want to treat yourself to the entire series. The book stands on its own merit, relating brief vignettes from previous installments like great memories in a scrapbook for Valentine fans. As always, the characters of Dorsetville are both human and very lovable. The book features not one, but three, faith-filled priests who are spot-on in their devotion to their vocations and their shepherding of their flocks. Valentine writes these characters so truthfully, showing their own personal struggles as they minister to their community.

The County Fair features a crime mystery, a family's deep hidden secret, a relationship on the rocks and lots of good, plain fun. Like the novels of Jan Karon, Valentine's work centers around the relationships of the inhabitants of a small town as they interrelate with one another. The storyline moves quickly and gracefully to a totally uplifting conclusion.

My favorite aspect of The Country Fair is the theme of resurrection and new life that permeates the book. Valentine is able to gently remind her readers that in this life, the end is really only the beginning of what is truly wonderful. As a fan of her writing, I hope the end of our Dorsetville adventure will be the beginning of many new plots and characters in future books.

For its tremendous message of hope and faith and for the wonderful way in which she continues to bring Dorsetville to life, I give Katherine Valentine's The Country Fair my highest recommendation.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars County Fair, January 19, 2008

By 

D. Walker (kentucky) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The County Fair: A Novel (Paperback)

I loved this book, it had everything to make it a good book, characters, setting, excitment and drama, happiness and sadness. Three cheers to good clean story telling.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great cozy read, July 21, 2007

By 

Annie E. "kitchen crafter" (Arkansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The County Fair: A Novel (Paperback)

This is a great book to curl up with rather than watching the cheesy stuff they put on TV these days. The story makes one want to find where this great town is and look for real estate. I love this author's work, particularly the series of which this newest title is a part. The Catholic Church, as most other churches, is made up of a variety of members. Kate Valentine includes many of the types, including the ones for which heaven most rejoices--those who claim their faith after many years of indifference. Jesus said it is harder for the rich to attain Heaven, and I especially love the storyline that illustrates this struggle. There isn't any heavy theology in this book. It is a nice story, full of hope, which the world needs terribly these days. You will like it, and want to read the early novels in the series. Get them and encourage Ms. Valentine to continue to write.