The early death of a small town councilman reveals deep-rooted conflicts in the seemingly idyllic community of Pagford, which rapidly deteriorates in the face of cultural disputes, generation clashes, and a volatile election.

Little is known of the village's most distinguished son, Nathaniel Patten, until an unexpected letter arrives. When the correspondence shows that one hundred years have passed since the opening of Patten's mission school in Africa, coinciding with the centenary of Thrush Green's own village school, the townsfolk decide to combine the festivities for a very special occasion. As with all village events, the plans for the celebration are beset with anxieties,...

Friends, neighbors, and relatives disturb the tranquility of Joan and Edward Young in their stone house in the English village of Thrush Green.

With four grandchildren as guests at Harrington Manor in the weeks leading up to Christmas, Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, is happy to have them busy themselves with the mystery of the village's missing book of Christmas carols as well as playing Cupid for the church's organist.

Someone's been stealing tack from the equestrian set, and then a local ne'er-do-well is killed when his horse bolts in front of his van. With a new, possibly untrustworthy employee on her hands, Lois doesn't know quite what to make of all these disturbances, but it soon becomes clear that she'd better figure it out posthaste, or she herself may take a nasty tumble.

The last novel in the beloved Fairacre series finds Miss Read with important decisions to make. Gradually worsening health forces her to consider an early retirement. John Jenkins, a handsome newcomer, competes for her affections with the newly widowed Henry Mawne. However, Miss Read has more on her mind than men. Orphans living in her former house have bolstered the village school's roll, but these new students seem to be having problems with their...

Mary Lindsay met her little cousin and namesake only once, but she saw in the quiet, imaginative child a kindred spirit to inherit her ancient house. Fifty years later the younger Mary inherited the house with no knowledge of it beyond her indelible childhood memories, and no experience at all of living in the country.