Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
The Valley of Lost Secrets
- Narrated by: Iestyn Arwel
- Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
The Valley of Lost Secrets
Buy Now for £7.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Summary
Bloomsbury presents The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr, read by Iestyn Arwel.
September, 1939.
When Jimmy is evacuated to a small village in Wales, it couldn’t be more different from London. Green, quiet and full of strangers, he instantly feels out of place.
But then he finds a skull hidden in a tree, and suddenly the valley is more frightening than the war. Who can Jimmy trust? His brother is too little; his best friend has changed.
Finding an ally in someone he never expects, they set out together to uncover the secrets that lie with the skull. What they discover will change Jimmy - and the village - forever.
A mesmerising mystery about bravery and brotherhood from an outstanding new voice.
Critic reviews
"With echoes of Carrie's War and Goodnight Mister Tom, Parr brings her own fresh voice to what already feels like a wartime classic. This story is quietly brutal and brilliantly heartfelt. I absolutely adored it." (Emma Carroll)
"Evocative and heartfelt, The Valley of Lost Secrets already reads like a classic. A celebration of kindness and friendship at a time of upheaval, it's gripping, heart-breaking and yet full of hope. I loved it with all my heart." (Liz Hyder, author of Bearmouth)
"An evacuee story with all the makings of a classic." (Anna Fargher, author of The Umbrella Mouse)
More from the same
What listeners say about The Valley of Lost Secrets
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sallyandbooks
- 10-01-24
Middle grade historical fiction with a mystery
A brilliant middle grade Second World War book with a mystery running through it. In the same vein as Carrie’s War by Nina Bawden and Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- amazonian
- 09-01-21
Great first novel
I came across this by chance on Audible, having never heard of the book or author. Both me and my 8 year old son thoroughly enjoyed it. It has interesting and believable characters and a great story. I see its only newly released in print form as well and hope it becomes a best-seller.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- crochetdiva
- 06-01-22
Not just for children!
I love to occasionally read a 'childrens' book, I find they are very well written. This one flows brilliantly, and the storyline is wonderful. it will make you laugh, it will make you cry, but most of all it's simply a great listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Rj2018
- 19-11-22
I really enjoyed this book it is so good!
I loved this book! I was so excited to finish it! The narrator was brilliant!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nostagia Buff
- 05-05-23
Just wonderful
I have listened to over 500 books on Audible and never written a review before, but felt driven this time.
“Makes you laugh and makes you cry” is something you often see in reviews so will not say it. But if you have laugh muscles and tear ducts then prepare to stretch them. This wartime story of evacuees from Islington to the South Wales valleys is brilliantly written, is full of superb characters, both good and bad, and surely must become a children’s classic. As a adult, you have an inkling as to what is coming at the end but it still hits you somewhere deep inside.
If you loved Goodnight Mister Tom then you will love this too but I think this is even better. You get to the end and just want to know what happens to these characters after the story finishes.
Any criticisms? Just one. The reader, who is otherwise excellent, cannot pronounce the word mask in the way that a child from Islington would. I know because I was one.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Matthew Smith
- 10-02-24
Fantastic Story with Fantastic Narration
I listened to this audio book, with my 8 year old, over a few weeks whilst driving to and from after school activities. We’ve loved every second of the story with the narration really bringing the characters to life. I thoroughly recommend this title.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tarnjit
- 02-01-21
Beautiful poignant story
Excellently written book. Really cared about what would happen to the characters. Loved the relationships between them and how they developed.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amy L
- 29-12-21
Super UKS2 whole class read!
This is a lovely story, packed with characters readers can relate to. There are serious themes, but they are written beautifully for UKS2 children. Loved this book!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall2 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story2 out of 5 stars
- Andrew
- 24-03-21
Meh...
The title does not reflect the story. Boring. Poorly constructed. Don't bother. Narration no better.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful