The Taxidermist's Daughter

By: Kate Mosse

Narrated by: Clare Corbett

Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

Sussex, 1912: In a churchyard, villagers gather on the night when the ghosts of those who will die in the coming year are thought to be seen. Here, where the estuary leads out to the sea, superstitions still hold sway. Standing alone is the taxidermist's daughter. At 17, Constantia Gifford lives with her father in a decaying house: it is all that is left of Gifford's once world-famous museum of taxidermy. The stuffed animals that used to grace every parlour are out of fashion, leaving Gifford a disgraced and bitter man.

The bell begins to toll and all eyes are fixed on the church. No one sees the gloved hand pick up a flint. As the last notes fade into the dark, a woman lies dead. While the village braces itself against rising waters and the highest tide of the season, Connie struggles to discover who is responsible, but finds herself under suspicion. Is Constantia who she seems - is she the victim of circumstances or are more sinister forces at work? And what is the secret that lies at the heart of Gifford House, hidden among the bell jars of her father's workshop? Told over one summer, The Taxidermist's Daughter is the haunting new novel from the best-selling author of Labyrinth, Sepulchre, Citadel and The Winter Ghosts. Read by Clare Corbett

©2014 Mosse Associates Ltd (P)2014 Orion Publishing Group

Great story and excellent narration

This was a lot of fun! A little slow to start with but once it got going I couldn't stop listening!
The narration was excellent and there were so many different voices that's is hard to believe they ask came from one person! Clare Corbett did an outstanding job here!

Gripping

Unsure what the title was going to lead to and a bit of a slow start the book developed into a gripping story of betrayal, love and suspense.
Very well read by the narrator. This book will keep you hooked to your player

Intense atmospheric drama

The story held me from the start. At first there was no clue of the gripping story that would unfold but little mysteries kept appearing until they all melded into the awful truth surrounding the sudden disappearance of a beloved governess/companion and the serious accident that had affected the main protagonist since her childhood. The atmosphere of approaching dread was very well upheld by the excellent narration by Clare Corbett. I will definitely listen to this again but will need to listen to some Maeve Binchey first to lose some adrenaline........

Another great Mosse book

Yet again Kate Mosse writes a superb thrilling mystery. The suspense and story telling an absolute marvel. I have loved every minute of this book.

Surprised!

This not my normal choice of book however I found myself becoming quiet caught up with the characters.
The audio was clear and added to the atmosphere!
A great read or should I say listen!

A different story from Kate Mosse

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Some of the story is told in a light breathy voice with the sound of birds squawking in the background, I found this very off putting for some reason. The story was quite macabre and gruesome at times which I hadn't expected. Not one of her best stories

What three words best describe Clare Corbett’s performance?

Versitile

Kate Mosse are her very best again

What did you like most about The Taxidermist's Daughter?

I love all Kate Mosse except one book, this is brilliant well written and compelling. Set is the past on the south coast near Chichester the story unfolds and the character unfold. Not saying much more I don't want to give it away

Who was your favorite character and why?

not saying all good

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I loved the setting

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

No

Any additional comments?

If you have never read kate Mosse then do, I rate her as on of the best authors I read, all her books are fantastic except The Winter Ghost which for some unknown reason I did not like, this is not her best but its brilliant.

Couldn't stop listening.

wow! kate mosse is a superb storyteller . it's a must read! check for yourself

Not my taste at all.

What would have made The Taxidermist's Daughter better?

Nothing. I found the entire story just too weird. All a matter of taste, but this isn't mine.

Has The Taxidermist's Daughter put you off other books in this genre?

Yes.

What does Clare Corbett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Clare Corbett read well, giving each character his or her own identity.

Recommended.

Very enjoyable. Addictive.

Great narration. Very easy to listen to.
Another great story from this author.