The Distant Hours

By: Kate Morton

Narrated by: Caroline Lee

Length: 22 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Edie Burchill and her mother have never been close, but when a long lost letter arrives one Sunday afternoon 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 12-year-old girl, Edie’s mother is chosen by the mysterious Juniper Blythe and taken to live at Milderhurst Castle with the Blythe family: Juniper, her twin sisters, and their father, Raymond.

Fifty years later, as Edie chases the answers to her mother’s riddle. She, too, is drawn to Milderhurst Castle 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. For 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 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

enrapturing

Kate Morton takes you back in time. She spins a tale that cannot be forgotten. Superbly narrated .

A great escape

Although it seemed to bog down at times, maybe mostly during the depressing parts(so maybe that’s when the writing was the best in being able to evoke those feelings in me), I enjoyed this novel and the way the author brought many things full circle. Not in trying to tidy up loose ends but more a revisiting of prior scenes or sites. Some novels leave me too aware of “plants” that will pop up later. Not so here, where the revisit leaves just a slight reminder of how something was incorporated previously. Thanks for the memories.

Magical story and wonderful narration

I really enjoy Kate Morton’s books and the way she builds the characters and sets the scenes. I really feel a part of the book. Her use of words are just like music. The narration is superb! I almost hate when I finish her books because I want more. Enjoy!

Great narration but the story could have been told in far less time

I almost stopped listening to the story a few times as it dragged on, especially in the beginning. Caroline Lee narrated beautifully, as ever, and the story was eventually worthwhile but it could certainly have been condensed significantly and had a much more engaging effect.

Wonderful!

Absolutely kept me enthralled. This is my second Kate Morton book and I will seek out more.

Excellent

Intriguing story with lots of seemingly random parts. Kate Morton’s writing is magical as she weaving these storylines together.

The narrator, Caroline Lee, creates an outstanding performance as she differentiates the various female characters.

An excellent read

I didn’t want it to end!
A story of deep and small mysteries, intricately woven, and unwoven through many perspectives. Brilliantly written and masterfully narrated. A treasure.

Not my favorite but still very good

I really love Kate Morton books. She’s so imaginative. I enjoy that a house is a major character in her books. There’s always more than meets the eye. Caroline Lee does a really great job reading them.

Loved every word

Caroline Lee is my favorite narrator, and this book is written perfectly- 2nd Kate Norton book I have listened to narrated by Caroline. Both equally good- I’m going to see if I can find another one!
Highly recommended

Very Dark

This was my least favorite of the Kate Morton novels as I found it very dark and sad, but still was interested throughout the entire read.