Desirable Residence, A

NY: St Martin's Press. Very Good+ in Very Good+ dust wrapper. 1997. First US Edition. Hardcover. 287 pages. A very nice copy. Spine ends faintly bumped, unclipped dust wrapper very lightly edgeworn.; <b>The author's second novel; she also writes the 'shopaholic' novels under the name Sophie Kinsella. 'Tucked away on a Silchester side street, the house owned by teachers Liz and Jonathan Chambers has been empty for a year. Liz, Jonathan, and their moody adolescent daughter Alice live in a dreary apartment above the private college they bought on impulse, hoping to make it a great success. To pay the mortgage they simply must sell their beloved house. Now, as debts mount, their relationship and finances are crumbling. <p>Unlike Jonathan, who lets things happen, Liz's need to take action leads to Marcus Witherstone, driver of a Mercedes, husband of a difficult wife, and senior partner of the firm, handling the house sale. Marcus has two splendid ideas, to rent the house instead of selling it--and have an affair with Liz. And when teenage Alice becomes infatuated with the dashing out-of-work actor and his wife who lease the property, a wicked comedy of modern marriage begins...and the asking price for a house includes a stunning renovation of dreams and hearts.'</b> .