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The Midwife's Secret

A missing girl, an accused woman and a family secret in this gripping, heartbreaking historical fiction

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About this listen

From the author of global best seller The Girl in the Letter, a gripping, powerful and heartbreaking new novel of two families and the devastating secret that binds them....

1969. On New Year's Eve, while the Hiltons of Yew Tree Manor prepare to host the party of the season, their little girl disappears. Suspicion falls on Bobby James, a young farmhand and the last person to see Alice before she vanished. Bobby protests his innocence, but he is sent away. Alice is never found.

Present day Architect Willow James is working on a development at Yew Tree when she discovers the land holds a secret. As she begins to dig deep into the past, she uncovers a web of injustice. And when another child goes missing, Willow knows the only way to stop history repeating itself is to right a terrible wrong.

For decades the fates of the Hilton and James families have been entwined in the grounds of Yew Tree Manor. It all began with a midwife's secret, long buried but if uncovered could save them from the bitter tragedy that binds them. And prove the key that will free them all....

©2021 Emily Gunnis Ltd (P)2021 Headline Publishing Group Ltd Historical Mystery Women's Fiction Fiction Exciting Scary Suspense

Critic reviews

"A hugely addictive story...full of twists, turns, class divides, betrayal and deceit."(Heat magazine)

"Emily Gunnis weaves a gripping story." (Woman & Home)
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On New Year's Eve in 1969 a little girl called Alice HIlton goes missing. A missing girl, a traumatised family but this is just one aspect of the book. We have a trial in 1946 and another missing person in 2017.

As is the tradition in the best of the historical fiction reads, the three main events are connected by place, and characters and wonderfully supported by a cast that includes is varied, even taking in the cows on the farm of the Hilton's neighbour Alfie James.

I found the storyline compelling, the characters realistic and was always keen to hear what would happen next. One of my favourite listens of the year!

Compelling

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What a treat this book kept me fully engaged from start to finish. Great characters and setting

Great story

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I am used to listening to dual timeline stories but this one had three. At first I got a little confused but that soon settled and I really enjoyed this story. The narration was very good and clear to understand. I have now discovered another favourite author.

The Midwife’s Secret

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What a great book, felt really involved in each generations story, couldn't put it down, a fabulous book.
The narrator did a wonderful job and bought the book to life, sorry that it's finished.

A fabulous listen

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A good story, well written and well read, which I enjoyed listening to. I didn't give it 5 stars as as I felt the "twists" were a little predictable, I'd worked out some bits of the plot well in advance of discovering them in the story. However, it was still enjoyable!

good!

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