The Spies of Shilling Lane

A Novel

By: Jennifer Ryan

Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

From the best-selling author of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir comes a thrilling new WWII story about a village busybody - the mighty Mrs. Braithwaite - who resolves to find, and then rescue, her missing daughter.

Mrs. Braithwaite, self-appointed queen of her English village, finds herself dethroned, despised, and dismissed following her husband’s selfish divorce petition. Never deterred, the threat of a family secret being revealed sets off hot-foot to London to find the only person she has left - her clever daughter, Betty, who took work there at the first rumbles of war. 

But when she arrives, Betty’s landlord, the timid Mr. Norris, informs her that Betty hasn’t been home in days - with the chaos of the bombs, there’s no telling what might have befallen her. Aghast, Mrs. Braithwaite sets her bullish determination to the task of finding her only daughter. 

Storming into the London Blitz, Mrs. Braithwaite drags the reluctant Mr. Norris along as an unwitting sidekick as they piece together Betty’s unexpectedly chaotic life. As she is thrown into the midst of danger and death, Mrs. Braithwaite is forced to rethink her old-fashioned notions of status, class, and reputation, and to reconsider the question that’s been puzzling her since her world overturned: How do you measure the success of your life? 

Listeners will be charmed by the unforgettable Mrs. Braithwaite and her plucky, ruthless optimism and find in The Spies of Shilling Lane a novel with surprising twists and turns, quiet humor, and a poignant examination of mothers and daughters and the secrets we keep.

©2019 Jennifer Ryan (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[A] quick and delightful mystery.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“A crisp and energetic book...with a tight plot [that will] keep a reader gladly bouncing along.” (NPR)

“With its eccentric, believable characters and plot of home front intrigue, this delightful drama will appeal to fans of Martha Hall Kelly.” (Publishers Weekly)

Loved It!!

So different from the typical murder mystery child being kidnapped, husband & wife issues. This book was so delightful. Beautiful narration. I didn’t want to stop listening. Bravo Jennifer Ryan and Jayne Entwistle!!

I love this book!!

Such a good book! I haven't checked but I hope this is a continuing series. Proves that you can have a lovely strong story line without all the swearing and sex that seem to be the "in thing". Jayne Entwistle is my FAVORITE narrator and that is how I found this book- looking up what she has narrated!! Thank you Jennifer Ryan for sharing an EXCELLENT story!!

It starts out sweet and ends up cloying

This began as a cute and quirky Brit mystery and it turned into treacle, It got so preachy I checked if I'd accidentally put on a different book. Just ridiculous.

Heart warming and just fun!

Thanks to this author for such a creative and interesting group of characters. The narration was outstanding as well. I did not want the story to end!

Slapstick + sentiment do not mix

I'm not sure whether the author intended this story to have moments of slapstick, but that's how it seemed to me. Then there are the scenes of sentiment of regret for choices made, or not, and the mending of fractured familial relationships, all set against the backdrop of WWII. Frankly it just didn't work for me. Most glaringly, the characters made drastic behavior changes that were completely unrealistic. Very disappointing.

The Spurs of Shilling Lane

Excellent book, outstanding research and writing accompanied by great naration. Ending is a bit contrived but pleasing and does not diminish the incredible writing skills of Jennifer Ryan.

hope there is a sequel

Loved it! Great story, lots of intrigue and suspense. Great cast of characters. Very well read. I truly hope there is a series coming out of this one!

Wonderful book.

one of the best books I have read in a long time.
It was funny, exciting, and maybe a little to sentimental at the end. But thoroughly enjoyable.

What a surprise!

Having spent many years doing research in the stories of World War II I thought I could guess what the story was about. What a delightful surprise that the story was a refreshing change of pace. I loved the personalities of the characters and how they evolved.

Didn’t bother finishing it!

I stopped listening to this book in chapter seven — which is no reflection on Jayne Entwistle’s narration! I just could not find any empathy for the mother who is searching for her daughter. In fact, I had decided the daughter didn’t WANT to be found! I was really disappointed, as the write-up sounded like something I would really enjoy. What a shame.

Another Fantastic Book by Jennifer Ryan

Brilliant, could not stop listening, plenty of chuckles, cliff hangers, and thought provoking moments with a perfect ending 🥰

Enjoyable easy listen

Despite the narrators annoying quavering voice for Mrs Braithwaite, who she made sound like Miss Marple a far more elderly lady sleuth, and her irritating voices for other characters, the story itself was engaging enough to plough through it and hopefully another adventure will follow narrated by someone with a more engaging voice like the Jacqueline Winspear “Maisie Dobbs” series narrator. I live in hope

Enjoyable, endeering and entertaining

This was good clean fun. A great way do blow off some steam after a busy day.