THE SPIES OF SHILLING LANE

Jayne Entwistle's flawless narration brings to life a small English village, the city of London, and the many memorable characters in this WWII novel. When bossy Mrs. Braithwaite is "fired" from her volunteer job, she decides to visit her daughter, Betty, who's doing war work in London. There, Betty's timid landlord, Mr. Norris, who is artfully portrayed, confesses that Betty has disappeared. Soon a determined Mrs. Braithwaite has Mr. Norris helping her search for her daughter. Entwistle's exceptional skill with rapid changes in emotion and action, as well as with descriptions of the Blitz, fascists, spies, and rationing, couldn't be more moving. Her exceptional creations are Mr. Norris, whose hesitation becomes an asset, and brash Mrs. Braithwaite herself, who learns what really matters in life. Listeners will delight in the rousing conclusion. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2019]