Thale's Folly

As myriad readers will gladly attest, there is nothing more entertaining than a Dorothy Gilman novel, for the author of the beloved Mrs. Pollifax novels brings to her work a distinctive mix of romance and mystery that inspired the New York Times Book Review to say of a recent Gilman jewel, "Should delight you whether you're looking for smiles or thrills." That promise is honored--with dividends--in Thale's Folly.

At the request of his father, New York City novelist Andrew Thale tackles an odd assignment--to check out an old family property in western Massachusetts, neglected since Aunt Harriet Thale's death years ago.

Much odder still is what he finds.

Far from being deserted, Thale's Folly is fully inhabited--by a quartet of charming squatters, former "guests" of kindhearted Aunt Harriet. Elegant Miss L'Hommedieu, Gussie the witch, Leo the bibliophile, and beautiful nineteen-year-old Tarragon, who is unlike any girl Andrew has ever met in Manhattan.

Andrew is entranced by these unworldly creatures and their simple life. Yet all is not well in Thale's Folly. A thief breaks into the farmhouse, and an old friend of the "family" disappears. While the peace that appears to have been Aunt Harriet's only legacy to her companions is destroyed, Andrew and Tarragon are drawn into mysteries they cannot fathom. But, for the first time, Andrew begins to understand that love and loyalty are life's greatest treasures.

Once again, Dorothy Gilman enchants us. Thale's Folly is just as tempting as a delicious caper from the unsinkable Mrs. Pollifax.