ESRN
- 33
- reviews
- 21
- helpful votes
- 39
- ratings
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The House of Whispers
- By: Anna Mazzola
- Narrated by: Polly Edsell
- Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Rome, 1938. As the world teeters on the brink of war, talented pianist Eva Valenti enters the house of widower Dante Cavallera to become his new wife. On the outside, the forces of Fascism are accelerating, but in her new home, Eva fears that something else is at work, whispering in the walls and leaving mysterious marks on Dante's young daughter. Soon she starts to wonder whether the house itself is trying to give up the secrets of its mysterious past - secrets that Dante seems so determined to keep hidden.
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atmospheric and gripping
- By Gregory on 23-06-24
- The House of Whispers
- By: Anna Mazzola
- Narrated by: Polly Edsell
Very enjoyable
Reviewed: 02-12-23
I liked this book a lot. A great combination of supernatural and historical fiction. It kept me listening to the end.
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The Queen’s Fool
- By: Philippa Gregory
- Narrated by: Yolanda Kettle
- Length: 21 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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1553. Hannah Green, the young daughter of a Jewish bookseller, is forced out of Spain by the Inquisition, and becomes an unlikely player at the fractious Tudor Court. Her gifts of foresight mean that she is given, as a Holy Fool to the newly crowned Mary I. But as Mary’s grip on the throne loosens, threatened by the ambitions of her sister, Elizabeth, Hannah is trapped in the deadly rivalry between the daughters of Henry VIII.
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Her best book yet.
- By Mrs Harriet Watson on 03-02-19
- The Queen’s Fool
- By: Philippa Gregory
- Narrated by: Yolanda Kettle
A wonderful book. I love it.
Reviewed: 02-10-22
Having read many of Philippa Gregory’s books, as a Jewish woman I was especially excited to read The Queen’s Fool. I admire the way she handled Hannah’s story, a Jewish woman’s story which quite naturally isn’t always an easy to do for non Jews. The portrayal of Queen Mary felt spot on to me, and Elizabeth too. These three women dominate the book but all of the characters are vibrant. It’s a truly great book and as a historian myself it was a rare treat to be able to enjoy historical fiction that includes real Jewish people, in all our diversity.
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Lady of the English
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson
- Length: 16 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Two very different women are linked by destiny and the struggle for the English crown. Matilda, daughter of Henry I, is determined to win back her crown from Stephen, the usurper king. Adeliza, Henry's widowed queen and Matilda's stepmother, is now married to William D'Albini, a warrior of the opposition. Both women are strong and prepared to stand firm for what they know is right. But in a world where a man's word is law, how can Adeliza obey her husband while supporting Matilda, the rightful queen?
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A fascinating subject
- By brenda miller on 26-07-13
- Lady of the English
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson
Absolutely brilliant read!
Reviewed: 10-09-22
I love Elizabeth Chadwick’s books and this one is excellent just as her other books are! Having spent my life studying non-fiction I love nothing more than truly great historical fiction and it’s clear in Elizabeth’s books that she does meticulous research while adding the warmth of a novel. The narration is excellent too. I love this book!
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The Grand Sophy
- By: Georgette Heyer
- Narrated by: Louise Jameson
- Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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When Sophy is sent to stay with her London relatives, she finds her cousins in quite the tangle. Cecilia is besotted with an attractive but feather-brained poet, Hubert has fallen foul of a money-lender and the ruthlessly handsome Charles is engaged to a pedantic bluestocking who seems to bring out the worst in him. Fortunately, Sophy has arrived just in time to sort them all out - but Charles is eager to rid his family of her meddlesome ways. Has the grand Sophy finally met her match?
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Great story but some key pronunciations need work
- By TW on 13-06-21
- The Grand Sophy
- By: Georgette Heyer
- Narrated by: Louise Jameson
Great - except for the antisemitism
Reviewed: 03-09-22
I would have loved this book but for the really ugly antisemitism that is central to the plot regarding the evil money lender. It’s easy to dismiss as “of its time” until I remember how widespread propaganda like this was so accepted that the Holocaust happened. It’s a literary failure if your book relies on such one dimensional characters. I won’t read it again.
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Arabella
- Gossip, scandal and an unforgettable Regency romance
- By: Georgette Heyer
- Narrated by: Gemma Whelan
- Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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Arabella, the daughter of an impoverished country parson, dreams of a new life in London. But her beauty and charm will only get her so far - and when Arabella embarks on her first London season armed with nothing but a benevolent godmother and her own notoriously short temper, she quickly runs afoul of Robert Beaumaris.
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Exemplary narration
- By Grandma- Gateshead on 01-09-21
- Arabella
- Gossip, scandal and an unforgettable Regency romance
- By: Georgette Heyer
- Narrated by: Gemma Whelan
Lovely!
Reviewed: 24-11-21
This was a very enjoyable narration of Arabella. The plot was a stretch at times but it was a classic Georgette Heyer romp.
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The Complete Stories of Sherlock Holmes
- By: Arthur Conan Doyle
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 70 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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Here in one recording is every Sherlock Holmes story ever written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Originally appearing in serial form, these famous stories are here presented in the order in which they were first published beginning in 1887. Included in this definitive, award-winning collection are four novels and 56 short stories, a total of 60 titles. The 56 short stories are aggregated into five named collections, just as they were originally published in book form.
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Disappointed.
- By SARAH on 18-01-14
- The Complete Stories of Sherlock Holmes
- By: Arthur Conan Doyle
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
Brilliant narration!
Reviewed: 24-11-21
I love this complete collection of Sherlock Holmes adventures! Great narration and I enjoyed the small musical interludes. Perfect escapism from the stresses of the modern world.
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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
- By: Arthur Conan Doyle
- Narrated by: Stephen Scalon
- Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" is a collection of twelve detective stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous literary creation, Sherlock Holmes. Contained within this collection are the following tales: A Scandal in Bohemia, The Red-headed League, A Case of Identity, The Boscombe Valley Mystery, The Five Orange Pips, The Man with the Twisted Lip, The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, The Adventure of the Speckled Band, The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb, The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor, The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet, and The Adventure of the Copper Beeches.
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Very enjoyable!
- By ESRN on 24-11-21
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
- By: Arthur Conan Doyle
- Narrated by: Stephen Scalon
Very enjoyable!
Reviewed: 24-11-21
I enjoyed this reading of many of Holmes best adventures! Wonderful escapism from the troubles of the modern world.
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Her Little Majesty
- The Life of Queen Victoria
- By: Carolly Erickson
- Narrated by: Nelson Runger
- Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Her Little Majesty is a fresh and fascinating portrait of the diminutive monarch who ruled the vast British Empire for over 60 years. Award-winning biographer and historian Carolly Erickson transports you behind the walls of Buckingham Palace to introduce you to the quirky, loveable Queen Victoria - revealed only to her closest associates.
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Excellent insightful book
- By ESRN on 14-11-21
- Her Little Majesty
- The Life of Queen Victoria
- By: Carolly Erickson
- Narrated by: Nelson Runger
Excellent insightful book
Reviewed: 14-11-21
I enjoyed this book about Queen Victoria very much. Two huge lessons I took away from this book were, a far greater understanding of the horrific child abuse that Queen Victoria endured, and how it clearly manifested in PTSD symptoms in her adulthood and actions as monarch, and secondly, stemming from that revelation was realising how much credit Prince Albert lacks in the public understanding of all things “Victorian”. Prince Albert shouldered so much work for the British Empire and the Queen, it is a shame he isn’t recognised for his personal sacrifice. It seems to have virtually cost him his life.
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A Marriage of Lions
- An Auspicious Match. An Invitation to War.
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Helen Stern
- Length: 16 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Raised at the court of King Henry III as a chamber lady to the queen, young Joanna of Swanscombe's life changes forever when she comes into an inheritance far above all expectations, including her own. Now a wealthy heiress, Joanna's arranged marriage to the king's charming, tournament-loving half-brother, William de Valence, immediately stokes the flames of political unrest as more established courtiers object to the privileges bestowed on newcomers.
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A beautiful and moving piece of historical fiction
- By Wayne on 13-09-21
- A Marriage of Lions
- An Auspicious Match. An Invitation to War.
- By: Elizabeth Chadwick
- Narrated by: Helen Stern
Wonderful!!
Reviewed: 14-11-21
Elizabeth Chadwick is a wonderfully reliable author for great historical fiction, rich with detail and characters that leap to life! This book was no exception, and I enjoyed it very much. Excellent narration too!
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Meditations
- By: Marcus Aurelius, George Long - translator, Duncan Steen - translator
- Narrated by: Duncan Steen
- Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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One of the most significant books ever written by a head of state, the Meditations are a collection of philosophical thoughts by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121 - 180 ce). Covering issues such as duty, forgiveness, brotherhood, strength in adversity and the best way to approach life and death, the Meditations have inspired thinkers, poets and politicians since their first publication more than 500 years ago. Today, the book stands as one of the great guides and companions - a cornerstone of Western thought.
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A matter of life and death.
- By Paschal on 07-01-17
- Meditations
- By: Marcus Aurelius, George Long - translator, Duncan Steen - translator
- Narrated by: Duncan Steen
Sublime
Reviewed: 13-11-21
I love Marcus Aurelius Meditations so much, and this is as perfect a narration of it that I could imagine. I have listened to this countless times, usually many times a week, and it never gets old. I love it.
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