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

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

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 (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425229777
• ISBN-13: 978-0425229774
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,528 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #3 in

  Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Authors, A-Z > ( A ) > Albert, Susan Wittig

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whimsical, fanciful and magical, September 5, 2009

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In 1910 Miss Beatrix Potter is able to get away from her parents who are vacationing at a vacation spot in the Lake District. She goes to her properties in the Land Between the lakes, Hill Top Farm and Castle Farm, which is where her heart belongs. Miss Potter is accepted by the villagers as one of them although she is only a part-time resident.

Trouble is brewing in the hamlet when Mr. Harmsworth barricades the foot path running through his property, Applebeck Farm. He claims he did it because someone lit a fire to his hayloft; either an enemy or a day-tripper (tourist to you non Beatles' fans). The truth is someone wants to buy his property but only if the foot path is closed. Miss Potter learns from Harmsworth's orphaned teenaged niece Gilly that she saw someone from her window in a cape with a cowl carrying an old fashion lantern. In between helping her friends, Miss Potter figures out who he arranged the sale to, but not before another fire ruins a place of business shocking the small community.

Whimsical, fanciful and magical describes this precious tale in which the creatures of different species talk to each other and Bosworth Badger XVII owns the Brockery, an animal hostelry on Holly Hew where they come to relax. There is a bit of romance as Miss Potter and solicitor William Heelis begin to understand their feelings for each other although each tries to conceal their attraction as her high society parents would disapprove of him and for that matter any suitor as they plan on their only offspring to care for them in their dotage. Once again Susan Wittig Albert provides her audience with a charming cottage tale of Beatrix Potter.

Harriet Klausner

4 of 5 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 (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

4 of 6 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

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.