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Retallick Saga #7
Ruddlemoor
Josh Retallick and his wife Miriam take on an exciting new challenge as owners of Ruddlemoor china clay works on the outskirts of St. Austell. But a family tragedy forces Josh to leave almost immediately. When he returns he knows that his youngest grandson will one day follow him. So it is that several years later Ben Retallick journeys to Cornwall. His arrival rocks the local community—laborers are wary of this strapping young lad; rival clay owners see him as an unwelcome threat; and Ben's charm sets many a girl's heart aflutter. Deirdre Tresillian, a member of the landed gentry, takes advantage of Ben's naivety; Jo, a poverty-stricken young widow, brings out his protective instincts; Tess considers any man fair game; but it is Lily, Ben's distant cousin, who loves him the most. But what would the future owner of Ruddlemoor see in a humble maid like Lily? As Ruddlemoor enters troubled times, Ben proves that in business no challenge is too great; and in love only on
- GenresHistorical Fiction
688 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
6 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
E.V. Thompson
66 books41 followersaka James Munro (Not this James Munro).
E V Thompson was born in London and spent nine years in the Navy before joining Bristol police. He moved to Hong Kong, then Rhodesia and had over 200 stories published before returning to England to become a full-time award-winning writer.
E V Thompson was born in London and spent nine years in the Navy before joining Bristol police. He moved to Hong Kong, then Rhodesia and had over 200 stories published before returning to England to become a full-time award-winning writer.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 2, 2015
Book One opens in 1893 Josh and Miriam, now in their sixties have made the decision to close the non-profitable Shaptor copper mine , what will they do now? Well we soon find out, also learning why the book is called Ruddlemoor. The Retallicks soon purchase the Ruddlemoor China Clay pit on nearby St Austell Moor.
There is some well written dialogue which helps us to get to know about the characters. For example: 'I've known him since we were boys in the same village. He had twice as much tongue as brain, even then.'
Darley and Lucy, children of Lottie (Trago?) and Gr? nephew and niece to Josh and Miriam are also introduced during book one.
Josh has to return to South Africa when news of the death of Daniel and Wyatt. Daniel is the only son of the Retallicks, Wyatt is his oldest son. What will happen to his widow and her other sons?
The second book opens in 1894 and charts Josh's visit to Matableland. He re-establishes links with his grand-children: Nathan, Adam, and Benjamin. However he returns to Cornwall alone, after an incident packed journey which included a spell in prison. Would this be the last time he saw his grandchildren?
Book three, which starts in 1902, is set back in Cornwall. This makes up the last two thirds of this 680 page epic. The pace of the story is swift and kept me wanting to keep finding out what happens next. I will avoid too much detail as I do not want to spoil the story. Suffice to say that Ben on arriving in clay country, eventually takes over the running of Ruddlemoor from Josh. With whom will he end up sharing his life?
There is some well written dialogue which helps us to get to know about the characters. For example: 'I've known him since we were boys in the same village. He had twice as much tongue as brain, even then.'
Darley and Lucy, children of Lottie (Trago?) and Gr? nephew and niece to Josh and Miriam are also introduced during book one.
Josh has to return to South Africa when news of the death of Daniel and Wyatt. Daniel is the only son of the Retallicks, Wyatt is his oldest son. What will happen to his widow and her other sons?
The second book opens in 1894 and charts Josh's visit to Matableland. He re-establishes links with his grand-children: Nathan, Adam, and Benjamin. However he returns to Cornwall alone, after an incident packed journey which included a spell in prison. Would this be the last time he saw his grandchildren?
Book three, which starts in 1902, is set back in Cornwall. This makes up the last two thirds of this 680 page epic. The pace of the story is swift and kept me wanting to keep finding out what happens next. I will avoid too much detail as I do not want to spoil the story. Suffice to say that Ben on arriving in clay country, eventually takes over the running of Ruddlemoor from Josh. With whom will he end up sharing his life?
November 26, 2025
I live in Cornwall and almost read this book out of duty, to learn some more about my local area and it's history. I was really surprised how easy it was to read and how atmospheric it is. The characters were great and I enjoyed the whole book.
March 29, 2016
A Cornish tale set amidst the clay works and community St. Austell at the end of the 19th century.
When Josh and Miriam Retallick after their mine closes down moves into the clay fields to carve a niche for themselves there and offer ongoing jobs to their workers they believe they are starting a new exciting and challenging phase of their lives but after a family tragedy their grandson takes over Ruddlemoor and is determined to set everything to rights as everything is in chaos due to the social and economical climate.
Ben is up against trade unions, strikes, underhand and scheming clay works owners who think this upstart has no right to be working alongside them, a member of the landed gentry and her granddaughter who uses her feminine wiles to get what she wants, a local madman who holds a grudge against Ben and his burgeoning love for his distant cousin Lily.
It seems the cards are stacked against him and with problems descending on his young shoulders from every quarter can he turn the tide and save Ruddlemoor, the inheritance given to him by his grandparents, the workers jobs, his love affair with Lily and ultimately his own life when the evil Eddie Long a disgruntled worker decides to move against him and take his revenge...
Well written with a thoroughly researched wealth of historical detail and engaging storyline this is a must for history / historical novel fans.
Believable characters and topical issues of the day lends an air of realism and excitement to this finely crafted tale.
A must read.
When Josh and Miriam Retallick after their mine closes down moves into the clay fields to carve a niche for themselves there and offer ongoing jobs to their workers they believe they are starting a new exciting and challenging phase of their lives but after a family tragedy their grandson takes over Ruddlemoor and is determined to set everything to rights as everything is in chaos due to the social and economical climate.
Ben is up against trade unions, strikes, underhand and scheming clay works owners who think this upstart has no right to be working alongside them, a member of the landed gentry and her granddaughter who uses her feminine wiles to get what she wants, a local madman who holds a grudge against Ben and his burgeoning love for his distant cousin Lily.
It seems the cards are stacked against him and with problems descending on his young shoulders from every quarter can he turn the tide and save Ruddlemoor, the inheritance given to him by his grandparents, the workers jobs, his love affair with Lily and ultimately his own life when the evil Eddie Long a disgruntled worker decides to move against him and take his revenge...
Well written with a thoroughly researched wealth of historical detail and engaging storyline this is a must for history / historical novel fans.
Believable characters and topical issues of the day lends an air of realism and excitement to this finely crafted tale.
A must read.
July 27, 2011
I so do not want this series to come to a end.........only 2 more to go :-(
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews