THE LOST AND DROWNED

Narrator Gill Mills artfully depicts Regency London's Rottenhall Orphanage and its pitiful residents, including Lydia and her younger sister, Sophie. Listeners will be appalled to meet sadistic Mr. Scrivit and his brutal staff. Each winter girls go missing, but only Lydia cares. Mills portrays Lydia as kind and brave as she uncovers inhumane conditions and cruelty. But all is not gloomy. Along with Lydia, listeners get a look at the sparkling frozen Thames. And when Lydia finds a bag of beautiful Christmas novelties, enchanting magic follows. Mills is at her finest as she depicts beguiling Artos, a mouse, and Pickle, a reindeer. Most entertaining is a chocolatier that feeds treat after treat to Sophie to get her to talk. This story is an entrancing listen for those of all ages. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2020]