Changing Times

Adams Family Saga #22

by Mary Jane Staples

It is 1953 - Coronation year - and like all of Cockney London the members of the Adams family are looking forward to the celebrations. Chinese Lady, now Lady Finch, worries that her friends will think she is too grand to mingle with them . But her husband has a more pressing worry - the sudden appearance of the lovely but mysterious Katje Galicia, who knows more than she should about his own chequered past. Young Jimmy Adams, meanwhile, is enjoying working at the family clothing factory, where at the retirement party for two of the oldest employees, Bert and Gertie Roper, he meets their lively granddaughter Clare. Before long he has offered her a job on the switchboard, and has hopes of seeing her after working hours as well. And brave Felicity, blinded in the blitz, thinks she notices a glimmer of light appearing in her dark world - but dare not tell her husband, in case it is just her imagination... With the young Queen now on the throne, times are changing for the Adams family.

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Mary Jane Staples is a pseudonym used by British author Reginald Thomas Staples (1911-2005). He is also published under the name Robert Tyler Stevens, R.T. Stevens, and James Sinclair.

Reviews

[Jennsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been enjoying this series, and this book primarily focuses on one of the sons of the original characters (sammy) and a new love interest. Another story is focused on the step-grandfather in the backdrop of the communist regime and Cold War. The book also brings back other characters who have a minor part. I would consider this a “slice of life” story played out in an episode of a larger story.

[Rhona Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book. Adams family book 22.

In this book we see new romances for the younger Adams members. Jimmy meets Claire Roper at her grandparents retirement party. Bert and Gertie Roper have been working for Sammy etc for a long time. Gertie since he took over a factory in book 3 I think. King of Camberwell. That was 1925. It is now 1953. Coronation year. Philip Harrison has become smitten with Phoebe Adams. They are not blood related as Phoebe was adopted. Philip is the son of Nick and Annabelle Harrison. Annabelle is Lizzy's eldest daughter. Enrico and Paula are also still going steady. Lulu and Paul are house hunting. Paul will be working for the family in the Property section with Daniel and Tim. Felicity gets blurs of fuzzy light has something happened is her sight returning? A Polish woman who is working with the KGB us trying to get Edwin to tell them names. We see the efforts of Russian agents trying to burgle Edwin's house? What are they after?
A good read. Looking forward to next book.

[Lynn Hutchinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I get confused with the number of characters in this series, they seem to increase with each book, but it’s a gentle tale and I enjoyed it.