Patchwork of the Crosses

I took a little break from stitching to read the second book in the Green Knowe series of children’s books written by Lucy Boston.  

The book, “The Chimneys of Green Knowe” was written in 1958. 

 It was published the same year in the U.S., but the title was changed to “The Treasure of Green Knowe”.  I'm not sure why the title was changed unless the publisher thought a treasure hunt sounded more exciting than an adventure climbing through the chimney, but both are major parts of the story.

The story within a story writing style remains the same as the first book.  The story begins with Tolly returning to Green Knowe for the Easter holidays.  As Mrs. Oldknow, Tolly’s grandmother, mends a patchwork quilt, she continues telling Tolly stories about the previous inhabitants of the house.  This time, her stories are about Susan Oldknow, a blind girl who lived at the Manor during the English Regency, and the close bond of friendship that developed between Susan and a young black page, Jacob, brought back from the West Indies by Susan’s father, Captain Oldknowe.  You won’t believe all the adventures Susan and Jacob set out on, and the plot thickens when the family jewels go missing.  Could the unscrupulous butler, Caxton, have stolen them? Or, maybe Susan’s rogue brother took them to pay off a gambling debt? 

Tolly spent his whole Easter break determined to find the missing jewels hoping to help his grandmother out of the financial difficulties she was experiencing due to the expensive upkeep of the old Manor house. 

Treasure hunts, ghosts, fire, secret tunnels - it's all there!  But don't even think I’m going to share the ending - you’ll have to read the book to find out what really happened to the jewels and to see if Tolly finds them!   It’s a great story filled with fun and adventure.  You won’t want to put it down!