Another fun re-read. Less enjoyable than the others I have read in this series but still worth a look. The deSalis children are growing up, Jill is working in wartime London, Robin heading off to a short course in engineering before he returns to complete school and then join the services, and youngest sibling Bunkle, instead of finishing his holidays with a schoolfriend, takes a temporary job as a "boy" at a riverside inn. Cue hi-jinks with floods, poultry, rude guests, a youthful chambermaid/waitress who he befriends, jewel thieves and gypsies. (The description of Romany people is a bit problematic to the modern eye, though they are at least depicted as neither all bad nor all good). The denouement of the jewel theft plot isn't entirely clear to this reader, however the depiction of the hotel, it's staff, the guests and the rising flood are the best parts of the book. Also of note is that though the deSalis siblings are of a higher social class than the majority of the other characters it's emphasised that their parents have taught them to work hard, perform normal household tasks, be self reliant and to be kind to all (unlike the hotel guest nicknamed Bimbo the slug who's comeuppance is one of the most enjoyable parts of the text). Bunkle excels at his job and his sister Jill makes a cameo appearance at the end as a competent substitute hotel cook. I don't recommend starting with this but if you've enjoyed others in the series you'll enjoy spending more time with Bunkle. ( )