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The Brewer's Tale

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The Brewer's Tale

By: Karen Brooks
Narrated by: Hannah Norris
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About this listen

 It had been Mother's secret and mine, one passed down through the de Winter women for generations. I would ensure it was kept that way, until I was ready to pass it on. When Anneke Sheldrake is forced to find a way to support her family after her father is lost at sea, she turns to the business by which her mother’s family once prospered: brewing ale. Armed with her Dutch mother’s recipes and a belief that anything would be better than the life her vindictive cousin has offered her, she makes a deal with her father’s aristocratic employer: Anneke has six months to succeed or not only will she lose the house but her family as well. Through her enterprise and determination, she inadvertently earns herself a deadly enemy. Threatened and held in contempt by those she once called friends, Anneke nonetheless thrives. But on the tail of success, tragedy follows and those closest to her pay the greatest price for her daring. Ashamed, grieving, and bearing a terrible secret, Anneke flees to London, determined to forge her own destiny. Will she be able to escape her past, and those whose only desire is to see her fail? A compelling insight into the brewer’s craft, the strength of women, and the myriad forms love can take.©2014 Karen Brooks (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Fiction Historical Fiction Inspiring

Critic Reviews

"A page-turner rich in historical detail and generous in emotional justice ... A fascinating read." ( Books + Publishing)
"This is the best book I have read in a long time, if not ever. Karen Brooks is committed to delivering an authentic, historical read that is still engaging ... It was a book where I didn't want to get off the train, I didn't want to sleep, I didn't want lunch break to end, I didn't want to go out because I just HAD to keep reading." ( Goodreads)

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Profile Image for Chistine

a great read

So many twists and turns I don't know how she survived. A great history lesson .

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Profile Image for Kel

Excellent book great historical novel.



highly recommended. Keeping to the time period was very interesting. Might take up beer after reading this- learnt so much!

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Amazing!

Thank you for many hours of pleasure. We were immersed in the lives of Annika and her family and spellbound by her journey.

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Profile Image for Judith O'Doherty

Spellbinding!!

This book is one of the best books I have fead gripping right through all

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Profile Image for KAREN CHALLENGER

oh how I loved this book

This book was absolutely amazing. I want to thank my sister Donna for introducing me to this author, I imagined myself throughout the story.. I didn't want it to end. I feel in touch with the author, although we've never met, but maybe one day , who knows. keep them coming KB

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Disappointed

After reading the Wife of Bath's Tale I had hopes for this novel by the same author, but I was disappointed.


The number of misfortunes to befall the protagonist and her family and friends reads more like a soap opera which explains the over lengthy story, but does nothing for keeping the reader engaged. A far more concise narrative would have been far more believable, as would the antagonist not continuing to pop up like a whack a mole. Part Two is more or less a retelling of Part One, and in my view, the author should have stuck to one or the other and fleshed out the characters of the antagonists more. I found most of the characters, including the protagonist quite unbelievable. It was hard to feel empathy with Anneke when she ignores advice and evidence over and over as well as her own suspicions.

The saving grace of the novel is the attention to historical details and brewing throughout mediaeval England.

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Profile Image for Shakya

TOO MUCH

So many things happen to this women it is just unbelievable. I realise a story needs drama but this is so over the top it loses credibility. And she doesn't learn from her mistakes, listen to her closest friends or her own instincts. As such she brings all the drama on herself. Very over done book

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