Elizabeth Cadell Books In Order

Publication Order of Waynes of Wood Mount Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Elizabeth Vandyke Cadell was born in 1903 Calcutta in the British Indian Colony. She got married to a young Scotsman named Cadell and changed her name to Elizabeth Cadell. She stayed in India until she lost her husband which forced her to move to England with her two children just before the break of World War II. She published her first novel “My Dear Aunt” in 1946, which was a lighthearted narrative about family life, something very dear to her heart. Her novels are full of narratives of optimism and humor conquering widowhood and sorrow, which have won her a legion of fans and allowed her to travel and educate her son through the British Navy College. Many of her novels are set in Portugal, France, and Spain even though there is the occasional Indian and English setting. She spent most of her years in Portugal, where her daughter got married. She died in 1989 aged eighty-five and left behind seven grandchildren all of whom gained a lot from her gentle teaching, wisdom, and humor. British India has definitely changed a lot since the last time she was there, and the quaint English village life that she loved writing about has also been significantly modernized. Nonetheless, the laughter, tears, love affairs of the quirky characters in her novels still evoke much emotion among both young and old readers alike.

Elizabeth Caldell studied music in London during World War II, though she found that she did not like a career in music and returned to India shortly after. Going back to England ten years later, she embarked on her writing career and followed her 1946 debut “My Dear Aunt Flora” with fifty-two humorous and lighthearted romantic novels over the decades. Though she set most of her novels in England and continental Europe, this did not stop her from gaining readers from across the continent and in the Americas. Even though her popularity has declined over the years, many of her novels can still be found as mass-market paperbacks and in libraries across Europe and the United States. With the novels out of print, their price has soared with some of the most popular hard to find titles going for up to $400 apiece. However, some bargains can be found in old bookstores for a bargain and would make a great fireside read.

Elizabeth Cadell writes heartwarming novels that tell narratives of a community that forms memorable relationships. For the most part, the thrust of the novels is the relationships between the characters. Much of the time these are often romantic relationships though she also writes of platonic and familial relationships. The plots often include a mystery though they are not your typical high action novels as they are more of humorous depictions of character. Cadell’s novels are best compared to the likes of Nancy Atherton and Debbie Macomber, which are great for a good philosophical rumination. While she sets her novels from England, Spain, France Portugal, and India, she manages to make almost all of her characters likable and relatable even if they come from different cultures.

Cadell’s heroines are independent, practical and intelligent women typified by the likes of Lucille of “Corner Shop”. They are beautiful, blonde, and slim characters that are also hardworking, have common sense, and a clear brain. Her heroes vary from realtors, naval officers, and businesspersons that are not prepared for the leveling blow dealt by love. They are best typified by the likes of Henry Downing of the 1981 published “Any Two Can Play”, who may be deemed the modern beta hero. They are companionable and easy to be with and love their women dearly with no holds barred. Never expecting to fall in love, they will typically experience a combination of exhilaration, apprehension, and surprise when they do fall in love. The novels also have supporting characters that come in the form of children and old ladies. The women are often eccentric aunts that are, sometimes retiring and fierce protagonists. The children may be endearing, mature, obnoxious, and spoiled brats that get on people’s nerves. Nonetheless, regardless of their attitudes and disposition the children have a believability and genuineness that makes them likable.

“The Lark Shall Sing” is the delightful first novel if the “Waynes of Wood Mount” series of novels. The Waynes are six siblings aged between 9 and 24 who have no parents to guide them. The determined, forceful, and redheaded Lucille heads the family, and will do anything to ensure that the family is a success. As a form of an experiment, Lucille takes a job as an assistant to an elderly lady, while she parcels out the rest of the family for a year. Dominic and Simon that are nine and eleven year old respectively go to an uncle and aunt, while Julie who is ten goes to convent school. Roselle the family’s whimsical one is trying to be a secretary while the gentle Nicholas completes his military service. Suddenly all the Waynes are thrown into an uproar as Lucille brings them news that forces a sensational family reunion. Heading to see their sister by bike, foot and buss they shatter her biggest dreams while helping her get onto a better one.

“Six Impossible Things” is another incredible novel in the “Waynes of Wood Mount” series of novels. Greenhurst village, the home of the Wayne family is abuzz with anticipation, festivity, and excitement as they await Miriam Arkwright’s upcoming nuptials to an Italian lord. All the Waynes come back home and reside with their brother Nicholas, including Julia that had gone to Italy to learn to become a concert pianist. She is no longer a kid but is not immune to the occasional luggage mix-up that leads to one of the most delightful of romances. The lost luggage is delivered to the beautiful Elaine Morley, and it is now up to Nicholas to find it. Nicholas is blown away by the beauty of Elaine but is crushed to learn that she is engaged, though he is not giving up. Meanwhile, Julia who loves to solve everyone’s problems suddenly finds herself with two problems of her own. Derek Arkwright whom she had known as the boy next door and a new arrival in town have confused the typically iron willed Julie.