Susan Witting Albert The Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood

The Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood

Susan Witting Albert

Berkley, July 2006, $23.95, 352 pp.

ISBN 0425210049

Although Miss Beatrix Potter spends much of her time in London behaving as a dutiful daughter who makes life easier for her society parents, her true home is in the town of Sawrey. Her heart belongs to her estate Hill Top Farm and though she can only make infrequent visit there, the villagers accept her as one of their own because they sense a kindred spirit. Her latest visit in the spring of 1907 forces her to deal with the rat population that has taken up residence in her home and the out building. One of the rats, a timid, professional type, advertises for cats to take up residence and kill the rats.

As more and more cats answer the ad, Miss Potter is concerned that Major Christopher Kittredge of Raven Hall, at the urgings of his wife is willing to build villas on his property on the shores of the lake. She fears that the project will spoil the atmosphere of the village. The vicar of Sawrey is dealing with his own problem. His cousins the Thextons have outstayed their welcome and he doesn't know how to get rid of them. Miss Pother has an idea how to do just that when she wants to out a blackmailer and a bigamist She also would like to find a way for a bright lad to continue his education but the indenture papers are about to be signed.

This is a charming, beguiling and enchanting work about an adult author who is responsible for overseeing her parents' household still believing in the magic of the fairy folks. Fans who like the Mrs. Murphy mysteries where the animals speak to one another and look out for their humans will thoroughly enjoy this piquant cozy where the crimes committed are of a non-violent nature which fits the serene atmosphere that the author successfully creates.

Harriet Klausner