• On Folly Beach

  • By: Karen White
  • Narrated by: Lyssa Browne
  • Length: 14 hrs and 8 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (891 ratings)

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On Folly Beach  By  cover art

On Folly Beach

By: Karen White
Narrated by: Lyssa Browne
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Publisher's summary

Folly Beach, South Carolina, has survived despite hurricanes and war. But it's the personal battles of Folly Beach's residents that have left the most scars, and they are why a young widow has been beckoned there to heal her own.

To most people, Folly Beach is simply the last barrier island before reaching the great Atlantic. To some, it's a sanctuary for lost souls, which is why Emmy Hamilton's mother encourages her to buy a local bookstore, Folly's Finds, hoping it will distract Emmy from the loss of her husband.

Emmy is at first resistant. So much has already changed. But after finding love letters and an image of a beautiful bottle tree in a box of used books from Folly's Finds, she decides to take the plunge. But the seller insists on one condition: Emmy must allow Lulu, the late owner's difficult sister, to continue selling her bottle trees from the store's backyard.

For the most part, Emmy ignores Lulu, and sifts through the love letters. But the more she discovers about the letters, the more she understands Lulu. As details of a possible murder and a mysterious disappearance during World War II are revealed, the two women discover circumstances beyond their control, 60 years apart, have brought them together... on Folly Beach. And it is here that their war-ravaged hearts can find hope for a second chance.

©2010 Karen White (P)2010 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about On Folly Beach

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    515
  • 4 Stars
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Performance
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Story
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  • 3 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

You won't want to get out of your car

Karen White's intriguing novel perfectly blends mystery and history. The mystery begins with notes written in the margins of books. The notes take a young widow on a journey to the 1940s as she discovers the secrets of a South Carolina family. Once you start listening you won't want to stop...I found myself sitting in the car, wondering what was going to happen next.

This book is also about book lovers, which always helps me identify with the characters. On Folly Beach encouraged me to do more research about Folly Beach, WWII and life in the 1940s.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Quite disappointing

Yes, I'm a guy, and yes I know this is a "chick" book, but normally I actually like "chick books," which are to me, very rich in characterization and detail. This one I could hardly finish. The alternating between 1942-3 and 2009 seemed almost as if two different authors wrote the stories. I've read several books which used this technique successfully, but this author just did not. While I cannot recommend the book, the narration was really quite good; she used several different voices and read with a lot of expression. I might well try other books read by her. Having spent time on Folly Beach myself (although never living there) sparked my interest in the book, but the local flavor, other than just some references to streets and such, weren't very intriguing either. I'll check and see if other books by the same author are available, and read the reviews a bit more carefully before I invest a credit again.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

I loved the depth of story line and descriptive visuals. Great characters! Narrator was excellent in character portrayal and emotion. A great piece of entertainment!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

On Folly Beach

I loved this story. A fun story with more serious undertones about life and a hidden secret about a familly's past. It is all there in one book. It is so enjoyable to listen to. The reader does a great job.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Listen

I loved this book. It was very engaging and kept me interested. I listen to audio books while I knit or bead and I found myself listening all the time!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Great Read

I could almost smell the marsh which is known very well on Folly Beach. This work was well written and very entertaining even though it was somewhat predictable. I would recommend this to a friend. Good job both narrator and author.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Running out of patience

What disappointed you about On Folly Beach?

Don't care for stories about "nice"/bordering-on-martyr personalities. Running out of patience and may not bother even finishing it. Disappointing

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

I really like books from the South. I listened daily on the way/home from work! Happy about my purchase and I can't wait to find more books like this one!! Recommended!

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3 people found this helpful

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

Depressing

What did you love best about On Folly Beach?

it was well written

Who was your favorite character and why?

I can tell you who my LEAST favorite characters were. Kat & Lulu. They were both selfish & manipulative. Destroying people's lives and Maggie was a doormat.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Kat opened the window. I was actually glad to see her go.

If you could take any character from On Folly Beach out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Jim. from the way they spoke about him he seemed really great.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Complex Enough to Lightly Hold Your Attention

I love bookstores and shiny glass and old family stories. This book was entertaining with people who tended to be one-dimensional but quite interesting. Many times a book captivates me so I have to sit down and listen carefully. I enjoyed this book while gardening, with nothing at all lost.

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2 people found this helpful