It is 1939. War threatens Europe. Troops are stationed near Tilling and rationing leads to queues in the High Street and a distinct shortage of goods at Twemlow's.
But it must be admitted that the hostilities that occupy the attention of Lucia and Georgie are with Elizabeth Mapp-Flint, rather than with the enemy across the Channel.
Faced with Elizabeth's elevation to the head of Tilling Red Cross (complete with uniform) and Major Benjy's leadership of the Home Guard, it seems that Lucia's domination of the little Sussex town is under serious threat.
But setbacks are only temporary inconveniences for our dauntless heroine, who pulls of a coup that leaves the whole town gasping with amazement.
Originally published in 1985, Lucia in Wartime is the first of Tom Holt's officially sanctioned sequels to the hilarious 'Mapp and Lucia' novels of E.F. Benson.
