The Rabbit’s Foot
1885 North Devon, England
Mr Edward Snell was more than a little curious when Robert Fellwood, the heir to Hartford Manor, and his elderly aunt, the Lady Margery, begged an audience on a Saturday morning. However, being such valued clients, the solicitor was happy to oblige. As his clerk showed the visitors in, he was intrigued to see them followed by an old man who, though respectably dressed, had something of a vagrant about him. The crisp suit in which he was attired could not disguise his weather-beaten face or his missing teeth.
Robert introduced his Uncle Sam and explained he had come to claim his inheritance. The solicitor was old enough to remember the extensive search for Thomas Fellwood when his father, Ephraim, died in 1840. However, that was some forty-five years ago, and the young man had never been found. Yet here was Sam, who claimed to be Thomas Fellwood’s son and even more surprising, was the fact that the Fellwood family appeared to have accepted him as such.
“The Rabbit’s Foot” is an intriguing and compelling novel with many unexpected twists and turns. Set in the small seaside village of Hartford, it tells the tale of how an old man, who has spent his life with barely a penny to his name, suddenly finds himself rich beyond his wildest dreams. However, there is only one thing that Sam Fellwood truly wants, and that is to be reunited with his son, Marrok, whom he abandoned at the age of five. Will Sam find the happiness that has eluded him for so many lonely years?
Reviews for The Rabbit’s Foot
Classic Clayton. ... Brilliant!
This is the 3rd book in the series, and I loved every minute of it. The story continues and further develops with exciting and heartwarming plots that keep you totally enthralled. The writer has the great skill of keeping her readers' interest with an array of events that draw on a multitude of emotions with an ending that leaves you content.
Great read, strongly recommend the whole series.
A superb ending to a brilliant series.
The Rabbit’s Foot by Marcia Clayton is the third novel in the Hartford Manor series, and it continues the story of Annie Carter. Now happily married, her poverty-stricken youth is behind her, and she lives a happy, contented life. But the story continues, and while I am glad to see that a lot of it revolves around Annie and her extended family, I was delighted to see the author has introduced a new threat revolving around Theresa, the daughter of George Carter, and a new mystery in the history of the old tramp, Sam. I loved these two new elements because they took the saga in a slightly different direction. The danger Theresa finds herself in is terrible and I could hardly turn the pages, worrying what fate would befall her. The story of Sam the Tramp is wonderful. I love these old codgers – Sam, Peter and Lady Margery. Despite the difference in their stations in life, the three are firm friends, and the affection they each share for one another is true. So, the Hartford Manor series has come to an end and I hope it is only a temporary ending.
I would love to read more – to see the babies grow up and discover how their lives pan out and I will definitely be keeping my fingers crossed for another book.
Enjoy the contrast of good and evil, rich and poor, young and old.
The Rabbit Foot is the third in the series by Marcia Clayton and is also a gem of a book. One lovely thing about this series is Marcia does a terrific job of bringing the reader up-to-date with all the various characters. A reader will never get lost or not know the history of the characters from the previous books. I wish more authors did as good a job when they have a series going. That is so important if the books in a series are not read immediately, one after the other, the reader can forget the characters. As with the other two books, this book has its calm areas and its tensions, but watching the children grow and seeing new friendships and romances form is great fun. The contrasts of good and evil, rich and poor, young and old are also good.
I hope Marcia will decide to add at least one more book to the series, though she did a masterful job of wrapping the series up, leaving no loose ends.
An Extraordinary Delight
This is the first book I have read in the Hartford Manor Trilogy by Marcia Clayton. I was enthralled from the first page by this story of country life in 19th-century North Devon. Being quite a fan of Historical Fiction, this was right up my alley. This is an engaging read with excellent pacing, well-developed plots, and believable characters from all stations in life that seemed reassuringly familiar. At the heart of the story is Sam Fellwood's quest to find and reunite with his estranged son, but will he succeed in his quest? The ending was wonderful, with twists and turns I never saw coming.
Thank goodness there are two more books! Highly recommend.
Great story to a fantastic series!
In the Hartford Manor series, we have witnessed Annie Carter and her family on the verge of the workhouse, families ripped apart due to diseases, fire and hardship. And how those who literally have nothing apart from the clothes on their back come together in a time of need. We’ve also seen how all is not a bed of roses for the rich. The Rabbit’s Foot focuses on Sam, the old tramp, who has now come into his inheritance and is in search of his son. Then we have Teresa, George Carter’s daughter, who has been abducted. We are introduced to a profession as old as time and another disease that has been around forever. There are also little side stories going on through the extended families, Danny’s being one of them. I’ve loved that little boy from day one and was delighted when he got his lip and feet fixed. Through it all, Annie and Robert, who are growing their own family, are rallying around to help out family and friends. Like the previous two books, Marcia has created some fantastic characters. Some we already know and some new but who fit in superbly in this well-written and enjoyable story.
This is another great book to a fantastic series. Fingers crossed for a 4th.
The Fellwood tale continues
The third, and hopefully not the last, of the Hartford books introduces again the familiar characters. Centred around Sam Fellwood’s search for his missing son, it charts the fortune of Robert and Annie Fellwood and her extended family in rural Devon. The prejudices and hardships of the day are explored in a tale that is quite as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking. It is a truly dark time; forced prostitution and the privileged rich are some of the issues it tackles. But even amongst all the privation and suffering, there are rays of hope. At least some of the rich are aware and prepared to tackle some of the bigotry and bias that exists. I have liked these stories since reading The Mazzard Tree, the first book and all the books are well put together with interlocking tales. While the cast of characters is daunting, eventually, you get to know them, and they become familiar.
Hopefully, we will see more of the Fellwoods.
