I was so lucky to find the Mrs. Tim Series by D.E. Stevenson this summer – reading the whole series was a highlight. 

I wanted to spotlight each entry into the series so hopefully other readers can find Mrs Tim. If you enjoy stories told in diary format, as well as slice-of-life stories, I recommend picking these up. They must be read in order for full enjoyment. I’ll be sure to investigate other titles by Stevenson, as well as other slice-of-life stories. 

Mrs. Tim Christie – (Note that Mrs Tim of the Regiment and Golden Days were originally published separately, but all subsequent reprints combined the two halves into a single volume titled Mrs. Tim Christie.) What a delightful and gentle book. This is a series of four books originally published beginning in 1932 (later, books 1 and 2 were reissued together which is what I read). The books feature the diaries of Hester Christie, wife of army officer Tim Christie. Hester is funny and thoughtful and it’s a slice of life kind of story that I could easily just sink into. The entries are on everything from running a household to the gossip around her.

Mrs. Tim Carries On – With her husband stationed in France, Hester finds plenty to keep her busy on the Home Front. Originally published in 1941, I am just enthralled by this series and reading Mrs. Tim’s diary. It’s at times funny and others a little bitter-sweet and always entertaining. It’s such a slice-of life kind of book and I can’t get enough.

Mrs. Tim Gets a Job – Here’s another one that the ending took the book from a lovely four star read to a shining five star read where I sighed and smiled and yes, I hugged it. (So many huggable books this summer!) I love this series. One more left for me and while I have it from the library, I’m delaying it because I’m not really ready to say goodbye to Mrs. Tim.

Mrs. Tim Flies Home – My summer with Mrs. Tim has come to an end and I’m bereft. I read this one so slowly because I didn’t want to say goodbye, but it did have a lovely ending. I can easily picture Mrs. Tim and family going about life. If you liked Emma M Lion, this gives me a lot of the same vibes. I am so sad to say goodbye.

Dorothy Emily Stevenson was a best-selling Scottish author. She published more than 40 romantic novels over a period of more than 40 years. Her father was a cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson.

D.E. Stevenson had an enormously successful writing career: between 1923 and 1970, four million copies of her books were sold in Britain and three million in the States. Like E.F. Benson, Ann Bridge, O. Douglas or Dorothy L. Sayers (to name but a few) her books are funny, intensely readable, engaging and dependable.