Lead Review (A Village Scandal)
- Book: A Village Scandal
- Location: Giggleswick
- Author: Diane Allen
1941 – Flora Whitaker is saying goodbye to her husband, Bill, who has enlisted afresh, leaving her to run the pub – The Cunning Vixen – on her own, with the help of young May, who lives next door. However, it is a struggle to source things that she desperately needs to keep the pub afloat, keeping everyone fed and watered when rationing had just been introduced and doing her best to abide by the strictures of the times.
She is living in a salt-of-the-earth community, so support is always forthcoming, surrounded by people who will help (and at times hinder) her quest to manage.
She advertises for a lodger whilst Bill is away which raises eyebrows in certain quarters. But needs must…. and when Matt arrives, the gossip mongers inevitably go into overdrive. Her husband gets to hear of the new incumbent…
Meanwhile May has started to step out with the local policeman, which is at some levels unwelcome because he might just discover all the illicit goings-on in the community.
This is a story of hardship and determination, the war unfolding in the background, and there are plenty of nods to the Yorkshire accent in the dialogue, which give the storyline an authentic feel. An enjoyable, quick read.
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