
The Taking of Irene Hart
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed

Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $26.13
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Rosalind Lailey
-
By:
-
Madeleine Reiss
About this listen
A gothic historical novel perfect for fans of Sarah Waters, Stacey Halls and Laura Purcell
***
1859. Somerset, England.
When widow Hester Hart decides to sign over all her family’s worldly goods – and their freedom – to a secretive religious community, her daughters, headstrong Ruby and fragile Irene, have little say in the matter.
Led by the charismatic Reverend Peters, the women enter a world with its own set of rules and where Irene, cursed with seizures and ill health, is believed to have second sight. But as Hester and Irene are drawn into the community’s twisted philosophy, Ruby detects a darker truth stalking its shadowy corners.
When a shocking discovery throws the community open to scrutiny, the stakes are raised and Ruby realises that it is not only their souls that must be saved…
©2025 Madeleine Reiss (P)2025 HarperCollins PublishersCritic reviews
'Gorgeous and Emotional' Fern Britton
'I found it deeply moving and couldn't stop reading' Susan Lewis
‘Will send a chill down your spine.’ The Sunday Mirror
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
The Private Jet
- By: Sarah Goodwin
- Narrated by: Imogen Front
- Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the dazzling lights of Thailand, socialite Ava Blake is ready for the night of her life. Expecting a proposal from her fame-hungry DJ boyfriend, she throws an extravagant beach bash, culminating in a spontaneous invite to a mix of celebrities and tourists to continue the revelry at her luxurious villa—only a short flight away over the Thai jungle.
-
-
Loved it
- By Nicholas Luttrell on 05-19-25
By: Sarah Goodwin
-
A Future of Her Own
- By: Samantha Quamma
- Narrated by: Leanne Maksin
- Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When faced with the inequities of college life for women in 1965, first-generation college student Ramona Bronson must decide whether she's willing to risk her education for the possibility of better. As fall term begins, Ramona is reassigned to the night shift waitressing at Dusty's Drive-In, which closes after the female-only campus curfew. Panicked because she needs her job to pay tuition, Ramona petitions to appeal the curfew on the advice of her friend Dimitri.
By: Samantha Quamma
-
Destroyer Angel
- The Thorn Chronicles, Book 2
- By: Kimberly Loth
- Narrated by: Liz Krane
- Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Naomi had a devastating choice to make...And she chose wrong. At least, that’s how it feels back in Arkansas with Kai. She tries to remind herself that she had reasons for this choice, good ones. But as the darkness inside of her grows, she begins to doubt that she’ll ever be able to feel the light again. Especially with Kai embracing his role as the Master Destroyer.
By: Kimberly Loth
-
One Savage Knight
- Demon Knights, Book 1
- By: Holly Roberds
- Narrated by: Lucy Rivers, Tyler Darby
- Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fear pounds through me every time I approach the man in room #526. But I put on my big girl panties and deal because I'm a nurse, and helping people is all that matters. I moved across country to a hell mouth with my fiancé who then dumped me. But I found a new job, got a new apartment, and the new me isn't going to be cowed down by some big, scary guy. Even if he is becoming more monster than man.
-
-
Fun book
- By Amanda Larsen on 06-14-25
By: Holly Roberds
-
The Mortal Queen
- The Aisling Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Ashley Metzler
- Narrated by: Samantha Norbury
- Length: 15 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Aisling hears that her father has promised her in marriage to the king of the fae, a cold terror washes over her. This marriage means peace for her people, but certain death for Aisling. Everyone knows that the fae are monsters. That they murder and steal for sport. But when Aisling meets her new husband, he is not at all the beast she expected. Lir is alluring, wild, and dangerously perfect. She is determined to hate him, but his sharp tongue and fierce loyalty to his people spark an attraction she cannot control.
-
-
One of my top 3 favorite books.
- By Heather on 04-07-25
By: Ashley Metzler
-
Dove's Labyrinth
- By: Jenn Fonteyn
- Narrated by: Ariel Barber
- Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1307 rural France, Isabel de Forêt lives a double life. By day, she works at the Black Dove Inn. By night, she is a key member of the Doves—a secret network of women smuggling the persecuted to safety. When King Philip IV begins his brutal purge of the Knights Templar, Isabel is tasked with protecting two fugitives: Raphael, a rebellious nobleman, and Johanes, a gentle monk. As they flee for their lives, Isabel’s brother Armand, a loyal servant of the crown, will stop at nothing to capture them. With the king’s wrath closing in, Isabel must risk everything.
By: Jenn Fonteyn
-
The Private Jet
- By: Sarah Goodwin
- Narrated by: Imogen Front
- Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the dazzling lights of Thailand, socialite Ava Blake is ready for the night of her life. Expecting a proposal from her fame-hungry DJ boyfriend, she throws an extravagant beach bash, culminating in a spontaneous invite to a mix of celebrities and tourists to continue the revelry at her luxurious villa—only a short flight away over the Thai jungle.
-
-
Loved it
- By Nicholas Luttrell on 05-19-25
By: Sarah Goodwin
-
A Future of Her Own
- By: Samantha Quamma
- Narrated by: Leanne Maksin
- Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When faced with the inequities of college life for women in 1965, first-generation college student Ramona Bronson must decide whether she's willing to risk her education for the possibility of better. As fall term begins, Ramona is reassigned to the night shift waitressing at Dusty's Drive-In, which closes after the female-only campus curfew. Panicked because she needs her job to pay tuition, Ramona petitions to appeal the curfew on the advice of her friend Dimitri.
By: Samantha Quamma
-
Destroyer Angel
- The Thorn Chronicles, Book 2
- By: Kimberly Loth
- Narrated by: Liz Krane
- Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Naomi had a devastating choice to make...And she chose wrong. At least, that’s how it feels back in Arkansas with Kai. She tries to remind herself that she had reasons for this choice, good ones. But as the darkness inside of her grows, she begins to doubt that she’ll ever be able to feel the light again. Especially with Kai embracing his role as the Master Destroyer.
By: Kimberly Loth
-
One Savage Knight
- Demon Knights, Book 1
- By: Holly Roberds
- Narrated by: Lucy Rivers, Tyler Darby
- Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fear pounds through me every time I approach the man in room #526. But I put on my big girl panties and deal because I'm a nurse, and helping people is all that matters. I moved across country to a hell mouth with my fiancé who then dumped me. But I found a new job, got a new apartment, and the new me isn't going to be cowed down by some big, scary guy. Even if he is becoming more monster than man.
-
-
Fun book
- By Amanda Larsen on 06-14-25
By: Holly Roberds
-
The Mortal Queen
- The Aisling Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Ashley Metzler
- Narrated by: Samantha Norbury
- Length: 15 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Aisling hears that her father has promised her in marriage to the king of the fae, a cold terror washes over her. This marriage means peace for her people, but certain death for Aisling. Everyone knows that the fae are monsters. That they murder and steal for sport. But when Aisling meets her new husband, he is not at all the beast she expected. Lir is alluring, wild, and dangerously perfect. She is determined to hate him, but his sharp tongue and fierce loyalty to his people spark an attraction she cannot control.
-
-
One of my top 3 favorite books.
- By Heather on 04-07-25
By: Ashley Metzler
-
Dove's Labyrinth
- By: Jenn Fonteyn
- Narrated by: Ariel Barber
- Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1307 rural France, Isabel de Forêt lives a double life. By day, she works at the Black Dove Inn. By night, she is a key member of the Doves—a secret network of women smuggling the persecuted to safety. When King Philip IV begins his brutal purge of the Knights Templar, Isabel is tasked with protecting two fugitives: Raphael, a rebellious nobleman, and Johanes, a gentle monk. As they flee for their lives, Isabel’s brother Armand, a loyal servant of the crown, will stop at nothing to capture them. With the king’s wrath closing in, Isabel must risk everything.
By: Jenn Fonteyn
-
A Prince Saved
- Empire of Stardust, Book 1
- By: Margaret Couplet
- Narrated by: Jessie Van Hove
- Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After escaping the government lab where they had spent most of their life with Chase’s brother and three powerful young girls, Daniela and Chase are on the run while the world burns down around them. They’re safer than they’ve ever been but that could change at any moment when Daniela decides to save a strange man from being killed by a group of aliens. Prince Garrath was his father’s youngest child, his only unblooded son still in line for the throne. When things go horribly wrong on his first mission planetside he’s left stranded with a group of people who have no idea what he is.
By: Margaret Couplet
-
The Swan Harp
- Wings of Valenia, Book 1
- By: Elizabeth Creith
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Creith
- Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The enthralling, suspenseful, and magical first book in the Wings of Valenia fantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black, and Robin McKinley. I was Father's heir now, and one day I'd be queen. But when I looked at Mother, Adana, and Orla and imagined flying, somehow the thought of being queen didn't comfort me. As next in line to the throne, Kiar will be responsible for protecting the human kingdom of Valenia.
-
-
Great unique adventure
- By Miranda Summerset on 04-06-25
By: Elizabeth Creith
-
The Bookshop of Secrets
- By: Kerry Barrett
- Narrated by: Polly Edsell
- Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Looking for a new start after her father’s death, Lara Hope arrives in Lisbon in search of a family she’s never met. As war storms across Europe, Lara finds solace and belonging in her landlady’s tranquil bookshop in one of the most beautiful corners of the city. But when she witnesses a customer secretly swapping a book, she realises the bookshop is not all it seems. Lara is plunged into a labyrinthine world of mystery and facades, encountering new friends, an unexpected romance, and even royalty…
-
-
Two of my favorite things
- By Lydia Murray on 05-08-25
By: Kerry Barrett
-
Crash-Landed in Love
- He's Out of This World, Book 1
- By: Piper Scott, Renee Fox
- Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo
- Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When college kid Jude Adler wishes for a new life on a shooting star, he never imagined it would come in the form of a shapeshifting alien who nearly crash-lands his spaceship on top of him, let alone one who chooses to disguise himself as a man inspired by Jude’s wildest fantasies. Al’s ship is damaged and unable to make the flight home, and when he earnestly asks Jude for a safe place to stay until help arrives, how can Jude say no?
-
-
Emotional, college focus, poignant, beautiful
- By Eohlone on 05-27-25
By: Piper Scott, and others
-
The Crimson Road
- By: A.G. Slatter
- Narrated by: Helen Phillips
- Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Violet Zennor was raised fighting in underground arenas. Ruthless and skilled, she becomes an heiress after her father's death. But her freedom is short-lived. Her father planned to send her to the Darklands, where her stillborn brother was sold. Despite pressure, Violet refuses. After an assassination attempt, she realizes she must confront her father's legacy. Seeking help from Miren, Ellie, and Asher, she prepares for the ultimate journey: into the Darklands, to the Anchorhold. This gripping tale explores a sinister fantasy world where blood is power and magic is a weapon.
-
-
Great story
- By Trice on 06-01-25
By: A.G. Slatter
-
Tell Me You Trust Me
- By: Elle Owens
- Narrated by: Megan Tusing
- Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When her husband goes missing, Marissa Creighton fears the worst. Tell me you trust me was the last thing Ethan said to her, and she’d shrugged it off. Now she can’t get those words out of her head. Marissa’s family has always been her rock. But when they come to help her with eighteen-month-old Logan, their overprotectiveness borders on oppression—occupational hazard of the family’s surveillance business, or is it? Seeking comfort in the playlist she and Ethan share, Marissa is shocked to find a new song there: “Trust Me.” She’s certain it’s a message.
-
-
Narration drove me crazy!
- By MBA st on 03-24-25
By: Elle Owens