I spent many very happy summer holidays in Rye (in Sussex) where my grandmother and aunt lived for many years. Days of exploring the little historic town that sits atop a hill rising from the river flood plains. It has been part of our family for decades with my brother Christopher owning properties there and now nephew Toby in an apartment on that river.
The Mapp and Lucia books (at least the later ones in the series) are all based in 1930s Rye and, even though I was there decades later, I recognise the same streets and houses.
Nowadays, aspiring “influencers” use social media. Back then, it was gossip over the shopping basket, dining table and card games. But all the one-up-womanship, social plotting and hardly-veiled malice are utterly recognisable. A delightful read!