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'Perlycross: A Tale of the Western Hills' is a mystery-romance novel by R.D. Blackmore set in the year 1835 in the parish of Perlycross, a village in a valley of the Blackdown Range. The Rev. Philip Penniloe, the curate-in-charge, is loved by all, including Sir Thomas Waldron, the chief landowner in the parish. When the grand old church of Perlycross is found wanting and needs a thousand pounds to be repaired, the parish struggles to come up with the funds. Farmer John, the senior churchwarden, agrees to put down a hundred pounds, which inspires his colleague, Frank Farrant, to find fifty. As the community rallies to raise the necessary funds, Mr. Penniloe wonders whether the glory of God is the true motive behind their actions.