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The Distant Hours

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The Distant Hours

By: Kate Morton
Narrated by: Caroline Lee
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About this listen

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 20th Century Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction
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I was concerned at the length of the story but to my surprise I loved every minute and didn’t want it to end. The narration was excellent too

Loved every minute of this book!

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It took me longer to get into than usually does with a Kate Morton book but glad I persevered as I enjoyed it by the end. Was a little bit predictable though.

Not the best Kate Morton book but still worth a listen

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I normally love Kate Morton, but this novel is not her best. This one is a very slow burn, takes 16 hrs before anything really happens, it’s terribly sad, has few characters and feels very formulaic to some of her other books. It was okay but if you’re new to Kate Morton try one of her other novels first.

Not the best Kate Morton

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Another wonderful Kate Morton book. I love how the story spans centuries and you get the story from many characters’ perspectives. Beautifully written and narrated.

Intriguing and beautiful story telling

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The first half of the book explained the story line however I felt this took too long. I kept hoping something would happen. when it did get 2/3rds through. I became interested and looked forward to a conclusion of the story. I struggled to stay interested, hoping the story would unfold. In the end I was surprised with the outcome. I would not listen to it again.

Very drawn out.

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