Tottensea Landing by Dale C. Willard

    
     The Linnet's Tale sits on my bookshelf as one of my favorite jewels. Tottensea Landing is the newly released sequel which continues the adventures of the field mice of Tottensea Burrows. I was charmed by these books the moment I began to read them. Written about an intellectual little bunch of English mice living in a cottage garden, they are full of wit and playfulness. The highly literate cast of characters includes the mayor, a widow and her son, an adventurous merchant, and an inventor with three lovely daughters, who seem to have come straight from the pages of a Jane Austen novel. Many more dear little mice make up the town and are interwoven into the story.
     When introducing us to the characters in The Linnet's Tale, the author adds bits of "linguistic inventiveness" that tickle the senses. For example, in describing the naming of certain mice such as Warburton Nines Who Once Lifted a Cat, Willard explains the meritorious epigraphs in a name added to show respect. An epigraph that has nothing to do with any earned merit is called a distinguishing epigraph, as in a name like Opportune Baggs the Inventor. Such playfulness is taken in all seriousness as the story unfolds into tales of love and daring rescues.
     Tottensea Landing picks up where The Linnet's Tale left off and continues enchanting the reader with a new adventure. The cast of kind and generous field mice remains the same with the introduction of several new characters including some unsavory pirates. A bit of friction develops between the newcomers and one or two of the townsfolk, adding the age-old dichotomy of an upper and lower class system.
     The Tale opens with the arrival by boat of the Thatchett family to Tottensea Landing. They decide to stay a while, bringing their upper class status to the village. Things begin to go awry when, much to their chagrin, their son is smitten by the kitchen maid and invites her to a dinner party. About this same time, a mysterious and vicious shrew washes up on shore and is nursed back to health at the inn by the very same maid. What happens when these well-mannered little mice are faced with treachery? The result is an entertaining story!
     Although called, "A mouse story for grownups" I found myself wishing my children were still young and at home so I could read this aloud to them. Most definitely suited for grownups, I would also highly recommend both titles for any children who enjoy witty adventure. The story remains bright and positive even though there are sinister elements. These never come across as eerie or dark as many modern novels tend to do. One curious thing I noticed was my keen awareness that I was reading about mice. I'm not quite sure how the author does this, but it adds to the uniqueness of the story while remaining completely believable.
    As in The Linnet's Tale, Mr. Willard has given us a good, solid story interspersed with poetry and witty dialogue. Although it is not necessary to first read The Linnet's Tale, I would recommend setting yourself up properly and reading it first as an introduction to the cast of characters and the wonderful world of Tottensea. I am pleased to have this addition to my shelf of classic literature.