Thanks Netgalley and Publisher. Not read anything from this author before but have to say I really enjoyed this book, loved the characters and the storyline.

The little village school at Risingdale has a new pupil, Leo. He & his Mother cause quite a stir in the village with their arrival. Who is she and why is renting the old Methodist chapel? With tales of everyday school & village life this is another excellent book by Gervase Phinn.
This is the second book in a series but I read it as a stand alone book & had no problems with the story or the characters. I didn't feel that I was "out of the loop" in any way.
What can I say about Gervase Phinn books? They are light and easy to read but that doesn't mean that they have little content. They are stuffed full of vivid descriptions of everyday life in the village as well as the most wonderful cast of characters. Having read several of the author's autobiographical works I know that the characters and events are taken from his many years as a school inspector in rural Yorkshire.
Gervase Phinn is a born storyteller. I was captivated from start to finish. Just sit back, relax and be prepared for a good read with a few laugh out loud moments on the way.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

In the village of Risingdale a new arrival is causing a stir. Amanda Stanhope is a semi-famous artist and her son, Leo, is joining the village school. For Tom Dwyer this new arrival is possibly a cure for his broken heart. The local squire is struggling with his feelings for his wife and his mistress and the local farmers and their families are as ever.
Phinn has a comfortable niche that he never strays away from - heartwarming tales, a cast of characters that seem caricatures and a love of the Yorkshire Dales - it has served him well and will continue to do so. This book is no exception, the stories are feather light and there is lots of repetition of descriptions yet it works so well. This is the sort of book I like to read just for the way that it requires no effort and is gently amusing, Phinn is the Herriott of education!

In the light of the pandemic this book is a lovely piece of escapism, transporting you back to the 1980’s and the stunningly beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Gervase Phinn was always a most welcome guest at my school to both staff and students alike as he’s so entertaining! He does the same with the written word. The story centres around the village school of Rislingdale, which has the axe of closure hanging over it as do many other small, country schools. The arrival of the widowed artist Mrs Stanhope and her delightful son Leo causes a bit of a flurry and some gentlemen to smarten up their attire in order try to catch her eye. She is very elegant and extremely attractive. Tom Dwyer, ex professional footballer turned very successful teacher who has been a breathe of educational fresh air in the lovely school, is one such hopeful suitor. The headteacher Mr Gaunt is also rather smitten. This is a gentle, humorous and vivid snapshot of village and school life at a time of educational change is a pleasure to read.

The book is peppered with really colourful characters, the Yorkshire dialect is very well captured and the glorious Dales setting shines through, though it clearly shows that farming here in winter is tough like the Herdwick sheep some of them farm. Check them out if you’ve never seen one as they smile!! I want one. Or better still two!! There are some very funny situations not least created by Mrs Gosling the school cleaner, oh sorry, assistant caretaker. She is dazzlingly eye catching with vibrant hair and clashing clothes and exuberant knitting. That sadly goes along with her judgemental mouth!! There’s also Mrs Sloughtwaite in the village shop with her malapropisms that make you smile. The storytelling is lively, it’s well written, there’s a lot that happens in this community over the six months covered, both good and bad. The only negative is that at times it’s over detailed but it’s certainly not dull!

Overall, a lovely easy read at a time when we could probably all do with it. As a former teacher who did a teaching practice in a tiny Yorkshire Wolds school a lot resonates as did the late 80’s winds of change. However, you most certainly do not need to be a teacher to appreciate this little gem. It shines a spotlight on a tight knit community some of whom have the legendary Yorkshire tight pockets. It’s entertaining from start to finish.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for a copy of the book.