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  • Letters from the Past

  • By: Erica James
  • Narrated by: Jemma Redgrave
  • Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (471 ratings)
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Letters from the Past cover art

Letters from the Past

By: Erica James
Narrated by: Jemma Redgrave
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Summary

It’s the autumn of 1962 in the idyllic Suffolk village of Melstead St Mary. Evelyn Devereux’s husband, Kit, is planning their 20th wedding anniversary party. But as they prepare to celebrate, Evelyn receives an anonymous letter that threatens to unravel the secrets she’s kept hidden for many years – secrets that reach back to the war and her days at Bletchley Park. 

Evelyn’s sister-in-law, Hope, has brought joy to countless children with her best-selling books, but despite having a loving husband and caring family, happiness has never come easily to her. Then in an instant her fragile world is turned upside down when she too receives an anonymous letter. Across the village, up at Melstead Hall, Julia Devereux has married into a life beyond anything she could have dreamt of, not realising until it’s too late that it comes with a heavy price.

Meanwhile, in the sun-baked desert of Palm Springs, Romily Devereux-Temple, crime writer and former ATA pilot, is homesick for her beloved Island House, where she’s saved the day more times than she can count. On her return home, and shocked to learn what has been going on in her absence, she finds herself reluctantly confronting a secret she’s kept hidden for a very long time. 

Once again Romily is challenged to save the day and hold the family together. Can she do it and maybe seize some happiness for herself at the same time?

©2020 Erica James (P)2020 W. F. Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"Erica James offers glorious escapism set in a house to die for." (Sunday Express Magazine)

"Full of warmth and appeal." (Good Housekeeping)

"Beautifully written and heartrendingly sad." (Daily Telegraph)

What listeners say about Letters from the Past

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An enjoyable book

I have enjoyed reading Erica James' books over the years, but this is only the second one I have had from Audible. Like other members I hadn't realised that this is a follow-on to Coming Home to Island House - and both books are equally enjoyable.

They are easy to listen to and I really hope that Erica James writes another follow on so that we can continue to enjoy and follow Romily, her new love I'm America and her inherited family back in England.

My only slight disappointment was the narrator, I much preferred Jenny Funnell, who narrated Coming home to Island House and if there is another book, please consider going back to Jenny Funnell,

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable but lacking .

I enjoyed the book and though I hadn’t read the 1st instalment of this story was able to follow the characters and understand their relationships to each other .
An easy read , I just felt it took a long time to get to the end of the poison letters and their sender with almost a conclusion and no real reason in the last 2 chapters .
Love the way it’s written, but end fell flat .

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Marvellous

Again, Erica James does it again. Brilliant story and loved all the characters. Worth a credit. Defo recommend.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful!

Was gripped from start to finish. Beautifully written. Touching and heartbreaking. I Was fully invested in all the characters. Gave me some much needed escapism in what are, at the moment, trying times. I shall absolutely read more Erica James! Wonderfully read by Jemma Redgrave who’s voice brought the characters to life!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Very engaging story, very well read

What a lovely way to spend my time, a great story with characters you love to hope for.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great part 2..

Enjoyed the first book and once I got back into the characters I thoroughly enjoyed this one too........ A part 3 on its way I think because there are a few loose ends.....

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Stick with it.

I found the narration really boring, but the story is very good. it is a shame that the narrator didn't change octatives at all. The only time she seemed remotely excited was at the end when she reading the copyright etc. Overall I enjoyed the story, I think maybe their were too many characters and I found it hard to keep track of who was who. I am pleased we had a happy ending for all the characters.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great sequel to Island House

I enjoyed the story on audible but all the datelines at the start of every chapter was annoying maybe as I already knew some of the characters.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Beautifully read by Jemma Redgrave

Fairly enjoyable although sentimental and predictable story, nice main character in Romily. Jemma Redgrave reads beautifully!


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    5 out of 5 stars
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Gripping

Loved this book, great storyline which had me gripped to the end and brilliant narration. I would definitely recommend.

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