Miss Seeton Draws the Line

This second book in the Miss Seeton series is every bit as delightful as the first, Picture Miss Seeton. Heron Carvic wrote an essay in 1977 in which he recalled how, after having first used her in a short story, 'Miss Seeton upped and demanded a book' -- and that if 'she wanted to satirize detective novels in general and elderly lady detectives in particular,' he would let her have her head. I'm so glad he did. These books are the perfect light (and absolutely hilarious) reads when readers want to forget about what ails them and their world.

Miss Seeton may be satirizing detective novels and elderly female sleuths, but at least she has Inspector Delphick ("the Oracle") who sees her worth and pays attention to her. With her unfailing show more good manners and distracted air-- and how on earth could I forget her umbrella? -- she unwittingly solves all the crimes in Plummergen, not that her fellow villagers appreciate it. In fact, one of the best scenes in Miss Seeton Draws the Line is one in which a group convenes to discuss village business and winds up conducting a vicious gossip session, all described by Carvic as a medieval joust. Splendid! The scene reminded me of two things: (1) why I moved from the village where I grew up, and (2) the writing of T. H. White in The Once and Future King. Since I love White's novel, this is definitely meant as a compliment.

If you need (several) good laughs, if you need to be charmed, if you need a read that draws you inexorably to the next book in the series, by all means start reading the Miss Seeton mysteries. They are wonderful! (Although I am wondering if Miss Seeton ever discovers where all the strange pillows and cushions in her cottage came from...) show less

The delightful, intuitive Miss Seeton returns in the second book in Heron Carvic’s slyly comic series. And she’s as charming and perspicacious as ever.

Kind spinster Emily D. Seeton finds herself on the brink of retirement from her job teaching art in a London school and a permanent settlement in the village of Plummergen in Kent. Hopeful that her reputation as the Battling Brolly, established in Picture Miss Seeton, is behind her, she tries to maintain a normal life. But a serial killer who targets children across England and a reporter from the London tabloid Daily Negative — and just bad luck — seem to keep upsetting Miss Seeton’s goal of a quiet life in the country. Plummergen’s regulars return, adding to the fun. show more Readers will thoroughly enjoy Miss Seeton’s latest caper and will be eager for No. 3 in the series, Witch Miss Seeton, also available on Kindle Unlimited. show less

Scotland Yard is investigating serial murders of children and again Miss Seeton's extraordinary abilities come into use. There is a child in her village she cannot draw and when the same reactions occur when trying to draw a victim, Scotland Yard descends on her small village believing that the next victim will be this child.

The subject matter was heavy yet the author was able to carry it easily interjecting humorous situations that Miss Seeton always seems to "fal" into while brandishing her trusty umbrella.

Looking forward to the next installment.l

I read this almost a whole week ago, and I can't remember what it's about - oh, right, this is the one with the child murderer. Hmmm, I wonder if Carvic did that on purpose? I don't think of him as a punster... There are several Seeton books where the obvious description has multiple meanings, and this is one. This one is rather annoying, because it's obvious to me who are the wrong 'uns and who the decent folk among the newcomers...I don't know if that's because I remembered from before (partly it was) or just that the Nuts _must_ get it wrong. There's a book well down the line (Hamilton Crane, I think) where they get it right, and several people almost die of shock. Though of course it's for all the wrong reasons...Nice to see this show more being re-released; it's an old favorite. I got the book from the publisher through NetGalley. show less

Miss Seeton returns and brings Inspector Delphick and Bob Ranger back to Plummergen. This time the police are looking for a serial killer who is killing children. And, of course, since Miss Seeton is involved the village is once again acting on the Nuts rumor-mill, the police are wiping their brows, and she is just going about her days without realizing the mayhem around her.

Great series from the 1970s that makes me smile.

funny