This is an incredibly moving first book in the series. I loved every chapter as the well-crafted characters carried me away to rural North Devonshire in the 1880s. It is a beautifully written story that I was thoroughly engrossed in from the very first page to the final page of the book. A wonderful start to the series. The story centres on the rich Fellwood family, owners of Hartford Manor, and the working families who live in the poorly maintained tied cottages owned by Lord Fellwood. With little food, and damp, draughty homes, illness was rife among the lower-class families who had to endure life in these cottages. In the harsh winter conditions, premature deaths and disease claimed the lives of the vulnerable. The community grouped together to support each other, and friendships and matchmaking were prevalent, with love in the air. I especially enjoyed the chapters that featured Annie Carter and Robert, the second son of the owner. Their relationship seemed doomed from the start, and I found myself rooting for them and hoping for a happy outcome. A beautiful, heartfelt story. This story would make an excellent film or a television series.
I can’t wait to read the next instalment of this series. Highly recommended.

The Mazzard tree is a real slice of life from the late 19th century, following a number of people from a rural village in Devon. Written in the third person, we get to take a deep look into the lives of the villagers and see the sharp divide between the rich and the poor. The story follows a number of different characters whose lives are entwined and who all have their own problems and obstacles to overcome, making this a compelling read. The characters really are fantastically written. I love it when I can get invested in the characters of a book and their lives, and this book does that to perfection. More than once, I’ve had to put this book down and take a break because the emotions it draws out of the reader are so strong. The author uses excellent imagery to draw the reader in, and at times, I felt like I was there. An absolutely fantastic read with some wonderful, bitter-sweet, and absolutely horrifying moments that will have you rooting for some characters and praying others get their comeuppance.
Outstanding. I wish I could give more than five stars.

An absolute gem of a book. The Mazzard Tree had me hooked from the very first chapter, and I soon felt well-acquainted with the many wholesome characters in this cosy read. Transported to an era when life was tough, and people endured many hardships simply to survive, Marcia Clayton gradually allows the reader to see into the personality of every character. Not wanting to give the plot away, there were times whilst reading this novel when I felt the physical pain and the love, which is skilfully entwined throughout every page. A well-deserved five stars for this amazing Victorian family saga.
Already looking forward to the next one!

Marcia Clayton's novels, set in 1800s Devon, are a masterclass in how to handle a large cast of characters, giving each their own unique personality whilst also sketching in the rich landscape of rural England nearly two centuries ago. The Mazzard Tree has, at its centre, the Carter family, who are nothing if not resourceful. When the father, a farm labourer, dies, the burden of looking after and providing for six children falls on the mother, Sabina. Already pregnant with her seventh child, she takes over her husband's job on the farm. Daily life is still a struggle, and Annie, her teenage daughter, resorts to stealing vegetables from the garden at Hartford Manor, the home of their landlord. She is caught in the act by Robert, one of the Hartford sons, and a bond grows between them, maturing into a steadfast love. However, Annie feels it to be a hopeless love as, by this time, she is but a kitchen maid and knows a marriage would never be allowed. And, indeed, many trials and tribulations lie ahead of the star-crossed lovers. Marcia Clayton deals with their story sensitively, while also weaving in the lives of the background characters.
I enjoyed The Mazzard Tree hugely and highly recommend it.

The Mazzard Tree is the first of the Hartford Series. Set in 1880 in Devon, in a series of interwoven stories, it charts the goings-on in the Hartford Mansion and with the tenants of the adjoining village. At the centre of the plot is Annie, the daughter of Sabina, a family in terrible poverty (no more so than those around them), and her relationship with Robert, the second son of Lord Fellwood. The novel’s portrayal of the brutality of the life of the poor is vivid and shows a marked contrast to that of the wealthy with their sense of entitlement. Despite the abject conditions the poor live in, Clayton manages to get across hope in their camaraderie and willingness to help each other. In her descriptions of the characters, the places and the environment, the writing is assured and compelling, and the tales unfold seamlessly and quickly. At times, it is heart-rendering but sprinkled with optimism. I have enjoyed this historical romance and look forward to the other books in the series.
It is well-researched and a compelling read, and I would recommend it.

In a small hamlet, in the late 1800s rural England, people depended on each other to survive. Hence, everyone knew everyone and everyone’s business. With meticulous details, Marcia Clayton flushes out an entire lot of these many interesting characters, and she left nary a stone unturned when it came to the social issues of the time. Class distinction dominated. The stigmatism of mental illness and out-of-wedlock pregnancy. Epidemics. The lack of adequate shelter, food, and clothing for the poor. Racism. Abandonment of unwanted babies and children. It’s all here. Clayton engrossed me. I felt the pain and the joy and breathed right along with these people, many while they took their last breaths. It takes immensely good writing to involve me as this author did. My grandparents came to Canada from Great Britain in the early 1900s, and I was immersed in the culture they brought with them. The mannerisms and turn of phrases in Clayton’s story evoked many a beautiful nostalgic memory. If you enjoy historical settings and an excellent read, you could do no better than to curl up by an open fire with The Mazzard Tree by Marcia Clayton.
I highly recommend it. You may even learn what mazzards are.