The Mysterious Howling

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 1

By: Maryrose Wood

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

Of especially naughty children, it is sometimes said: “They must have been raised by wolves.” The Incorrigible children actually were. Discovered in the forests of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia has a bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf is alarmingly adept at chasing squirrels.

Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Only fifteen years old and a graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, first she must eliminate their canine tendencies.But mysteries abound at Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to civilize the Incorrigibles in time for Lady Constance’s holiday ball? And what on earth is a schottische?

Penelope is no stranger to mystery, as her own origins are also cloaked in secrecy. But as Agatha Swanburne herself once said, “Things may happen for a reason, but that doesn’t mean we know what the reason is—at least, not yet.

©2010 Maryrose Wood (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Wonderful! ... but only the first installment...

This book, like all really great children's literature, is enjoyable for adults as well as children. Its a somewhat gothic, and very intelligently funny, mystery. I didn't mind too much that it was only the first installment of the story, but I am on the edge of my seat to find out what happens next!

Also, Katherine Kellgren's reading once again added an extra layer of fabulousness to a great story. She does accents excellently, and portrays the full range of emotions of the characters with great energy & subtlety. This was much more than worth the cost of a credit.

Something different but yet a lot of fun.

Honestly I won't lie - I had a credit and wasn't sure what to spend it on. Katherine Kellgren is by far one of the best narrators out there and she really brings the story alive for me! Hence buying this based on that alone.
I tried the book but wasn't paying any attention on the 1st turn. And I somehow dismissed it as a bad buy. This had been sitting in my library for a good year before I gave it another try.
I am excited to see where the series goes. I was hoping it would finish after 3/4 books due to Katherine Kellgren's very sad and early passing. I really am one for continuity. But regardless, if all stories have the warmth, heart and adventure of the 1st I am sure I will continue regardless of the narrator.
My only semi-negative thing is this book doesn't feel like its for young kids, nor do I feel the material is strong enough for adults and I dunno if its structured at teens. You kinda just have to try it and see if its for you.

A very cute story!

What did you love best about The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place?

The story is cute, the protagonists delightfully portrayed, and the dilemma enticing.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was only to be expected, considering the lead up to it, but satisfying nonetheless.

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

Ms. Kellgren was absolutely perfect to narrate this story. She caught the characters so well, and managed to convey the humor with just the right degree of understatement.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I certainly giggled a good deal!

Any additional comments?

For those who love the Lemony Snicket "A Series of Unfortunate Events" books, this is a wonderful series to read--similar humor and unbelievably events over which to suspend one's credulity. Delightful!

Great listening

My children are 7 and 9 (boy and girl) - we all enjoyed listening to this audio book, which we found hilarous at times. The narration was brilliant. We have bought the second book with great expectation. Highly recommended.

ALL BOOKS ARE JUDGED BY THEIR COVER UNTIL THEY ARE

READ.
IF IT WAS EAST TO RESIST IT WOULD NOT BE CALLED CHOCOLATE CAKE.
This book was excellent. It was beautifully written. Kids will love it, adults will love it even more and dog lovers will love it. DOING YOUR BEST IS THE BEST YOU CAN DO. If you thought that the best commercial of the super bowl was the Budweiser dog and horses, cause you loved that warm feeling, that is the same feeling you will get from this. If you did not like that commercial well, NO HOPELESS CASE IS TOTALLY HOPELESS. It is witty, there are some LOL moments, it is smart (is that the same as witty?), it is touching, it's educational, it will make your love life better, it will get rid of warts, listening will help you lose weight, you will be a better parent, it will make you rich, etc...

WHEN THE IMPOSSIBLE BECOMES MERELY DIFFICULT, THAT'S WHEN YOU KNOW YOU HAVE WON.
Every book I read, no matter how much I like it, I always find something negative to say, just so you know I am paying attention and to warn you. I have nothing bad to say about this book.

TO BE CONTINUED
This is a series and when this story ends there will still be some unsolved mysteries. I don't care I was going to get the next book anyway.

This is my first time to hear this narrator and damn she is good. Beware, if you are one of those who does not like the narrator to get dramatic, this woman goes all out. I personally think it made the book twice as good and it was excellent to begin with.

Classics in the making!

I had planned to write to encourage any adult who likes Joan Aiken, E.Nesbit, Monty Python (the videos), & T.Pratchett to try this superior series. It's not particularly like any of their works - well maybe Aiken's "Serial Garden" - but plays to the same part of the brain through its overall sense of the absurd and superior wordplay. Not sure how it would plan with most YA readers, but seems great for the 7-12 year old set - and their parents - since it works extremely well at both levels.
I'm afraid to give any details because almost anything I would say would be a spoiler - just trust me that by piling hackneyed formula upon formula, and throwing into this in a set of totally recognizable stereotypical characters, and a great deal of slowly unfolding - and growing as it unfolds - mystery, the author creates an amazing and extremely amusing jumble. The reader is perfect - ordinarily I prefer deeper-voiced narrators, but I can't imagine this book without her rendition of the heroine's thought processes and the wonderful "voices" of the children themselves. Can't wait for the next one in the series!

Mixed results

My family listened to this on a recent road trip (Mom, Dad, 11 y.o. boy and 9 y.o. girl). Mom, Dad and daughter liked it, but son thought it was too old-fashioned. The accent of the reader was a little bit hard for the kids to understand over the car noise, but was much easier for them when we finished the last hour listening at home.

Delightful!

This book is not just for children! I am in my late-twenties, and I am hooked on this series. Penelope Lumley is such a likeable protagonist, and the Incorrigible children are such interesting characters. I highly recommend this series.

Wonderful book for 8 - 10 year olds! Or for me!

My grandchildren got me into children's books 15 years ago.. There are approximately 12 in my Audible library. There is a much larger number of teen and YA fiction books there. I love this little book! This 2 book series is wonderful and Katherine Kellgren's performance brings it to life beautifully. Her versatility with accents and voices make Kellgren the very best English language narrator. She is absolutely incredible. BY the way, she is American, not British.

Very enjoyable diversion.

If you could sum up The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place in three words, what would they be?

Funny. Good story.

What other book might you compare The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place to and why?

Lemony Snicket, although these events are not quite as unfortunate but I found them much more enjoyable.

What does Katherine Kellgren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Didn't read the book, but I loved Ms Kellgren's performance.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No particular moment. I got caught up in the story when the children were introduced and found it to be a very enjoyable, laugh out loud good story.

Engaging and funny story for the family

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

My eight year old daughter and I were enormously entertained listening to this on a long road trip.

What did you like best about this story?

Funny with an inspiring brave, up-for-everything main child character. Addictive language (which we're still using).

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

Very julie Andrews-esque voice when being narrator (my daughter and I enjoyed this but it irritated my husband). She does fabulous voices for all the characters, especially the wolfishness of the children.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

The occasional americanisms (gotten, sidewalk) jarred a little in a story set in a past Britain but this a very minor niggle for a cracking story that was brilliantly performed.