Fantastic. Really captures E.F. Benson's style, although there is something a little modern about the way it is done - but in a good way. It's a shame Holt didn't write more, because the next attempt to revive the characters, at the start of the 21st century, would be a grim failure. ( )

Surprisingly well-done book based on E.F. Benson's characters in his Lucia and Mapp stories. While the book is episodic, many of the episodes are connected. Lucia is Mayor of Tilling, Mapp is her Mayoress, they are both married, and part of Tilling "society," which seems to consist of about ten people. Lucia and Georgie now live in town at Mallards, Elizabeth Mapp's former home; and Elizabeth and Benjy are at Grebe. Monopoly (the game), the Mapp-Flint three-wheeled vehicle, an embroidered tapestry designed by Lucia to show the entire history of Tilling, a visit by Queen Mary, a photographic essay of houses with architectural interest, Elizabeth Mapp's ancestors are some of the concerns of Tilling society. I was disappointed that Irene does something mean to Mapp only because she can, and not because Mapp has done something specific to hurt Lucia.

Near the end, Olga Bracely appears and explains Lucia to Georgie: "... There are some people ... who have a right to put upon other people, even make them miserable at times, because they're unique. Lucia's just like that. She's like an elephant, Georgie. She goes crashing through the jungle, trampling on everything and everybody, but she can get away with it because she's bigger than everyone else. Not better, but bigger. ..." [p.206] ( )

Tom Holt has continued a wonderful cast of characters introduced by E.F. Benson. Would highly recommend Holt's two novels for the Mapp and Lucia fan. ( )