The Last List of Mabel Beaumont

By: Laura Pearson

Narrated by: Penelope Freeman

Length: 11 hrs

Publisher's summary

The list he left had just one item on it. Or, at least, it did at first…

Mabel Beaumont’s husband Arthur loved lists. He’d leave them for her everywhere. ‘Remember: eggs, butter, sugar’. ‘I love you: today, tomorrow, always’.

But now Arthur is gone. He died: softly, gently, not making a fuss. But he’s still left her a list. This one has just one item on it though: ‘Find D’.

Mabel feels sure she knows what it means. She must track down her best friend Dot, who she hasn’t seen since the fateful day she left more than sixty years ago.

It seems impossible. She doesn’t even know if Dot’s still alive. Also, every person Mabel talks to seems to need help first, with missing husbands, daughters, parents. Mabel finds her list is just getting longer, and she’s still no closer to finding Dot.

What she doesn’t know is that her list isn’t just about finding her old friend. And that if she can admit the secrets of the past, maybe she could even find happiness again…

A completely heartbreaking, beautiful, uplifting story, guaranteed to make you smile but also make you cry. Perfect for fans of My Name is Ove, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and The Keeper of Stories.

©2023 Laura Pearson (P)2023 Boldwood Books

Critic reviews

‘Such a poignant story. Brought a lump to my throat in many places… Will really appeal to fans of Joanna Cannon.’ Karen Angelico, author

‘I loved it! Mabel Beaumont is an absolute treasure… Laura Pearson cleverly, gently, peels back the layers of Mabel’s and her friends’ lives in a way that hurts, then soothes, your heart… An uplifting, life-affirming joy of a novel!’ Emma Robinson, author

‘I absolutely loved this book… I adore an older protagonist who’s portrayed as a real person, with opinions and regrets, and who is feisty and not afraid to speak her mind. The story is like a warm hug – but it had spark and wit and humour too. I loved it, and was bereft when I finished it (far too) late last night!… Gorgeous!’ Clare Swatman, author

You feel like you know the characters

It’s a very long book. Moves almost day by day. At first I felt it too slow but then got into the story and characters. Very good characters in this story.

Wraps up nicely… but…

This book wraps up nicely in the last hour or so. I enjoyed all the friendships made… but 80% I found that this did not captivate my attention.

Change and Friendship

I wish we could give half stars, because this book really didn't hit four stars for me. It started very slow for me, and it was only the last third that I found really enjoyable. The central theme is that it's never too late to change our lives, and I whole-heartedly agree with that. I did like all of the characters and how they all came together as friends in spite of their disparate ages. The narrator did an excellent job except for one character, Patricia, an American. It was a terrible American accent and it took me away from the book every time I heard it.
Overall it was a pleasant and likable book.

Amazing

Profound and overwhelming. Beautiful and sad. Literary perfection. I love this book. I will carry this story with me forever!

cozy till the lesbian girl showed up

Should have a warning about lesbian topics. I don't like reading about it. otherwise, am interesting story about grief recovery.

Second chances

It was a little slow in the beginning and I almost quit listening. I kept listening and I am oh so glad I did!

Such a wonderful book!

I am so glad I listened to this! When reading the description I was afraid it would be too depressing. I just wasn't in the mood for a sad book. But WOW! The book does have some sad or melancholy parts, but the majority of it was a story of transformation, acceptance and love - the importance of the different types of love that surround us. I will be suggesting it to all my friends and family! It will be a story I hold onto for a long time.

Superb story. Realistic. Well written. Exquisitely narrated

Everything. The twists and turns that mirror real life, love, losses and griefs. I loved everything. Every word.

Did not want this story to end

Beautifully written and wonderfully narrated. Loved the characters and the list which threaded through the book. A Dot sequel please!

Loved!

Enjoyed this story and the characters. The narration was excellent! I didn’t want the story to end.