"Cranford, in 1842, is a market town in northwest England. It is a place governed by etiquette, custom and above all, an intricate network of ladies. It seems that life has always been conducted according to their social rules. For spinsters Deborah Jenkyns, the arbiter of correctness, and Matty, her demurring sister, the town is a hub of intrigue. Handsome new doctor Frank Harrison has arrived from London; a retired Captain and his daughters move in across the street and preparations for Lady Ludlow's garden party are underway. The town has some secrets which are about to be revealed. But news comes that shakes the town: a railway line from Manchester is coming to Cranford." -- "North and South: An inside look into the compelling and disparate attitudes that John Thornton and Margaret Hale had, and how it caused strife between them for a long time. John was good at giving a reasonable explanation for his actions, and was hard but honest in his dealings with his employees. But he had many financial stressors on him while trying to keep the mill running. The Higgins family contributes a nice contrast to the upper class life of the Thornton family." -- "Wives and Daughters: Molly, the forthright daughter of the local doctor, is the focus of this coming of age romance. At the hands of her stepmother and stepsister, Molly is introduced to the worlds of love and betrayal, social expectations and family secrets."  -- Provided by the Publisher.