Book excerpt: A rural British family gets new neighbors—and new troubles—in this comic classic by the author of The Darling Buds of May. Gore Court is a run-down country house that junk dealer Pop Larkin intends to convert into a bungalow for his daughter and son-in-law. But Mr. and Mrs. Jerebohm, a wealthy couple from London, arrive desperate to buy the place. Spotting the naivete of the social-climbing pair, Pop manages to get them to agree to pay a ridiculous amount. Now he can install a swimming pool at home . . . But he may not have time to enjoy it. After a party at the Jerebohms, Pop finds himself fending off unwanted advances. Soon, a rocking rowboat, a pair of misplaced hands, and a misunderstanding have Pop before the local magistrate, and it may take more than wit and country charm for him to clear his name . . . “Pop is as sexy, genial, generous, and boozy as ever. Ma is a worthy match for him in all these qualities.” —The Times (London) Praise for the Pop Larkin Chronicles “The Larkins live—these novels please us by escaping definition.” —The Guardian “Like Wodehouse’s Jeeves, Bates’ Larkins must continue in their own delightful milieu—in this case the Kentish countryside.” —The New York Times