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Poor Relation #1-6
The Poor Relation Collection: Sir Philips's Folly / Colonel Sandhurst to the Rescue / Back in Society / Lady Fortescue Steps Out / Mrs Budley Falls from Grace / Miss Tonks Turns to Crime
Bringing together her bestselling series The Poor Relation, we are delighted to offer you this six-book collection from Book People favourite M.C. Beaton. In these books, the Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin author turns her attention to Regency Romance and the result is immensely readable tales full of wit and social observation. The noble but impoverished Lady Fortescue takes it upon herself to transform her decrepit Bond Street home into a hotel for the upper class, but little does she expect her new guests to cause her these kinds of trials and tribulations...
Titles in this collection:
Sir Philips's Folly;
Colonel Sandhurst to the Rescue;
Back in Society;
Lady Fortescue Steps Out;
Mrs Budley Falls from Grace;
Miss Tonks Turns to Crime.
Titles in this collection:
Sir Philips's Folly;
Colonel Sandhurst to the Rescue;
Back in Society;
Lady Fortescue Steps Out;
Mrs Budley Falls from Grace;
Miss Tonks Turns to Crime.
- GenresRegency Romance
Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Marion Chesney
139 books744 followersMarion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 25, 2015
I bought this set of books from a charity shop having chuckled my way through the very entertaining Agatha Raisin series by the same author.
When i read the blurb properly later that day I became slightly horrified. I was now the proud owner of a set of books which were "regency romances" Craptastic, I had a bunch of Barbara Cartland style marshmallow novels on my uneager hands, I had no Grannies left who would enjoy them as a gift and a dearth of anything else I was in the mood for reading.
In short however, I took the plunge.
I am enormously glad I did, the absurd mannered world of Regency England sparkled on the page before me in a very readable fluffy way. Here was Jane Austen extra-lite (as those who can't spell call it). The characters were well drawn and delightful, particularly the joint owners of "The Poor Relation" hotel.The little snippets of social history were like happy bite size treats in every chapter. This is not a work of literary genius, but it is "demmnably" good fun. Highly recommended.
When i read the blurb properly later that day I became slightly horrified. I was now the proud owner of a set of books which were "regency romances" Craptastic, I had a bunch of Barbara Cartland style marshmallow novels on my uneager hands, I had no Grannies left who would enjoy them as a gift and a dearth of anything else I was in the mood for reading.
In short however, I took the plunge.
I am enormously glad I did, the absurd mannered world of Regency England sparkled on the page before me in a very readable fluffy way. Here was Jane Austen extra-lite (as those who can't spell call it). The characters were well drawn and delightful, particularly the joint owners of "The Poor Relation" hotel.The little snippets of social history were like happy bite size treats in every chapter. This is not a work of literary genius, but it is "demmnably" good fun. Highly recommended.
Read
March 18, 2019These books are so funny. I adore the older hoteliers and their eccentricities. I laughed out lot so many times.
March 7, 2019
Amusing collection of Regency romances with the overarching theme of a band of impoverished aristocrats coming together as a colorful family of affiliation in order to improve their mutual fortunes.
June 5, 2018
Short fun, stories of a group of mostly elderly upper-class people unable to live well on their small incomes (often provided by their relatives). They pool their resources and throughout the series learn to earn enough funds to keep themselves from starving. The incidents are often amusing, and the reader will find that romance blooms not only for their younger relatives or friends, but for our main characters also. Lesson 1: When you can't survive on handouts from blood relatives, learn to earn and find a new family composed of delightful people who are in similar situations. Lesson 2: One is never too old to find romantic love in their life.
December 14, 2017
I am reviewing the series as a whole but in audio format
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
This series has excellent underpinnings of good, solid, and humorous, story-telling. I loved escaping into the stories.
M.C. Beaton writes the Agatha Raisin series and offers the same brand of snarky with a lesson familiar from those books and the TV Show.
Fiction based in the British Regency Period (here 1810 to 1820 according to the author’s website) often portrays the entire “Ton” (or as we might say on this side of The Pond, “high-society”) as people who cared more for the appearance of propriety and high moral standards than about the actuality of their society.
The story in Regency fiction often comes from a woman being poorly used or mistreated and the subsequent the threat of ruination. The woman is ruined but the man suffers few ill-consequences unless he is killed in a duel or has to go to the continent for a while.
Other stories depend on financial ruin, either as a result of poor investment, by having been cheated out of an inheritance, or, at least in fiction, through drink and gambling. Most female characters in regency fiction have no ability to earn a living other than as a governess or as a companion. Most female characters, unless somehow settled legally to be provided for, were entirely dependent on male relatives finding them a place.
In this series both men and women are led to the brink of ruin in the financial, rather than the moral, sense. A group of financially ruined individuals come together and pool their resources to open a hotel, The Poor Relation, in the home of one member, Lady Fortescue, who has managed to hang onto her house. Through doing so, they assume their rich relations will be so appalled by them having gone “into trade” that they will buy them out.
Of course, they get and lose money throughout the series; they seem to have no concept of fiscal management. Also they have a bad egg among them in Sir Phillip. He’s been sponging off of, and robbing, his relatives for a long time. Although he tries to help, a lifetime of dishonesty and scheming often loses more money than he makes. But what the characters gain is self-esteem, respect, family and love.
With the personal growth the story shows not just women being rescued or having their affairs handled. Both sexes share the perils and the labor. They suffer the problems of having gone into trade, and garner the rewards of an honest day’s work as well. It is like a coming-of-age series for Regency society.
Audible lists the book as “simmering;” I think there are a few sexy scenes but nothing explicit. There is an untied loose-end regarding jealousy and a dangerous event I did not feel was resolved.
I started listening to the series because I missed hearing Davina Porter’s voice. She is probably my favorite female narrator and narrates the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. She does the same great job here with a voice that just pleases my soul — can a voice be velvety, raspy and effervescent at the same time? Hers is.
I consumed these shorter-format audiobooks like candy. If you love Regency, Austen or Davina Porter these are a must.
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
This series has excellent underpinnings of good, solid, and humorous, story-telling. I loved escaping into the stories.
M.C. Beaton writes the Agatha Raisin series and offers the same brand of snarky with a lesson familiar from those books and the TV Show.
Fiction based in the British Regency Period (here 1810 to 1820 according to the author’s website) often portrays the entire “Ton” (or as we might say on this side of The Pond, “high-society”) as people who cared more for the appearance of propriety and high moral standards than about the actuality of their society.
The story in Regency fiction often comes from a woman being poorly used or mistreated and the subsequent the threat of ruination. The woman is ruined but the man suffers few ill-consequences unless he is killed in a duel or has to go to the continent for a while.
Other stories depend on financial ruin, either as a result of poor investment, by having been cheated out of an inheritance, or, at least in fiction, through drink and gambling. Most female characters in regency fiction have no ability to earn a living other than as a governess or as a companion. Most female characters, unless somehow settled legally to be provided for, were entirely dependent on male relatives finding them a place.
In this series both men and women are led to the brink of ruin in the financial, rather than the moral, sense. A group of financially ruined individuals come together and pool their resources to open a hotel, The Poor Relation, in the home of one member, Lady Fortescue, who has managed to hang onto her house. Through doing so, they assume their rich relations will be so appalled by them having gone “into trade” that they will buy them out.
Of course, they get and lose money throughout the series; they seem to have no concept of fiscal management. Also they have a bad egg among them in Sir Phillip. He’s been sponging off of, and robbing, his relatives for a long time. Although he tries to help, a lifetime of dishonesty and scheming often loses more money than he makes. But what the characters gain is self-esteem, respect, family and love.
With the personal growth the story shows not just women being rescued or having their affairs handled. Both sexes share the perils and the labor. They suffer the problems of having gone into trade, and garner the rewards of an honest day’s work as well. It is like a coming-of-age series for Regency society.
Audible lists the book as “simmering;” I think there are a few sexy scenes but nothing explicit. There is an untied loose-end regarding jealousy and a dangerous event I did not feel was resolved.
I started listening to the series because I missed hearing Davina Porter’s voice. She is probably my favorite female narrator and narrates the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. She does the same great job here with a voice that just pleases my soul — can a voice be velvety, raspy and effervescent at the same time? Hers is.
I consumed these shorter-format audiobooks like candy. If you love Regency, Austen or Davina Porter these are a must.
January 16, 2023
Do you like Regency Romance?
Hopefully, those who say 'no' have left us. Bye!
Do you like tales of the impoverished?
Hopefully, those who remain are wondering what the ...?
Every aristocratic family had the occasional poor relation. Picture the second son of a second son. Chesney's Poor Relation series starts with two such, meeting in the park, dressed to look like (if
you don't look too closely) members of the ton. They have one thing in common: they are both hungry. Not metaphoric hunger. Real, not enough in the belly hunger. Not enough in the purse
to remedy the problem.
And for the few that are still curious, Chesney creates an interesting cast of characters and honors
the best traditions of all romance. All six of these volumes end with a smile on your face HEA. And all are as far out of the mainstream as you might imagine. I give them each a solid four stars.
Here's a hint. My library had volumes 1, 3 and 4. I started and begged them to find #2. They did. And as I finished the others, they also found 5 and 6. I love my research librarian! Try this yourself if you can't find a complete set.
Hopefully, those who say 'no' have left us. Bye!
Do you like tales of the impoverished?
Hopefully, those who remain are wondering what the ...?
Every aristocratic family had the occasional poor relation. Picture the second son of a second son. Chesney's Poor Relation series starts with two such, meeting in the park, dressed to look like (if
you don't look too closely) members of the ton. They have one thing in common: they are both hungry. Not metaphoric hunger. Real, not enough in the belly hunger. Not enough in the purse
to remedy the problem.
And for the few that are still curious, Chesney creates an interesting cast of characters and honors
the best traditions of all romance. All six of these volumes end with a smile on your face HEA. And all are as far out of the mainstream as you might imagine. I give them each a solid four stars.
Here's a hint. My library had volumes 1, 3 and 4. I started and begged them to find #2. They did. And as I finished the others, they also found 5 and 6. I love my research librarian! Try this yourself if you can't find a complete set.
May 24, 2021
This is the only regency series that 1 is actually amusing 2 not mind numbing repetitive as her other regency series are
Theres actual story lines beyond the "improvished girl" or "spoiled rich brat" seeks to marry and has a silly deranged greedy mum (the one in the 6 sister series is seriously insane and should of been put in an asylum ) who must have a son in law with a title (or shes an orphan if then the father is clueless ) who either knows the duke/ or lord from her town and was considered too young by him and he was considered " too rude" by her.. and lo and behold shes grown up and hes reconsidered and oh my BIG SUPRISE theres drama (a murder or kidnapping or a misunderstanding but yet they marry for "love' woo hoo
UGH im confused why she wrote so many like that only thing that changes is the names and hair/ eye color and number of siblings
But this series at least the wackiness of the hotel people made me laugh and kept me from being bored like the other series did .
Theres actual story lines beyond the "improvished girl" or "spoiled rich brat" seeks to marry and has a silly deranged greedy mum (the one in the 6 sister series is seriously insane and should of been put in an asylum ) who must have a son in law with a title (or shes an orphan if then the father is clueless ) who either knows the duke/ or lord from her town and was considered too young by him and he was considered " too rude" by her.. and lo and behold shes grown up and hes reconsidered and oh my BIG SUPRISE theres drama (a murder or kidnapping or a misunderstanding but yet they marry for "love' woo hoo
UGH im confused why she wrote so many like that only thing that changes is the names and hair/ eye color and number of siblings
But this series at least the wackiness of the hotel people made me laugh and kept me from being bored like the other series did .
May 7, 2017
I have only listened to the first book in this series but enjoyed it very much. I hope to find the rest.
Mrs. Fortescue is down on her luck and finds that her rich relatives do not wish to have her around any longer. As a, now, poor relative she embarrasses them. As many former rich people find themselves with nothing to sell and nowhere to go they often stay with relatives stealing food and articles to sell just to survive.
When Mrs. Fortescue gets together with some other down-on-their-luck people they plot to turn her home into a hotel for the rich. In doing so they find that they must steal from relatives in order to finance the repairs and supplies they need and then find ways to get more money out of their clients.
I found this an enjoyable listen with many comical moments. I definitely would like to read the rest of the stories in this series.
Mrs. Fortescue is down on her luck and finds that her rich relatives do not wish to have her around any longer. As a, now, poor relative she embarrasses them. As many former rich people find themselves with nothing to sell and nowhere to go they often stay with relatives stealing food and articles to sell just to survive.
When Mrs. Fortescue gets together with some other down-on-their-luck people they plot to turn her home into a hotel for the rich. In doing so they find that they must steal from relatives in order to finance the repairs and supplies they need and then find ways to get more money out of their clients.
I found this an enjoyable listen with many comical moments. I definitely would like to read the rest of the stories in this series.
May 4, 2020
I just finished the first book in this series in TWO DAYS! I am a slow reader y’all but couldn’t put this one down. As a writer I kept thinking “she’s not showing the story, she’s telling it” but even though that may be the case I was still enthralled with the characters and the plot!
I began reading the book thinking it would be a mystery as most M. C. Beaton books are but found it was a romance and was pleasantly surprised! It’s romance with a bit of intrigue, which I find delightful. If you enjoy a good romance story with not too much heat and a little bit of scheming on the side, then you’ll enjoy this book! I am on to book number two!
I began reading the book thinking it would be a mystery as most M. C. Beaton books are but found it was a romance and was pleasantly surprised! It’s romance with a bit of intrigue, which I find delightful. If you enjoy a good romance story with not too much heat and a little bit of scheming on the side, then you’ll enjoy this book! I am on to book number two!
October 20, 2018
Was able to plow through these short books on a ebook app on my phone as they were engaging and incredibly snackable. No one is permanently ostracized from society for doing things a little bit differently in this series, which was comforting, and the heists and tricks and romances were all a great deal of fun.
November 19, 2018
Pretty predictable stories (you know someone is going to find their love match) but fun and easy to read. Little snippets of life in Edwardian Britain help you feel you are 'learning' a little as you read too! Not quite mills & boon - most of the characters are really more caricatures so you never take things quite seriously when reading.
October 3, 2019
I have really only listened to the first book in the series, Mrs. Fortescue steps out. It was a clever story about Regency England with some romance tossed in.
May 13, 2021
I only finished three of the six so far. They are full of fun and love the narrator
July 19, 2021
Phenomenal!
August 17, 2021
Only read one of these. Cute, funny lark.
February 6, 2022
These were entertaining and fun to read.
July 9, 2016
I have only read the first in the series, Miss Fortescue Steps Out, and I liked it very much, but was shocked to learn that Marion Cheney is none other than M.C. Beaton, the author of the disappointingly mediocre Hamish Macbeth series (in spite of the excellent TV adaptation written by Danny Boyle starring Robert Carlyle.)
Life is full of surprises.
Life is full of surprises.
March 12, 2016
Amusing reads.
January 15, 2017
I read these bookswhen my library first received them! Forgot all about them and now hope to find the set and re-read! What fun!!
December 29, 2023
A DELIGHT. Funny, entertaining, loved each one. Great characters.
January 13, 2024
Lovely easy read
January 3, 2025
Lady fortescue is the first book. I have read this series 3 times!! I laughed out loud. It’s a light easy read that is predictable and enjoyable. There is always a happy ending.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews