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The Only Child

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The Only Child

By: Kayte Nunn
Narrated by: Erica Sullivan
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About this listen

Almost every graduating class had a girl who disappeared. A decades-old crime threatens to tear apart three generations of women in this unputdownable mystery that will keep you gripped until its last heart-wrenching page.

1949 It is the coldest winter Orcades Island has ever known, when a pregnant sixteen-year-old arrives at Fairmile, a home for 'fallen women' run by the Catholic Church. She and her baby will disappear before the snow melts.

2013 Frankie Gray has come to the island for the summer, hoping to reconnect with her teenage daughter, Izzy, before starting a job as deputy sheriff. They are staying with her mother, Diana, at The Fairmile Inn, but when an elderly nun is found dead, and then a tiny skeleton is discovered nearby, Frankie is desperate for answers.

By the bestselling author of The Silk House, Kayte Nunn, The Only Child is an evocative, unsettling tale of past misdeeds that will have you listening with your heart in your mouth.

©2022 Kayte Nunn (P)2022 Hachette Australia Pty Ltd Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction Historical Fiction Mystery Thriller Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Crime Heartfelt

Critic Reviews

"Page-turning... For lovers of classic commercial fiction, The Only Child is a thrilling feminist tale revealing stories that have too often been left buried." (Books+Publishing)

"A great book entertains with a compelling narrative, one that keeps the reader's attention while weaving in universal truths about the human condition during the best and worst of times. Kayte Nunn's The Only Child will join Marge Piercy's Braided Lives, along with films such as Blossoms in the Dust and Vera Drake, as a reminder of what is at stake when the reproductive rights and choices of girls and women are diminished. It is a well-paced story with finely drawn characters—and it's hard to put down." (Jacqueline Winspear)

"A taut, clever whodunit ... Kayte Nunn keeps the stakes high and the characters compelling, making for a fast, fresh, engrossing historical mystery!" (Kate Quinn)
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I found the story very well written and it draws you in. The narrators unusual inflection at the end of every sentence became very irritating, spoiling it a bit. Overall I still enjoyed the production.

Let down by narrator

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I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The story kept me engaged throughout. It brought back memories of a friend who this happened to, being sent away to have and then give up her baby.
I was not overly keen on the Narrator but got used to her drawl.

entertaining and very well written

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Great story. unfortunately, it took me about 4 hrs to get used to the narrator. I regret not listening to the sample before purchasing. once I got used to the narrator, I did enjoy the story.

Good story

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I very much enjoyed this story of four generations of women from the one family and the historical story of an unwanted pregnancy back in 1949 and the bleak options for the very young mother.
The narration was a bit off putting but did not diminish my enjoyment.

Enjoyable

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I feel like the narrator of this audiobook has just finished binge watching Schitts Creek and has an unhealthy obsession with Moira Rose. Her accent while reading this book is enough to drive anyone crazy.
The story was fine, I just wish I’d bought the actual book instead.

Moira?

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Fantastic read with amazing writing and imagery.

I sped up the narration to x1.2 which helped with the unusual inflection from the narrator’s performance.

I could totally see this book becoming a movie!

Magnificent Writing

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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.