Jane Gardam writes exactly the kind of books I like to read on the beach—ones that are full of delicious banter, understated humor, uncomplicated storylines and pristine writing. That description fits this compendium of 28 stories gathered from six earlier collections. Whether writing ghost stories (“A Spot of Gothic”), fairy tales (“The Pangs of Love”), or even “Austenalia” (“The Sidmouth Letters”), Gardam's versatility and mastery of her craft are always on display. If you are not yet familiar with this underappreciated British writer, you are in for a real treat.
