Book description
'Satisfyingly violent'The Times, Best Crime Fiction of 2025 So Far'Sprightly and elegantly written mystery'The Daily Telegraph'A marvellous literary thriller' Clare Chase'A clever and refreshing take on the mystery novel' Jo SilvaIn post-war Oxford, secrets lie behind every door.In 1947, with rationing still biting and the black market thriving, university don C.S. 'Jack' Lewis finds himself pulled into a mystery straight from one of his friend Dorothy Sayers' novels. Susan Temple, his brightest student, has hidden herself away at Rake Hall - a hostel for unmarried, outcast mothers - and hasn't been heard from since.With no experience beyond catching the occasional student plagiarist, Lewis is hardly a detective. But when Susan's absence continues to haunt him, he teams up with her concerned friend Lucy and together they delve into the disturbing rumours of a nasty racket at Rake Hall. Can Lewis's nose for the truth separate fact from fiction?In The Mystery at Rake Hall, Maureen Paton - whose mother lived at the real-life Rake Hall while pregnant with Maureen - brilliantly recreates a post-war Oxford world, as well as imagining an alternative life for one of its most famous residents.RAVE READER REVIEWS'An homage to post war Oxford ... an entertaining read with a mystery to solve''Blends historical authenticity with a compelling "whodunit"''Very easy to read, a page-turner and a real sense of Oxford''I loved this mystery .. the author brought to life the time beautifully ... I cannot wait to see what she offers for her second book but this one will be hard to top''A famous real-life writer solving a mystery ... I really enjoyed it'
Predator
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree. ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
Venom Petunia
Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Leaf Assassin
ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful – I'm hooked! Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. 📱🔊 ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
Badger the Burglar
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Ba1t
I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Good William
This app makes traffic jams a breeze – time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Yellow Menace
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Tall Sally
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. 📚👌 is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience.
Corny
This audiobook app is a true gem – it brings stories to life with every click. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. This app has completely transformed my daily routine. I can't imagine my commute without it!
Lumberyard
I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place.
Stealth
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ThoughtTracer
Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! Simplifying audiobook adventures – this app's ease of use is a delight.
FireBrang
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Trash Sling
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight. No more interruptions – the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening. I'm blown away by the app's performance. It's fast, reliable, and tailored for audiobook lovers. I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened.
Skylark
As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
SmartieQuest
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge – talk about efficiency! This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go.
Roadspike
Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. This app has reignited my passion for literature – I'm devouring books like never before. 🎉📚 Rekindling my passion for books – this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! 🔥📖
Voodoo Cyclone
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. 💪 Doubling the impact of my workouts – exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! 💪🎧 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's design is a true delight. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening.
Skool
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
WanderWord
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. ⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 Downloading audio from network devices is a brilliant feature. It's incredibly convenient.
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