Audiobooks narrated by Avita Jay

Acts of Love and War: A nation torn apart by war. One woman caught in the crossfire.

Brought to you by Penguin. A NATION TORN APART BY WAR. ONE WOMAN CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE. 1936. Civil war in Spain. A world on the brink of chaos . . . 21-year-old Lucy feels content with her life in Hertfordshire - not least because she lives next door to Tom and Jamie, two very different brothers for whom she has equally great affection. But her comfortable life is turned upside down when Tom decides he must travel to Spain to fight for the Democratic party in the bloody Spanish Civil War. He is quickly followed by Jamie who, much to Lucy's despair, is supporting General Franco and his Fascist party. To the dismay of her irascible father, Lucy decides that the only way to bring her boys back safely is to travel to Spain herself to persuade them to come home. Yet when she sees the horrific effects of the war, she quickly becomes immersed in the lifesaving work the Quakers are doing to help the civilian population, many of whom are refugees. As the war progresses and the situation becomes increasingly perilous, Lucy realises that the challenge going forward is not so much which brother she will end up with, but whether any of them will survive the carnage long enough to decide . . . © Maggie Brookes 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Maggie Brookes (Author), Avita Jay (Narrator)

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The Yoga Manifesto: How yoga helped me and why it needs to save itself

How did an ancient spiritual practice become the preserve of the privileged? Nadia Gilani has been practising yoga as a participant and teacher for over twenty-five years. Yoga has saved her life and seen her through many highs and lows; it has been a faith, a discipline, and a friend, and she believes wholeheartedly in its radical potential. However, over her years in the wellness industry, Nadia has noticed not only yoga's rising popularity, but also how its modern incarnation no longer serves people of colour, working class people, or many other groups who originally pioneered its creation. Combining her own memories of how the practice has helped her with an account of its history and transformation in the modern west, Nadia creates a love letter to yoga and a passionate critique of the billion-dollar industry whose cost and inaccessibility has shut out many of those it should be helping. By turns poignant, funny, and shocking, The Yoga Manifesto excavates where the industry has gone wrong, and what can be done to save the practice from its own success.

Nadia Gilani (Author), Avita Jay (Narrator)

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Deadly Cure: Would you kill for your dream job?

Brought to you by Penguin. The Hippocratic Oath: First, do no harm... Dr Rea Dharmasena is devastated when she loses out on her dream research job to her med-school rival, Dr Julia Stone. When it comes to light that Julia got the job using Rea's own cutting edge research, Rea just can't let it go. Until finally, just after a life-changing medical discovery, Julia is found dead. Now Rea has the dream job she's always wanted. A job she would kill for. Perfect for fans of The Silent Patient and Grey's Anatomy, Deadly Cure is a thrilling story with a compelling hook - is there a toxic flip-side to the human urge to 'cure'? And how much can really you trust your best friend? © Mahi Cheshire 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Mahi Cheshire (Author), Avita Jay, Emily Barber, Roy Mcmillan (Narrator)

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The Breakup Expert

Manny is a high-flying CEO who runs a company that specializes in other people's breakups. Happily engaged and often featured in the media she appears to have it all. But when she is photoshopped to look less Asian and her fiancé decries he doesn't "see race" she decides it's time to reconnect with her roots. Determining she needs to learn more about her community, she convinces a client to take her to his brother's big Indian wedding. When they arrive, Manny is instantly thrown into a celebration filled with fashion, food, dancing and family. There she discovers more than she could have ever dreamt of…

Sonya Singh (Author), Avita Jay (Narrator)

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Little Rumours

'Simply superb.' NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Excellent from beginning to end.' NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A bone-chilling thriller.' NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘WARNING: do not start reading this if you have things to do. It’s a page-turner you won’t be able to stop thinking about.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It started with a rumour. But rumours can be deadly… In a small town, three mothers wave goodbye to their children at the school gates. Naomi has lived in Exton Cross since she was born, and she knows everything there is to know about everyone. Aleema hates it here. It’s been three years and she’s yet to make a single friend. And she’s sure the other mums whisper about her behind her back. Kelly is an outsider. New to the town, she arrives with nothing but her son – and a dark secret. By the end of the school day, one of their children will be missing. And rumours will swirl that one of them is responsible… Secrets and lies will come to light with devastating consequences in this dark and twisty psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Big Little Lies and Adele Parks. Readers LOVE Little Rumours: ‘Holy heck! I LOVED this book. So many twists and turns!’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I loved everything about this book. You need to read it!’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Five stars all the way! A rollercoaster ride.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An unstoppable read! You’ll be on the edge of your seat!’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This book grabbed me from the very first chapter and didn’t let go… absolutely knocked my socks off!’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Gripping from the very start. I couldn’t read this book fast enough!’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Pacy, gripping, twisty. I’d give it more than five stars if I could’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wow! What a ride! A psychological thriller at its best.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Gripping, chilling, intense, thrilling, absorbing. Five stars!’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I promise you’ve never read a book like this. The ending had me shook.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I loved this one. Fast-paced, believable and gave me chills.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Phenomenal writing and plotting. Enjoyable, twisty, amazing characters. What more can I ask for? Perfect!’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bryony Pearce (Author), Avita Jay, Emma Powell, Laura Brydon (Narrator)

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The Complete Collection of 10 Retellings

Sir Michael Morpurgo retells ten of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays in this stunning audio collection in association with the RSC, featuring readings by members of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Michael himself. This collection includes Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Hamlet, King Lear, Henry V, Twelfth Night, Taming of the Shrew, The Winter’s Tale and The Tempest. Translating these iconic plays into thrilling prose, the nation’s favourite storyteller preserves all the imaginative genius and spark of the originals, while bringing a contemporary and vibrant voice to their retelling. The stories are revealed in a fresh, exciting and entertaining way, providing both an entry point for child readers and a fascinating dialogue with the original texts that will intrigue any Shakespeare scholar. Each tale, directed by Hal Chambers and Aaron Parsons, is introduced by Michael and includes incidental music composed by Phil James.

Michael Morpurgo (Author), Alice Blundell, Anne Odeke, Assad Zaman, Avita Jay, Baker Mukasa, Ben Caplan, Colm Gormley, Dyfrig Morris, Georgia Landers, Kemi-Bo Jacobs Et Al., Miles Jupp, Patrick Osborne, Zoe Lambert (Narrator)

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Next of Kin

‘Abdullah’s legal thrillers make John Grisham seem like a maiden aunt’ Sunday Times Crime Club ‘An enthralling, heartbreaking and thrilling courtroom drama that had me shouting out loud and gripped until the last page’ Nadine Matheson, author of The Jigsaw Man ‘Brilliantly tense, this is another clever page turner from Kia Abdullah that I couldn’t put down. Just superb’ Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City ‘Twists and turns aplenty . . . The author’s greatest strength lies in her sensitive and relatable description of the relationship between sisters Leila and Max’s mother Yasmin’ i ‘A tense, brilliant read’ Bella * * * * ON AN ORDINARY WORKING DAY… Leila Syed receives a call that cleaves her life in two. Her brother-in-law’s voice is filled with panic. His son’s nursery has called to ask where little Max is. YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE… Leila was supposed to drop Max off that morning. But she forgot. Racing to the carpark, she grasps the horror of what she has done. IS ABOUT TO COME TRUE… What follows is an explosive, high-profile trial that will tear the family apart. But as the case progresses it becomes clear there’s more to this incident than meets the eye… A gripping, brave and tense courtroom drama, Next of Kin will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final, heart-stopping page. * * * * Readers are GRIPPED by Next of Kin ‘Kia Abdullah is the absolute queen of the courtroom drama’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘WOW!! This book is astonishingly brilliant! An absolute masterpiece’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I couldn’t put this down and Kia Abdullah is becoming a firm favourite read’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Kia Abdullah is a writing maestro’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A gripping legal thriller that will leave you reeling. A book that will stay with you long after the last page. The ending is a stunner!’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kia Abdullah (Author), Avita Jay, Tania Rodrigues (Narrator)

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King Lear and Henry V

Sir Michael Morpurgo retells two of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, King Lear and Henry V, in this stunning audio collection in association with the RSC, featuring readings by members of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Michael himself. Translating these iconic plays into thrilling prose, the nation’s favourite storyteller preserves all the imaginative genius and spark of the originals, while bringing a contemporary and vibrant voice to their retelling. The stories are revealed in a fresh, exciting and entertaining way, providing both an entry point for child readers and a fascinating dialogue with the original texts that will intrigue any Shakespeare scholar. Each tale, directed by Hal Chambers and Aaron Parsons, is introduced by Michael and includes incidental music composed by Phil James. Look out for the other instalments of Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbethand Hamlet, Twelfth Night and Taming of the Shrew, and The Winter’s Tale and The Tempest.

Michael Morpurgo (Author), Avita Jay, Baker Mukasa, Ben Caplan, Zoe Lambert (Narrator)

Audiobook

Macbeth and Hamlet

Sir Michael Morpurgo retells two of Shakespeare's best-loved plays, Macbeth and Hamlet, in this stunning audio collection in association with the RSC, featuring readings by members of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Michael himself. Translating these iconic plays into thrilling prose, the nation's favourite storyteller preserves all the imaginative genius and spark of the originals, while bringing a contemporary and vibrant voice to their retelling. The stories are revealed in a fresh, exciting and entertaining way, providing both an entry point for child readers and a fascinating dialogue with the original texts that will intrigue any Shakespeare scholar. Each tale, directed by Hal Chambers and Aaron Parsons, is introduced by Michael and includes incidental music composed by Phil James. Look out for the other instalments of Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear and Henry V, Twelfth Night and Taming of the Shrew, and The Winter's Tale and The Tempest.

Michael Morpurgo (Author), Alice Blundell, Avita Jay, Dyfrig Morris, Patrick Osborne (Narrator)

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Can You See Me Now?

From Trisha Sakhlecha, Can You See Me Now? is a gripping psychological suspense thriller about a young Indian woman, now a government minister, whose past secrets are about to reverberate into the present and shatter her life. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Erin Kelly. Fifteen years ago, three sixteen-year-old girls meet at Wescott, an exclusive private school in India. Two, Sabah and Noor, are the most popular girls in their year. One, Alia, is a new arrival from England, who feels her happiness depends on their acceptance. Before she knows it, Sabah and Noor’s intoxicating world of privilege and intimacy opens up to Alia and, for the first time, after years of neglect from her parents, she feels she is exactly where, and with whom, she belongs. But with intimacy comes jealousy, and with privilege, resentment, and Alia finds that it only takes one night for her bright new world to shatter around her. Now Alia, a cabinet minister in the Indian government, is about to find her secrets have no intention of staying buried . . .

Trisha Sakhlecha (Author), Avita Jay, Aysha Kala (Narrator)

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The Convenient Marriage: A sparkling Regency romance from the classic author

Brought to you by Penguin. The Convenient Marriage is read by Avita Jay, who has appeared on stage in Sunday Morning at the Centre of the World, Peer Gynt and Bring on the Bollywood. Horry Winwood doesn't play by the rules. So when her family are near ruin and her sister is about to enter a loveless marriage to a wealthy man to settle the family debts, young and headstrong Horry proposes to marry him in her sister's place. As her new husband's attentions fall elsewhere, Horry begins to feel increasingly unhappy. Then she meets the attractive and dangerous Lord Lethbridge and her days suddenly become more exciting. But there is bad blood between Horry's husband and her new acquaitnance, and as complications and deceptions mount, the social tangle grows ever trickier to unpick. Will Horry's gamble cost her everything she holds most dear? 'One of my perennial comfort authors. Heyer's books are as incisively witty and quietly subversive as any of Jane Austen's' Joanne Harris WHY READERS LOVE GEORGETTE HEYER AND THE CONVENIENT MARRIAGE: 'Handsome hero, beautiful heroine, nasty baddie, beautiful gowns and all misunderstandings sorted out by the last page. If you've never read Georgette Heyer before - why?' 'This was my first Georgette Heyer novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The story concerns love and marriage, trust and friendship, gossip and dastardly deeds, insult and revenge, misunderstandings and mishaps.' 'You really find yourself getting inside the characters and caring about them.' © Georgette Heyer 1934 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Georgette Heyer (Author), Avita Jay (Narrator)

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Lady Audley's Secret: Penguin Classics

Brought to you by Penguin This Penguin Classic is performed by Avita Jay, who has appeared on stage in Sunday Morning at the Centre of the World, Peer Gynt, and Bring on the Bollywood. This definitive recording includes an introduction by Jenny Bourne Taylor and Russell Crofts. Weathering critical scorn, Lady Audley's Secret quickly established Mary Elizabeth Braddon as the leading light of Victorian 'sensation' fiction, sharing the honour only with Wilkie Collins. Addictive, cunningly plotted and certainly sensational, Lady Audley's Secret draws on contemporary theories of insanity to probe mid-Victorian anxieties about the rapid rise of consumer culture. What is the mystery surrounding the charming heroine? Lady Audley's secret is investigated by Robert Audley, aristocrat turned detective, in a novel that has lost none of its power to disturb and entertain. (P) Penguin Audio 2020

Mary Elizabeth Braddon (Author), Avita Jay (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Avita Jay