When crusty, prim Simon Brocken goes to live with his widowed sister-in-law Isabel while his home is repaired from bomb damage shortly after World War II, he isn’t expecting to enjoy living so closely with other people. However, the household gets along comfortably together even though the four occupants don’t have much in common. Isabel is kind and generous, although Simon thinks she’s an idiot. Her Australian nephew Humphrey has come to stay, and he is slowly pursuing an understated courtship of Jackie, Isabel’s companion/secretary.
However, something is bothering Isabel, and eventually she tells them what it is. A preacher’s sermon about bad acts in the past being no less bad has made her consider an incident from when she was a girl, when her actions blighted the marital hopes of Tilly Cuff, a poor cousin her family treated a little like a servant. Tilly took a job as governess, and Isabel eventually married Simon’s brother.
Now Isabel thinks she must make amends to Tilly, so she has invited her to stay. But she also intends to give Tilly her entire fortune. Simon is appalled by this but can’t get her to change her mind. Then Tilly arrives, and everyone but Isabel soon realizes that she is actively malicious.
This novel is witty and sharply observant of human nature. It creates a situation that I couldn’t imagine being resolved neatly and that made me want to see what happens.
What? Me Read? 
I read this one a couple of years ago and loved it! As you say, it was witty, sharply observation and created an interesting dramatic situation. Also, despite being light and frothy, it did have that dark twinge; i.e., I think it asks what, if anything, do we owe to those awful people we all encounter, particularly when we’ve done them a bad turn! Great review–thanks (might go for a re-read before the summer’s over).
Great! Good comments!
I haven’t read this but I’ve enjoyed the other Margery Sharp books I’ve read. This sounds like another good one!
It is. It’s ending is somewhat surprising.
I didn’t get along very well with the one Margery Sharp book I read (Cluny Brown), but this sounds like fun – I like that the “victim” turns out to be awful! I’m tempted to give her another chance…
I liked Cluny Brown.
I loved Rhododendron Pie, so this sounds great!
I liked this a lot, but I liked Rhododendron Pie better.
Ah… point taken. Doesn’t put me off, though… Sharp is, well… SHARP!
I’m not trying to put you off, but Rhododendron Pie is the best!