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The Young Country Doctor Book 8: Bilbury Tonic
The eighth book in the Bilbury series by Vernon Coleman. Another collection of memories from a young doctor practising in the village of Bilbury in Devon, England. The books in this series stand alone (i.e. they don't have to be read in order of publication) "I hope readers enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it." - Vernon Coleman There are now nine books in the series
- GenresFiction
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2016
137 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Vernon Coleman
358 books182 followersThere is a full biog on www.vernoncoleman.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 9, 2016
Pleasant Reading
Reading about the Doctor's day to day life in Bilbury is a great escape from our crazy modern day world. I have enjoyed all the Bilbury books.
Reading about the Doctor's day to day life in Bilbury is a great escape from our crazy modern day world. I have enjoyed all the Bilbury books.
January 26, 2020
Great Book! Love it!
Yet another great book written by an amazing and talented writer! I thoroughly enjoyed the part of this book that included some history in it and as always enjoyed the short stories which Coleman so skillfully writes. What makes this book exceptionally pleasant to read is the trips down memory lane. Makes you long for better times. Love how well Coleman pulls his readers into his books and makes them feel apart of what they're reading! I find myself longing to live in Bilbury myself and enjoy the country life along side the characters within the books. Can't wait to begin the next!!!
Yet another great book written by an amazing and talented writer! I thoroughly enjoyed the part of this book that included some history in it and as always enjoyed the short stories which Coleman so skillfully writes. What makes this book exceptionally pleasant to read is the trips down memory lane. Makes you long for better times. Love how well Coleman pulls his readers into his books and makes them feel apart of what they're reading! I find myself longing to live in Bilbury myself and enjoy the country life along side the characters within the books. Can't wait to begin the next!!!
December 29, 2018
What an Author
The books written by Vernon Coleman are works of art when it comes to describing one's life as a doctor. His books are full of character and describes his journey through life with both compassion and kindness to others.
I am so glad that I was introduced to his works by a friend and from reading his first "Bilbury Tales" I have not been able to put these books down.
Highly recommended by a very satisfied reader.
The books written by Vernon Coleman are works of art when it comes to describing one's life as a doctor. His books are full of character and describes his journey through life with both compassion and kindness to others.
I am so glad that I was introduced to his works by a friend and from reading his first "Bilbury Tales" I have not been able to put these books down.
Highly recommended by a very satisfied reader.
August 22, 2023
Lovely to read
Love the book make you feel that you there and it was a time it was hard but we all had time to enjoy it and you didn't have to lock the door we went Devon and didn't lock the door in the 70 for the week we was away now I lock it when I in home all day it makes you think what we lost and you could see the doctor when you was ill not !like now you cannot see one ever when you are dying now all after they died you cannot see one
Love the book make you feel that you there and it was a time it was hard but we all had time to enjoy it and you didn't have to lock the door we went Devon and didn't lock the door in the 70 for the week we was away now I lock it when I in home all day it makes you think what we lost and you could see the doctor when you was ill not !like now you cannot see one ever when you are dying now all after they died you cannot see one
January 27, 2018
A very old fashioned doctor
I live in a village in North Yorkshire we have a very good doctor a very old fashioned doctor. There is so much in the book that reminds me of him,however he does not have a RR but he does a caring manner. I hope one day he writes a 21st century version of the books.
I live in a village in North Yorkshire we have a very good doctor a very old fashioned doctor. There is so much in the book that reminds me of him,however he does not have a RR but he does a caring manner. I hope one day he writes a 21st century version of the books.
November 14, 2019
Laughter
Truly heartwarming books . Well written amazingly funny . Laugh out loud . Some sad things , a lot of informative things , so many things that bring your memories alive.
These books are so worth reading . They entertain you , they educate you , they make you feel good . Don't miss them !
Truly heartwarming books . Well written amazingly funny . Laugh out loud . Some sad things , a lot of informative things , so many things that bring your memories alive.
These books are so worth reading . They entertain you , they educate you , they make you feel good . Don't miss them !
April 27, 2025
Delightful!
In the space of a week I have been reading the first nine books, and am definitely moving on to number 10! Although I live in South Africa, I find these glimpses into rural England fascinating. I absolutely love all the characters, and its a great way to take one's mind off the madness of the modern world. Thank you!!!!
In the space of a week I have been reading the first nine books, and am definitely moving on to number 10! Although I live in South Africa, I find these glimpses into rural England fascinating. I absolutely love all the characters, and its a great way to take one's mind off the madness of the modern world. Thank you!!!!
January 14, 2017
Great stories
I have so enjoyed these stories. Thumper reminds me of my ex husband. Fix anything. Loved the city doctor and the lawn mower story. Feel I've visited England country side
I have so enjoyed these stories. Thumper reminds me of my ex husband. Fix anything. Loved the city doctor and the lawn mower story. Feel I've visited England country side
June 15, 2017
More is Better
Book 7 I found to be a little hard to concentrate on, becoming easily distracted - perhaps even bored. Found the short, short stories to be too short. This book, however, has taken the same kind of story but given it more depth. Very good!!!
Book 7 I found to be a little hard to concentrate on, becoming easily distracted - perhaps even bored. Found the short, short stories to be too short. This book, however, has taken the same kind of story but given it more depth. Very good!!!
July 10, 2018
The recipe is familiar, so are the ingredients. And the end result is tasy. The Dad's Army of storytelling, is Bilbury. The epitome of little England. Midsomer Murders without the murders. Enjoy. Dream off for a little while, and dip yourself in the cooling pool that is Bilbury.
January 2, 2019
Very little Bilbury
The first 39 percent (according to my kindle) was about the history of railroads in the Devon area. That wasn't the only history lesson. Very little in this book involved the characters of Bilbury and I got a lot of unwanted history lessons.
The first 39 percent (according to my kindle) was about the history of railroads in the Devon area. That wasn't the only history lesson. Very little in this book involved the characters of Bilbury and I got a lot of unwanted history lessons.
March 25, 2019
Great read
I thoroughly enjoy reading Vernon Coleman's books! His caring, sensitivity and his love of humankind comes through with his writing. Something uplifting and humorous to read .
I thoroughly enjoy reading Vernon Coleman's books! His caring, sensitivity and his love of humankind comes through with his writing. Something uplifting and humorous to read .
April 11, 2019
Heartwarming
One can easily be absorbed into life in Bilbury. I have a silly grin on my face as I read the amusing anecdotes. What a wonderful way of living. Always feel better after reading one of these books. Never disappointed.
One can easily be absorbed into life in Bilbury. I have a silly grin on my face as I read the amusing anecdotes. What a wonderful way of living. Always feel better after reading one of these books. Never disappointed.
September 30, 2021
As always the town of Gilbert welcomes us.
From page one the country doctor and his patients seem like old friends we've been away from for too long . The familiar country lanes lead us back again and again.
From page one the country doctor and his patients seem like old friends we've been away from for too long . The familiar country lanes lead us back again and again.
August 5, 2025
More Snippets
Another book of short stories about life in this small quaint village that I have come to love. Most are very enjoyable but for a few that were a bit dry. I do hope that further books go back to the regular storytelling that captivated me in the first place.
Another book of short stories about life in this small quaint village that I have come to love. Most are very enjoyable but for a few that were a bit dry. I do hope that further books go back to the regular storytelling that captivated me in the first place.
October 2, 2017
Amusing and pleasant read
Lovely and easy to read .
Amusing stories and interesting facts. Great one to take on holiday.
Looking forward to reading others in the series.
Lovely and easy to read .
Amusing stories and interesting facts. Great one to take on holiday.
Looking forward to reading others in the series.
November 10, 2018
Old fashioned fun
Such sweet stories and descriptions of the little village of Bilbury, hopefully a real place in the countryside . Have read the whole series and will continue to.
Such sweet stories and descriptions of the little village of Bilbury, hopefully a real place in the countryside . Have read the whole series and will continue to.
September 13, 2022
Up to number 9. Love this author love the history and stories following people through this era!!!
August 13, 2024
Great stories
I had just finished your 8th book.. have enjoyed all and have them all on my kindle. Thank you for writing.
I had just finished your 8th book.. have enjoyed all and have them all on my kindle. Thank you for writing.
October 28, 2025
refreshing
I would remember seeing such a caring doctor with wonder compared to. Today’s impersonal experience with a doctor who spends time looking at a computer not me!
I would remember seeing such a caring doctor with wonder compared to. Today’s impersonal experience with a doctor who spends time looking at a computer not me!
December 17, 2018
See my review of book one
January 26, 2017
Picturesque and hilarious!
I adore these books as they are funny, comforting and idyllic in equal measure. I am housebound through ill health and would love to live in a village where people talk to each other, help each other and the Doctor does house calls, just like the small picturesque town I grew up in. I too think of Patchy and Thumper as my friends and turn to these books to give me comfort and a good giggle. Nowadays people are too busy to care about their neighbours. I hope Vernon Coleman continues writing these books as I would be bereft without them as they remind me of how life used to be when I was growing up. To Vernon, Patsy, Thumper, Patchy et al I say thank you.
I adore these books as they are funny, comforting and idyllic in equal measure. I am housebound through ill health and would love to live in a village where people talk to each other, help each other and the Doctor does house calls, just like the small picturesque town I grew up in. I too think of Patchy and Thumper as my friends and turn to these books to give me comfort and a good giggle. Nowadays people are too busy to care about their neighbours. I hope Vernon Coleman continues writing these books as I would be bereft without them as they remind me of how life used to be when I was growing up. To Vernon, Patsy, Thumper, Patchy et al I say thank you.
August 7, 2016
The best thing I can say is I never want Me. Coleman's books to end.
I thoroughly enjoy them from beginning to end,but alas they always end way too soon.I'm waiting for the next one ,a fan from Texas.
I thoroughly enjoy them from beginning to end,but alas they always end way too soon.I'm waiting for the next one ,a fan from Texas.
December 3, 2016
A triumph!
Wonderful stories. I know they are true but names and details were changed to protect the patients' privacy. I know this because I am a nurse and have plenty of stories to tell. Great writer and I loved the list of words in Appendix XX.
Wonderful stories. I know they are true but names and details were changed to protect the patients' privacy. I know this because I am a nurse and have plenty of stories to tell. Great writer and I loved the list of words in Appendix XX.
October 20, 2017
Now you've gone from interesting and insightful, to preachy and hindsight. Only new if these books were written in the70s. Not so much when one comes to understand all the tech he's so worried about is already out., has been for YEARS! Not such a wonscer huh. Lime his so-called medical vpcures and meracale
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews