Penelope Freeman has narrated 56 audiobooks on Listento.it by 22 authors, with an average listener rating of 4.8★ across 29 ratings. The most-rated is A Shilling for a Wife.
Lambs to the Slaughter
Summary
The colliery village of Bellingsworth is already divided over an impending strike, so the last thing it needs is a murder - but that's exactly what it gets, when a retired miner called Len Hopkins is found battered to death in his outside lavatory. Detective Chief Inspector Monika Paniatowski, called in to track down the killer with all possible speed, finds herself working in an atmosphere as thick with suspicion and distrust as the mine is with coal dust. It's not only the investigation which is giving her headaches - the behaviour of her right-hand man, Detective Inspector Colin Bereford, is threatening to tear the team apart, and though she doesn't know it yet, a mysterious stranger has her beloved daughter, Louisa, in his sights.
©2012 Alan Rustage (P)2013 Soundings
A Wartime Friend
Summary
Random House presents the audiobook edition of A Wartime Friend by Lizzie Lane, read by Penelope Freeman. Leah escapes from a train bound for a death camp - along with a surprising canine friend, a kind-natured German Shepherd. Discovered in France by an RAF pilot, the traumatised Leah wakes to find she's forgotten everything. Fostered by the pilot and Meg, his wife, Leah becomes Lily, remembering nothing of her former life. However, war and tragedy shatter their lives. With their home in ruins and Lily's adopted father missing in action, Lily and Meg are forced to flee to the country. In the Somerset countryside, Lily is reunited with Rudy, the heroic German Shepherd, while Meg finds herself subject to the attentions of a local criminal - and the village policeman. Before long, it becomes clear that Rudy isn't just watching over Lily - he's protecting Meg too, and someone wants him out of the way. Lily and Rudy's unlikely friendship could be the only thing that saves them....
©2018 Lizzie Lane (P)2018 Random House Audiobooks
The Nurses of Steeple Street
Summary
Welcome to the district nurses' home on Steeple Street, where everyone has a secret.... Ambitious young nurse Agnes Sheridan had a promising future ahead of her until a tragic mistake cost her the love and respect of everyone around her. Now she has come to Leeds for a fresh start as a trainee district nurse. But Agnes finds herself facing unexpected challenges as she is assigned to Quarry Hill, one of the city's most notorious slums. Before she can redeem herself in the eyes of her family, she must first win the trust and respect of her patients and fellow nurses. Does Agnes have what it takes to stay the distance? Or will the tragedy of her past catch up with her?
©2016 Donna Douglas (P)2016 Soundings
Christmas at Borteen Bay
Summary
Soundings and Choc Lit present the audiobook edition of Christmas at Borteen Bay.
Christmas is a bittersweet time for Pippa Freeman. There are good memories, of course - but some painful ones, too. Then her mother is implicated in a mysterious occurrence in their home town of Borteen, and Pippa wonders if she'll ever experience a happy Christmas again - especially when a family secret is revealed. But when police officer and old school friend Ethan Gibson offers his support, Pippa begins to realise that even though her life has been turned upside down, a happy and hopeful Christmas isn't impossible....
©2018 Morton S. Gray (P)2018 Soundings
On Her Own Two Feet
Summary
Bringing the Keep Fit movement vividly to life in 1940s' London, Pam Evans' family saga will inspire and enthral anyone who has ever dared to dream of a better life. In the middle of a party to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V, in 1935, Mollie Fisher's good-for-nothing husband walks out on his wife and baby girl. Luckily, Mollie has a loving family to turn to for help. Mollie's mother, Marge, is delighted to look after baby Esme while Mollie goes out to work. Meanwhile, her nan, Nora, encourages Mollie to join a local keep fit class, which opens her eyes to a whole new world. Determined to better herself, Mollie qualifies as a fitness instructor and starts to run her own classes for the local community, where she befriends a group of women she would never have known existed. But with the outbreak of the Second World War and the ever-present danger of losing her loved ones in the London bombings, it takes courage for Mollie to stand on her own two feet....
©2014 Pam Evans (P)2014 Headline Digital
Solo
Summary
Solo is a delightful romantic novel from best-selling author Jill Mansell, not to be missed by readers of Lucy Diamond and Cathy Kelly. Mad about a man who's dangerous to know? Surely it's better to go solo.... When Tessa Duvall, a struggling artist, reluctantly agreed to accompany her best friend, Holly, to a party at the elegant Charrington Grange Hotel, she had every intention of sneaking off early. For parties full of strangers bored the knickers off Tessa, and this one proved to be no exception - until she encountered Ross Monahan, whose wicked reputation was as high profile as the hotel he owned and ran with such panache. But while Holly set about ensnaring his reluctant brother, Max, Tessa simply accepted Ross for what he was - a sensational one-night stand...until she realised, weeks later, that one-night stands can have far-reaching consequences....
©2002 Jill Mansell (P)2003 Isis Publishing Ltd
The Firebird's Feather
Summary
London, May 1911. The new king, George V, is preparing for his coronation. The suffragettes are campaigning for women to get the vote. The East End seethes with unrest. And 18-year-old Kitty Challoner is looking forward to 'coming out' in London society. But Kitty's secure, sheltered world is about to be torn apart. Lydia Challoner is shot dead while out riding in Hyde Park, and during the ensuing murder investigation Kitty discovers that there was so much she didn't know about her mother. Was Lydia really the killer's intended target? Why had she been behaving so strangely in recent weeks? As Kitty determines to uncover the truth, she learns that the household in which she lives harbours a number of dangerous secrets.
©2014 Marjorie Eccles (P)2016 Soundings
The Housekeeper's Daughter
Summary
Kate Bratton dreams of more. It’s 1914, and her life is mapped out ahead of her: continue working as a maid in the beautiful Woodicombe House, settle down with Luke the gardener and, of course, start a family. Desperate to run away in search of adventure, Kate’s plans are curtailed by the arrival of the Russell family at Woodicombe House. Tasked with becoming a lady’s maid for their daughter, Naomi, Kate gets a glimpse of the other side of life. Will she return to the safety of her life before, or will the handsome Ned Russell turn her head?
©2019 Rosie Meddon (P)2019 Story Sound
Legacy of Greyladies
Summary
Olivia Hanbury is widowed in the middle of WWI and reluctantly goes back to live with her parents. In the village the Vicar's wife is trying to set up a women's institute. Olivia helps her, and for the first time since her husband's death she feels useful. However, her family decide the Vicar's wife is giving her foolish ideas, so they forbid her to help any more. Instead Olivia runs away to become one of the paid organisers who is helping set up local women's institutes in Wiltshire. Her work brings her to Greyladies, where she meets Phoebe. Will she manage to make a life for herself, or will her family and those who don't approve of the WI stop her?
©2015 Anna Jacobs (P)2015 Soundings
A Christmas Secret
Summary
Soundings and Choc Lit present the audiobook edition of A Christmas Secret. When Hugo McCreadie steps into Isla Brodie’s pet portrait studio to get a 'Festive Furball Photo Shoot' for his sister’s cat Schubert, he does question his sanity. But he knows the photographs will be the perfect Christmas present for his eccentric sister, Nessa - and he finds himself quite taken with ditzy, animal-loving Isla Brodie, too. Will a Christmas secret from long ago prevent Hugo and Isla’s new friendship from going any further? Or will a certain big, black cat taking matters into his own paws lead them not only on a mad winter dash through snowy Edinburgh but into each other’s arms for Christmas as well?
©2018 Kirsty Ferry (P)2018 Soundings
Saffron Lane
Summary
Nell has come to feel very at home in her beautiful corner of Wiltshire with her partner, Angus. What she could do with, however, is a challenge, and the prospect of bringing life back to an abandoned row of houses, Saffron Lane, is just what she’s looking for. Stacy, lost and alone after a divorce she didn’t see coming, is trying her best to start over. And Elise, battling her nieces who would force her into residential care, longs for a home where she can get back to her painting. When their paths cross, the future starts to look brighter - although not all goes according to plan.
©2017 Anna Jacobs (P)2018 Soundings
On a Turning Tide
Summary
Random House presents the audiobook edition of On a Turning Tide by Ellie Dean. The 16th Cliffehaven novel by Sunday Times best-selling author Ellie Dean. Cliffehaven, October 1944. As the Allied troops draw closer to victory, life at Beach View Boarding House is still full of uncertainty. Rosie’s plans for her wedding to Ron Reilly are plagued with misunderstandings. And when Ron takes on a secret assignment just days before they are due to say their vows, it seems their plans for a future together may be doomed. Meanwhile, Peggy Reilly embraces her new managerial role at the uniform factory. It’s a welcome distraction while her husband, Jim, is still away fighting in the Far East. But when an old school adversary joins the factory’s ranks, Peggy must win her own battles on the home front. As a new year dawns, hopes grow brighter for the return of loved ones - but a big sea change is still to come before Victory in Europe can be declared. Victory is in sight, but the war is not yet won.
©2019 Ellie Dean (P)2019 Random House Audiobooks
Cinnamon Gardens
Summary
Now that Nell's three sons are in work and becoming more independent, she's ready to build a new life for herself. She's been left a house in England and decides to leave Australia to start a new chapter. On her arrival at Peppercorn Street, Nell encounters Angus Denning, a software engineer with a stately home at the end of the road. Then there's Winifred, an elderly lady who lives alone but has made friends with young single mum Janey. But life doesn't always run smoothly; Winifred is being harassed to sell her home, and Janey realises she and her daughter, Millie, are being stalked. Can the residents of Peppercorn Street find happiness?
©2015 Anna Jacobs (P)2016 Soundings
Bay Tree Cottage
Summary
The houses in Saffron Lane are being filled with artists thanks to the efforts of Nell and Angus. Ginger doesn’t win a place there but gets a job running the small café/art gallery, taking refuge there from her abusive bully of a son. When she meets Iain, sparks fly between them, the first time she’s felt attracted to anyone for years. But will her son spoil it? Emil is in town to open the small museum in Saffron Lane and run his father’s business. This throws new opportunities in his path, and new problems, too. Will the newcomers manage to build new lives, or will selfish people destroy their attempts to find happiness?
©2018 Anna Jacobs (P)2018 Soundings
The Soldier's Return
Summary
Kate Channer is settled in London, helping her half-sister, Naomi, as housekeeper while the Great War rages on.
When Naomi's brother, Ned, is sent home seriously injured, it's up to Kate to manage the household as well as Ned's rehabilitation. But with the growing workload, she struggles to keep everything running smoothly and yearns to return to Woodicombe House. And with no word from her husband, Luke, fighting in France, it's becoming increasingly difficult to stay positive. Hard times are ahead for Kate and her family - when the realities of war land on their doorstep, can Kate find the strength to keep going?
©2019 Rosie Meddon (P)2020 Story Sound
A Wife's War
Summary
Kate Channer thought married life was going to be a grand adventure. But when Luke ships off for war before the echoes of their vows have ended she’s left behind, desperate to make a difference and bring him home. Yet life in Devon as ladies-maid to her half sister, Naomi, brings battles of its own. Facing hardship and heartbreak they never imagined, Kate and Naomi must now find the strength to keep the home fires burning through the long uncertain months of a wife’s war.
©2019 Rosie Meddon (P)2019 Story Sound