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The Secrets of Wishtide

By: Kate Saunders
Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
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Summary

Mrs Laetitia Rodd is the impoverished widow of an Archdeacon: she is also a private detective of the utmost discretion. In winter 1850, she is asked by Sir James Calderstone to investigate the background of an 'unsuitable' woman his son intends to marry. In the guise of governess, she travels to the family seat, Wishtide, where she discovers that the Calderstones have more to hide than most. As their secrets unfold, the case takes an unpleasant turn when a man is found dead outside a tavern. Mrs Rodd’s keen eyes and astute wits are taxed as never before in her search for the truth.

©2016 Kate Saunders (P)2016 Oakhill Publishing
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What listeners say about The Secrets of Wishtide

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  • Overall
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Thoroughly enjoyable

This is pretty much exactly what anyone would want out of an Anthony Trollpe-pastiche cozy mystery. And having been so often disapponted in historical mysteries that's no mean feat! The sense of period in language, detail, and attitues feels spot on with little of the anachronism that spoils so many of these attempts. Appealing characters, witty evocative prose, and sound plotting. Will def get this whole series.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Thoroughly entertaining easy listen

A slightly different take on Victorian times. I can’t agree that it has any resemblance to Trollope, but for a detective story with a difference, and some interesting views of Victorian life at various levels it is excellent. I will certainly look out for more books in the series when I want some easy listening

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Easy listening

Just what I wanted, an easy to listen to story. A good ‘relax and unwind’ book. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing but fairly light-hearted.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Well-paced and well read

The vivid characters in this lively Dickensian detective story are brought to life by a good narrator. The comparison with Dickens extends to some of the characters in David Copperfield, notably versions of Steerforth, his doting and blinkered mother, his evil manservant Littimer, Rosa Dartle (complete with scarred lip), and of course the doomed fisher girl (shades of Little Em’ly).

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

If you like T.E Kinsey you'll like this.

In the same vein as Kinsey's Lady Hardcastle series, but different.
This is written in the style of an Old widower, who you feel is a writting her memoir, you feel very much to have time travelled, then at the end brought back to the present day (of when the book is set).
It makes me chuckle to think of all these 18th/19th century widows running a muck behind people's backs.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

No secrets, obvious plot

Would you try another book written by Kate Saunders or narrated by Charlotte Strevens?

Well written but formulaic. This is the first in a series of six, according to Amazon, and the characters are all there but there just isnt any plot. Take out the two murders and make it a Victorian romance!

Has The Secrets of Wishtide put you off other books in this genre?

No

What about Charlotte Strevens’s performance did you like?

Narrator is splendid, her male voices are gruff and she nails the different voices of the many female characters in this book, so I was never confused about who was speaking

If this book were a film would you go see it?

No

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

easily guessed who done it

enjoyed the book overall even though obvious who done it from pretty early on and it's confirmed long before end by witness testimony. easy listening

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful escapism

I absolutely loved this book. the heroine was a strong and credible character despite the confines of her time. I think the author did a very good job circumventing societal norms to facilitate her heroine's private investigations. The references to social problems and class were very accurate and added to the story telling. a very enjoyable read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Kept my interest throughout

Had me totally enthralled from start to finish. What a great find. Loved everything about the book; story/plot/narrator. One of my favourite audible listens.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Unusual

Seems quite long and complicated with lots of characters to keep track of. I really took to the heroine. Lots of twists and turns. I was disappointed with the end but to say why would be a spoiler. Bought with a £6 voucher so really good value.

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3 people found this helpful