Book Review: ****The Willows in Winter William Horwood. (t0 mmoboe)

Rarely does a sequel written by a different author, capture the charm of the original book.  However in this case, pleasantly the author does capture the tone of Kenneth Graham.  We are again introduced to Mole, River Rat, Toad and Badger.  Mole is lost when he breaks through the ice, trying to get to his friends, who he incorrectly thinks are in danger.  Thus we are off on a new adventure.  Badger is recruited, who in turn recruits the weasels and sloats, and a great search is begun.  It proves fruitless.  However, Toad is now enthralled by flying machines rather than by cars.  His services are recruited.  His enthusiasm gets him into more trouble than he had ever been in before, and this after betraying his friends.  River Rat is dumped, in a parachute thankfully.  However Toad ends up in to town where the police and judges are out to get him.

Mole ends up rescuing himself.  This book is about relationships, and coming to terms with an eccentric friend, who gets into trouble, but makes life interesting.  The book also leaves a starting place for more adventures, as Rat and Mole have seen the Beyond.