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Book at Bedtime

The Lie of the Land

Episode 6

Duration: 15 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW

Amanda Craig's state-of-the-nation novel, read by Amanda Lawrence.

Quentin and Lottie Bredin's marriage is over. They've also lost their jobs in the recession. As a result, they have been forced to rent out their London home (for an extortionate sum) and moved their family to Devon to live for a year in the hope that the house's value will rise enough to allow them to divorce and buy a flat each.

Lottie has fallen for life in Devon, especially now that she has found herself a good job working for a local architecture firm. But Quentin is less content. To distract him from his woes, he decides to investigate the gruesome murder of the former tenant of their temporary home, which ultimately leads to the revelation of some very dark secrets.

Lottie's son, Xan, has also found the move from London beneficial - it's given him the chance to stand on his own two feet (with his first job, working in a pie factory) and enough distance to deal with the disappointment of not getting into Cambridge. With renewed confidence, he re-writes his Personal Statement and applies to universities in London instead.

Reader: Amanda Lawrence
Writer: Amanda Craig
Abridger: Robin Brooks
Producer: Kirsteen Cameron. Show less

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