Trouble seems to be everywhere in this edition of Miss Read's Fairacre series. A government office is threatening to seize Farmer Miller's land to build a huge new housing community, Miss Jackson is caught up in a love affair with a highly unsuitable man, and MIss Clare seems to have lost her will to live. Everyone in the village is caught up in the tension of the housing estate while smaller dramas unfurl all around. There is a bit more tension and drama in this book than there tends to be in this series. The focus on the day to day doings at the school seemed to be almost overshadowed. The flower show was really the only typical village activity that was highlighted. Yet, as will all of Miss Read's books, it is charming, has interesting characters, and a bit of humor.