Kingdom Lost

By: Patricia Wentworth

Narrated by: Anne Hancock

The only survivors of a shipwreck off a Pacific island are Cambridge professor Edward Bowden and an orphaned baby girl.

When Valentine Ryven is discovered 20 years later, Edward has recently died, and she is relieved and excited to be taken to England, where she believes her loving family awaits. Valentine is sure of a warm welcome because among the papers retrieved from the wreck is a letter from her Aunt Helena saying so. But in 20 years things change ... especially when money is involved.

Valentine is an heiress, but because of her presumed death, the money has gone to her chilly cousin Eustace, Aunt Helena's son. To complicate matters, the law does not allow her to give the money to Eustace to continue his good works until she is 25 years old. Instead of a warm embrace, Valentine is met with coldness and resentment in this strange new world.

Patricia Wentworth's mysteries are celebrated worldwide. And this romantic adventure story is not without its surprising plot twists and revelations.

Public Domain (P)2026 Anne Hancock

Some mystery, but more romance. Loved it!!!

As the review headline says, this is a romance, a little bit of a mystery, and just an absorbing story of a girl's journey into the world from a childhood on a volcanic island. There is social commentary that makes Patricia Wentworth look good compared to some modern do-gooders, and an interesting view through the heroine's eyes of the effects of social & family pressures towards "acceptable" behavior. As I said, I loved it!
And, as usual, Anne Hancock does a great job as reader!!!