Lucy Scott's reading compilation

Maria likes to be alone with her thoughts. She talks to animals and objects, and generally prefers them to people. But whilst on holiday she begins to hear things that aren’t there – a swing creaking, a dog barking – and when she sees a Victorian embroidered picture, Maria feels a strange connection with the ten-year-old, Harriet, who stitched it.

But what happened to her? As Maria becomes more lost in Harriet’s world, she grows convinced that something tragic occurred…

A Stitch In Time, By Penelope Lively, Read by Lucy Scott

Following the breakdown of her marriage, Theo has bought a tumbledown cottage on the banks of the river Tamar which divides Cornwall and Devon. The peace and tranquility of Boatman’s Cottage, nestled by the water, is just what she needs to heal.

Yet soon after her arrival, Theo discovers a stash of hidden letters tied with a ribbon, untouched for more than a century. The letters – sent from the battlefields of France during WW1 – tell of a young servant from the nearby manor house, Abbotswood, and his love for a woman he was destined to lose.

As she begins to bring Boatman’s Cottage and its gardens back to life, Theo pieces together a story of star-crossed lovers played out against the river, while finding her own new path to happiness.

The River Between Us, By Liz Fenwick, Read by Lucy Scott

*'Classic Noel Streatfeild at her warm-hearted best. I absolutely loved it' Hilary McKay, author of THE SKYLARKS' WAR
*'Such rewarding reading' Daily Telegraph

There are stories for every reader in this delightful collection - exciting crime-solving adventures; nervous young actors in the spotlight for the first time; unforgettable holidays and unlikely friendships.

Featuring beautiful illustrations by PETER BAILEY

Stories include:

The Plain One; Devon Mettle; Chicken for Supper; Flag's Circus; The Secret; Coralie; Ordinary Me; Cows Eat Flowers; Andrew's Trout; The Old Fool; Let's Go Coaching; Howard; The Quiet Holiday; Roberta; Green Silk

Originally written for annuals and magazines from the 1930s-70s, these newly discovered stories make captivating reading for Noel Streatfeild fans of all ages.

Noel Streatfeild's Holiday Stories, read by Lucy Scott (Audiobook extract)

'The wonderful Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories collects, for the first time, nine festive stories originally written for annuals and magazines in the 1940s and 1950s . . . As ever, Streatfeild's children always feel utterly real and relatable. A beautifully produced treat' Anna Carey, Irish Times


In this captivating collection of stories by the author of Ballet Shoes, there are auditions on stage and antics on ice, trips to the pantomime, holiday adventures, and laughter shared with family and friends. Charming, heartwarming and funny, this collection will bring joy to readers of all ages.

Originally written in 1940s-60s for annuals, magazines and the radio, these stories have never been collected before.

With enchanting line drawings by by Peter Bailey.

Stories include:
The Audition
The Bells Keep Twelfth Night
The Moss Rose
Thimble
The Princess
The Chain
Christmas at Collers
The Pantomime Goose
Skating to the Stars

Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories, read by Lucy Scott (Audiobook extract)

The gripping true story of how Detective Superintendent Julie Mackay brought Melanie Road’s murderer to justice. 

 BATH, 1984

Jean Road, a 49-year-old mother of three, awakens to news that her daughter Melanie has been murdered in a nearby street as she walked home from a club in the early hours.

Britain’s biggest manhunt begins. A trail of blood is found leading away from the scene. It’s a rare blood type. But despite a year-long inquiry and 94 arrests, the case is wound down. No one is charged with Melanie’s murder.

AVON & SOMERSET POLICE HQ, 2009

Detective Sergeant Julie Mackay, a 41-year-old single mother of three who has been overlooked for promotion for years, transfers to the Cold Case Unit. She unearths a file from the original inquiry and becomes hooked by the details: the rare blood type, Bath on a summer’s night, the investigative wrong turns … She takes on the case, and with the help of Melanie’s inspirational mother works tirelessly to rebuild it.

This is the true story of how she did it.

To Hunt a Killer, By Julie Mackay and Robert Murphy, Read by Lucy Scott

In life’s stormy waters, it’s your friends who keep you afloat…

Maddy Wolfe’s life has just capsized. After her twenty-year marriage suddenly implodes, she heads to Brighton to search for her estranged son, Jamie. But he’s nowhere to be found and for the first time, she’s totally alone. That is, until she meets the Salty Sea-Gals, a group of feisty sea-swimmers.

Seventy-two-year old Helga is determined not to slow down, while thirty-something Tor is still figuring out who she is. Bereaved Dominica is trying to find a reason to carry on, and busy mum Claire is learning to put herself first for a change.

As their regular cold-water plunges become a lifeline for them all, Maddy starts to realise that these brave women might just help her find both Jamie and herself. Together, will they turn the tide?

Lifesaving for Beginners by Josie Lloyd, read by Lucy Scott

‘Draws you in from the start and doesn’t let you go until the end’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wonderfully written and oozing wartime spirit. Couldn’t ask for more!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The second inspiring novel in the heartwarming and hopeful Bletchley Park Girls series from the queen of saga, Molly Green… 

 When Rosie Frost was jilted on her wedding day, she didn’t think life could get any worse. But six years later in the throes of the Second World War, she is unceremoniously dismissed from her dream job after they discover her illegitimate child.

Thankfully, top secret war office Bletchley Park recognises Rosie’s talent and recruits her to decipher their Italian naval signals. Happy to be doing her bit for the war effort, Rosie settles into her new life.

But when she spots a familiar face at the Park, Rosie’s world threatens to come crashing down once more. Can she put her heartbreak behind her? And will wedding bells ring out across Bletchley Park before the year is out?

The second in an uplifting wartime series set at Bletchley Park, perfect for fans of Nancy Revell and Donna Douglas.

Readers are LOVING Molly Green’s Bletchley Park series:

‘A journey for the reader…tantalizing…interesting…try this one!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What can I say…I love it! Can’t wait to read more’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Outstandingly fabulous’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A lovely story’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘One of those can't-put-down books’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A cracking good read!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Moments of being held spellbound…Kept me on the edge of my seat. Couldn't put it down’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A fantastic addition to what has been a fantastic series so far’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Great story. Great characters. Wonderfully written and oozing wartime spirit. Couldn’t ask for more!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Winter Wedding at Bletchley Park, By Molly Green, Read by Lucy Scott

‘One hell of a journey…a great curl up and read book’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Outstandingly fabulous’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Had me going to bed early just so that I could listen to it!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Will helping the war effort help mend her broken heart? 

 September 1939. London is in blackout, war has been declared, but Dulcie Treadwell can think only of American broadcaster, Glenn Reeves, who didn’t say goodbye before leaving for Berlin.

Heartbroken, Dulcie is posted to Bletchley Park, where she must concentrate instead on cracking the German Enigma codes. The hours are long and the conditions tough, with little recognition from above. Until she breaks her first code…

But when a spiteful act of jealousy leads to Dulcie’s brutal dismissal, her life is left in pieces once more. Is it too late for Dulcie to prove her innocence and keep the job she loves? And will her heart ever truly heal if she doesn’t hear from Glenn again…?

A new, inspiring wartime series set at Bletchley Park from saga queen Molly Green, perfect for fans of Nancy Revell and Donna Douglas.

Readers are LOVING this sweeping new story:

‘One of those can't-put-down books’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A journey for the reader…tantalizing…interesting…try this one!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A cracking good read!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Moments of being held spellbound…Kept me on the edge of my seat. Couldn't put it down’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What can I say…I love it! Can’t wait to read more’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘My first book by this author and it won’t be my last’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summer Secrets at Bletchley Park, By Molly Green, Read by Lucy Scott

Available from Audible.co.uk (http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Crime-Thrillers/The-Watcher-Audiobook/B00JPLCODQ)

Carla Roberts lives alone in a high-rise in Hackney. The lift keeps stopping on her floor, but nobody gets out. Days later, she's found brutally murdered.

Samson Segal has taken to spying on his neighbours, particularly beautiful and successful Gillian Ward. And when Gillian's daughter finds herself locked out the house, Samson takes her in. But her lack of appreciation makes him angry, and he vents to his diary, unaware that his sister-in-law cracked his password long ago...

When Gillian's husband is murdered, Samson finds himself under intense scrutiny. And the only man making any progress on the case shouldn't be working on it. Yet he's the only one who believes Samson is innocent...

Read by Lucy Scott

Available from Audible

THE WATCHER by Charlotte Link, read by Lucy Scott

Transform your home into a permanently clear and clutter-free space with the incredible KonMari Method. Japan's expert declutterer and professional cleaner Marie Kondo will help you tidy your rooms once and for all with her inspirational step-by-step method. 

The key to successful tidying is to tackle your home in the correct order, to keep only the things you really love and to do it all at once – and quickly. After that for the rest of your life you only need to choose what to keep and what to discard. 

The KonMari Method will not just transform your space. Once you have your house in order you will find that your whole life will change. You can feel more confident, you can become more successful, and you can have the energy and motivation to create the life you want. You will also have the courage to move on from the negative aspects of your life: you can recognise and finish a bad relationship; you can stop feeling anxious; you can finally lose weight.

Marie Kondo's method is based on a 'once-cleaned, never-messy-again' approach. If you think that such a thing is impossible then you should definitely read this compelling book.

The Life Changing Magic Of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo (audiobook extract) read by Lucy Scott

Click here to buy: http://adbl.co/2tctZMm

Perfect for fans of Pride and Prejudice, Perception continues the adventures of the Bennet sisters in the Regency world we all know. For lovers of Austen and sequels Longbourn and Thornfield Hall, to reimaginings like Eligible and Death Comes to Pemberley, this is a sweeping historical epic to savour.

Mary Bennet does not dream of marriage. Much to her mother's horror, Mary is determined not to follow in the footsteps of her elder sisters, Jane (now Mrs Bingley) and Lizzy (now Mrs Darcy).  Living at home with her remaining sister, Kitty, and her parents, Mary does not care for fashions or flattery. Her hopes are simple - a roof over her head, music at the piano, a book in her hand and the freedom not to marry the first bachelor her mother can snare for her.

But Mrs Bennet is not accustomed to listening to her daughters. When one of Meryton's wealthiest residents reveals her son is returning home, Mrs Bennett is determined to hear wedding bells ring for one of her girls. Thrown into society, Mary discovers that promises can be broken, money can conquer love, and duty is not always a path to happiness. But by the time she realises her perceptions might be false, might she have missed her chance at a future she'd never imagined?

Perception by Terri Fleming, Read by Lucy Scott

The perfect listen for fans of Daphne du Maurier and Patricia Highsmith, set in 1950s Morocco, Tangerine is a gripping psychological literary thriller.

The last person Alice Shipley expected to see since arriving in Tangier with her new husband was Lucy Mason. After the horrific accident at Bennington, the two friends - once inseparable roommates - haven't spoken in over a year. But Lucy is standing there, trying to make things right. Perhaps Alice should be happy. She has not adjusted to life in Morocco, too afraid to venture out into the bustling medinas and oppressive heat. Lucy, always fearless and independent, helps Alice emerge from her flat and explore the country.

But soon a familiar feeling starts to overtake Alice - she feels controlled and stifled by Lucy at every turn. Then Alice's husband, John, goes missing, and Alice starts to question everything around her: her relationship with her enigmatic friend, her decision to ever come to Tangier, and her very own state of mind.

Tangerine is an extraordinary debut, so tightly wound, so evocative of 1950s Tangier, and so cleverly plotted that it will leave you absolutely breathless.

Tangerine by Christine Mangan, read by Laurel Lefkow and Lucy Scott (Audiobook extract)

Click here to buy: https://adbl.co/2KNF7Vt

'A wise SatNav for what is often a bewildering, or even scary, zone of parenting. The book offers real-world, road-tested, child-first and family-friendly advice; while also highlighting the twin truths that autism is not a tragedy, and that adaptation and acceptance are not resignation' David Mitchell, bestselling author and co-translator of The Reason I Jump

'A must-read for anyone with an autistic child in their life' Laura James, author of Odd Girl Out

The definitive guide for parents of autisic children, written from the perspective of neurodiversity. 

Written by Jessie Hewitson, an award-winning journalist at The Times, Autism is the book she wishes she had read when her son was first given the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

It combines her own experiences with tips from autistic adults, other parents - including author David Mitchell - as well as advice from autism professionals and academics such as Professor Simon Baron-Cohen. Autism looks at the condition as a difference rather than a disorder and includes guidance on:

· What to do if you think your child is autistic
 · How to understand and support your child at school and at home
 · Mental health and autism
 · The differences between autistic girls and boys

'Jessie Hewitson has really hit the mark with this book, giving our history, our diversity, our challenges and our hopes. Autistic people and their families are finally represented' Carrie Grant

'Exceptionally useful and informative' Uta Frith, Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development, UCL

Autism by Jessie Hewitson, read by Lucy Scott

Delightful Regency romance from the author of the Agatha Raisin series; now a major new drama from Sky 1

When one of her sisters is attacked by Harry Devers, the lecherous son of Mannerling's present owner, Abigail Beverley puts her obsession with reclaiming the mansion on hold. Then Abigail meets the dashing and extremely eligible Lord Burfield, fresh back from the army and in full-time pursuit of a bride.

Yet unexpected circumstances force the insufferable Harry Devers to recuperate from a riding accident in the Beverley home, where Abigail's twin sister Rachel nurses him back to health - and into betrothal. Stirred from its brief slumber, Abigail's fury returns, alive and kicking. So when Rachel begins to have doubts about marrying Harry, Abigail devises a daring plan to win back Mannerling once and for all.

But perhaps Abigail would be better off concentrating on Lord Burfield, lest he be snapped up by Prudence Makepeace!

Deception by M.C. Beaton, read by Lucy Scott (Audiobook extract)

The haughty Beverley family is obsessed with regaining Mannerling, the exquisite 17th-century mansion gambled away by their now-deceased father, Sir Beverley. Three of the six Beverley daughters have failed to win back their ancestral estate - settling for love matches over mere bricks and mortar. Now it is Rachel's turn to woo the latest eligible bachelor-in-residence, handsome widower Charles Blackwood. 

Yet her plan to win the autocratic Charles almost comes to naught: at their first meeting, Rachel forgets herself and admonishes Charles for neglecting his two small children. The antics of young Beth and Mark Blackwood successfully throw Charles and Rachel together, but does Rachel love Charles for himself or for Mannerling?

Folly by M.C. Beaton, read by Lucy Scott (Audiobook extract)

Delightful Regency romance from the author of the Agatha Raisin series; now a major new drama from Sky 1.

As one of the two remaining unmarried Beverley sisters, Belinda considers herself the last hope for Mannerling, the beloved estate gambled away by their father. Each of her four elder sisters had hoped--even schemed--to marry one of Mannerling's successive owners. But all had chosen true love over their ancestral home.

Practical and duty-bound, Belinda will woo and wed Lord St. Clair, current holder of the estate. True, he is a silly fop, hardly what she desires in a husband, but she vows to make the man love her--even at the expense of her own happiness.

However, dashing Lord Gyre can hardly ignore the ridiculous drama -- Belinda is far too good for that dandy St. Clair. Therefore, his lordship decides it is his duty to win the lovely Belinda's heart!

Romance by M.C. Beaton, read by Lucy Scott (Audiobook extract)

Click here to buy: https://adbl.co/39l5Tjm

What happened to Betty is every woman's dream.
Isn't it?

There are those who never grow old because they are taken too soon.
There are those who grow old without worries, enjoying everything life has to offer.
There are those who desperately try to slow down the ticking clock.

And then there's Betty. Betty, who mysteriously stops growing old on her thirtieth birthday - the same age as her mother when she died.

The years leave no trace on Betty's face, but as everyone around her is transformed by the relentless march of time, her once golden life begins to come apart.
Because an ageless face is a face without history, without passions, without memories.
A blank canvas others will slowly, inexorably forget...

The Woman Who Didn't Grow Old by Gregoire Delacourt, Read by Lucy Scott

Margaret Thursday, the unforgettable heroine of Thursday’s Child stars in this classic children’s adventure from Noel Streatfeild, the beloved author of Ballet Shoes. 

 When Margaret Thursday lands a role as a child actress at a well-known London theatre, becoming famous almost overnight, news of her success reaches her bitter enemy, the matron of her old orphanage.

Margaret knows that Matron is set on revenge, but she keeps her head held high, focusing on the play. But Matron’s evil plans are well prepared, and Margaret is going to need her wits about her – and the help of her friends – if she is to escape unharmed…

Far To Go, By Noel Streatfeild, Read by Lucy Scott

A thrilling, classic children’s adventure with a courageous heroine, from the beloved author of Ballet Shoes. 

 Margaret Thursday was named after the day she was found on the church steps as a baby. But she isn’t really an orphan – each year a bag of gold coins is left at the church for her keep. However, when Margaret is eleven years old, the money suddenly stops and her guardians have no choice but to send her away to an orphanage.

The orphanage is worse than they could have imagined. The children are poorly treated and barely fed, and fearless Margaret soon makes herself the enemy of the evil matron who runs it. Vowing to protect her new friends, Peter and Horatio, Margaret plans their daring escape . . . but she’ll have to outwit Matron at every turn.

Margaret’s action-packed adventure, set in turn-of-the-century England, takes her from orphanage to canal boat to the world of the theatre. Through it all, Margaret is propelled by her unwavering sense of self and determination.

Thursday’s Child, By Noel Streatfeild, Read by Lucy Scott

Count down your pregnancy day by day with advice from a team of experts for every stage of your baby's development. Including advice on non-invasive prenatal testing and ways to adapt special diets during pregnancy, The Day-by-day Pregnancy Book provides a comprehensive look at every week of pregnancy. From early fetal development to how your hormones prepare you for birth, Q&amp;As with experts and mums will help put your mind at ease. The Day-by-day Pregnancy Book also breaks down the 12 hours post-delivery with an hour-by-hour account and the day-by-day format continues for the first two weeks of life with a newborn baby. With narration by Lucy Scott, this audiobook will be your pregnancy bible - every day. &#xa9; 2018 Dorling Kindersley Ltd &#xa9; 2019 DK Audio

Lucy Scott's reading compilation

長青葉