This is my favourite of the original Deptford Mice trilogy. The rural community of fieldmice living in their glorious hall of corn is well drawn, and the bad characters have (rarely for Robin Jarvis) more realistic/sympathetic motivations, like jealousy and fear of sin. And the brave story arc of not having Audrey loved by all, so she has to realise the conserquences of her immature actions and grow up, is great. Still, the overarching plot of 'give someone a chance for redemption and they will relapse and secretly work to kill you all' is a bit of an uncomfortable take home message, even if the charecter is finally redeemed. ( )