If the series has a weakness, it is the illustrations -- not the floor plans, which are always useful, but the black and white photographs of some of the entries. Many are of fuzzy quality, and I was disappointed that the frontispiece, of St Michael's Church, Colwinston, had been taken before the millennium restoration that made such a dramatic difference to the building's appearance. (Look at the Tregolwyn home page if you want to see what I mean.)

Having said that, these are cheap, handy guides to the historic buildings of distinct geographical areas, and moreover are a tribute to Mike Salter's enthusiasm and tireless research. So desperate is he to give us value for money that he even prints on the inside of the back cover, and from this we see that the Folly Publications catalogue now includes guides to the castles and parish churches of most of England, Wales and Scotland. They include such useful additional information as map references and glossaries. I recommend that all those with an interest in historic buildings, if not already familiar with the series, should track them down as soon as possible and buy as many as they can afford. You won't find a better bargain.