PG Wodehouse was born in Guildford in 1881. One of the funniest writers of the 20th Century, he is probably best known for the Blandings series and the Jeeves and Wooster books. His early novels were largely school stories, one of these being "Mike at Wyrkyn" - featuring a talented young cricketer called Mike Jackson. Its sequel, "Mike and Psmith," introduced - as you might expect - Psmith, one of Wodehouse's better known characters. Three further books followed, with Psmith playing a larger role as time went on. "Leave it to Psmith" is the pair's final outing, although Mike really only plays a token part at the book's beginning. It's also the second book in the Blandings saga. "Leave it to Psmith" was first published in book form in book form in 1934, having been previously serialised in the Saturday Evening Post.

Mike and Psmith have graduated university and the real world isn't much to their tastes. Psmith has been working for an uncle in the fish business but, as the book opens, he's on the verge of handing in his notice. (He's already making plans for the future, however - he has placed an advert in Morning Globe, advertising his services). Mike has recently married; he and his new wife, Phyllis, have just moved into their first home. It's not much, but he and Phyllis have hopes for the future. There's a farm for sale that they're sure is prefect for them - but they'll need a loan to get themselves started. Phyllis has contacted her stepfather, one Joe Keeble, who is absolutely devoted to her. Unfortunately, Joe's wife - Lady Constance, the formidable sister of Lord Emsworth - is somewhat less approving - and it's she who controls the couple's finances.

Joe's at something of a loss...but inspiration comes from the unlikeliest of sources. Constance's nephew, Freddle Threepwood, is also in need of a loan. (Freddie's fed up losing on the horses. He's hoping to switch sides and buy his way into a bookmaker's firm). He suggests that, between them, they stage the theft of Constance's diamond necklaces. (There have been a spate of thefts in the area recently). Joe can then generously offer to buy Constance a new necklace and quietly sell the old one. Constance will obviously be delighted with Joe generously buying her a new necklace. The funds from the old necklace will cover the loans for both Phyllis and Freddie. What's left over can go into a bank account for Joe - an account that Constance won't know about. Freddie agrees to do the pilfering, but soon loses his nerve. Luckily, he soon spots Psmith's advert in the Morning Globe and sets out to hire him. However, this being a Blanding novel, what follows is anything but straightforward.

A hugely enjoyable, very funny book - full of twists, turns and general mayhem. I was a little sad though that this was the end of Mike and Psmith's run. (Mike, it has to be said, barely appears and there was no mention of how his cricket career had progressed. However, according to the internet, things did work out well for the pair in the long run).

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Bottom of the Mall, beside the 4C Coffee House.