The Doctor's Family: Fred returns from Australia to sponge off his brother Edward (the doctor), but after six months his sister-in-law Nettie brings him his wife and children - a family Fred has told Edward nothing about.

Broadly speaking a romance, but with points to make about doing your duty when there is no alternative and knowing realistically how much you can put up with for love. Over-long and a little boring in the middle. Serious. 3*

The Rector: Mr Proctor leaves his Oxford College after 15 years as a fellow and takes on the parish of Carlingford, but soon discovers that he has no idea how to go about being a parish priest. Disappointing: Mr Proctor was a thoroughly useless minister, his mother was quite fun, but the woman it would be a total stretch to describe as his "love interest" was so underwritten I had no idea what she was like. 2*

Salem Chapel: I was quite enjoying this while it was about Mr Vincent the new dissenting minister and his adjustment to the realities of his vocation. Then he fell in love with the beautiful but not terribly bright Dowager and I became a little impatient. Then it turned into a sort of mystery, which was interesting, and then finally a scoundrel enticed Mr Vincent's sister to go away with him. At this point it turned into an extremely slow paced frustrating chase story. I kept going, assuming the end of Vol I would see some sort of conclusion. But no... I can't keep going. If his sister is so stupid as to go off with a man her brother has just wanted her not even to correspond with, I wash my hands of her anyway. Mrs Vincent Senr. nicely done though. 3* for the half I read. ( )