A Warm Welcome to Major Pettigrew

If you're in the USA, UK or Canada, look out for Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, publishing in hardcover in the next few days. It's a charming first novel by Helen Simonson starring retired Major Ernest Pettigrew and Mrs Jasmina Ali, widowed owner of the village shop. Set in a small country village in the south of England, the author absolutely nails the quintessentially English characters and setting, but the story evolves into something deeper than the anticipated microcosm of village life and prejudices.  While very different to The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society or The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, readers of either of these are likely to appreciate Major Pettigrew's outlook on life.

On closing the book I was seriously tempted to start a petition begging Ms Simonson to write a cozy mystery series starring the Major and Mrs Ali, who would make a fine pair of sleuths solving crimes with the help of copious cups of good tea and Kipling quotes; but, on reflection, I agree with her that it's better to "leave them alone to stroll the cliff tops of Sussex and sit down every Sunday to tea and books" - so instead I will shelve Major Pettigrew close at hand for rereading and lending to friends, and eagerly await her next book!

You can read more about Major Pettigrew, including an excerpt and exclusive interview with Helen Simonson here.

Another book that manages to get under the skin of life in small-town England is Louis de Berniere's Notwithstanding: Stories from an English Village, recently released in the UK but not yet available elsewhere as far as I know. I was fortunate to happen across some of these stories being read on BBC Radio 4's Book at Bedtime a few weeks ago and loved all five that were broadcast. Sadly, the recordings are no longer available, but the book is well worth seeking out by anglophiles and lovers of a story well told.

---- Davina, BookBrowse editor