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371st out of 602 books
—
916 voters
The Tale of Castle Cottage (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter #8)
by
Susan Wittig Albert (Goodreads Author)
The latest in the Cottage Tales series-starring Miss Potter herself!
It's the heart of summer in 1913, and Beatrix is eager to marry her fiancé, solicitor William Heelis. But there are a few obstacles blocking the happy couple's path to the altar, like the troubled remodeling of Castle Cottage-Will and Beatrix's future home...
It's the heart of summer in 1913, and Beatrix is eager to marry her fiancé, solicitor William Heelis. But there are a few obstacles blocking the happy couple's path to the altar, like the troubled remodeling of Castle Cottage-Will and Beatrix's future home...
Hardcover, 303 pages
Published
September 6th 2011
by Berkley Hardcover
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"The Tale of Castle Cottage" is a historical mystery and romance set in 1913 in England. It's the 8th book in the series, but you don't need to read the previous book to understand this one. Throughout the story, we're told snippets about what has happened in the previous novels (and the title of the novel it happened in), so the previous novels are spoiled to a certain extent if you haven't read them first.
The story was told by a storyteller describing to the reader what's happening and the ba...more
The story was told by a storyteller describing to the reader what's happening and the ba...more
This is a clever tale that incorporates Beatrix Potter's life with the animals about which she wrote. It contains something for every reader including English art and history, a murder mystery, challenging relationships, and romance. The story is not dark in spite of the personal challenges in Ms. Potter's life and the impending world war.
The portions of the story devoted to the animals parallel the actions occurring in Ms. Potter's village. The animals are lovable and entertaining which helps t...more
The portions of the story devoted to the animals parallel the actions occurring in Ms. Potter's village. The animals are lovable and entertaining which helps t...more
The coziest of cozy mystery stories, The Tale of Castle Cottage wraps up this series of mysteries that feature Beatrix Potter amidst the backdrop of her beloved Lakes District farming villages. In this tale, Beatrix has commissioned construction work on Castle Cottage, the residence she and her fiance, Will Heelis, pland to live in when married, if the marriage ever occurs. But the work is not proceeding very well and soon there is talk of malfeasance on the contractor's part and thievery of bui...more
Though I loved this series as a whole, I have to admit that this concluding volume was not one of my favorites. The narrative voice, which started out as a quaint and enjoyable intrusion in the books, rather dominated this last adventure, getting in the way of the story, slight as it was. Beatrix's story in this one was mostly one long wrap-up to her finally marrying Will Heelix with most of the drama actually being "off-screen" during her brother's confrontation with their parents. It was certa...more
"The Tale of Castle Cottage" is a fictional story based on true events in the life of children’s author Beatrix Potter. Beatrix is in the process of renovating Castle Cottage where she and her fiancé Will Heelis will live after they are married, if Beatrix’s parents ever give the couple their blessing. Even if that occurs, they may not have a place to live since the renovations are taking an extraordinary amount of time, possibly due to thievery on the part of the contractor. Does the crooked co...more
At long last, Beatrix Potter has found love again and agreed to take a chance on happiness in marriage with Will Heelis, a highly respectable lawyer from her beloved Lake Country. But will her dreams come true? She's invested her money and time in Castle Cottage, the farm where she hopes to spend her remaining days with Will, but it seems as if the renovations will never be complete. In the midst of dealing with these construction worries (including the possibility of a dishonest contractor), Be...more
The last in a cozy mystery series that combines fact and fiction about childrens' author Beatrix Potter in the early 1900s. Susan Wittig Albert is one of my favorite authors, and with this series she provides a refreshing change from the typical cozy "formula." I haven't read the other books in the series. This one stands quite well on its own, as it should.
Unfortunately, my interest in the preceding books in the series is compromised by the fact that the outcomes of these books are revealed in...more
Unfortunately, my interest in the preceding books in the series is compromised by the fact that the outcomes of these books are revealed in...more
This is the final installment of this series and I am very sorry to have it end. Beatrix Potter has bought Castle Cottage near Hill Top Farm and is having it refurbished. She is hoping that she and Will Heelis will be living there after their marriage but it seems as if that will not happen. Her parents are still violently opposed to her marrying anyone and she is torn about ending her engagement to free Will to find another. The workmen are not progressing very fast on the work on Castle Cottag...more
I am so sorry that this is the last book of this particular series. Albert, however, did an amazing job of revisiting all the characters, and bringing them together in a final adventure.
Beatrix has been ill but is finally back at Hill Top Farm. She has told her parents that she and Will Heelis are engaged. The parents had the typical reaction that was totally selfish on their part which it always is. She and Will have decided remodel Castle Cottage and live there after they're married. It seems,...more
Beatrix has been ill but is finally back at Hill Top Farm. She has told her parents that she and Will Heelis are engaged. The parents had the typical reaction that was totally selfish on their part which it always is. She and Will have decided remodel Castle Cottage and live there after they're married. It seems,...more
A fitting end to the Beatrix Potter cottage tales in that she marries and lives happily ever after on her farms. I'm sad, though, to see the end to the charming and sweet tales of the adventures of Beatrix, her friends, the villagers and the animals. Especially the animals! I've always enjoyed the way Mrs. Albert writes in the Potter style and makes us feel as if we are participating in a magical world where the animals talk to each other and even sit down to dinner in a badger hotel. Reading th...more
The last book of a very, very cozy-mystery series, which ends happily with Beatrix Potter's marriage to Will Heelis. The books are described as family-friendly and they are that. The author includes a chapter of Historical Notes at the end of each book in the series, and this one outlines her life until she died in 1943.
Beatrix Potter's "bunny books" are my favorite children's books, both for the charming stories and the beautiful watercolor paintings, and I like to read anything about her remar...more
Beatrix Potter's "bunny books" are my favorite children's books, both for the charming stories and the beautiful watercolor paintings, and I like to read anything about her remar...more
From the author's end note, I fear this will be the last in the series. I just love these, even though some may think them a bit 'twee'. Anyone who has loved Peter Rabbit and all the other 'little' books by Beatrix Potter will also find this series delightful. The mystery isn't as important as the back ground stories of life in the small Lake District village, and of course the parallel stories of the animals, Crumpet, Tabitha Twitchet, Rascal, and the crowd at the Brockery.... Pure delight.......more
Cuuuuute! So there's this gang of rats hiding out in the barn where beatrix is having some work done and they're stealing from people in the village, and there's a murder to boot! I love this series because it combines interesting facts about Beatrix potter's life along with fictional stories that are heartwarming and sweet. The animals help the townsfolk figure out what's going on with the theft and finally, after 8 whole books, Beatrix gets the news that she will be able to marry Will Heelis w...more
I loved this series! Sad when I got to the end of this one and found it to be the end of the whole. But thank you Susan Wittig Albert for bringing Beatrix Potter to life in the same way she brought small creatures to life for her readers. A selection of sweet tales, full of characters we come to know and love (or scorn as appropriate!), in a beautifully described glimpse of the English Lake Country before it was beset with modern tourism. I may have missed one of the books - I hope so, because t...more
Dec 21, 2012
Michelle
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
cozy-mystery,
historical-mystery
This is the 8th and final book in the Beatrix Potter cozy mystery series. Beatrix is secretly engaged to William Heelis, but is beginning to despair if they will ever be able to marry given her parent's objections to her previous engagement, and to her surprise, William's family does not seem enthusiastic either. Complicating matters is the slow remodeling job at the cottage that will be their new home. Beatrix wants to confront the contractor, but Heelis asks her to wait as he is secretly invol...more
Sadly this seems to be the last of the "Tales of Beatrix Potter" series, but it is a wonderful finale. This time around, there seem to be some irregularities in the construction work at the new home Beatrix has bought. Worse, a carpenter appears to have committed suicide, but did he? And will Beatrix and Will Heelis ever be permitted to marry? Meanwhile the animals in the community are coping with an invasion of rats. A great read - only wish it wasn't the last! B+
This is a very, very cozy mystery. Susan Wittig Albert is a good writer and the tale is very cute. I really liked the characters of Beatrix Potter and her friends. The talking animals with their own parallel adventures are little too cute for my taste, but I know that it's a popular style. Although it's the first I've read of The Cottage Tales, it's the last book in the series, so I've gotten the payoff at the end, which nicely sums up everything.
Oh how depressing that the series ends! I wish it would go on forever. I love this series and am a huge fan of Susan Wittig Albert (and her husband's woodworking is gorgeous! I purchased a bowl as a gift and it made my mom cry it was so beautiful. It has a place of honor at her house. Check out their website and the other beautiful creations that Bill has for sale!).
Think this series has reached it's conclusion. This volume not as enjoyable as the others. Normally there is a mix of biography/history and some (childish?) mystery. This time the mystery was really underplayed and the biographical and historical aspect was stretched out a bit too much. There was a resolution to everything in the end, but it was very abrupt.
These are the very definition of a cozy English mystery. Comforting to read, and I love all the animal characters - with Beatrix Potter as the main character, you have to have badgers and hedgehogs and ferrets and cats, not to mention a rat terrier :).
The little bits of history thrown in are also fascinating - I'd love to visit the Lake District and see her farms!
The little bits of history thrown in are also fascinating - I'd love to visit the Lake District and see her farms!
A very nicely done series, actually a historical fiction, because it is based upon the life of Beatrix Potter in the early 1900's. She becomes involved in a local mystery. The characters are quaint as is the locale. To quote one source - "blend of romance, mystery and nostalgia". I have read most of this series and this is the last one. A solace for the spirit!
I love this series, these books are so cute and sweet and calming. Problems are always solved and things always work out. Love it! I love the way she includes the little animals in the plot and how helpful and enjoyable they are too. I am really sorry this is the last in the series, I will miss Beatrix and everyone.
The last in the tales based on the life of Beatrix Potter. In this one Potter is trying to renovate Castle Cottage and apparently being overcharged. Also things are going missing all around the village. Who is the thief?
It's a lovely storybook type of novel and I enjoyed it as well as the rest of the series.
It's a lovely storybook type of novel and I enjoyed it as well as the rest of the series.
Albert is back on track with this last volume in the "Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter"--the animal aspect of the story wasn't interfered with by too many authorial asides and all aspects of the story were not just "filler" so we could finally get to the big event ending. Well plotted, well characterized, and I am sorry to see this good series end.
#8 in the cottage tales of Beatrix Potter series. In this story, Beatrix helps solve mysteries involving a valuable rare manuscript, a murder and fraud involving building supplies. The folksy humorous tone of the 3rd person narrator helps to make this series a very enjoyable read.
SPOILER
This is the final of the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter series, and I hate it because I love them! I do need to go back and read a few of early ones I missed, so that is something. The ending is happy, and true to what really did happen in Potter's life. A great series.
This is the final of the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter series, and I hate it because I love them! I do need to go back and read a few of early ones I missed, so that is something. The ending is happy, and true to what really did happen in Potter's life. A great series.
Great realistic historical fairy tale. Only realistic if you believe some authors have extraordinary insight into realms unseen and unfelt by other people. And, only realistic if you believe that animals can function as a bridge between all realities. Excellent audio recording.
Feb 21, 2012
Katie
added it
So despite my initial hesitation, I read all the books in this series and truly enjoyed them. Hard-hitting and graphic they are not, but if you're looking for a cozy mystery series where you generally like all the characters and all ends happily, you should give these a try.
This is a charming series about Beatrix Potter. It combines fact and fiction, whimsical mystery, romance, etc. I am sorry that this is the last in Susan Wittig Albert's delightful Cottage Tales series. Just as charming as Beatrx's Peter Rabbit tales.
Oh how I love this stories of Beatrice Potter. Alas, this was the last book in the series. A clever little mystery but mostly the remarkable story drawn from real life of Beatrice and her love for her farms in the Lake country, animals and Mr. Heelis.
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Susan is the author/co-author of three mystery series and other books.
WIDOW'S TEARS,#21 in the China Bayles series
THE TALE OF CASTLE COTTAGE, #8 in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter
THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE CONFEDERATE ROSE, #3 in the Darling Dahlias series, set in the early 1930s in fictional Darling AL
DEATH ON THE LIZARD, the 12th and last (2006) of the Robin Paige series, by Susan and Bill...more
More about Susan Wittig Albert...
WIDOW'S TEARS,#21 in the China Bayles series
THE TALE OF CASTLE COTTAGE, #8 in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter
THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE CONFEDERATE ROSE, #3 in the Darling Dahlias series, set in the early 1930s in fictional Darling AL
DEATH ON THE LIZARD, the 12th and last (2006) of the Robin Paige series, by Susan and Bill...more
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