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'
Bliss
The sound quality is outstanding – it's like having a movie theater in my ears! This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference.
Waylay Dave
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Microwave
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
DreamWeaver
ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve found. The interface is clean and easy to use. One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Bom Crossed
This app has introduced me to genres I never thought I'd enjoy – it's eye-opening. Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience.
Predator
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is a true marvel. Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch.
Dewdrop Doll
With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again.
Pluto
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. 🏡 Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house – it's like having a helper! 🏠📚 I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
Domino
📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits.
Blackfire
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! 🎶 Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! 🎵📚
Cuff Queen
This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful!
RealmRanger
Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature!
ThoughtTraveler
I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket. I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. 🚗📖 Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration – this app keeps me engaged on the road! 🚗🎧 Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Troubled Pie
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
Irish Dze
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. 🏃♂️📚 I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. 📱📖 The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Gothic Gucci
ListenBook has transformed my daily rituals into cherished opportunities for personal growth. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Hoover Spark
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Sun Runner
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. 📚✨ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story!
Sky Herald
The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Murmur
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
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