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  • Spinners Lake

  • Gibson Family Saga, Book 5
  • By: Anna Jacobs
  • Narrated by: Julia Franklin
  • Length: 15 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (211 ratings)
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Spinners Lake cover art

Spinners Lake

By: Anna Jacobs
Narrated by: Julia Franklin
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Summary

The final novel in the heartwarming Lancashire-based Gibson Family series by beloved saga author Anna Jacobs.  

It is 1860 in Bilsden, the Lancashire mill town, and Frederick Hallam is dying. But first he makes secret plans to smooth the future path for his beloved wife, Annie. Her sister, Joanie, is fed up with everything until a dashing new admirer crosses her path. But a spurned suitor is determined that Joanie will be his, whatever the cost. And he is not the only one who wants to harm the Gibson family.   

Meanwhile the Civil War in America cuts off cotton supplies so that times are hard in Bilsden and unemployment is rife. Annie had to rebuild her life after her husband's death and plans to create Spinners Lake, an extraordinary project that will keep her workers from destitution and assuage her own grief.   

Tian Gilchrist is caught up in the American war and nearly dies there. He fights his way back to Bildsen, to Annie, whom he has never forgotten.   

And the plans that Frederick made for Annie will change her life in unforeseen ways, bringing her hope and happiness once again.

©2019 Anna Jacobs (P)2019 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

What listeners say about Spinners Lake

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Narrator

Great series but be warned the fifth book has a completely different narrator. A bit disappointing

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7 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A Loooooong listen

what happened to the narrator, 4 fab books want to finish them off but this is a long hard slog terribly narrated

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Ann Dover should have continued with the narration

Since Ann Dover had narrated the first four books in the Gibson series, felt this book was spoiled by having a different narrator. The characters felt imposters .

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Too many inconsistencies with a new narrator

Oh dear! what a way to ruin a great set of books by having a new narrator for the last one, book 5. Characters one had grown to love sounded so wrong with this narrator for book 5 and you really have to persevere to finish the story. In addition, the pronunciation of a main character's name, Tian Gilchrist was completely different as if he had changed his name altogether. Finally, through book 2,3,4 we hear of Netherley cottage, the Cottage Annie bought and where her family live. So, why oh why does the name suddenly change to Netherley house cottage?! isn't that just a bit daft?

If a change in narrator is needed for what ever reason, at least get the basics right and follow pronunciations. I loved this set of books but to be hones, book 5 is a slog because of the Narrator not the story line itself.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I changed my mind!

Having listened to the 4 previous books in the Gibson Family series, narrated by Anne Dover, I was disappointed and put out on discovering the last book had a different narrator. In the beginning, comparing her directly with Anne Dover, I thought the listener has missed out. However, I continued with the book (of course!), as I had grown so fond of the Gibson family members and enjoy Anna Jacob's extremely gifted storytelling. As time went on, and I grew used to Julia Franklin's voice, I was able to discard my previous prejudice. I discovered myself enjoying the story just as much and marvelling at Julia's talent for American, Irish and regional accents. Also male and female voices. It reminded me to judge people on their own merit and not compare them to others.
I also enjoyed the historical link to the American Civil war. When the war started affecting the raw cotton supply, but people were saying it will be over in a few months, I asked Alexa straight away about the dates. (April 1861 - April 18??). I won't spoil it for others when the war ended, but my reaction was: "Oh no!!!"
If you enjoy period drama, do yourself a favour and get this series. Do more things you enjoy. It's called self care.

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Loved the story , not character representation

The final book on this story (4) was as good as the first as the author really captured your attention. The one thing that almost stopped me listening to this book was the fact they had a different narrator. She hadn’t listened to how Annie and Frederick had been portrayed throughout books 1-3. Annie went from a well spoken lady , in beautiful gowns, to sounding like an uneducated mill employee. Dumpy and lacking deportment she had learnt as a ladies maid. Frederick went from a well spoken mill owner to sounding like an uneducated crotchety old man. That disappointed me. But I listened to the whole book and was glad I did to find out the ending.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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New narrator

Loved the series but the last book has a different narrator . Ruined it and had to turn off after 10 minutes.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Poor narrator

Having read all the Anna Jacobs books leading to this I needed to listen to the end. The narrator was not the same as previous books and I found her representation of many of the characters wanting. Annie’s voice was whinny instead of the usual confident authoritative voice of previous books. The male voices all sounded the same. I did not enjoy this book as much as the previous ones.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

predictable

even though predictable still enjoyed this book. disappointed that the narrator changed for the last in this series, much better with Anne Dover narrating.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Spinners lake

Didn’t enjoy as much as the previous 4 books as the narrator voice was so annoying.

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1 person found this helpful