The Landlord at Lion's Head — Complete

Set against the rolling hills of a New England mountain resort, the story follows Jeff Durgin, a hearty, rough‑spoken landlord who runs a thriving summer hotel perched near a peak locals call “Lion’s Head.” Durgin’s blend of village grit and city‑savvy draws an eclectic mix of guests—from genteel vacationers to itinerant scholars—each bringing their own expectations and secrets to the secluded retreat. As the season unfolds, the quiet rhythms of hotel life are nudged by lingering tensions between old‑world Puritan values and the newer, more relaxed attitudes of an increasingly mobile society.

Through vivid descriptions of the inn’s bustling dining room, the lingering mist over the mountain trails, and the occasional clash of personalities, the novel paints a portrait of a community in transition. Readers will find humor in Durgin’s blunt charm, sympathy in his attempts to balance duty and desire, and curiosity about how his world will respond when the comforts of summer are challenged by the inevitable changes of the coming year.