Review: Each Scene Is A Gem!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 4, 2013
Who would have thought another book could come out of the first that was so perfect?  Peter Maughan did it, though! In a previous review of his first book I compared him to two of my favorite authors.  In this one, I'm beginning to think of E.F. Benson and the Lucia books. It is so incredible when a writer takes ordinary people and situations and turns them into an extraordinary adventure story. Who needs thrillers and mysteries?  Nothing like a small village for drama! Each scene is a gem:  poaching the poachers (baiters), losing a cursed jewel,  learning how to start a home business per Phineas' foray into evening boat tours and, some might say, marriage counseling.  There are all different age groups including toddlers, mystical otters (ageless)  and heroic characters, especially an aging, bus-riding woman. An additional bonus is the story of the  Famous Cricket Match from Batch Magna. I find cricket boring but hey, it's not a slur on any nationality.  I find American baseball boring too.  Although I'm a woman of peace, I like my sports, well, a bit on the edge.  After all, I grew up in Philly with the Philadelphia Flyers bludgeoning their opponents not once, but twice in a row to win the Stanley Cup, so ice  hockey it is. The good news is, I might actually like cricket after reading these chapters.  Nothing boring there!  I fervently wished for the Flyers 1970s team to appear in the story when Batch Magna's opposing team's best player, Lobby by name, shows up to even the score.  Once, again, using accidental psychology called "Noblesse Oblige,"  Phineas appeals to Sir Humphrey to play, invoking England, St. George and the Alamo (for the New Yorker in Humph).  Surely the next book is on its way...I can hardly wait!