Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor

A Novel

By: Melanie Dobson

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson

Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

When Heather Toulson returns to her parents’ cottage in the English countryside, she uncovers long-hidden secrets about her family history and stumbles onto the truth about a 60-year-old murder.

Libby, a free spirit who can’t be tamed by her parents, finds solace with her neighbor Oliver, the son of Lord Croft of Ladenbrooke Manor. Libby finds herself pregnant and alone, when her father kicks her out and Oliver mysteriously drowns in a nearby river. Though theories spread across the English countryside, no one is ever held responsible for Oliver’s death.

Sixty years later, Heather Toulson, returning to her family’s cottage in the shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, is filled with mixed emotions. She’s mourning her father’s passing but can’t let go of the anger and resentment over their strained relationship. Adding to her confusion, Heather has an uneasy reunion with her first love, all while sorting through her family’s belongings left behind in the cottage. 

What she uncovers will change everything she thought she knew about her family’s history.

Award-winning author Melanie Dobson seamlessly weaves the past and present together, fluidly unraveling the decades-old mystery and reveals how the characters are connected in shocking ways. Set in a charming world of thatched cottages, lush gardens, and lovely summer evenings, this romantic and historical mystery brings to light the secrets and heartaches that have divided a family for generations.

©2015 Melanie Dobson (P)2020 Two Words Publishing LLC

Absolutely loved it !!!

This is a very special book. Rarely do I have watery eyes when I listen to audio books, but this one did it to me. So beautiful, sensitive and intelligent along with a wonderful story full of love, heartbreak and even suspense.
The narration was excellent.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who understands that every human being is born different and special.

Well Written but Traumatic

As usual, Dobson’s storytelling is a carefully woven work of word-art. For me, however, this one evokes too much grief.

Favorite author!

Wonderfully written story with some surprises. I loved Libby and I knew what she was about. Loved her innocence.

Lovely

This story was a lovely getaway full of beauty, love and redemption where broken people learn to love, appteciate and carefully restore one another.

After more than 3/4 of the book: what’s the point?

58 minutes left and still wondering ‘why?’ And ‘what?’ Catching the wind was good. This is long winded; taking so much time to work up to a core point of writing that we had to keep asking each other what we thought the crux was about. Returned it. Very disappointed. Will think more than twice before trying another.

loved it!

A poignant story of the power of lies, communication and forgiveness. The beauty of all God's children, is everyone has gifts to share.

a good one

A time slip historical romance covering four generations in rural England pretty much sums up this book.

This will be the 39th rating of this book which I find surprising as it's a good listen. I enjoyed it and others will as well. It brought tears to my eyes........

A beautiful story

A story that hit home in many ways. Many tears shed reading this lovely story.

Could not stop listening

A wonderful story about love and forgiveness! And what God does for us in his grace.

Excellent. Clean and full of intrigue.

You do need to play close attention to keep up with the change from one character to another, but worth it! I will definitely look for more from this author.