Starting with the Thuggery Affair was probably bad luck - it's definitely the hardest to like of AF's work, I think. But the other holiday books are excellent and really worthwhile. My personal favourites are Falconer's Lure and Run Away Home. Peter's Room has some fabulous moments, though there are some tricky bits too. Ready Made Family and The Marlows and the Traitor are also worth a read.

Try ebay for not-too-expensive Girls Gone By reprints of these.