Stone Revival - Paperback

by Peggy Colleen Dover (Author)

"Women's hearts sure have big imaginations."--Glory Stone

In June of 1945 in a Special Operations office in Penrith, England, an officer intercepts strange messages transmitting from Rakefoot Crossing in the Lake District to the Isle of Man. A decoding specialist recently reassigned from Bletchley Park recognizes the code as the work of two former classmates, John Stone, whom she once dated and remembers fondly, and Axel Biggs, stationmaster at Rakefoot Station. British Intelligence begins focusing on Biggs and Stone.

One month later, World War II has staged its final scene. England is shaking the dust off of a six-year rumble. Gloria (Glory) Stone and her daughters, headstrong nineteen-year-old Claire and twelve-year-old Sydney (Syd), the animal lover, continue their wait for veterinarian husband and father, John. Glory has been content with her life as a country vet's wife in Rakefoot, a quaint rail village in The Lakes. With John away tending horses in collieries during war, the Stone home has remained relatively peaceful, though incomplete. Glory tends house and garden and looks after the girls. John is finally coming home.

As Glory prepares for the homecoming, a telegram arrives saying John has died while returning. After the initial shock, she begins questioning the report. Facts don't add up. News of John's demise launches a series of challenges for Glory as she battles grief, panic attacks, a crippling lack of confidence, and unwarranted attention from station master, Axel Biggs. Reserves run low, and the family begins to drift. In her quest to find work and uncover the truth about John, she is blind to the girls' needs.

Claire takes a fancy to just-returned RAF flier, Albert Rand, nephew of neighbor, Eunice Quimby. Albert is a fast-mover, but reminds her of the dad whose attention she craved but never felt. Syd's teacher rings Glory up to meet with her and discuss Syd's uncharacteristic behavior at school. Glory knows she must wake up and be more for the girls. She doesn't approve of Albert any more than Claire approves of Axel Biggs' attention to her mum. Claire's other love interest is a quirky Irish theology student named Liam McClelland. When Glory's attempts at finding work fail, Claire and Liam concoct an idea for Glory to set up shop inside Rakefoot Station and sell antiques she's inherited from her gran. Stationmaster Biggs is quite keen on the idea, and Stone Revival Antiques is born.

Clues pertaining to John's supposed death mount, with Syd writing letters to her pop, a Christmas surprise of unique gifts, curious visitors to Glory's shop, and a shocking delivery by Natty, the family raven. Glory's frustration reaches its peak when she receives no cooperation from the military or the railroad board. With Eunice along for support, Glory finally determines to take things in hand.

Neighbor, Eunice Quimby, is Glory's well meaning, but overly dramatic best chum. Though she's of little practical help, the friendship proves invaluable for Glory's sanity through adventures and comic relief.

Each chapter of Stone Revival is written by one of the Stone women. Syd's chapters are in diary form to her pop, whom she's convinced is alive.

All aboard for a visit to idyllic Rakefoot Crossing, an unlikely setting for espionage, kidnapping, and betrayal. Meet the diverse and colorful characters of Stone Revival, a smart, wholesome charmer of a story amid the lush backdrop of a Lake District rail village.