Book description
Set in rural Vermont in the volatile 1960s, Agony Hill is the first novel in a new historical series full of vivid New England atmosphere and the deeply drawn characters that are Sarah Stewart Taylor's trademark. In the hot summer of 1965, Bostonian Franklin Warren arrives in Bethany, Vermont, to take a position as a detective with the state police. Warren's new home is on the verge of monumental change; the interstates under construction will bring new people, new opportunities, and new problems to Vermont, and the Cold War and protests against the war in Vietnam have finally reached the dirt roads and rolling pastures of Bethany. Warren has barely unpacked when he's called up to a remote farm on Agony Hill. Former New Yorker and Back-to-the-Lander Hugh Weber seems to have set fire to his barn and himself, with the door barred from the inside, but things aren't adding up for Warren. The people of Bethany--from Weber's enigmatic wife to Warren's neighbor, widow and amateur detective Alice Bellows -- clearly have secrets they'd like to keep, but Warren can't tell if the truth about Weber's death is one of them. As he gets to know his new home and grapples with the tragedy that brought him there, Warren is drawn to the people and traditions of small town Vermont, even as he finds darkness amidst the beauty.
About the Author
SARAH STEWART TAYLOR is the author of the Sweeney St. George series, set in New England, the Maggie D'arcy mysteries, set in Ireland and on Long Island, and Agony Hill, the first in a new series set in rural Vermont in the 1960s. Sarah has been nominated for an Agatha Award and for the Dashiell Hammett Prize and her mysteries have appeared on numerous Best of the Year lists. A former journalist and teacher, she writes and lives with her family on a farm in Vermont where they raise sheep and grow blueberries.
NexusNavigator
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections β I'm discovering hidden gems! πΆπ Replacing tunes with stories β my house is alive with the sound of narration! π§π Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. ππ§ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Patton Digger
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
NightDream
I'm rediscovering my love for literature through this app β it's revitalizing. ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. βοΈ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time β multitasking made easy! π§ π§ ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Woo Woo
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. π Grooving to the rhythm of stories while tackling household chores β a dance of productivity! πΆπ
Chocolate Thunder
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Guillotine
πββοΈπ Combining fitness and fiction β this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! πββοΈπ My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Freeway
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. ListenBook's drag and drop downloads from web browsers are a time-saving feature I can't live without. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldnβt call it unforgettable.
Mr. Fabulous
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance β it's like having a personal audiobook curator. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. βοΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. πΆπ
The Belgian
I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling β all thanks to this app. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Mud Finger
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨ ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Bad Beret
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
Mad Viral
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing.
Dandelion
With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. π Unveiling the joy of reading once again β this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ππ π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
Nickname Master
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality β it's evident in every feature. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app.
Fire Fish
This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Trick Baron
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection β there's always something new to discover. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance β it's like having a personal audiobook curator. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Trash
The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work! Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fineβgood narration, decent storyβbut it didnβt leave a lasting impression. If youβre looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Copilot
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. It transforms the way I enjoy my recordings.
Die Slice
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers.
ByteBard
I can't believe how much more productive I am β I'm learning and growing while multitasking! The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks! Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience