The Great Frost: Three Murders, a Village Lass, and a Highwayman cover art

The Great Frost: Three Murders, a Village Lass, and a Highwayman

North Burton Trilogy, Book 1

 Preview

Get 30 days of Standard free

£5.99/mo after trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £13.31

Buy Now for £13.31

About this listen

The East Riding of Yorkshire 1709.

The tiny village of North Burton. It’s March.

In years to come they will call it The Great Frost.

Meg and Nana know the cold will get worse – because everything always does. Meg’s husband is away at war, the roof is about to fall in and Carrick, the big rector up at St Michael’s, says the cold is a punishment for their sins.

When a wounded highwayman bangs on their door in the night, and they take him in, they don’t realise just how much worse it will get.

©2021 Chris Speck (P)2026 Chris Speck Historical Thriller & Suspense
All stars
Most relevant

Listener received this title free

This was an entertaining blend of murder mystery, morality and survival. It's a captivating story exploring poverty in 18th Century Yorkshire amidst a harsh winter epidemic, and primarily follows Meg - a lonely village healer.

Meg's story is tragic, her husband went to war 4 years ago leaving her to struggle in the village with her mother in law and little richie, trying to survive the harsh conditions, and navigating the cruelty of the town officials and her lack of power as an unprotected working woman.

When a wounded stranger arrives, Meg takes pity and they strike a deal to aid and hide him, in return for some of his stolen money.
Then rumours begin of a spy hiding nearby, and more strangers appear searching for their fellow highwayman, with Meg now caught in the middle.
Murders soon follow, and the stakes and tension increase, pitting the villagers against each other, and making it hard to trust anyone.

I liked the themes of community, with some villagers sharing what little they had with their neighbours and being protective of each other, balanced against the cruelty, manipulation and corruption of those in power.
The plot keeps you guessing with the mystery and murders, the unclear intentions of the highwayman, and the lengths Meg will go to too survive.

The narrator captured the characters well, especially the bravery and resilience of Meg, the stubbornness of Nana, and the mystery of the highwayman.
I enjoyed seeing Meg's growth and confidence, she is brave and strong, and always puts the needs of others first, even if it costs herself. This had the perfect ending and redemption.

An emotional story of survival and redemption

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.