The Last List of Mabel Beaumont

The Last List of Mabel Beaumont (2023) is a contemporary novel by British author Laura Pearson, author of other character-driven novels such as I Wanted You to Know and Missing Pieces. In the novel, newly widowed 86-year-old Mabel Beaumont discovers a cryptic note that she believes is an instruction to find Dot, her childhood best friend—and first love—who disappeared decades earlier. The resulting quest takes Mabel out of her quiet, grief-stricken life and unexpectedly connects her with an intergenerational community of women. The novel examines post-war Britain’s rigid gender roles and the social condemnation of being gay, which forced Mabel and Dot’s youthful love into secrecy and shaped Mabel’s life-altering decision to enter a conventional marriage. Pearson contrasts this oppressive past with a contemporary setting where a younger character, Erin, navigates her own coming-out journey, creating a parallel that explores generational changes in societal acceptance. The novel explores The Dichotomy Between Romantic and Platonic Love, Confronting the Past to Forge a New Future, and The Weight of Secrets and the Freeing Nature of Truth.

This guide refers to the 2023 Boldwood Books e-book edition.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of death, illness, sexual harassment, antigay bias, bullying, pregnancy loss, and substance use.

Plot Summary

Eighty-six-year-old Mabel Beaumont lives a quiet, routine life in Broughton, England, with her husband of 62 years, Arthur. While Arthur remains full of life, Mabel feels like she is winding down. As Arthur attends a funeral, Mabel takes their dog, Olly, for a walk to the local graveyard, where she visits the graves of her brother, Bill Mansfield, and her parents. Arthur returns melancholy, contemplating their childless life.

The next day, Arthur persuades a reluctant Mabel to visit a food market in the nearby town of Overbury. Arthur reminisces about their youth with Bill and Mabel’s best friend, Dorothy “Dot” Brightmore. Later that day, after walking Olly, Arthur experiences chest pains but dismisses them as indigestion. That night, he takes Mabel’s hand and speaks fondly of their friendships with Bill and Dot.

The following morning, Mabel awakens to discover that Arthur has died peacefully in his sleep. After Arthur’s body is taken away by funeral directors, Mabel feels utterly alone. Later, she finds a scrap of paper in Arthur’s handwriting that reads, “Find D.” Mabel speculates that “D” must be Dot, who disappeared 62 years ago, just before Mabel’s wedding to Arthur. She recalls Dot’s sudden departure for London; her letters to Dot went unanswered, with Arthur discouraging any further search.

Mabel sinks into a deep grief, spending over a week isolated in her home. She eventually rouses herself by creating a to-do list, which includes contacting relatives, arranging the funeral, and finding Dot. At Arthur’s funeral, Mabel gives a speech describing how Arthur’s kindness after Bill’s sudden death led to their marriage. At the wake, relatives tell Mabel how much Arthur adored her. While walking home, Mabel realizes that she needs a purpose and commits to finding Dot for her own sake, not just to fulfill Arthur’s last wish.

At the supermarket, Mabel impulsively tries to shoplift a jar of piccalilli. She is spotted by a teenage employee, Erin, who pretends not to have seen. At the checkout, Erin offers a listening ear if Mabel ever needs to talk. Soon after, a caregiver named Julie arrives unexpectedly: Arthur secretly paid for the service, anticipating that he would die. Julie’s husband, Martin, recently left her for a younger woman named Estelle.

Mabel runs into Erin at the graveyard. Erin, who is gay, confides that her religious parents are not accepting of her sexuality. Mabel’s circle grows to include dance teacher Patty and young mother Kirsty.

Mabel finds her old address book containing Dot’s last known address in Hammersmith, London. Accompanied by Julie and Patty, she travels to the city, but the address is now a cake shop. On the train home, Mabel reveals that Arthur had three affairs during their marriage. Later, she asks Reg Bishop, an unpleasant local history enthusiast, for help finding Dot.

Mabel begins secretly meddling in her new friends’ lives, hoping to solve their problems. She advises Erin to come out to her family. Then, she orchestrates an excursion with Julie to a pub after overhearing that Martin will be there. Julie and Martin have an amicable conversation, giving Julie hope for reconciliation. Mabel also secretly invites Kirsty’s estranged parents to Kirsty’s surprise birthday party. Finally, she sends an anonymous text to Patty’s daughter, Sarah, casting doubt on Sarah’s new partner, Geoff.

Mabel’s interventions have dramatic consequences. At Kirsty’s party, the arrival of her parents creates a tense confrontation: Kirsty has never accepted her mother’s remarriage. Prompted by Mabel’s text, Sarah breaks up with Geoff and comes with her children to live with Patty. On Christmas day, Erin arrives at Mabel’s, having fled her home after a confrontation with her parents. They are soon joined by Kirsty, Julie, and Patty, all seeking refuge from their own family dramas, and the five women share an unexpectedly joyful Christmas dinner together.

Reg connects Mabel with Catherine Emmett, Dot’s former neighbor. She has more information: Dot married Thomas Black, they had two sons named John and William, and they moved to Portsmouth. On the drive home, Reg comes onto Mabel, which she angrily rebuffs.

Later, Kirsty mentions that her new pregnant friend from yoga is named Estelle. Realizing the truth, Julie ends things with Martin, encouraging him to be a father to his child. After Mabel confesses her meddling, Sarah decides to give Geoff another chance and returns to him, with Patty accepting her daughter’s decision.

The search for Dot appears to end in heartbreak when former acquaintance Joan Garnett informs Mabel that Dot died of cancer several years ago. Later, in the churchyard, Mabel speaks to the graves of her family and Arthur, finally confessing her long-held secret: She is gay and was in love with Dot. A flashback reveals that after Bill’s death, Mabel and Dot shared a passionate kiss, which was witnessed by Reg. At Bill’s wake, Reg insinuated that Dot and Mabel were lovers. Arthur defended them, but the incident caused Dot to pull away. Fearing rejection and societal condemnation, Mabel accepted Arthur’s proposal, and Dot left town upon hearing the news. As Mabel finishes her confession, Erin arrives with a suitcase, having been kicked out by her mother. Mabel invites her to move back in.

The next day, Julie receives a Facebook message from Charles, Dot’s brother. He confirms that Dot is alive and well in Portsmouth. Mabel calls Dot, and they speak for the first time in 62 years, happily arranging to meet. Mabel’s new friends drive her to Portsmouth for the reunion. Mabel and Dot reunite at Dot’s house and catch up.

Back home, Julie reveals that her sister, Samantha, died the previous year, explaining the deep sadness that Mabel always sensed in her. With her friends’ support, Julie begins to truly grieve. Erin lives happily with Mabel, who decides to leave Erin the house in her will. Mabel realizes that Arthur’s note, “Find D,” was likely an unfinished reminder to “[f]ind Dog’s bone.” She subconsciously ignored this possibility because she needed the quest to find Dot and is grateful that the misinterpretation led her to a new, fuller life. She has a final vision of Arthur and says a peaceful goodbye.

Dot arrives at Mabel’s house for an extended visit. She confesses that she left all those years ago because she couldn’t bear to watch Mabel marry Arthur after what had passed between them. Acknowledging their lost years but grateful for the present, Mabel suggests that they have a second chance at life together, starting now. Dot agrees, and when she touches Mabel’s hand, Mabel feels the same spark of love from over 60 years ago.