London, 1930s. The wayward Miss Guinevere Pettigrew has been fired from her position as governess once again. Due to a mistake by an employee at an employment agency, a woman comes to the address and becomes a maid and then a companion to a young actress. An eccentric employer introduces Guinevere to the brilliant world of theater - and so on! In one evening, Miss Pettigrew transforms from a gray mouse into a lady from high society, reconciles a quarreling couple and falls hopelessly in love. In short, Miss Pettigrew lives one day at a time!

The novel was first published in 1938, and was subsequently reprinted several times. In 2008, the novel was adapted into a film of the same name starring Frances McDormand, which was successful in England, Australia and the USA.