Online Book Club Session 13

We returned to Lone Pine books this month, with a trip to London!

Lone Pine London is the 10th book in the series and a favourite for many fans. It is the only Lone Pine story set in London, despite it being the Mortons’ home city. The Warrenders are staying with the family and Jon goes to White Hart Lane to watch a Spurs football match. On leaving the ground he becomes lost in the fog and calls in to a shop for help. Here he meets Harriet Sparrow, who will become the twins’ special friend, and she helps him to find his way. The twins go to see Harriet at her grandfather’s shop as they want to sell some old papers they found in the attic. A man who offers to buy them turns out to be their old adversary Slinky Grandon, and, wherever Slinky is, you can bet that MissBallinger will not be far away. There are forged paintings about and these two are certainly involved.

James Wilson makes a re-appearance and, as always, leads the children into trouble. Once more there is a kidnapping, but this time there is Harriet (and her grandfather) to help in the rescue.

The climax of the story takes place near Guildford, where Malcolm Saville lived when he wrote the book. At the very end, Harriet is invited by the twins to join the Lone Pine club, although she doesn’t become an official member until Not Scarlet but Gold. 

OUR DISCUSSION

There was a great turn out (17 participants) for our discussion - it seems the Lone Piners can't keep many of us away! 

Generally the book was very well received. There was less focus on landscape, as we trod the murky and fancy London streets (take your pick!) but everyone was mesmerised by the foggy introduction, as we talked football on the terraces, the click of a turnstile, pea soupers and smog, getting lost in the fog and the sense of its time that the book gave us (I think we drew the line at school milk and liberty  bodices in the winter!). 

The opening chapter transported us back- an opening chapter mentioned by many as their favourite. The action followed with many locations and characters, which some of us found a bit confusing at times!

David disappointed us - a bit reckless at times. James Wilson's fan club has shrunk and the twins - why did they get in that van?

Coincidences aplenty (and somewhat unrealistic!) but let's not stop that ruining a story of forgery with flashes of glamour, punches, a bit of blood and of course a locking in! 

A good job it turned out well in the end. And an afterthought - that no one mentioned at the time - the cover to the first edition (by Charles Wood) is one of some peoples' favourite Malcolm Saville book covers. If you haven't seen it, it shows Jon and Penny next to the Thames with Slinky Grandon in the background.

Our next book is to be the seasonal Christmas at Nettleford on 19 November @ 19:30, followed by a December gap in the programme.

Pam McKee (On line Book Club Coordinator) 

New members for the online book club are always welcome!

To register for the first time for this group please emailevents@witchend.com