The first three novels in this beloved series introduces the village of Fairacre, with its handful of thatched cottages, the church, the school - and its schoolmistress, Miss Read. In Fairacre, everyone knows everyone else's business and, for the most part, it is a harmonious place - even for the likes of Mrs Pringle, the gloomy, irascible school cleaner. With a wise heart and a discerning eye Miss Read guides us through the seasons and introduces a cast of unforgettable characters, and a world of drama, romance and humour, all within a stone's throw of the school. Charm and wit blend in these three novels, to give a refreshingly acute and astringent view of life in the country.