- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Headline Review (7 Aug 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0755333098
- ISBN-13: 978-0755333097
- Product Dimensions: 13 x 2.3 x 19.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 901,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
After months of Having the Builders In, Dame Constance's castle, Vine Regis, is her own again. Finally she can begin decorating her new extension. Or so she thinks…
Unfortunately it’s not just her Italian decorator’s choice of colours that are revolting – the townsfolk are at it too. Murderous rebels are rumoured to be on the rampage. But whilst Dame Constance takes the news in her stride her neighbours are running for cover at Vine Regis! As meddlesome merchants, pesky pilgrims and rowdy relatives descend,
This simply won’t do; Dame Constance should be picking out patterns, not picking up after uninvited guests. But as Lady of the Castle she must do her duty. Unless, of course, she can devise a way to get rid of them…
Having the Decorators In is deliciously delightful and infinitely more entertaining than watching paint dry.
About the Author
Reay Tannahill was born and brought up in Scotland, and now lives in London. Her first historical novel, A Dark and Distant Shore, was an instant bestseller, and Passing Glory won the 1990 Boots/RNA Romantic Novel of the Year award.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having the Decorators in is a follow up to Reay Tannahill's earlier novel Having the Builders in. Dame Constance's extension that caused her so much trouble in the former novel is now complete, but she needs something to grace the walls of her new great chamber. Hangings perhaps, or wall paintings. She decides on the latter and employs an Italian painter to craft her some murals. However, as with the building work, not everything goes smoothly. The peasants are revolting (!) and various refugees seeking security away from the violence wash up on her doorstep, including objectionable merchants and their lovelorn daughters, pilgrims and self-important clerics. Her son Gervase is in need of a wife, but the one who would prove ideal for him doesn't want a husband. It's enough to give any woman a migraine, but Dame Constance is made of sterner stuff.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable novel. It's light and frothy and goes down easily. There isn't that much of a plot, more of a series of charming vignettes showing the life and times of the 14th century. Some of the sensibilities are occasionally forced towards the 21st century (Flora's resolution for example), and sometimes the research is put into the novel for research's sake, but on the whole I really enjoyed this book and it was a palate cleanser between more weighty tomes of historical fiction. A strong 4 stars from me and 8.9 out of ten in my reading journal.
On another note, I was very sorry to read that Reay Tannahill had died. A sad loss to the world of historical fiction.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable novel. It's light and frothy and goes down easily. There isn't that much of a plot, more of a series of charming vignettes showing the life and times of the 14th century. Some of the sensibilities are occasionally forced towards the 21st century (Flora's resolution for example), and sometimes the research is put into the novel for research's sake, but on the whole I really enjoyed this book and it was a palate cleanser between more weighty tomes of historical fiction. A strong 4 stars from me and 8.9 out of ten in my reading journal.
On another note, I was very sorry to read that Reay Tannahill had died. A sad loss to the world of historical fiction.
Format:Paperback
As a long time fan of Reay Tannahill ,I was thrilled to see this new(to me) book . Solely on the strength of her name, I bought this.
I am afraid I didn't read more than ten pages.
I was bored witless.
Something I never thought I would say about this author
I am afraid I didn't read more than ten pages.
I was bored witless.
Something I never thought I would say about this author
Format:Paperback
This is the follow-up to "Having the Builders In".
This, like it's predecessor is set in medieval England. Dame Constance has finally got her beloved Vine Regis back to herself after having extension work, now she is to get a flamboyant Italian painter in to help decorate. What doesn't help is Dame Constance's lack of Italian and the decorator's lack of English!
There are further problems when there are revolts over the country over the poll tax and Dame Constance is inundated with unwanted guests seeking refuge from possible riots.
I really enjoyed this book which despite it's setting feels modern. The heroine is assertive and sassy and you feel sympathy for her - you want her to get rid of her house guests as much as she does!
Well worth a read, though I would recommend reading "Having the Builders In" prior to this.
Reay Tannahill sadly won't be writing any more of these books as she sadly passed away in November 2007. What better way of commemorating this lady's talent than by reading her books?
This, like it's predecessor is set in medieval England. Dame Constance has finally got her beloved Vine Regis back to herself after having extension work, now she is to get a flamboyant Italian painter in to help decorate. What doesn't help is Dame Constance's lack of Italian and the decorator's lack of English!
There are further problems when there are revolts over the country over the poll tax and Dame Constance is inundated with unwanted guests seeking refuge from possible riots.
I really enjoyed this book which despite it's setting feels modern. The heroine is assertive and sassy and you feel sympathy for her - you want her to get rid of her house guests as much as she does!
Well worth a read, though I would recommend reading "Having the Builders In" prior to this.
Reay Tannahill sadly won't be writing any more of these books as she sadly passed away in November 2007. What better way of commemorating this lady's talent than by reading her books?
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