“The Festival” by Caroline Rebisz

What a charming conclusion to the lovely series! You get everything you can possibly crave. The well-deserved endings for all prominent characters’ plotlines. Sixpenny Bisset, the setting of the novel, shining in all its quaint English countryside glory. Moments that will make you laugh and such that will mist your eyes with tears. Known characters with their antics you’ve grown to love since the first book – it’s Freddie the cat for me, definitely. New characters making their entrance with a bang.

In short, “The Festival” by Caroline Rebisz, book three in the Sixpenny Bissett series, ticks all the boxes as far as the series finale is concerned.

I applaud the author for not following the expected direction when creating the character of Bernie Beard. Well, the stereotypes are present, but, as someone who’s read quite a few popular musicians’ biographies and memoirs, I can attest to those not being stereotypes but the reflection of reality.

Bernie is a star of the show. I mean, the story. He is everything that you think an aging rock star is supposed to be. But at the same time, his character is revealed to be more complicated than his public persona. And, to make it even better, his life makes a turn, which, I doubt, many readers anticipate.

“The Festival” picks up where the previous book ended. Jenni, having settled into her new life in Sixpenny Bissett after quite a few stumbles and mishaps, enjoys the bliss of a loving relationship and also a successful business. When Bernie Beard, the legend of rock and glamour, descends upon their parochial Dorset community, Jenni isn’t prepared for the consequences that this addition to the local circle will bring.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Sixpenny Bissett series and recommend it to everyone who appreciates stories full of humour and heart.