The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book VI

By: Maryrose Wood

Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

For fans of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events and Trenton Lee Stewart's Mysterious Benedict Society, here comes the final book in the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, the acclaimed and hilarious Victorian mystery series by Maryrose Wood.

Unhappy Penelope Lumley is trapped in unhappy Plinkst! Even the beets for which Plinkst is inexplicably famous fail to grow in this utterly miserable Russian village. Penelope anxiously counts the days and wonders how she will ever get back to England in time to save all the Ashtons - who, she now knows, include herself and the Incorrigible children, although their precise location on the family tree is still a mystery - from their accursèd fate.

Her daring scheme to escape sends her on a wildly unexpected journey. But time is running out, and the not-really-dead Edward Ashton is still on the loose. His mad obsession with the wolfish curse on the Ashtons puts Penelope and the Incorrigibles in dire peril. As Penelope fights her way back to her beloved pupils, the three brave Incorrigibles endure their gloomy new tutor and worriedly prepare for the arrival of Lady Constance’s baby. Little do they know the danger they’re in!

In this action-packed conclusion to the acclaimed series, mysteries are solved and long-lost answers are found. Only one question remains: Will Penelope and the Incorrigibles find a way to undo the family curse in time, or will the next full moon be their last?

©2018 Maryrose Wood (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic Reviews

"Fiona Hardingham narrates the final Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place audiobook with exuberance, charm, and impeccable timing.... Hardingham deftly incorporates a wide range of accents and voices, including those of chilling villains, distracted fathers, and ridiculous ladies of leisure. Listeners will be completely engaged by her comedic timing, which adds piquancy to Wood's witty repartee and over-the-top puns. A thoroughly satisfying conclusion and delightful listen for all ages." (AudioFile)

Great completion of a marvelous children's series!

Katherine Kellgren, who narrated the first five novels in this series, died on January 10, 2018 before Book 6 was ready for audio production. Fiona Hardingham was selected to replace Kellgren with THE LONG-LOST HOME and she does a nice job, but no one can fully replace the best and most talented audiobook narrator ever.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series in written for children ages 8 to 10. I'm 75 years old and I have six grandchildren currently ages 8 to 19 with whom I have enjoyed my second childhood taking them to see age appropriate movies and reading/listening to the books they read. Since five of them are ages 13 to 19, I mostly listen to YA fiction they are currently reading these days, but my 9 year old granddaughter is interested in books for the 9 to 12 age range and we have enjoyed reading and discussing this series. The series is absolutely marvelous; I have enjoyed every minute of the 45 hours of the six novels combined. There is no doubt that I will continue to listen to children's books after my grandchildren age out of the age range.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place is certainly one of my favorite series for children. I recommend it for people of all ages.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Excellent conclusion to a clever series!

To start with the author's work... Maryrose Wood has come up with a very witty, clever, and fun series here! I have really loved every minute of getting to hear the story of the Incorrigible Children, Miss Lumley. There have been so many fun & funny twists and turns along the way, and this final book doesn't disappoint. I know this series is considered children's lit, but it's such a smart body of works that I (a 33 year old woman) loved it. These books would be loved by anyone from about 7 to 97! Kudos to Ms Wood.

Now, that said, I move on to the narrator(s). I originally came to these books through the narrator of the first 5 books in the series, Katherine Kellgren, who is one of my all time absolute favorite narrators. Her works are PHENOMENAL! (Seriously, if you liked this series, check out the Bloody Jack series by L.A. Meyer, also narrated by Katherine Kellgren, it's awesome.) So, when I first started started listening to this book, I was like, "Wait a minute, this isn't Katherine Kellgren! Why would they replace her??" Then I googled it & found my answer. Katherine Kellgren died of cancer in January. 😢 (A real loss to recorded books of the future!) So, we get to listen to this last book with the narration of Fiona Hardingham instead. I say get to because she really did a great job with this book, especially having such big shoes to fill! Of course, some of the voices were a bit different & some words were pronounced slightly differently, but overall she did a great job of making it a relatively seamless transition between narrators. And, I will say that not only does Ms Hardingham's work stand up well next to Ms Kellgren's, but it's obvious that she is also a talent unto herself.

Now, I think it's right back to the beginning for me so that I can relive the entire series in order again, now that I finally have the last book. And, I'll get to hear Katherine Kellgren's amazing voice again. ❤

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

first performer much better

we love this book! The series is fantastic. It is Well written, there's a heartwarming and moral story, and it inspires the imagination and in Deers the reader. However, the first woman who read the first five books was so tremendously better than the last performer. It was a great disappointment and really lowered our enjoyment of this last book do to the performer.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

THE BEST BOOK SERIES CLOSER I'VE EVER READ!!!

This book is sooooo heartwarming and conclusive that i'm reading the whole series over again! It's so full of mystery and fun that it's ready to burst! Fiona Hardingham did a great job acting for Katie but NO ONE and I mean NO ONE could ever step into Katie's shoe's and act the story out the way she did.

My thanks to every person that has put effort into making this master piece including Maryrose Wood and Fiona Hardingham

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

good ending to a great series

This book was a satisfying conclusion to a really delightful series. Fiona Hardingham was a great narrator. She did an expert job of duplicating Katherine Kellgren's voices from the previous books. I felt like she carried over Maryrose Wood's tone from the previous books.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Exceptionally creative, engaging, intelligently and kindly humorous series

Thank you to Mary Rosewood for the effort, energy, and focus you expended in writing this series. You infused the characters and stories with such friendliness and inclusivity that the reader, or listener, is inspired to come along on your imaginative adventures. Making many dear friends along the way

As a teacher I hypothesize that you made, and still make, learning fun, and lessons of all kinds memorable. Often I found myself smiling as i listened to Katie perform your works. She is so missed. Thank you to Fiona, who stepped into some pretty big shoes, you filled them well.

Writing maybe lonely work, yet i trust you feel rewarded and gratified knowing how you uplift your readers, and open the world to those willing to open your books, and join you.

One of my favorite book series of all times!

I love this book series! With a multifaceted group of characters that tug at your heart strings and bright witty elements of literature embedded within, this is easily a favorite. When the final book in this series came out on Audible I was sad to see Katherine Kellgren had not voiced it. Fiona Hardingham had big shoes to fill, and did an amazing job. However, it was not until the end of the book that I realized why Katherine Kellgren didn't perform the reading. As I listened to the end, I was not only feeling the loss of a group of favorite characters as the book concluded, but the realization of why she had not voiced it hit me. Then the tears came. I am utterly choked up still as I reflect upon how a group of fictional characters can affect me so, especially as I realized that the voice that brought them to life has been silenced. This is where the true art of literature and bringing characters to life touches the soul of the reader/listener. Such is life to touch the heart so deeply. Thank you Mary Rose Wood, Katherine Kellgren and Fiona Hardingham for sharing your life with the world.

Good

I want Katherine kelgreen 5 stars for her but it’s 3 stars 5$ for this book

Love is a Good Book

The long awaited (in our family) conclusion of the ICOAP series was all we hoped it would be. Adventure, chases, escapes, loyalty, betrayal and love all told in the words of the inimitable Maryrose Wood and performed with care by Fiona Hardingham. Ms. Hardingham had a tough act to follow with the loss of Katherine Kellgren and she managed it with grace and heart.

A memory to last a lifetime

My family has been listening to these books, which have truly been the pinnacle of entertainment and conversation and connection for us for the past few years. We laughed, and cried through this magical tale and we only have the highest praise for Maryrose Wood. When we learned that Katherine kelgren would not be narrating this final book and were so upset, but when we learned that that she had passed, everyone’s eyes swelled with tears. She did an outstanding job, even my four year old became entranced and as a result has become a huge fan of audiobooks as well. May peace be on her soul.

If you are hesitanting at al all to read this stories- just do it. It’s the best investment I have ever made. And don’t read it yourself. Although Fiona Hardingham did not have the same affect of narrative, she does a pretty good job. Although there is no one quite like Katherine kelgren