Customer Reviews

The Tale of Oat Cake Crag (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix P)

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Susan Albert's Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter are books I look forward to all year. Her description of the Land between the Lakes, its animals and humans, as well as village life, is vivid and imaginative. Like seeing it from Beatrix Potter's eyes a century ago. Susan Albert's omniscient narrator is less intrusive and opinionated, which I appreciate. This one, like all the others, was worth the wait.

Beatrix Potter continues to rusticate at Hill Top Farm in the Lake District in order to avoid her snooty upper class parents. She knows they will denigrate her fiancé and scornfully disapprove her engagement to solicitor Will Heelis that she has concealed from them. Beatrix learned her lesson when she became engaged to her editor Norman Warne six years ago only to face a barrage of criticism; she believes that they rejoiced when Normand passed away prior to their marriage.

Beatrix and the local birds and animals are irritated with the noise making new gizmo, a flying floating aeroplane that sputters with a racket more than it soar over Lake Windemere; even the loud teen dragon finds the plane disconcerting. Meanwhile at Oat Cake Crag, Rascal the Jack Russell takes her to injured plane designer Fred L. Baum.

The latest Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter (see The Tale of Applebeck Orchard and The Tale of Briar Bank) is an entertaining whimsical entry that once again captures the essence of the author and more pointedly her tales. The mystery remains in the backseat to Ms. Potter's lifestyle in the Lake District and her relationships with humans especially a touch of romance with Will and the animals. Fans will enjoy her escapades as The Tale of Oat Oak Crag is a charming cottage cozy.

Harriet Klausner

Susan Wittig is a special and gifted writer. I've read ALL of her books and each type, whether mystery, fun or serious, showcases her talent. This particular type of book - fun - tells of the first attempt at flying before the war, the stories of animals who can talk and the wonderful life of Beatrix Potter. This is a real break from the woes of this world. It is fun to lose yourself in the world of "human animals". The owl is particularly entertaining and I will miss this series terribly when she ends her stories. If you decide to purchase these special books be sure and have them individually signed by Susan or ask for bookplates that are signed. They are ever so special and should be handed down to those lovers of books that follow you.

Beatrix Potter is dismayed to discover that her friend Grace Lythecoe is getting nasty letters warning her not to marry the vicar. Who would do such a terrible thing to two lovely and lonely people?
Beatrix needs time to think and the quiet of her beloved county side, but this is not to be as amphibious aircraft is being tested all day. The mechanical noise is frightening the animals and driving the locals to distraction. Village gossip is most deadly and Beatrix does not want to fall victim to it herself as her interest in Mr. Hellis grows, but then what we want is not always what we get.
Enjoy this current addition to a beloved cozy series.
Nash Black, author of Indie finalists WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and HAINTS.

Also a top pick is Susan Wittig Albert's THE TALE OF OAT CAKE CRAG: The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter, a seventh Potter tale that finds Beatrix in hiding from her parents, whom she knows will disapprove of her secret engagement. A teen dragon, an injury to Fred L. Baum, and more blend fantasy into a light mystery perfect for prior Albert fans of the Beatrix Potter series.

I love this series based (loosely) on Beatrix Potter's life. Until Susan Wittig Albert wrote these, all I knew about Beatrix Potter was that she wrote lovely books for very young children and the characters of the books were often used to decorate children's nurseries.
English cozies are my favorite mysteries and this one is just right because at last Beatrix and Will are finally though secretly engaged. I've been waiting for them to fall in love and realize they are perfect for each other. There are also follow up glimpses into the lives of other villagers such as Captain Woodcock and his new wife, Margaret former head teacher of Sawrey School. And of the captain's sister, Dimity and Major Kittredge living happily in Raven Hall with their two children. As well as, Caroline Longford all grown up and her formidable grandmother, Lady Longford.
The village creatures are back too--Rascal and Bosworth Badger and Professor Galileo Newton Owl all keeping tabs on the Big Folk and the strange noisy contraption that causing such controversy in the Land Between the Lakes.

Susan Wittig Albert'sThe Tale of Oat Cake Crag (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix P) [Hardcover](2010)It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a book that made me giggle on some pages and laugh out loud on others. What a gentle wonderful story bought a second copy for a friend who like me would enjoy a gentle story for a change and she did. I have purchased two more books by the same author about Beatrix Potter, I hope she keeps writting as they bring such sweet plesure. AJD

This is the seventh book in the Beatrix Potter cozy mystery series. Beatrix and the village are dealing with an intrusion from the modern world with the testing of a hydroplane at the local lake. While there are two mysteries within the book (the poison pen letters to Grace, who is about to marry, and the fall of the plane builder from Oat Cake Crag) the primary story is about changing relationships. Beatrix is having to deal with the rumors surrounding her secret engagement to William Heelis, and Jeremy is planning on getting married, but to which of his childhood friends? Of course the village animals play a key role in the story, including the local dragon, Thorvaald. We also begin to see the shadows of the approaching war, with a cameo appearance from Winston Churchill. This was a delightful, charming addition to the series.

This series of books keeps me wanting for more. Beatrix Potter and her frieds, human and animal, make for a great read. The books can be read in order, but they also stand alone. The author does a great job of establishing times, places and characters in each book. There is no fear of things turning graphic--after all this is just after the Victorian age. I highly recommend this book and all of the books in the series.