UNACCUSTOMED SPIRITS: An English comedy

Mountjoy #5

by Elizabeth Aston

UNACCUSTOMED SPIRITSSpend a snowbound Christmas in an Elizabethan mansion, amid a wicked and witty assortment of musicians, eccentrics, aristocrats, artists, and a pair of bickering ghosts with a taste for eavesdropping and Star Trek.Struck down by shingles, Cleo Byng postpones her wedding and heads north to recuperate at her infuriating Cousin Henry’s house in the wintry Eyotshire village of Hazard. She’s not sure what to expect, and Haphazard House turns out to be a dilapidated Elizabethan pile with few amenities and a doom-laden housekeeper, not to mention a strange pair who have been in residence for rather more than the usual life span and have a keen interest in modern technology. Any remaining hopes of a peaceful and uneventful convalescence for Cleo are dashed when she receives an urgent summons to travel abroad and rescue an old friend from the grip of the Hungarian secret police. Then, safely back in England, a crowd of welcome—and less welcome —friends, relatives and connections descend on Haphazard House for what could be its last ever Christmas before the demolition that threatens both it and its long-standing residents. Can Cleo make Henry appreciate its charms—and hers?An enchanting and witty tale of marriage, misalliance and misunderstanding.Escape into another world and delight in the lives of a host of fascinating characters. This is the England of Wodehouse and Downton Abbey, where wickedness and scandal lurk beneath the superb self-confidence of the upper classes.Bestseller Elizabeth Aston’s six Mountjoy books were originally written under the name Elizabeth Pewsey and published by Sceptre, an imprint of Hodder Headline.‘Wickedly amusing…Like good wine, very addictive. Strongly recommended.’The Good Book Guide"Delectable... She writes with tremendous vigour and wit...Splendidly entertaining." Sunday Express

Genres: Fiction, Ebooks

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 1997

About the author

I’m the daughter of two Jane Austen addicts, who decided to call me after a character from one of Jane Austen’s novels. So it’s no wonder that I also became a passionate Jane Austen fan.

Elizabeth Aston is a pen name (it's actually my married name). I first wrote under the name Elizabeth Pewsey, and now Attica Books are reissuing those novels as ebooks under my Aston name.

I've also published several books under my own name Elizabeth Edmondson. They're historicals, but set in the 20th century.

from http://www.elizabeth-aston.com/catego...

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite of the Mountjoy books; the ghostly presences who act as a Greek (Tudor/Cromwellian) chorus are the icing on an already delectable cake.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was great too

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the fifth book in the series of six but I somehow managed to read it last. Have to say I'm glad because it was my favorite. But I do recommend reading in order to avoid spoilers.

As you begin each book it may not seem like part of the series but there are a number of characters who appear in each book and they do all eventually fit together.

I gave each of the other books a three-star rating as stand-alones. However, as I began this one I realized how sad I was to be coming to the end. There will be no more romps with Sylvester, Lily, Valdemar, Pru, or the rest, as unfortunately Ms. Aston died early this year.

Destined to go down in the annals of great world literature? No. Not for young eyes (or ears, if you listen to the Audible versions) - there's some pretty tacky behavior that I could have skipped. But diverting, fun, and filled with memorable characters.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘That’s no guitar, ignorant and misguided girl,’ said Sylvester. ‘That’s a lute. Strange tuning; it must be one of these authentic renderings.’
‘I can’t hear anything,’ said Adele.
‘Of course, the house is haunted,’ said Lily in matter-of-fact tones ...[loc. 578]

Comfort reread, which also fulfils my "reread beginning with 'U'" challenge. This is a very Christmassy romantic comedy, set in haunted Haphazard House, in Pewsey's imaginary northern county of Eyotshire. Familiar characters from the Mountjoy series (famous cellist Sylvester, his witchy housekeeper Lily, Val's son Thomas) appear, along with protagonist Cleo, her dastardly cousin Henry who wants to demolish the house but needs someone to housesit over Christmas, and Henry's Gothic housekeeper Mrs Grigson. 

Not to mention Lambert and Giles, the ghosts of the house, who (between eavesdropping on phone conversations and watching Star Trek) provide a running commmentary on Cleo, her friends and her dull fiance Perry. Giles is the lutenist, banished by Queen Elizabeth for ogling one of her favourites; Lambert the Roundhead, granted the house and the title after harrying the original occupants. 

There's some excitement in Cleo's trip to Hungary to rescue Prue, whose husband has fallen foul of the Party; there is amusement as dressmaker Adele and ghost-hunter Will negotiate a relationship; and there is unexpected romance, and Sylvester being awesome. Still a delight!

[Lazy Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the characters

I enjoyed the book but there were a few places amount the story that didn't line up. You'd be reading and then the next line had nothing to do with what you'd been reading. It didn't stop me but it was odd. Still enjoyed the book. The trip to Hungry was a bit tedious

[Teresa D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wesley with ghosts !

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Mountjoy books and this is one of my favourites. A real comfort food book!

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read in this enjoyable Mountjoy series i will be sorry to finish them.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful zany characters including the ghosts. Lighthearted yet includes a trip to Communist occuppied Hungary. Several couples who mix and match. Enjoyable and entertaining.

[Diane]

Not as good as others in the series. The ghost plot didn't draw me in, and the shift to Hungary was too abrupt.