Well Done Denehurst!

Denehurst #2

by Gwendoline Courtney

Genres: School Stories

198 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1941

About the author

Born near Southampton in 1911, Gwendoline Courtney was the daughter of antiques dealer Edwin Courtney, and his wife Joanna. She was distantly related to author and educator Arthur Mee, and first cousins with Phyllis Norris, who wrote a number of books for girls. The family moved to Wallasey when Courtney was young, and she was educated at Oldershaw High School. She worked for a time in her father’s office, before joining Lord Goodman’s staff, during WWII, and prided herself on being the only civilian to work on Operation Overlord. After the deaths of their parents, Courtney and her two sisters lived together for the rest of their lives, moving from place to place - Courtney had sustained an ear injury, during a bomb blast, that made quiet absolutely essential - as the need arose. She died in Shaftesbury, in 1996.

Beginning with Torley Grange, published when when she was twenty-four, Courtney produced thirteen book for young readers. Her work fell out of favor during the 1960s, but she continued to write and lecture extensively. She was very active in various societies related to her interests, such as the West Country Writers Association, the Cornish Cat Society, and the Salisbury Fencing Club. She was also much involved in amateur theatricals, writing, producing and acting in plays.

Reviews

[Lady_bercilak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sequel to The Denehurst Secret Service sees the two heroines of the first book and two of their friends going with to spend the holidays with their cousin Deryck, and looking out for more goings-on. Things rapidly become exciting as the adult figures are removed from the scene of the action, leaving the four young people to try and work out which of the suspects is the villain, and whether the other suspects are in league with the villain or on the side of good. The story is resolved after much skullduggery and some danger. I thought that this story was as enjoyable as the first Denehurst book. If you like Gwendoline Courtney’s other books, do give it a try.

[Carolynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elaine, Moira, Bob, and Anne visit the New Forest, only to discover a mystery. Courtney is a better than average writer of British girls' stories. Three and a half stories.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this again. It had been a while, so couldn't remember 'who dunnit'! Another enjoyable Courtney book.

[Jen Pritchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of action and mystery, I think this is my favourite out of the two Denehurst books.