Sometimes, the best summer read doesn’t mean the latest best seller. It isn’t the glossy beach read at the checkout aisle of the grocer’s or the week’s best picks from the Sunday paper. Sometimes, the best summer read is hiding in the library’s stacks, featured on a special shelf in a library, or on your own bookshelf – just waiting to be discovered.
I have been meaning to read something of Mary Stewart’s since learning of her recent passing in May. Although I have seen some of the movies that were made from her books, especially The Moon-spinners (did you go through a Hayley Mill’s phase when you were young?), I am sorry to say that I had never read anything by Mary Stewart – until now, that is.
“Rose Cottage” was displayed with a few other Mary Stewart books on top of a shelf highlighting recently deceased authors at the La Grange library. I already had four books, three magazines and an audiobook in my arms, but, how could I resist this cover? Of course, I couldn’t, and it came home with me, where it languished on my bedside table until one day last week.
I was “down for the count” with a bit of an upper respiratory bug, had just finished “Those Who Save Us”, by Jenna Blum, and I needed something a little lighter to read. It was obviously time to visit Rose Cottage.
From the very first paragraph, I was quietly drawn in to the post WWII English countryside. This is a gentle mystery as Kathy Welland, now the war widow Kate Herrick, goes home to Rose Cottage to clear out a few of her grandmother’s things from the home Kathy grew up in. Specifically, Gran wants the contents of small box in the hidey spot, papered over near the fireplace.
Kathy is welcomed back to the village with open arms and is instantly surrounded by warm comforts of home. She quickly realizes, however, that someone has been inside the cottage when she finds the box, but not the key. Once pried open, the box is empty. The ladies from the “Witches Corner” have their own opinions on what has occurred, and Kathy gets help from Davey, a childhood friend. Long held secrets of Kathy’s missing mother are eventually revealed as the story unfolds much like the petals on the old rambling roses in the quiet English countryside.
“Rose Cottage” was a soothing balm for my weary, cough-wracked body and just what I needed to while away the time spent on the couch, looking out at the last of the summer rose blooms. I have learned that this was written later in Mary Stewart’s life. Not considered her best, it was the best one for me at this juncture.
Have you read Mary Stewart? Do you have a favorite to suggest?
I haven’t, Penny, but you’ve inspired me. 🙂 Glad to hear you’re feeling better.
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A soft read for a stuffy head, Andra. Sigh.
Thanks. On meds and should be better soon.
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My favorite is “9 Coaches Waiting”. It’s sort of a Jayne Eyre type story about a governess. There is a villain and a small boy who is the focus of the mystery. These books are so handy when recuperation is in order! Good to know you are on the mend.
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I know I’ll like “9 Coaches Waiting”, then, as I love “Jane Eyre”. It was my first very grown up book. I will check to see where it is in our interlibrary loan system. “Rose Cottage” was the the right formula for stuffy heads, Marilyn. I don’t know how Mary Stewart has passed me by all these years, but, I aim to read a few more. Thanks for the recommendation – and the good wishes.
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Now I want to reread Mary Stewart. I’ve read most of her books but I don’t remember this one. It would be hard to pick a favorite. My Brother Michael comes to mind. Maybe I will remember Rose Cottage when I start reading it again. Our library has it in large print – don’t quite need it, but it’s the only copy they have.
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I believer “Rose Cottage” was later in her career, Joyce, and not quite as suspenseful of some of her others. This was a rather bucolic read. I will remember “My Brother Michael” as I look to read some more. It sounds like you are a fan of Mary Stewarts. Thank you for sharing. I’ve done a few large print books when nothing else was available. The pages turn faster. 🙂
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I read her Merlin trilogy when I was much younger and loved them. Recently I read Touch Not the Cat and rather enjoyed that too. Rose Cottage I’m not familiar with at all but will see if I can see it in the library as I rather like the sound of it.
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I almost checked the first of the Merlin books out, Cath, and I believe you have mentioned them in a post or two. “Touch Not the Cat’ sounds intriguing. Thanks for suggesting it. “Rose Cottage” is just a nice, easy read with a slight bit of a mystery to it. A pleasant way to spend a summer afternoon. 🙂
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Penny, so sorry to hear that you’ve been laid up, but there’s nothing like a tales that gently unfolds at such times. I hope you make a good recovery and feel well soon.
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Thanks, Juliet. Just one of these nasty summertime maladies. Starting to feel better, especially with such nice, gentle reads such as Rose Cottage is.
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Several years ago, I ran across the Merlin books. They were the Crystal Cave, the Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment as I remember. I loved them but it has been so long, I think I could reread them. I have not read The Moon Spinners. I always wanted to as I, too, went through a Haley Mills phase. I will look for Rose Cottage on my next trip to the library and perhaps I’ll find Moon Spinners as well.
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Both you and Cath, above, have mentioned the Merlin books, Janet. I must read them soon. I rather thought you might have also had a Haley Mills phase. I’m thinking I should also read the Moon Spinners – just as soon as I find more time. 🙂 Hope you are having as loving a day down there as we are having here. It is a perfect weather day.
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Dear Penny! I’m sorry you haven’t been well, and hope by now you’re doing much, much better. We are out of town for a couple of days up to our old trailer in the mountains, and I think by the time I arrived I was close to exhausted. I think we all do entirely too much and need those days in bed with a good book! I did go through a Hayley Mills phase, that’s certain, but I’m sure I didn’t realize The Moon Spinners was Mary Stewart. And I hadn’t even heard she’d passed away. There was a time I know I read some of her books and enjoyed them. I was reading Janet’s comment, and think The Hollow Hills and The Last Enchantment ring a bell! Now I must go back to see what I’ve read or what titles I’m simply familiar with. I like your description of her books being a gentle read, and I find that very appealing right now. I am going to do my own library run for some Mary Stewart. Thank you dear Penny…I love your book reviews!
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Thanks, Debra. It’s just one of these summer bugs that come around. 🙂
Actually, I didn’t realize that the Moon Spinners was from a Mary Stewart book until her passing. The La Grange library is particularly good about highlighting works of recently deceased authors. “Rose Cottage” was my first Mary Stewart book ever. It was just the summertime read I needed, prone, on the couch, but, now, with all these great suggestions, I’m eager to read some of her other books.
I’m sure you are enjoying your time away in the mountains, hopefully relaxing and taking in the beauty around you. Thank you.
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Sorry to hear you’ve been unwell, Penny, but a Mary Stewart novel is just the prescription for a gentle recovery. She was at the height of her powers and popularity when I started work in the library in 1973 and I read most of her novels then, but haven’t revisited them, an omission I must repair.
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Thanks, Perpetua. On the mend now.
I don’t know how Mary Stewart went undetected for me, but, mean to read much more of her after this tender read. It is often fun and rewarding to revisit old favorites.
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I think I’d like to read it!
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I hope you give it a try, for it is a charming read. 🙂
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[…] This is the eleventh book I read from my post Credit Where Credit’s Due. I read about Rose Cottage by Mary Stewart from Penny at Life On The Cutoff. You can read her thoughts on the book here. […]
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