Mapp and Lucia

When the recently widowed Mrs. Emmeline Lucas (Lucia to her friends) desires a change of scene she determines on the picturesque seaside town of Tilling for an extended break. There, with her ever-faithful friend and accomplice George Pillson in tow, she sets forth to wrest the reins of Tilling society from Miss Elizabeth Mapp. But the Machiavellian Lucia has not reckoned on the indomitable Mapp, who has no intention of giving up her supremacy. Has Lucia at last met her match?Battle lines are swiftly drawn as the ladies strive to outdo each other, using invitations to delightful garden parties and, above all, the recipe for 'Lobster a la Riseholme' as their deadly weapons (to the fascinated horror of their friends), for the position of doyenne of Tilling.
Mapp and Lucia are the centrepiece of E.F. Benson's series of Lucia novels, bringing together the eponymous middle-aged doyennes of polite 1930s society, Miss Mapp and Miss Lucas.
Subtly brilliant comedy of social rivalry between the wars. Emmeline Lucas (known universally to her friends as Lucia) is an arch-snob of the highest order. In Miss Elizabeth Mapp of Mallards Lucia meets her match. Ostensibly the most civil and genteel of society ladies, there is no plan too devious, no plot too cunning, no depths to which they would not sink, in order to win the battle for social supremacy. Using as their deadly weapons garden parties, bridge evenings and charming teas, the two combatants strive to outcharm each other - and the whole of Tilling society - as they vie for the position of doyenne of the town.