This is the last of the lot of books by Nevil Shute that I picked up six months or so ago; Ian Hamet had suggested that I keep it for last. I’ve held off reading it for quite a while now, because, of course, once I’ve read it I can never enjoy reading it for the first time again. (Yeah, I’ve come to think a lot of ol’ Nevil.)

Anyway, it was a joy and a delight, I loved it, and you should all go find a copy in a used bookstore and read it.

What, you need convincing? Look, I promise, it’s worth your time. You’ll enjoy it more if you don’t know anything about it.

For those who insist on knowing more before skittering off to the local receiver of pre-read literature (what one might call a “white-paged fence”, I suppose) here’s the set-up–note that I’m trying to tell you as little as possible.

Keith Stewart is an engineer who delights in making model engines and machines of various kinds–working models. Steam engines, gasoline engines, diesel engines, generators, clocks of all kinds, all at very small sizes. He builds them, and he writes about how to build them for a weekly magazine called Miniature Mechanic. In fact, although he doesn’t know it, he’s their biggest draw.

When Keith’s sister and her husband die in a tragic accident, Keith and his wife are left with Keith’s ten-year-old niece, Janice. Janice inherits her parent’s estate, with Keith as the trustee. Janice’s parents were reasonably well-off, and there ought to be plenty of money to pay for Janice’s education…but all the lawyer can find of the estate is fifty-six pounds. There ought to be quite a lot more, if only Keith can find it.

Keith’s income is barely adequate for his family’s needs. He and his wife Katie are quite willing to stretch it as necessary for Janice’s sake…but on their own they can’t give her the education her parents wanted for her.

Our Keith is a conscientious man; and he’s Janice’s trustee. And he’s an engineer…which means that problems are to be solved.

It’s quite an interesting ride; you should try it.