Having the Decorators in

Dame Constance de Clair #2

by Reay Tannahill

With a cast of charming characters - introduced to us in HAVING THE BUILDERS IN - this witty and clever novel tells the story of the inhabitants of Vine Regis castle and its surrounding town. After far too many months of HAVING THE BUILDERS IN, Dame Constance's (newly extended) castle, Vine Regis, is her own once more. Finally she has the peace and quiet she needs to begin the all-important task of decorating. Or so she thinks! Unfortunately for Constance, it's not just her Italian decorator's choice of colours that are revolting -- apparently the townsfolk are at it too. Outraged by the Poll Tax, murderous rebels are rumoured to be on the rampage. As meddlesome merchants, pesky Pilgrims and rowdy relatives seek refuge at the castle, Constance's dreams of interior design disappear out of the window. This simply won't do; Dame Constance should be picking out fabrics not picking up after uninvited guests. But as Lady of the Manor she must do her duty. Unless, of course, she can devise a way to get rid of them! HAVING THE DECORATORS IN is wickedly witty, deliciously delightful and infinitely more enjoyable than watching paint dry.

Genres: Historical, Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2007

About the author

Reay Tannahill was born on December 9, 1929 in Glasgow, Scotland, where she brought up. Her forename was the maiden name of her mother, Olive Reay. She was educated at Shawlands Academy, and obtained an MA in History and a postgraduate certificate in Social Sciences at the University of Glasgow. In 1958, she married Michael Edwardes but the marriage ended in divorce in 1983, he died in 1990. Until her death on November 2, 2007, she lived in a smart terrace house in London near Tate Britain.

Before started to write, she worked as a probation officer, advertising copywriter, newspaper reporter, historical researcher and graphic designer. She published her first non-fiction book in 1964. The international success came with the novel Food in History, her publisher suggested a companion volume on the second great human imperative, Sex in History. For her 2002 revised edition of 'Food in History, she won the Premio Letterario Internazionale Chianti Ruffino Antico Fattore. She also wrote historical romance novels, and in 1990, her novel Passing Glory won in 1990 the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association. She belonged to the Arts Club and the Authors' Club, and was chairman of the latter from 1997 to 2000.

Reviews

[Éowyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant stuff! I absolutely loved this book, and also Having the Builders In, which comes before this. It's only sad that there aren't any more in the series. It's a nice, light read and made me smile while retaining a good sense of historical period and accuracy.

[Jill Boulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read from one of my favourite authors

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the follow-up to "Having the Builders In".

This, like it's predecessor is set in medieval England. Dame Constance has finally got her beloved Vine Regis back to herself after having extension work, now she is to get a flamboyant Italian painter in to help decorate. What doesn't help is Dame Constance's lack of Italian and the decorator's lack of English!

There are further problems when there are revolts over the country over the poll tax and Dame Constance is inundated with unwanted guests seeking refuge from possible riots.

I really enjoyed this book which despite it's setting feels modern. The heroine is assertive and sassy and you feel sympathy for her - you want her to get rid of her house guests as much as she does!

Well worth a read, though I would recommend reading "Having the Builders In" prior to this.

Reay Tannahill sadly won't be writing any more of these books as she sadly passed away in November 2007. What better way of commemorating this lady's talent than by reading her books?

[Rhode PVD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a bit more than the last book, perhaps mainly because this time I knew more of what to expect. The "decorators" in this case are mainly a mural painter who we see occasionally, along with a barely glimpsed furniture maker.

The story is another coming of age tale, but in this case the girl in question is a highly educated young woman who is very sure she does not want a husband. Another strand of the story is Watt's rebellion, both his actual arrival at the outskirts of London as well as the effect on the castle back at Vine Regis which is packed to the gills with travelers of all stations in life seeking shelter from the rebellion.

The history is rock solid, both in big things and small...right down to foods and painting techniques of the Middle Ages.

[Trisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story follows on from the other book and I have to admit to whisking through the pages - didn't enjoy this as much- bit too much padding

[Darkpool · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming and inoffensive, with an excess of HEAs.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This lovely tonge-in-the-cheek book is worth the amusement value of reading it. Very easy read.

[Yvette]

Christmas gift from Kieran