Up The Garden Path: A collection of 24 short stories

by Patsy Collins

UP THE GARDEN PATH Eleanor has a traditional garden her grandchildren will love; won't they? Mrs Dalrymple's country home seems the perfect refuge for Daryl and there's no reason Emma can't call the big house home, is there? Homes and gardens aren't always peaceful havens though. Ted's tranquility is under threat from a BBQ for teenage twins, Penny the Jack Russell is called upon to protect her mistress from a terrifying intruder, avoiding Frances's annoying neighbour was almost the death of her and Rachel can't bring herself to step out the back door. A walk in the countryside might be less traumatic, unless your beloved tree has been damaged as badly as your heart or Mrs Bishop is lurking to find fault with all you do. Even the simple act of arranging flowers causes problems if your boss is as mean as Brenda's. Valerie managed to dig herself out of depression on her allotment but Sally was faced with the perils of half an hour in the potting shed with the attractive yet infuriating Jim. Gardens, plants and people all have their stories. Let me lead you up the garden path and tell you a few.

178 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2013

About the author

Patsy Collins will write anywhere she can reach in her campervan and has written most of her books 'on location'.

She's the author of six novels; one murder mystery, four contemporary romances and one coming of age story with a difference. Hundreds of her short stories have been published in magazines or placed in competitions. Some of these stories have been included in over twenty themed collections of 24 short stories.

Patsy also runs the womagwriter blog and is co-author of From Story Idea to Reader – an accessible guide to writing fiction and A Year Of Ideas:365 sets of writing prompts and exercises.

Reviews

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

As well as being a much-published author, of magazine stories and of three published novels, Patsy Collins is an enthusiastic gardener, something which comes across in this collection of twenty-four short stories. Published by Alfie Dog, this collection is Patsy at her best - people-centred, accessible, well-constructed and written in good English.

My favourite, I think, was 'Watchdog', which was about an illusive Intruder, who turned out to be nothing of the sort. I should have seen it coming, especially as the mc could well have been me. The petty-criminal mc of 'Mrs Dalrymple', however, got his come uppance - you should never underestimate the acumen of older ladies! 'Easter at Eleanor's' was poignant, about an aunt, who on being asked to look after her niece's children, planned some good healthy and jolly old fashioned activities to entertain them. You think you can guess what happened next? Well, read the collection of stories to find out.

Patsy is now working on a fourth novel, 'Poppyfield Farm'.

[Julie Lees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patsy Collins is renowned on the short story circuit as a master of her craft. I have read many of her offerings, over the years, and can honestly say, I’ve yet to read a bad one. This collection, published by Alfie Dog Fiction and entitled 'Up The Garden Path', is no exception. The stories are absorbing, entertaining and beautifully crafted. They deal with a variety of difficult subject matter including death, isolation, low self-esteem and insecurity, as well as the frustration of growing old, but invariably end with a message of hope.

Patsy demonstrates an extensive knowledge and love of gardening, which reverberates throughout her stories — hence the title — and is probably most evident in 'Flowers for Milly' and 'The Garden', the latter of which has an unexpected and surprising twist to the tale.

If you’re a fan of the familiar style adopted by popular women’s magazines, you will love this collection and even if you’re not, you can’t help but admire the author’s expertise, within her chosen genre.

[Mark Syder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having already read one of Patsy's collections I knew I was on safe ground asking for this to be my latest selection for the Alfiedog readers' panel. The collection starts well with a story I would describe as a romcom. There are plenty of surprises in the following stories, some of which will amuse the reader, and others which will surprise.

Several of the stories are of the "women's magazine" variety, and therefore not what I would usually read from choice. These are somewhat tamer than the stories I generally enjoy, but I would stress that this is a reflection on the genre rather than on Patsy's writing.

Overall this is another good collection and I would have no hesitation in reading more of Patsy's work.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of short stories (some of them very short) centered around the theme of women and their interest in gardening or the countryside. The stories are of the "feel good" type, light reading typical of those found in women's magazines. My choice of reading material usually tends towards more literary fiction in the genres of drama, magical realism or fantasy; but some of these stories do touch on the themes of loneliness, loss and insecurity and some are amusing.
A quick, easy read for women.

[Fay Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely selection of short stories, not all strictly garden-themed (which I was happy about as I'm not really a gardening person!), but somehow related, which is fine - and actually very clever. A pleasure to read.

[Joanne R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Not the kind of book I’d usually read but I didn’t enjoy. Although some stories drew me in and I was disappointed when they ended