E. F. Benson

This is a vintage murder mystery. WH Auden, Nancy Mitford and Noel Coward were among his fans...But have you discovered E. F. Benson yet? Morris Assheton is in love and means to be married. But his happiness is spoilt when he discovers that someone has been whispering poisonous rumours about him to the girl's father. The culprit is Mills, dastardly partner to the Assheton family's trusted lawyer. Morris vows revenge. When Mills' body is discovered, brutally beaten, the ugly quarrel comes to light and suspicion naturally falls on Morris. His innocence is debated in a tense courtroom, as an eager public and press look on. Murder mystery...Courtroom drama. This is a classic whodunnit from the author of Mapp and Lucia. Crime fiction at its best.

"Mapp & Lucia" first published in 1935. "Lucias progress" first published 1935. "Trouble for Lucia" first published in 1939.

'His body was pressed against the wall at the head of the bed, and the face was a mask of agonised horror and fruitless entreaty. But the eyes were already glazed in death, and before Francis could reach the bed the body had toppled over and lay inert and lifeless. Even as he looked, he heard a limping step go down the passage outside.' E. F. Benson was a master of the ghost story and now all his rich, imaginative, spine-tingling and beautifully written tales are presented together in this bumper collection. The range and variety of these spooky narratives is far broader and more adventurous than those of any other writer of supernatural fiction. Within the covers of this volume you will encounter revengeful spectres, vampires, homicidal spirits, monstrous spectral worms and slugs and other entities of nameless dread. This is a classic collection that cannot fail to charm and chill.

Soon to be revived in a new BBC series, Mapp and Lucia is a poisonous witty, comic tale of two upper-class women battling for social supremacy in the most underhand ways possible. Meet Mapp and Lucia - two of the most unpleasant, disgraceful women youre ever likely to encounter, in E.F. Bensons carefully observed tale of 1930s village life and social ranking. Emmeline Lucas (known as Lucia to her friends) is emerging from mourning following the death of her husband. Pretentious, snobbish and down-right devious, she feels her home town of Riseholme offers no longer challenges and decides to holiday in the town of Tilling. She rents Mallards from Miss Mapp. The two women clash immediately. Miss Mapp is used to being top of the social ranking in Tilling and there is no way she is going to let a vulgar outsider claim her position. So begins a battle of one-upmanship, peppered with queenly airs, ghastly tea parties and unnerving bridge evenings as the two combatants attempt to out-do each other to win social supermacy. The pompous Lucia and malignant Mapp are characters you will love to hate, wonderfully penned by E.F. Benson. Darkly comic and witty, it is soon to be a new BBC series written by Steve Pemberton.

Los relatos reunidos invitan a un inquietante recorrido por una extensa galería de espectros. El verdadero aficionado a los exquisitos placeres del miedo, aquel que vendería su alma al diablo por un buen cuento de terror no debe perdérselo.

Contains: Mapp and Lucia; Lucia's Progress; Trouble for Lucia These three wonderful comic novels drolly record the battle between Lucia and Elisabeth Mapp for social and cultural supremacy in the village of Tilling (based on Rye). Their constant skirmishes ensure that every game of bridge, tea or dinner-party, church service, council meeting or art-exhibition are thrilling encounters that ensure Tilling is always on 'a very agreeable rack of suspense'. Both Elisabeth and Lucia are gross hypocrites, snobs and bullies, the huge differences in temperament and style ensure the battle is usually unequal. Elisabeth is incurably mean-spirited and Lucia suffers from splendid delusions of grandeur and personal prestige. Driven by demons of revenge, Elisabeth always acts impulsively, and therefore every revelation of her meanness allows Lucia, the consummate actress, to kill her ally with a sickening kindness. In his insightful Introduction Keith Carabine shows that these books are excruciatingly funny because Benson, like Jane Austen, invites the reader to view the world through the self-deluded chronic anger and jaundiced suspicions of Elisabeth and through the self-deluded fabrications and day-dreams of Lucia. Carabine also concentrates on the novels' disturbing, bitchy 'camp' humour whenever 'that horrid thing which Freud calls sex is raised'.

Contains: Queen Lucia; Miss Mapp; Lucia in London Lucia is one of the great comic characters in English literature. Outrageously pretentious, hypocritical and snobbish, Queen Luci 'by right divine' rules over the toy kingdom of 'Riseholme' based on the Cotswold village of Broadway. Her long-suffering husband Pepino is 'her prince-consort', the outrageously camp Georgie is her 'gentleman-in-waiting', the village green is her 'parliament', and her subjects, such as Daisy Quantock, are hapless would-be 'Bolsheviks'. In Lucia in London, the prudish, manically ambitious Lucia launches herself into the louche world of London society. Her earnest determination to learn all about 'modern movements' makes her the perfect comic vehicle for Benson's free-wheeling satire of salon society, and of the dominant fads and movements of the 1920s, including vegetarianism, yoga, palmistry, Freudianism, seances, Post-Impressionist art and Christian Science. Meanwhile in Tilling, clearly modelled on Benson's home town of Rye, Miss Mapp consume 'chronic rage and curiosity' sits at her window, armed with her light-opera glasses keeping baleful watch on her neighbours. 'Anger and the gravest suspicions about everybody had kept her young and on the boil': and Benson transmutes her boiling into a series of small humiliations in his witty, malicious comedy. In his insightful Introduction Keith Carabine shows that these books are excruciatingly funny because Benson, like Jane Austen, invites the reader to view the world through the self-deluded fabrications and day-dreams of Lucia and the self-deluded chronic anger and jaundiced suspicions of Elisabeth. Carabine also concentrates on the novels' disturbing, bitchy, 'camp' humour whenever 'that horrid thing which Freud calls sex' is raised.

Soon to be revived in a new BBC series, Mapp and Lucia is a poisonously witty, comic tale of two upper-class women battling for social supremacy in the most underhand ways possible

His body was pressed against the wall at the head of the bed, and the face was a mask of agonised horror and fruitless entreaty. But the eyes were already glazed in death, and before Francis could reach the bed the body had toppled over and lay inert and lifeless. Even as he looked, he heard a limping step go down the passage outside.' E. F. Benson was a master of the ghost story and now all his rich, imaginative, spine-tingling and beautifully written tales are presented together in this bumper collection. The range and variety of these spooky narratives is far broader and more adventurous than those of any other writer of supernatural fiction. Within the covers of this volume you will encounter revengeful spectres, vampires, homicidal spirits, monstrous spectral worms and slugs and other entities of nameless dread. This is a classic collection that cannot fail to charm and chill.

E. F. Bensons "Mapp and Lucia" is a masterful depiction of the genteel society of 1920s England, entwined with sharp wit and keen social observation. Set in the fictional village of Tilling, the narrative unfolds the rivalry between two formidable women, Emmeline Lucas (Lucia) and Elizabeth Mapp, showcasing Bensons artful blend of humor and character-driven plotting. Through meticulous detail and lively dialogue, the novel not only entertains but also serves as a reflection on class dynamics and the evolving social mores of the time, establishing itself as a significant work within the canon of English comedic literature. E. F. Benson, a prolific English writer, was deeply immersed in the social fabric of his era, which greatly influenced his writing. His own experiences in the English countryside, coupled with his keen observations of the social hierarchies and eccentricities of the upper classes, are vividly captured in the characters of "Mapp and Lucia." Bensons familiarity with both the literary world and the intricacies of British society enriches the authenticity and humorous undertones of this delightful narrative. For readers seeking a nuanced blend of humor, social commentary, and unforgettable character dynamics, "Mapp and Lucia" is an essential addition to the literary canon. As Benson brings to life the intricate dance of rivalry and friendship, this timeless classic remains not only a source of amusement but also a sharp commentary on the human condition, appealing to anyone fascinated by the subtleties of social maneuvering.In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:- A succinct Introduction situates the works timeless appeal and themes.- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the eras events and influences that shaped the writing.- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the works messages, connecting them to modern life.- Handpicked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

Una comedia chispeante y antológica que nos recuerda al mejor Wodehouse. Un clásico que constituye una de las cumbres de su autor. La señorita Mapp (a la que ya conocimos en la soberbia Mapp y Lucía) es una de las mas excentricas damas villanas de la comedia British. Reina y señora del pueblecito costero de Tilling, a cuyos habitantes maneja con mano de hierro en guante de terciopelo, la señorita Mapp es avara, intrigante y rencorosa, ademas de una cotilla de cuidado. Una mujer, en suma, tan fascinante y letal como una cobra. En Tilling sometera a padecimientos sin cuento a su circulo social: el mayor Benjamin Flint, obsesionado con el whisky y el golf, y con quien la señorita Mapp lleva años intentando casarse sin exito; su secuaz, el capitan Puffin, un don nadie que se ahoga en un vaso de agua; el discreto señor Wyse, que mantendra una relacion no tan discreta con la pretenciosa Susan Poppit, miembro de la Orden del Imperio Britanico y as del bridge; la desgraciada Godiva Plaistow o el Padre, un sacerdote que esta convencido de que habla en escoces.

Cynthia, Countess of Hampshire, was sitting in an extraordinarily elaborate dressing-gown one innocent morning in June, alternately opening letters and eating spoonfuls of sour milk prepared according to the prescription of Professor Metchnikoff. Every day it made her feel younger and stronger and more irresponsible (which is the root of all joy to natures of a serious disposition), and since (when a fortnight before she began this abominable treatment) she felt very young already, she was now almost afraid that she would start again on measles, croup, hoops, whooping-cough, peppermints, and other childish ailments and passions. But since this treatment not only induced youth, but was discouraging to all microbes but its own, she hoped as regards ailments that she would continue to feel younger and younger without suffering the penalties of childhood.

E(dward) F(rederick) Benson (1867- 1940), membre d'una singular família literària tant en el vessant inspirador com creatiu, va ser un escriptor d'èxit a la seva època, gràcies a les seves novel·les

Junto con M. R. James, E. F. Benson (1867-1940) fue uno de los maestros victorianos de la «ghost story», un territorio del terror cuya exploración inició el gran escritor irlandés Joseph Sheridan Le