Audiobooks narrated by Christina Cole

In Search of Amrit Kaur: An Indian Princess in Wartime Paris

Brought to you by Penguin. As she builds her own life anew, an Italian writer embarks on an all-consuming search for the true story of the mysterious princess H. H. Amrit Kaur of Mandi. On a sweltering summer day in 2007, having just lost her brother to illness, Livia Manera Sambuy finds herself standing before a 1924 photograph of a stunningly elegant Indian princess at a museum in Mumbai. What's written in the caption will change her life forever. This gorgeous Punjabi princess, it's said, sold her jewels in occupied Paris to save Jewish lives, only to be arrested by the Gestapo and sent to a concentration camp, where she died within a year. Could it be true? And if so, how could such a sensational story have gone unnoticed? Instinctively, almost viscerally, Manera becomes entangled in the mystery, losing herself in the history of the British Raj, in the diamonds and sapphires of the twentieth-century aristocracy, in the Circus Balls and Jubilees, and in the lives of extraordinary figures such as the Maharaja Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala, the Jewish banker Albert Kahn, and the Russian explorer Nicholas Roerich-all in a decades-long pursuit of the elusive Amrit Kaur. When she rendezvouses with the princess's eighty-year-old daughter, Manera's search takes on a new dimension as she strives to reconnect an orphan with the mother who abandoned her in 1933, leaving behind her two children, her raja husband, and a legacy of activism in India's women's civil rights movement. In Search of Amrit Kaur is an engrossing detective story, a kaleidoscopic history lesson, and a moving portrait of women, across the century, seeking personal freedom. © Livia Manera Sambuy 2023 (P) Penguin Audio 2023

Livia Manera Sambuy (Author), Christina Cole (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Witch in the Well: A deliciously disturbing Gothic tale of a revenge reaching out across the yea

Brought to you by Penguin. Over a hundred years ago, the citizens of F- did something rather bad. And local school teacher Catherine Evans has made writing the definitive account of what happened when Ilsbeth Clark drowned in the well her life's work. The town's people may not want their past raked up, but Catherine is determined to shine a light upon that shameful event. For Ilsbeth was an innocent, after all. She was shunned and ostracised by rumour-mongers and ill-wishers and someone has to speak up for her. And who better than Catherine, who has herself felt the sting and hurt of such whisperings? But then a childhood friend returns to F -. Elena is a successful author whose book, The Whispers Inside: A Reawakening of the Soul, has earned her a certain celebrity. In search of a new subject, she takes an interest in the story of Ilsbeth Clark and announces her intention to write a book about the long-dead woman, focusing on the natural magic she believes she possessed. And Elena has everything Catherine has not, like a platform and connections and no one seems to care that Elena's book will be pure speculation, tainting Ilsbeth's memory rather than preserving it. Catherine is determined that something must be done and plots to blunt her rival's pen. However she had not allowed for the fact that the past might not be so dead after all - that something is reaching out from the well, disturbing her reality. Before summer's over, one woman will be dead, the other accused of murder . . . but is she really guilty, or are there other forces at work? And who was Ilsbeth Clark, really? An innocent? A witch? Or something else entirely? © Camilla Bruce 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Camilla Bruce (Author), Charlotte Davey, Christina Cole, Emily Barber (Narrator)

Audiobook

Whatever It Takes

What if love's not enough? From the Sunday Times bestselling author of Just My Luck and Both Of You, Whatever It Takes is an emotionally powerful and unputdownable novel… For Londoner Eloise Hamilton, it is a momentous day when she reluctantly agrees to uproot to Dartmouth, leaving behind her perfect world so her husband can return to his. At least her mother-in-law Margaret will welcome her with open arms, and she can rely on best friend Sara to be her lifeline to London. But Eloise is thrust into unexpected turmoil when it's revealed that Margaret is showing signs of dementia and Sara's intense longing for a family threatens to overwhelm her. While she's dreaming up extreme ways to help those she loves, Eloise's world implodes with the strain of being responsible for all around her. When a life-changing secret is revealed, someone is bound to be overlooked. And the damage might be irreparable… What Readers are Saying about Whatever It Takes: 'One of the best books I've read in a long time. So many twists and turns, but filled with so much love' 'Fantastically written and incredibly entertaining to read. There were parts that touched me, and parts that absolutely riled me but this was such a treat' Praise for Adele Parks: ‘As always with Adele Parks this is an absolutely gripping read’ Richard Osman 'Gripping, moving and elegantly written' Marian Keyes ‘Brilliantly twisty… but is also so insightful about human nature. A triumph’ Lucy Foley ‘Chilling, gripping and entirely unputdownable’ Lisa Jewell ‘Kept me guessing and had me gasping at the twist’ Ian Rankin ‘Ambitious, nail-biting, darkly voyeuristic – I tore through it in two sittings' Louise Candlish ‘Addictive, provocative and thoroughly relatable’ T.M. Logan ‘An absolute joy: gripping, shocking and surprising’ Jane Fallon

Adele Parks (Author), Christina Cole (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Boyfriend

He loves you. He loves you not. Amy is fiercely independent, with a high-powered career, a flat of her own and tight-knit friendships. But as she approaches her thirtieth birthday, she can’t help but rue the one thing she doesn’t have – a relationship. When Amy comes around following a serious fall, she doesn’t remember anything from the last six months. Not even the upcoming skiing holiday at her aunt’s luxurious chalet in Val d’Isère with her mum and best friends to celebrate her birthday. And she certainly doesn’t remember being swept off her feet by the handsome Dr Jack Stewart . . . Jack is the full package – charming, caring and devoted to Amy. Everyone is smitten with him, but as the week goes on, Amy begins to find Jack’s presence chilling. Is her broken mind playing tricks? Or is the perfect boyfriend really too good to be true? The Boyfriend is a twisting anti-love story that will keep you guessing with every page, from the author of the number one bestselling sensation The Girlfriend. *** PRAISE FOR MICHELLE FRANCES ‘I tore through the pages . . . A high-speed chase of a novel’ – Louise Candlish ‘Michelle Frances manages to bring fresh energy to this age-old theme of family secrets . . . The finale doesn't disappoint’ – Daily Mail ‘Toxic family relationships, sultry European settings and an intricate plot which leaves you never knowing who to trust’ – Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet

Michelle Frances (Author), Christina Cole (Narrator)

Audiobook

Safe at Home: The gripping, twisty domestic thriller you won’t be able to put down

Brought to you by Penguin. What if you left your child alone, and something terrible happened? Anna James is an anxious mother. So when she has to leave eleven-year-old Harrie home alone one evening, she can't stop worrying about her daughter. But nothing bad ever happens in the sleepy village of Barton St Martin. Except something goes wrong that night, and Anna returns to find Harrie with bruises she won't explain. The next morning a local businessman is reported missing and the village is sparking with gossip. Anna is convinced there's a connection and that Harrie is in trouble. But how can she protect her daughter if she doesn't know where the danger is coming from? 'A wonderfully dark, addictive, intriguing and twisty read' Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend 'A deliciously gripping thriller; the twists blew my mind!' Emma Curtis, author of Keep Her Quiet 'Razor-sharp and shocking - a breathless thriller that never lets up the pace' Charlotte Duckworth, author of The Perfect Father 'A thriller with real heart that is impossible to put down - Safe At Home is a rare treat' Trisha Sakhlecha, author of Can You See Me Now © Lauren North 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Lauren North (Author), Christina Cole (Narrator)

Audiobook

Anna

Brought to you by Penguin. Beaten. Branded. Defiant. Anna is a possession. She is owned by the man named Will, shielded from the world of struggles by his care. He loves her, protects her, and then breaks her. Anna is obedient, dutiful, and compliant. Anna does not know her place in the world. When she falls pregnant, Anna leaves her name behind, and finds the strength to run. But the past - and Will - catch up with her in an idyllic town with a dark secret, and this time, it's not just Anna who is at risk. © 2021 Sammy H.K. Smith (P) Penguin Audio and Rebellion Publishing 2021

Sammy H.K. Smith (Author), Christina Cole (Narrator)

Audiobook

Cousin Kate

Brought to you by Penguin. Kate Malvern never expected to see this kind of splendour again. After her father's death, Kate was left an orphan, striving to make ends meet as a governess until her aunt Minerva rescues her from poverty. Kate hardly knows what to expect at the grand house of Staplewood. Her uncle lives in one wing, while her handsome, moody cousin Torquil occupies another; guests are few and far between, but even family dinners are rigidly formal. And, over it all, Minerva's word is law. But the sudden arrival of cousin Philip throws Minerva's control over the household into doubt, and Kate begins to suspect the shocking reason for Minerva's generosity. She has no-one to confide in but cousin Philip - but for reasons unknown, he seems to have taken an instant dislike to her... Cousin Kate is a rich and classic Georgette Heyer novel, replete with the sparkling humour, memorable characters and intricate plots that have made her the queen of the Regency romance novel. 'Wonderful characters and rapturously romantic' - Katie Fforde © Georgette Heyer 1968 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Georgette Heyer (Author), Christina Cole (Narrator)

Audiobook

Keep Her Quiet

Brought to you by Penguin. Jenny has just given birth to the baby she's always wanted. She's never been this happy. Her husband, Leo, knows this baby girl can't be his. He's never felt so betrayed. The same night, a vulnerable young woman, Hannah, wakes to find her newborn lifeless beside her. She's crazed with grief. When chance throws Hannah into Leo's path, they make a plan that will have shattering consequences for all of them. Years later, a sixteen-year-old girl reads an article in a newspaper, and embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about herself. But what she learns will put everything she has ever known - and her own life - in grave danger. Because some people will go to desperate lengths to protect the secrets their lives are built on . . . 'Absolutely outstanding' Lauren North 'As always, Emma Curtis's clever skilful writing keeps the reader racing through the pages' Jane Corry 'This is grip-lit at its best' Fanny Blake © Emma Curtis 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

Emma Curtis (Author), Christina Cole, Clare Corbett, Tamaryn Payne (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Innocent Wife: A 2018 Richard and Judy Book Club pick: 'This book had me hooked' - LISA JEWELL

Random House presents the audiobook edition of The Innocent Wife by Amy Lloyd, read by Christina Cole and Lorelei King. HOW DO YOU CONFRONT YOUR HUSBAND WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH? Twenty years ago, Dennis Danson was arrested and imprisoned for the brutal murder of a young girl in Florida's Red River County. Now he's the subject of a true-crime documentary that's whipping up a frenzy online to uncover the truth and free a man who has been wrongly convicted. A thousand miles away in England, Samantha is obsessed with Dennis's case. She exchanges letters with him, and is quickly won over by his apparent charm and kindness to her. Soon she has left her old life behind to marry him and campaign for his release. But when the campaign is successful and Dennis is freed, Sam begins to discover new details that suggest he may not be quite so innocent after all ... 'You can hear the ominous music from the first line onward - this is a fantastic thriller.' Lee Child 'An original, assured and compelling tale of obsession. Amy Lloyd is a startling new talent, destined to become a big name.' Peter James 'If you're an addict of true crime documentaries, you will binge all night on The Innocent Wife. In this breathless, pounding ride, Amy Lloyd keeps us guessing about a convicted killer thrust into the world as innocent online hero and the woman who begins to reluctantly dig into his murky past.' Julia Heaberlin, author of Black Eyed Susans 'Loved The Innocent Wife! Dark, twisted and compelling. Kept me guessing and totally gripped! 5 stars' CJ Tudor, author of The Chalk Man

Amy Lloyd (Author), Christina Cole, Lorelei King (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Friend

Random House presents the audiobook edition of The Friend by Dorothy Koomson, read by Jennifer Saayeng, Angela Griffin, Christina Cole, Shelley Conn, Susy Kane and Sam Dillon. What secrets would you kill to keep? After her husband's big promotion, Cece Solarin arrives in Brighton with their three children, ready to start afresh. But their new neighbourhood has a deadly secret. Three weeks earlier, Yvonne, a very popular parent, was almost murdered in the grounds of the local school - the same school where Cece has unwittingly enrolled her children. Already anxious about making friends when the parents seem so cliquey, Cece is now also worried about her children's safety. By chance she meets Maxie, Anaya and Hazel, three very different school mothers who make her feel welcome and reassure her about her new life. That is until Cece discovers the police believe one of her new friends tried to kill Yvonne. Reluctant to spy on her friends but determined to discover the truth, Cece must uncover the potential murderer before they strike again . . . From the bestselling author of That Girl from Nowhere and When I Was Invisible comes a thrilling new novel that will have you questioning the line between right and wrong.

Dorothy Koomson (Author), Angela Griffin, Christina Cole, Jennifer Saayeng, Sam Dillon, Shelley Conn, Susy Kane (Narrator)

Audiobook

Dear Mr Spectator Series 2

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation by Elizabeth Kuti of Addison and Steele's 18th century 'Spectator' essays, originally broadcast in the 'Woman's Hour Drama' slot in the week commencing 16 August 2010. Returning for a second series, the nation's favourite agony uncle - Mr Spectator - continues to offer his wit and wisdom on the morals and manners of his countrymen in his daily writings; but who exactly is this mysterious Spectator, and why does everyone want to find him all of a sudden? London, 1710. With Britain in debt to the tune of nine million pounds, Chief Minister and Lord of the Treasury, Robert Harley, has a plan to raise the funds the country so desperately needs: a little idea called the South Sea Company. However, he requires public support to get his Bill through Parliament and to do that he needs someone influential to speak out in support of his scheme. Someone with the ear of the country, someone people respect, someone people turn to, listen to, obey. Someone like Mr Spectator! Enlisting the aid of Palace paper-boy Ned, Harley determines to track down the elusive Mr Spectator in order to convince him to come out in support of the Bill before it goes before the House on Friday. Embarking on a quest to discover the identity of London's most spectral of citizens, Ned scours the 'Spectator's' daily publications for a clue to his prey's whereabouts. Pursuing hints and clues through a world of clubs, coffee-houses, theatres and booksellers; from lowly taverns to the Royal Palace itself, Ned is swept along in a mercenary world of spin and manipulation. Is anyone really who they seem? Does everything and everyone have their price? Can Ned unmask Mr Spectator before time - and Harley's patience - runs out? Starring Benjamin Whitrow as Mr Spectator, Bryan Dick as Ned Dempsey, David Schofield as Harley and Christina Cole as Abigail. Also included in the cast are Jemma Redgrave, Claire Rushbrook, Sam Dale, Stella McCusker and David Revels.

Joseph Addison, Richard Steele (Author), Benjamin Whitrow, Bryan Dick, Christina Cole, David Schofield (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Christina Cole