This is the sequel to [b:Miss Buncle's Book|15725379|Miss Buncle's Book|D.E. Stevenson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397450592s/15725379.jpg|2827104]. Unlike a lot of sequels, [b:Miss Buncle Married|15983476|Miss Buncle Married|D.E. Stevenson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346665384s/15983476.jpg|2433871] is equal to the original - funny, charming, and wise. One recurring theme in this book is communication - being able to talk to other people.

Barbara Buncle Abbott is still her old, delightful self:

"She might or might not have 'an imagination' (Arthur could not be sure of that), but she certainly had an extraordinary power of getting underneath people's skins. Without being conscious of it herself she was able to sum up a person or a situation in a few minutes. People's very bones were bare to her - and she had no idea of it." (page 75)

Barbara Buncle and Arthur Abbott are now married and living in Sunnydene. However, they are bored and unhappy with life in Sunnydene, and decide to move somewhere else - "A nice house, further out of town, with a nice garden - trees and things." (Arthur) It is up to Barbara to find the house.

After a great deal of searching, Barbara comes across the small town of Wandlebury - and The Archway House. I was reminded a little bit of "The Money Pit," for The Archway House is in very poor shape and needs a great deal of work to make it livable. However, Barbara falls in love with it, much to the amazement of everyone else, especially Arthur, who is horrified. However, Barbara gets what she wants and proceeds to handle the renovations to the house. She will not let anything stop her, including persistent claims by the locals that The Archway House is haunted.

Barbara quickly makes the acquaintance of the locals: Poor Miss Foddy, desperately lonely with no one to talk to. The awful Mrs Dance, who just wants an audience for her mean-spirited gossip. The self-absorbed Mr and Mrs Marvell, who simply want a captive audience for their eccentric behavior. Lady Chevis Cobbe, who is convinced she is always right, especially when it comes to marriage. The two younger Marvell children, Trivvie and Ambrose, who are wild and high-spirited, but are also ignored by their self-centered parents. And, of course, Jeronina "Jerry" Cobbe, sweet, kind, and independent, the owner and manager of a horse stable.

Arthur Abbott's nephew Sam quickly falls for Jerry. However, Jerry must stay single until Lady Chevis Cobbe's death in order to inherit the old lady's entire estate. The problem is only Barbara, Arthur, Lady Chevis Cobbe, and her attorney know this. Barbara learned this by accident and has promised not to tell. She is torn between keeping her word and seeing Jerry disinherited, or breaking her word and warning Jerry. I won't spoil things by revealing what happens.

This is the second book that I have read by D. E. Stevenson. I had never heard of this author until I came across [b:Miss Buncle's Book|15725379|Miss Buncle's Book|D.E. Stevenson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397450592s/15725379.jpg|2827104]. I wish I had found her sooner. She portrays a more innocent, though not ignorant world. There is humor, but it is not cruel. This is a simpler time, but it is not "sticky-sweet" (to quote another reviewer) sentimentalism. The writing is intelligent, but the author does not talk down to her audience. [b:Miss Buncle Married|15983476|Miss Buncle Married|D.E. Stevenson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346665384s/15983476.jpg|2433871] is an enjoyable read with an amusing storyline and characters that you quickly come to love. It's not laugh-out-loud funny like [b:Miss Buncle's Book|15725379|Miss Buncle's Book|D.E. Stevenson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397450592s/15725379.jpg|2827104], but it is just as delightful.

Highly recommended.

P.S. The third book in the series is [b:The Two Mrs. Abbotts|18151780|The Two Mrs. Abbotts|D.E. Stevenson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1374205598s/18151780.jpg|2433816].