The writing is good and the tale whisks along at a rare old pace. Judge Kettle has taken a young bride, Madeline, who would have been destitute after her father's death had he not interceded. A thoroughly unlikeable character he belittles everyone he comes in contact with and now his Uncle has died leaving him a thriving law practice and an elegant house he meets his match in Mrs Batley - a formidable Housekeeper.
The Publisher's Blurb advises this is a tale about the daughter of Madeline and Judge Kettle but the First Impression leaves us prior to her birth. The scene setting is good and we get a good idea of the characters of the people introduced so far. Except, strangely, for Madeline who is a meek bystander to the tale. The Judge is straight from a Victorian Melodrama with no saving characteristics at all - he is just short of a handlebar mustache to twirl.
I'm not entirely sure that this is my cup of tea at all but the plot whisks breathlessly along so maybe I would find it more enjoyable than first glimpses would suggest.
The Publisher's Blurb advises this is a tale about the daughter of Madeline and Judge Kettle but the First Impression leaves us prior to her birth. The scene setting is good and we get a good idea of the characters of the people introduced so far. Except, strangely, for Madeline who is a meek bystander to the tale. The Judge is straight from a Victorian Melodrama with no saving characteristics at all - he is just short of a handlebar mustache to twirl.
I'm not entirely sure that this is my cup of tea at all but the plot whisks breathlessly along so maybe I would find it more enjoyable than first glimpses would suggest.