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Apple Tree Yard

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Apple Tree Yard

By: Louise Doughty
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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About this listen

Yvonne Carmichael has worked hard to achieve the life that she always wanted: a high-flying career in genetics, a beautiful home, a good relationship with her husband and their two grown-up children. Then one day she meets a stranger at the Houses of Parliament and begins a passionate affair with him - a decision that will put everything she values at risk.

At first she believes she can keep the relationship separate from the rest of her life, but she can't control what happens next. All of her careful plans spiral into greater deceit and, eventually, a life-changing act of violence.

Apple Tree Yard is a psychological thriller about a woman's adultery and an insightful examination of the values we live by and the choices we make, from an acclaimed writer at the height of her powers.

©2014 Louise Doughty (P)2014 Faber Audio Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Infidelity Thriller

Editorial reviews

Louise Doughty’s gripping psychological thriller Apple Tree Yard is the story of Yvonne Carmichael: happy wife and career woman. When she embarks on an affair with an attractive stranger, at first it seems simple enough to compartmentalise the different facets of her life… but not for long. Narrated by the terrific Juliet Stevenson, Apple Tree Yard is a thrilling audiobook (available from Audible) that will have crime literature fans utterly gripped. Admirers of the book include such luminaries of the crime thriller genre as Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Hilary Mantel and S.J. Watson.

Critic Reviews

“Doughty is a brilliant storyteller who knows how to build the suspense to breaking point.” ( The Times)
“A compelling cautionary tale of what happens when fantasy begins to occlude real life. ‘The trouble with stories is, they are addictive,’ Doughty states. In this case, she may never have written a truer word.” ( Guardian)
“ Apple Tree Yard is a chilling novel, in part because of the unsparing light it shines on our ability to deceive ourselves. Doughty has a particular gift for unsettling stories, for making us ask difficult questions of ourselves, our own relationships and choices, and this is her strongest book yet. It's not a comfortable read, but it is entirely compelling.” (Stephanie Merritt, Observer)
“Taut and psychologically persuasive ... A disquieting, perceptive and gripping read.” ( Daily Mail)
“Gripping.” ( Sunday Times)
“Welcome to Louise Doughty's world in which individuals are complex and fallible ... Doughty drops sharp, shiver-inducing insights, like winter raindrops, on every page ... The story is compelling but Doughty makes sure that we're enthralled by teasing us with tantalising glimpses of future events ... Her writing is piercing and potent, overpowering emotions captured in sharp, pithy phrases ... The court scene is one of the best I've ever read, the suspense and tension building to a taut peak ... Riveting.” ( Independent on Sunday)
“If a prologue to a novel is to whet the reader's appetite, Louise Doughty provides irresistible temptation with the opening of Apple Tree Yard... A compelling read ... Recollection, interspersed with the growing tension as the trial plays out in the Old Bailey, provides a perfectly dovetailed structure. But within the thriller framework lies a wealth of acutely observed detail, a dissection of social attitudes and an examination of lust, trust, predatory sex, risky behaviour and responsibility ... there is considerably more to Apple Tree Yard than thrilling narrative alone.” ( Herald)
“Nobody who reads Apple Tree Yard is likely to complain about feeling short-changed ... Here the sharp domestic details are powerfully combined with (among other things) a dark crime thriller, a gripping courtroom drama and an unforced meditation on the pleasures and dangers of self-deception ... Superbly teasing.” ( Readers Digest)
All stars
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Loved the characterisation and the way the author builds the details around each scene and character as well the sense of everyday events building and getting out of hand and moving inexorably to the finale. The narrator adds so much suspense and depth without any overacting or unnecessary drama. Absolutely riveting - Off now to search out more from this author

Superb narration slow tension build

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Kept me on the edge of my seat. Juliet Stevenson's reading is outstanding. Highly recommended.

A gripping story.

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What did you like most about Apple Tree Yard?

I found this book a little confusing to start with but once I got into it I couldn't put it down.

What other book might you compare Apple Tree Yard to, and why?

This book is different to anything I've read so find it hard to compare.

What about Juliet Stevenson’s performance did you like?

Juliet has a well modulated voice and was easy to listen to. She didn't try to overdo the reading. She just let the story tell the tale.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listen to audio books on my train journey to and from work. I was never ready to turn it off when I reached my destination.

Any additional comments?

very entertaining and kept you interested.

Enthralling

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Loved it! Thought provoking and tense. Great twist at the end. Like able and believable characters. Insight into gender discrimination.

Highly recommended

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Highly recommend this title. An entertaining, dark mysterious story that gripped me from the beginning.

I had a love/hate relationship with Yvonne, the protagonist which reflected just home how complex we are as human beings, how flawed and how normal, and how close we all are to life-altering moments.

Juliet Stevenson was a wonderful narrator, perfect for Yvonne.

I really enjoyed this book, even the uncomfortable moments!

Totally absorbing mystery

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I'm burning my way through all of Juliet Stevenson's audiobook. her voice breathes life into each of the characters; i was among them. i even found myself stupidly standing there gripped to my phone, unable to hit pause. thank you Juliet for uncovering another brilliant writer

gripped to the very last line

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Louise Doughty reels in the reader until she hass you well and truly hooked. Don't be fooled by the mesmerising tone, this story is sharp and taut. Nothing is ever quite what it seems.

Gripping tale of love and betrayal

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I'm watching the series so decided I had to read the book, glad I did there's more in there as always

great read

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What made the experience of listening to Apple Tree Yard the most enjoyable?

Well read. Well paced. Very suspenseful. Well written, gives you empathy for the characters. I changed my mind at every chapter.

What did you like best about this story?

It starts briefly with the end and then returns to the beginning. You get to see the characters from the beginning develop and you love them, like them, don't agree and then change your mind all over again at the next chapter.

What does Juliet Stevenson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Excellent Orator. Well read, well paced and lovely on the ear. If I had read this book I would have probably sped through some spots to find out what happened!!

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Lots of emotions. I could empathise with main character and then at times not at all. It was all a mixture of reactions. The depth that this book explored is brilliant.
At times I was questioning why why why! It all ties up in the end.

Any additional comments?

You won't be disappointed.

Loved it!

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Great story, hard to put down. Juliet Stevenson is a fantastic narrator bringing the story to life. Can't wait for the BBC adaption.

Great story

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