Try free for 30 days

  • The Distant Hours

  • By: Kate Morton
  • Narrated by: Caroline Lee
  • Length: 22 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (186 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Distant Hours cover art

The Distant Hours

By: Kate Morton
Narrated by: Caroline Lee
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $40.99

Buy Now for $40.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

Edie Burchill and her mother have never been close, but when a long lost letter arrives with the return address of Milderhurst Castle, Kent, printed on its envelope, Edie begins to suspect that her mother’s emotional distance masks an old secret. Evacuated from London as a 13-year-old girl, Edie’s mother is chosen by the mysterious Juniper Blythe, and taken to live at Milderhurst Castle with the Blythe family.

Fifty years later, Edie too is drawn to Milderhurst and the eccentric Sisters Blythe. Old ladies now, the three still live together, the twins nursing Juniper, whose abandonment by her fiancé in 1941 plunged her into madness. Inside the decaying castle, Edie begins to unravel her mother’s past. But there are other secrets hidden in the stones of Milderhurst Castle, and Edie is about to learn more than she expected. The truth of what happened in the distant hours has been waiting a long time for someone to find it.

©2010 Kate Morton (P)2010 Kate Morton

What listeners say about The Distant Hours

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    108
  • 4 Stars
    46
  • 3 Stars
    25
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    3
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    118
  • 4 Stars
    35
  • 3 Stars
    14
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    99
  • 4 Stars
    43
  • 3 Stars
    23
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    5

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely awful

I tried three times to listen to this book and failed. Have loved other Kate Morton books which is why I tried so hard… couldn’t cope with an Australian narrator trying to sound British - like nails down a blackboard (no prob listening to an Aussie narrator reading an Aussie based book!!) Have no idea of the story despite starting 3 times. Worst part is I left it too late to return - I think they call that salt in the wound

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Couldn't finish

I couldn't even finish this book. I have purchased two Kate Morton books before and would rate them 5 star plus. This book was a lot of words about nothing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

the Distant Hours

loved the storyline. a book to get lost in. Kate is a very talented writer

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable

Really enjoyed this well written story. Will try more Kate Morton in the future! I listened for hours at a time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

If you could sum up The Distant Hours in three words, what would they be?

intriguing, historical, haunting

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Distant Hours?

mud man at the window

What about Caroline Lee’s performance did you like?

very easy to listen to

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

dreams and reality

Any additional comments?

really enjoyed it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Great story idea

Very slow and repetitive. Great story, just didn’t need to be sooo long and drawn out to get to the end

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Not my favourite Kate Morton book

I have read heaps of kate Morton’s books. I found this the hardest to get through. Kept listening, thinking it would get better. Disappointed but glad it’s over.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow!! Just loved everything about this book, sad it finished.

Narration, storyline, real facts and fiction - this story has it all. Plenty of twists and turns. I’ve enjoyed every one of Kate Morton’s books and particularly love Caroline Lee’s storytelling. I’m a mystery and murder fan but like some mushy love as well. Such value for a credit. Don’t hesitate to download this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • C
  • 28-05-2023

Beautifully written

Very engaging, wonderful characters and superbly written. I absolutely loved it. Didn’t want it to end!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I was spellbound

Quite possibly the best book I’ve every read (listened to). It kept me guessing right up to the end. I loved every minute of it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.