The Ice House

By: Minette Walters

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

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 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!

Twists and turns galore

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

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!

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE HUSBAND?

What did you like best about The Ice House? What did you like least?

IT WAS VERY WELL PLOTTED AND THE POINT OF VIEW WAS SHARED BY MULTIPLE CHARACTERS WHICH HEIGHTENED SUSPENSE. THE TENSION BETWEEN THE YOUNGER DETECTIVE AND ANN CANTELL THE "FEMINIST" ADDS A LITTLE SPICE TO THEIR INTERACTIONS. I LIKED THE 2 LABS, BENSON AND HEDGES.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

WHEN THE BOOK WAS WRITTEN, HOMOPHOBIA WAS RAMPANT IN MOST PLACES, NOT JUST COUNTRY VILLAGES. IN THE 21ST CENTURY THAT ASPECT IS ARCHAIC. BUT WE MUST KEEP IN MIND THE CULTURE OF THOSE OTHER TIMES. SO, I WOULDN'T CHANGE THE ORIGIONAL NOVEL AT ALL. IT IS A GREAT FIRST MYSTERY.INTELLIGENT AND KEEPS YOU GUESSING ALL THE WAY TO THE END .PS: I WOULD CHANGE THE RADIATORS AS INTERIOR DESIGN.DIANA CANDO BETTER.

How could the performance have been better?

BAD. WORST SIMON PREBBLE I HAVE EVER HEARD. HE PUT METO SLEEP TWICE! AND I REALLY HAD TO CONCENTRATE. THE VOICE DROPPING TO A WHISPER IS DUMB. A STAGE ACTOR WHISPERS AND EVEYONE IN THE BALCONY KNOWS WHAT IS BEING SAID. SO THAT WAS FRUSTRATING. I HAVE REFLEX BY DICK FRANCIS AND PREBBLE IS SUPER. I DON'T THINK HE CAPTURED THE SPIRIT OF THE 3 MAIN FEMALE PROTAGONISTS. I HAVE READ ICE HOUSE MANY TIMES AND ALWAYS GIVE IT TO PEOPLE SEARCHING FOR A GOOD READ. IT'S JUST THE PERFORMANCE, AS YOU SAY, BORED ME.

Do you think The Ice House needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I WOULD LOVE IT! BUT I HEAR THAT MS WALTERS HAS SWORN OFF THE MYSTERY GENRE. ONE CAN ALWAYS HOPE.

Any additional comments?

I WISH THE SAMPLE SECTIONS WE LISTEN TO COULD BE DESIGNED SO WE COULD HEAR A LARGER SELECTION. NARRATION, DIALOGUE, ETC. I WOULD PROBABLY MAKE FEWER MISTAKES IN CHOOSING A BOOK. OH, IF A BOOK IS ABRIDGED I THINK THAT INFO SHOULD APPEAR AFTER THE TITLE IN THE CATALOGUE. I DON'T LIKE GUESSING BASED ON HOURS AND MINUTES. ESP SINCE THE FILTER FOR THAT PRODUCT CONTINUALLY SHOVELS UP ABRIDGED WHEN I ASK FOR UNABRIDGED..

Sad

I feel so very sad that each of the women and their children had to deal with so much trauma.

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.

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!!!

Brilliant!

This was well written, the narration was simply one of the very best I’ve heard...without a great narrator even the best audio book can miss. Story was engaging , good character development... a terrific read! Can’t wait to read more!

Enjoyed this book

I liked this story. The characters were well defined and the story was a good mystery.

Great reader!

The audio performer, Simon Prebble, is excellent. He's a pro's pro. The story was gripping though a depressing.