House of Correction

A Novel

By: Nicci French

Narrated by: Michelle Ford

Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Named a New York Times Best Book to Give!

“This house of correction is booby-trapped with twists, the floors paved with trapdoors, quicksand churning in the garden. Enter if you dare.” (A.J. Finn, number one New York Times best-selling author of The Woman in the Window)

“Full of unexpected turns.... Immensely satisfying.” (The New York Times Book ReviewIn)

In this heart-pounding stand-alone thriller from best-selling author Nicci French, a woman accused of murder attempts to solve her own case from the confines of prison - but as she unravels the truth, everything is called into question, including her own certainty that she is innocent. 

Tabitha is not a murderer.

When a body is discovered in Okeham, England, Tabitha is shocked to find herself being placed in handcuffs. It must be a mistake. She’d only recently moved back to her childhood hometown, not even getting a chance to reacquaint herself with the neighbors. How could she possibly be a murder suspect? 

She knows she’s not.

As Tabitha is shepherded through the system, her entire life is picked apart and scrutinized - her history of depression and medications, her decision to move back to a town she supposedly hated...and of course, her past relationship with the victim, her former teacher. But most unsettling, Tabitha’s own memories of that day are a complete blur. 

She thinks she’s not.

From the isolation of the correctional facility, Tabitha dissects every piece of evidence, every testimony she can get her hands on, matching them against her own recollections. But as dark, long-buried memories from her childhood come to light, Tabatha begins to question if she knows what kind of person she is after all. The world is convinced she’s a killer. Tabatha needs to prove them all wrong. 

But what if she’s only lying to herself?  

©2020 Nicci French (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

An unreliable narrator who herself doesn’t know what happened

This is a crime book told from the perspective the accused who has no memory of the day of the murder. She has motive and opportunity, but elects to go to trial so she can find out for herself who did it. I read this on the recommendation of a fellow prosecutor and the courtroom sequences did not disappoint. I inhaled the book, and found it a very satisfying read.
I have not read anything else by Nicci French, but am now looking forward to many more.

Great story

I was pulling for Tabitha as she could not remember if she had committed murder and would not plead guilty. Great book

Loved Frieda Klein, this was ok

Tabitha takes a lot of lumps and it was agonizing to listen to it, which was for nearly all of the book. I couldn’t stop but it didn’t feel good and gave me bad dreams. Relatable in a way that most people (probably) had total crap moments in their childhood that still haunt them today.

If you don’t like to feel anxious and you want a book that gives some solid feel good moments, take a pass. Otherwise, enjoy!!

page turner

I really enjoyed this book. I could not put it down! at times I was a bit annoyed with the main character, but then I had to do a reality check. how many of
us would know what to do to lead our own defense? it keeps you guessing until the very end, but at the same time the ending does not just come out of nowhere. highly recommend

Excellent Whodunnit

Pleasantly surprised as to how good this book was. . A mystery in a small English town…who could ask for more on a cold winters eve.

Good Listen! Fantastic point of view

I loved Michelle Ford’s narration, I think her voice perfectly matches what I pictured for Tabitha. Nicci French gave an enlightening story through the eyes of Tabitha Hardy, even in the most intensely complicated parts of the book — I was hooked!

plot twist

my mother recommended this book and what a great listen. some details appeared long winded, but great description.

Great Narrator,

Loved the narrator, she's me second favorite to Imogen Church. Story was pretty good but ending was anticlimactic.

Terrific

Really great story, suspenseful. You will want to stay up late listening. Great narration as well. I highly recommend this book! 5 stars!

Wonderful Story

I felt as if I myself was in that prison! Painful yes, but so beautifully written that identification with the protagonist was assured! Nicci French is a brilliant writer!