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Larkswood
- Narrated by: Katie Scarfe
- Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
Summary
Larkswood House. The very name suggests birdsong, peace and elegance. It is home to the Hamilton children - Edward, Cynthia and Harriet - who enjoy the freedom and excitement of privilege. But in the glorious summer of 1896, with absent parents and a departed governess, disaster strikes the family, leaving it cruelly divided.
More than forty years later, on the eve of the Second World War, Louisa Hamilton, newly presented at court but struck down with glandular fever, is sent to Larkswood to recuperate. There, for the first time, she meets her grandfather, Edward, home after decades in India. But as Louisa begins to fall under the spell of Larkswood, she realises it holds the key to the mystery that shattered her family two generations before. Will she find the courage to unravel the dark secrets of the past? And can Larkswood ever become home to happiness again?
Katie Scarfe trained at LAMDA and has appeared on stage at the National Theatre. She is an experienced audiobook narrator.
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What listeners say about Larkswood
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- the typist
- 25-04-14
No Kate Morton...
This novel is achingly dull. Simply a pastiche of much better offerings from much better writers. I always lose interest when the credibility of the protagonists is undermined and this happens time and time again in Larkswood. Do yourself a favour and seek out Kate Morton, Emma Donoghue, Sarah Waters, Jane Harris... all towering above this drivel.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- MS REBECCA WARREN
- 08-03-14
Good story pity about the writing and narration
Would you try another book written by Valerie Mendes or narrated by Katie Scarfe?
No it was possibly the worst book I have ever listened to
What character would you cut from Larkswood?
All of them
Any additional comments?
This book had a good story and a good plot but was not well put together or well narrated. The main subject of the novel was one which could have been explored far more intelligently. I was so disappointed that Valerie Mendes had taken such a intricate complex idea for a plot and written it so badly
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sz66
- 05-01-18
Clever and believable
Flows well, perceptive insights. Loved it! Can’t wait for the next book from Valerie Mendez.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Josephine Parker
- 09-10-16
I was absorbed into the world of the Hamiltons!
Excellent performance and voices, I couldn't stop listening and there are some wonderful twists and turns. Perfect escapism.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Marcella Hilhorst
- 19-06-14
Recommended for 12 to 14 year olds only
What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?
A better story. It's as if the writer hersel did not know how to get on with the story .
Would you ever listen to anything by Valerie Mendes again?
Never