The Tell Tale cover art

The Tell Tale

A Small Town, Enduring Love, a Web of Secrets

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The Tell Tale

By: Clare Ashton
Narrated by: Lucy Rayner
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About this listen

Snow, secrets, an icy lady of the manor, a vile villain, open fires, and hidden love.

A frosty December, Bethan Griffiths has returned home for Christmas to unwrap secrets. It's the 1970s and she is back in the village of Foel in the Welsh hills to raise her daughter. They arrive to the open arms of her family and the community, but not all is what it seems, and Beth isn't home for the reason she pretends, either.

Vicious notes start appearing that reveal harsh truths about the village inhabitants, stirring up ancient pasts, old loves, and the dead. Not even local dignitary, the elegant and aloof Lady Melling who hides in her manor house, is safe from the accusations.

But when Beth receives her notes, they aren't what she expected. Is she being toyed with like the other villagers, or is she being guided to a long-sought truth?

The Tell Tale has been watching and waiting, because there's something queer about the village of Foel.

©2021 Clare Ashton (P)2022 Tantor Historical Literature & Fiction Mystery Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Romance Village Fiction Suspense

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All stars
Most relevant
Wonderful writing, fantastic story combined with terrific narration makes for an exceptional listen. I was impressed!

Exceptional!

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another good book from Clare Ashton, easily absorbed into the story line and interesting characters, will be listening to it again.

ignore those who berate the narrater choice - I thought she did a good job, especially given the bits of Welsh language in the book. DA IAWN TI!

Good story & narrator choice & it's set in Wales!

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Wonderful storytelling that keeps you guessing what is coming next, and the crushing malevolent misogyny was so well portrayed I could have been back in my childhood visiting my aunt in mid-Wales in the summer holidays.
The intonation of the narrator seemed a little odd at first but you soon get lost in the story and what relief that she didn’t mangle the Welsh pronunciation!

Chilling and Beautiful

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not sure what ibwas expecting but this was an excellent story, beautifully performed and with a satisfying payoff

excellent and a wee bit creepy

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Clare Ashton has written a deeply immersive story developing a number of characters to really engage with helped by a perfect narrator. There is a pervasive misogynist fear that ratchets up the tension and has you really rooting for the heroines who face overwhelming adversity. Beth and daughter Nia return to her parents house to get away from a divorcing husband and to look after her unwell mother. 20 years previously one of her best friends eloped out of the blue and has not been seen since. The unbelievable becomes suspicion of foul play. A poison pen writer fans the flames. Throw in a misogynist cabal of mayor, doctor, headmaster and local businessmen and farmers and Beth's very survival is threatened. Can Beth and her old classmates rekindle their teenage friendships and support each other? This is a thoughtfu well crafted story with shrewd observation, personal monologue, brilliant dialogue and description of Welsh small town life and countryside. The mystery of what happened to Ellen 2 decades previously and the memory of her luminous independence, caring and loving haunts the school friends. The impact of the vanishing affects them, locals and families. This is a wonderful listen.

Deeply immersion story with great narrator

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