Book Description:
Out of spite for having his haystacks burnt, Mr. Harmsworth barricades a common path through his orchard-and Tabitha Twitchet and her Cat Council want answers. Reliable witnesses, including some Big Folk, say the arson was the handiwork of a lantern-wielding specter. The mournful ghost has a message-and Miss Potter, for one, hopes to figure it out.
Meanwhile in Sawrey, romance buds between the schoolmarm and a confirmed bachelor; Hyacinth Badger hopes to be the first female to earn the Badger Badge of Honor; and a rumor has Beatrix and the solicitor practically betrothed. But the matter of the barricade involves everyone-and Miss Potter and her friends might have to take matters into their own hands-and paws.
My thoughts:
The Tale of Applebeck Orchard is the sixth book in The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert. Beatrix Potter is back to her natural inquisitiveness that helps her find the answers to the problems that are plaguing the villagers. Also, love is discovered by Beatrix and Mr. Hellis. I did enjoy The Tale of Applebeck Orchard better than the previous book, but I still found the author's "voice" irritating. I will now have to wait until next year for the next book in the series, which is no problem on my part. As much as I've enjoyed this series, I'm ready for a break.
It might help if you imagine this "irritating" voice, not as the author's but as a narrator who witnesses the scenes and comments on them. If you've ever read any 19th century fiction (particularly children's fiction), you'll recognize this way of telling stories. Beatrix Potter often used it in her own books. It's a story-telling mode we've lost in the 20th century. In this series, I thought it was appropriate (and fun!) to bring it back.
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