Welcome to the quaint and beautiful English village of Edgecombe St Mary. Major Ernest Pettigrew, Royal Sussex, retired, is quite happy living his insular life of golf games with other men of standing, avoiding the perpetually embarrassing ladies of the Flower Guild and drinking copious amounts of tea. When he gets news of the unexpected death of his brother Bertie, he finds himself struck with grief. There, at the right time, is Mrs Ali: local Pakistani shopkeeper, purveyor of the Major’s beloved tea, and a rather charming lady. The Major, despite being almost entirely made of stiff upper lip, is a surprisingly lovable character, and while the discreetly intolerant villagers and the couples’ problem-plagued families seem to be doing their best – unwillingly or not – to drive the two apart, it is impossible to resist cheering on their union.

In the tradition of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, where seemingly distinguished British people defy expectations and become the readers’ heroes with a few scathing comeuppances, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand delivers a cast of characters as comforting and warm as a cup of Earl Grey.