Habits of the House (Love & Inheritance Trilogy, #1) by Fay Weldon

3.5 starsThis book was written to join in on the Downtown Abbey/Upstairs, Downstairs popularity. It's the first book in a planned trilogy and, I suspect, the foundation for a TV series. It tells the story of the Earl of Dilberne's family and their servants. A note of caution though- the only servant you really get to know is ladies maid, Grace.The family is facing financial hardship and must do something. As they dither about this, their plan seems to be to continue spending as they always have. The son has huge tailor debts, drives a steam car and keeps a mistress. The daughter takes up any weird cause and donates money to them. The mother throws lavish parties. The father gambles and drinks with the Prince of Wales. Business as usual.The Earl decides their only real asset is their children marrying money. So the son courts an American heiress who comes from Chicago's meat packing industry and has a troubled past. Their daughter doesn't seem to be a prize in the marriage market.This will probably make an interesting miniseries as there are several interesting story lines. That's what it seems like it's intended to do. As a book, it's just not great.