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The Needful Journey
The needful journey
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1950
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March 16, 2026
Lady Dogsthorpe is a wealthy and spiteful woman who has always known comfort but has never chosen to share it with those around her. On her 100th birthday she finds herself celebrating with a group of people who are obligated to be at her party. She can't stand her only living relative, her great-niece Nita, and she is equally irritated by the others who have gathered at her home to congratulate her on reaching such a milestone in life – her lawyer, doctor, vicar, paid companion, two neighbors, and some servants. While the party guests try their best to please her ladyship, none of them actually like her, and all of them have their own reasons for pondering who will be given a gift in her will.
Shortly after the party, Lady Dogsthorpe dies. When her final wishes for her money and estate are revealed, very few of the guests are happy with the outcome of the will. The novel follows several of these party guests as they come to terms with the unkind stipulations in the will, and an unlucky twist of fate that leaves one person in dire straits.
I really enjoyed The Needful Journey and my favorite parts of this novel centered on the gossip surrounding the will and certain explosive events that take place in the second half of the novel. Winifred Duke brings her characters to life through small closed-door conversations,. The novel does contain some excitement and mystery, including four deaths that are foretold in tea leaves, and a stolen fur coat that is worth a fortune.
This is a great book to curl up with on a dreary grey day and I recommend it to people who like mysteries by Agatha Christie and Georgette Heyer. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Shortly after the party, Lady Dogsthorpe dies. When her final wishes for her money and estate are revealed, very few of the guests are happy with the outcome of the will. The novel follows several of these party guests as they come to terms with the unkind stipulations in the will, and an unlucky twist of fate that leaves one person in dire straits.
I really enjoyed The Needful Journey and my favorite parts of this novel centered on the gossip surrounding the will and certain explosive events that take place in the second half of the novel. Winifred Duke brings her characters to life through small closed-door conversations,. The novel does contain some excitement and mystery, including four deaths that are foretold in tea leaves, and a stolen fur coat that is worth a fortune.
This is a great book to curl up with on a dreary grey day and I recommend it to people who like mysteries by Agatha Christie and Georgette Heyer. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Displaying 1 of 1 review