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The Frozen Lake

A Vintage Mystery

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The Frozen Lake

By: Elizabeth Edmondson
Narrated by: Nicolette McKenzie
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About this listen

Fabulous family saga of secrets held through two generations, set against the atmospheric background of the Lake District at Christmas. The year 1936 is drawing to a close. Winter grips Wetmoreland and causes a rare phenonmenon: The lakes freeze. For two local families, the Richardsons and the Grindleys, this will bring unexpected upheaval, as the frozen lake entices long-estranged siblings and children to return home for the holiday season.

Some are aware of what is happening in Europe; others don't want to know. Everyone's keen to put aside their troubles - money worries, love tangles, career problems, domestic rifts - and enjoy themselves skating while they can. But one visitor carries the seed of violence, and not even the redoubtable matriarch of the Richardson clan can prevent the carefully buried secrets of the past from reappearing and transforming everything.

A compelling blend of family closeness and strife, dazzling passion and the dark influence of history, this is an enthralling listen to curl up and savour.

©2004 Elizabeth Edmondson (P)2015 Audible, Ltd 20th Century Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Romance Winter Christmas
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A large cast of characters, narrated brilliantly. The story keeps you engaged until the final secret is revealed. Many characters to love and loath. An enjoyable listen.

Complex yet engaging reveal of family secrets

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Firstly I'd like to credit the Narrator for a job well done 👍 you really are very good at what you do.
I have to admit at first I thought it was just another romantic "white noise" filler type novels BUT was i in for a pleasant surprise... when I realised there where indications that the story was heading into a unsolved family crime woo! I was there. That changed my opinion immediately and the storyline did not disappoint!!! Thank you 🙏

Fantastic narration... finally!

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The twists and turns in this novel were fantastic.
A great book to sit back on a winters night and lose yourself in.
And yet again the narrator did a superb job

An enthralling read once again

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Although this was a relaxing narrator to listen to, the characters were not very impressive to remember who was who, in the overall story.
Predictable ending, so rather a weak overall story.

Rather confusing

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Excitement, drama, suspense and intrigue .. this book has it all. Set just before WWII in the north of England, the story commences in London with Alex, who has just come out of a failed relationship, learning that for the first time in sixteen years the lake near the family home has frozen over. She recalls the happy hours spent skating on the lake with her twin brother Edwin and, persuaded by him, she decides to return to the family home for Christmas. Raised by her wealthy grandparents, Alex has stayed away for years and the big question is whether she can cope with her critical Grandma over the Christmas period. What unfolds is a complex web of lies and cover up, leading up to a very dramatic conclusion. I absolutely loved the book and couldn't put it down. And congratulations to the narrator for doing justice to Elizabeth Edmondson's exciting story. Can't wait to read more books by this authoress.

Terrific book!

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Many characters in two families..
Some still live near the lake, but others return when the lake freezes.
It has been 16 years since the lake froze, and it brings family home to enjoy the skating.
The younger members are now much older, and they want answers about what happened to their mother.
It is a tawdry past.
One family is manipulated and cowered by a nasty controlling Grandmother.
The other family is undermined by a tight-fisted wife.

Generational Saga

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Relentlessly boring. Kept waiting for the story to ramp up, which it it didn't do till the last few chapters.

boring

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Was very good , although the story outcome was predictable I enjoyed it very much. Lts of characters with their own stories. With the era and setting it reminded me of Downton Abbey. Narration was great.

well worth the listen

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The story had a good plot eventually but for the first half it was extremely slow to tell the story of each characters. I then later felt like the story made a huge jump, which made me think I’d accidentally skipped a section of the book. The performances and narration were good and I enjoyed the portrayal of each character.

A slow start

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I honestly didn't think I would get past the first few chapters as the narration was irritating. Might have been better to talk in regular voices rather than emphasising the hoity toity jolly hockeysticks accents. The story did improve, however, although some characters were so unbelievable. overall, it was pleasing enough with some unexpected twists and turns.

Mixed Feelings

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