Following on from the late E F Benson’s highly popular Mapp and Lucia series of novels, this book by Guy Fraser-Sampson (author of Major Benjy) transports key members of Tilling society to Italy.

Can Major Benjy and Mrs Elizabeth Mapp-Flint (with a Bugatti and Indian Royalty on their side) triumph over Lucia (who has only money, operatic connections, intellect, ambition and rather doubtful Italian in her armoury)? And what are Georgie and his new valet really up to in the hotel garden? Will the love of money lead to Lucia’s downfall? All this and more, much more…..

As with the originals, this is a wry and sardonic story of rivalry, potential disaster and cunning.

Verdict: As a lover of all things Mapp and Lucia, I really wanted to like this book. It’s well written and researched, witty and clever, but lacks the affectionate subtlety of Benson’s characters and the simplicity and underlying good humour of his plots. Read the originals. ***