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The Dean's WatchElizabeth Goudge

Classic fiction

The Dean's Watch

by Elizabeth Goudge

In an 1870s English cathedral city, austere Dean Adam Ayscough loves his people but is too shy and wounded to make that love visible. When his treasured watch needs repair, he forms an unlikely friendship with Isaac Peabody, a watchmaker embittered by suffering and distrustful of God. Their growing understanding draws together neglected children, impoverished neighbors, difficult marriages, and civic injustices the cathedral's grandeur has not solved. Humane and redemptive, this novel suits readers who enjoy cathedral settings, older protagonists, spiritual struggle, and communities transformed through friendships that begin almost accidentally.

Paired for this story

Banford Breakfast Tea + Blackberry Mule

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At a glance

Know what you're getting into

Spice1 of 5
Suspense2 of 5
Creepy1 of 5
What do these symbols mean? →

No surprises at chapter twelve

Content notes

Death and grief; child neglect/abuse and family trauma; poverty and illness; alcoholism references; domestic conflict; religious guilt and emotional distress.

Alcohol-Free Pour

Banford Breakfast Tea

Strong black tea and honey make a comforting morning cup. Choose milk for softness or lemon for brightness.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Steep the tea for 3–5 minutes. Stir in honey, then add either milk or lemon to taste.
  2. Garnish: Lemon wheel if using lemon.
  3. Glassware: Mug.
21+

Cocktail Pour · 21+

Blackberry Mule

For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.

A bright, refreshing sip suits an unhurried afternoon between the pages.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Fill a mule mug or highball glass with ice. Add vodka, blackberry syrup, and lime juice; top with ginger beer and stir gently.
  2. Garnish: Blackberries and lime wedge.
  3. Glassware: Mule mug or highball glass.

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