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The Ice House  By  cover art

The Ice House

By: Minette Walters
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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Publisher's summary

Best-selling author Minette Walters writes thrillers that wed classic mystery conventions with contemporary sophistication. In The Ice House—winner of Britain’s John Creasey Award for best first crime novel—she serves up a chilling story of love, loyalty, and deadly intrigue.

A small British village has long suspected that the three women living in a local manor house are witches—or even worse. So when an unidentifiable body is found in the home’s ice house, everyone is set to believe their guilt, especially police inspector Walsh. Ten years ago, Walsh suspected one of the women of murder, but was unable to make a case. Now, he plans to do whatever it takes to untangle the women’s secrets. With one unexpected plot twist after another, Minette Walters delivers a mystery which surprises right through to the very end. Narrator Simon Prebble gives voice to Walters’ many wonderful characters and the dark web of secrets hidden deep beneath life’s surface.

©1992 Minette Walters (P)2000 Recorded Books

What listeners say about The Ice House

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    96
  • 4 Stars
    82
  • 3 Stars
    37
  • 2 Stars
    9
  • 1 Stars
    7
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    121
  • 4 Stars
    57
  • 3 Stars
    18
  • 2 Stars
    3
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    5
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    82
  • 4 Stars
    70
  • 3 Stars
    35
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    8

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Very Close to 5 Stars

Good story well told. Characters well developed and easy to identify with. Super narration. The ending was just a bit too "pat" for my tastes.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Mystery Gem by a Great Writer

"The triumph of the human condition was to face one small defeat after another and to survive them relatively intact."
Minette Walters ranks with wonderful writers who just happen to specialize in mysteries. Her stories are complex, the characters are brilliantly drawn, and the dialogue is crisp and compelling.
"The Ice House" is Walters' first novel. It involves a decent but troubled policeman who must deal with a murder case complicated by history, prejudice, and misperception. Much is learned about the nature of personal betrayal, human cruelty, and determined friendship. Do not miss this!

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Strange but interesting mystery

I confess I bought this book primarily because it was narrated by Simon Prebble. His narrations can make great entertainment from even mediocre stories. This, however was not mediocre. It was in fact a well written mystery with a number of surprising twists.

I recommend it as worth the time and credit.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really enjoyable

I've been reading a number of Minette Walters lately. Well, listening to... In the past I have read her and enjoyed her. I thought that this was a superior outing. I enjoyed the characters, enjoyed finding out the secrets that they possessed, and it had a great payoff.

Definitely recommend this book.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Listen

This book was fantastic. The writing was excellent, the characters were dynamic, and the plot was more than sufficient for what I hoped to get out of it. If you're looking for a good mystery novel, you're in the right place.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great read!

I am a Minette Walters fan. I only recently discovered this novel, however. Though it wasn't nearly as gory as some of her other work, it kept my attention and curiosity piqued through the very end.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Painful, just painful

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A different narrator for sure. I have no idea who is who by his terrible attempt to do a woman's voice.

What didn’t you like about Simon Prebble’s performance?

EVERYTHING!

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Ice House?

the beginning, the middle and the end

Any additional comments?

My first Minette Walters and my first Simon Prebble. Also the last for Minette Walters and my last for Simon Prebble.

I can not believe the 5 star reviews for this book!!!!!!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What a great story!

What made the experience of listening to The Ice House the most enjoyable?

It's so absorbing, that if you listen in the car, no matter where you're going, you will be there instantly!

What about Simon Prebble’s performance did you like?

He's a great actor & I've listened to countless audio productions done by him. My husband thinks his inflections are too wide (he can't understand the softer bits) but I think he's wonderful.

Any additional comments?

You may want to get your hands on the BBC production of this, with Daniel Craig (FABULOUS) because this story twists & turns & keeps you guessing until the very last. It's got every element needed for a first class murder mystery!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Twists and turns galore

Dark and uplifting all at once. Wonderful narration . Excellent character development. Would "read"it again

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable

I simply could not put it down. I spent a whole Sunday and woke up in the middle of the night to finish this book. It was brilliant!!!

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1 person found this helpful