The Tale of Applebeck Orchard (Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter Series #6)

Delightful book about Beatrix Potters life in the country. Part factual and part fiction.

A very cute story with more attention spent on the people and creatures than on the happenings. I quite enjoyed it. It was nice to watch the two romances develop in Sawry and to learn about the marriage of Thorn, the badger.

Albert's book aren't your typical mystery novels. They mix G rated mysteries with faeries and talking animals but not in a silly fashion. Humans cannot understand the critters but types in eith the tales that Ms. Potter's works. Lovely books.

I love these books. They are great for lovers of Victorian England. I find it very easy to believe in the animals as just as important characters as the people. It's great to see some movement in Beatrix romance with Will. I can't wait for the next one!

I really love these stories. Cannot wait for the next one.

Susan Wittag Albert continues the vein of Beatrix Potter in writing a highly enjoyable book for all ages. I have loved Ms. Potter's writing since I was a child and have been delighted with Ms. Albert's handling of the characters. I have read all of them and will continue to do so when they be come available. I also enjoy Ms. Albert's other books: China Bayles is interesting, as are the books she writes with her husband.

This sixth book in the lovely series of books "The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter - all fiction- is, like the others, "Family Friendly". I can imagine myself reading it to children. Its main character, Beatrix Potter, was a real person whose story revolves around real places in England, and whose life has a wonderful ending. I love the characters, the places, the animals, and the story which is gently unwinding from book to book. Susan Wittig Albert has the ability to draw you into the story, and make you feel like "you've been there" and you know everyone when you finish the book!

Albert's insight into the motives of her characters brings light-hearted twists to this sixth story based on the life of Beatrix Potter. Add to that the domestic dramas of the neighborhood animals, and you have an entertaining tale. So much is going on in Near and Far Sawrey. So many people feel trapped by their lots in life. It takes stepping out of their comfort zones for Beatrix, Captain Woodcock, and Will Heelis to make sure that the people of the Land Between the Lakes get what they deserve. (Good or bad, including themselves). The prominent narrator in this story does a splendid job of tying up all the loose ends in the community, including the lives of various talking animals. Both children and adults will enjoy this story.

In 1910 Miss Beatrix Potter is able to get away from her parents who are vacationing at a vacation spot in the Lake District. She goes to her properties in the Land Between the lakes, Hill Top Farm and Castle Farm, which is where her heart belongs. Miss Potter is accepted by the villagers as one of them although she is only a part-time resident. Trouble is brewing in the hamlet when Mr. Harmsworth barricades the foot path running through his property, Applebeck Farm. He claims he did it because someone lit a fire to his hayloft; either an enemy or a day-tripper (tourist to you non Beatles' fans). The truth is someone wants to buy his property but only if the foot path is closed. Miss Potter learns from Harmsworth's orphaned teenaged niece Gilly that she saw someone from her window in a cape with a cowl carrying an old fashion lantern. In between helping her friends, Miss Potter figures out who he arranged the sale to, but not before another fire ruins a place of business shocking the small community. Whimsical, fanciful and magical describes this precious tale in which the creatures of different species talk to each other and Bosworth Badger XVII owns the Brockery, an animal hostelry on Holly Hew where they come to relax. There is a bit of romance as Miss Potter and solicitor William Heelis begin to understand their feelings for each other although each tries to conceal their attraction as her high society parents would disapprove of him and for that matter any suitor as they plan on their only offspring to care for them in their dotage. Once again Susan Wittig Albert provides her audience with a charming cottage tale of Beatrix Potter. Harriet Klausner