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The Moon-Spinners

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The Moon-Spinners

By: Mary Stewart
Narrated by: Daphne Kouma
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About this listen

The pioneer of romantic suspense Mary Stewart transports listeners to the idyllic hills of midcentury Crete in this tale of peril and intrigue that will keep fans of Agatha Christie and Barbara Pym on the edges of their seats.

While on a walking holiday through the beautiful, deserted hills of Crete, Nicola Ferris stumbles across a critically injured Englishman, guarded by a fierce Greek. Nicola cannot abandon them and so sets off on a perilous search for their lost companion - all the while being pursued by someone who wants to make sure none of them leave the island....

When the big white bird flew suddenly up among the glossy leaves and the lemon flowers, and wheeled into the mountain, I followed it.

©1962 Mary Stewart (P)2019 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Action & Adventure Psychological Romance Romantic Suspense Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction

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Critic reviews

"Mary Stewart is magic." (New York Times)

"One of the great British storytellers of the 20th century." (Independent)

"A comfortable chair and a Mary Stewart: total heaven. I'd rather read her than most other authors." (Harriet Evans)
All stars
Most relevant  
Spoiled somewhat by 'Artful Dodger' Colin voice (this boy studied Latin, obviously a public school boy) and ignorant pronounciation. 'Alex-and-er-os' (Alexandros), 'Lev-i-tay' (Levite). Good grief, does no-one go to Sunday School nowadays? A shame because her portrayal as Nicola is suitably breathy and excited.

But these are definitely privileged people travelling in the 1960's, it all sounds like some kind of update, but the the prices - in d (pennies) - say not.

love Mary Stewart

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Not the right narrator for this story, an excellent voice that did not work at all for the characters she was portraying. Intonation, cadence and pronounciation doesn't convey the voice of the author's characters.

Great story, wrong narrator

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The Moonspinners has long been a favourite of mine. I love the characters and the way they develop through the course of the story, which is brilliantly plotted. The descriptive prose visualises everything superbly and l get a huge emotional tug from this book. However, what really flipped it over into the next level for me was the terrific reading by Daphne Kouma, which brought everything to life in a very special way and I’m finding it quite hard to let this book go and move on to the next. Top notch.

The reading by Daphne Kouma.

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Just listened for the umpteenth time this 'bedtimeread': with closed eyes looking at a video.

Pretty voice for a cosy thriller

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I don't give 5 stars lightly: sometimes Mary Stewart can spend soooo long on descriptive material that it lowers your engagement with the plot and there are some strongly descriptive passages but in this book, it doesn't detract from the plot at all and really helps you envisage the landscape where the story takes place.
I first read this book about 50 years ago! (gulp!) and it was Mary Stewart's books set in Greece that made me long to go there as a teenager. I've recently decided to reread all her books, eking them out to savour them, and while some have really jarred with modern sensibilities - with women far too subservient to the men in the story - the heroine of this book, along with her cousin, represent two strong women and - while of their era - their actions power the story.
This is the book I've always recommended to those new to her writing and in re-visiting it, I remember why. The narrator is just right for the main character and manages to represents the supporting cast, including the men an children, very creditably, bringing them to life without imposing herself upon them.
An excellent listen.

A classic exciting adventure story

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Great book and great narrator who makes the story come alive. Mary Stewart's description of countryside can make you imagine you are there..

The moon spinners.

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I loved this narrator's voice, it's young and refreshing and just right for the story. She makes a great effort to distinguish between the different characters and gets the maximum out of the novel with use of intonation, even insignificant throwaway phrases she makes something of. The Moon spinners has never been a particular favourite of mine but I found myself really enjoying it listening to this narrative by Daphne Kouma. My thanks.

really good narration

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This is an enjoyable escape murder/romance set on the beautiful island of Crete. A little dated, but I’m not going to slate the story for references that are ‘of their time’.

What spoilt it for me was the poor pronunciation of ‘caique’ (which should sound like ‘cake’ but ended up sounding like ‘caikee’) and the younger boy with an estuary accent that was not remotely like his elder brother in those rather proper times.

Pretty good but of its time

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I really enjoyed this. Beautifully evocative of the Greek Island countryside and a glimpse of what Crete was in years past.
Decently exciting story.
My only real criticism is the readers accent for Colin- who is made to sound like an extra from “Oliver” with a cockney twang to his voice that I am certain he wouldn’t have had!

A Stewart classic

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Those of us who are Mary Stewart aficionados have been so pleased over these past few months to find all of her books have been, or are about to be, recorded unabridged (thanks Audible). The balance, mainly her later, shorter, titles are due to follow in November.
Language evolves, we all know that, and it's been interesting to hear how this, one of her earliest and best loved novels from the 1960s, (Hayley Mills was young when they filmed it) would sound in the hands of a young 21C female actor. I'm assuming that as this seems to be her first narration for Audible? Some unfamiliar words do defeat her, (deprecate was pronounced depreciate and it seems nobody in the studio had heard of the Levites, who became levity). That’s a shame as someone could have guided her: the saddest was Psyche - we got sickie all the way through. Seriously? Nobody had heard of psychiatry?
But apart from the limited knowledge of pronunciation, this was good. It's of its time, as all Mary Stewart books are, The Boy meets Girl is from a more innocent age, but the murder and general nastiness is not.
Kouma's characterisation is not bad at all, giving us the very believable light touch of the rather lovely (despite everything) Tony and the sadness and worry of Sophia - and as with all Stewart's practical heroes, Max sounds good. OK, her Colin age 15 sometimes sounds like a bit childish by today's standards, but on the whole her voices and accents are excellent
Now onto My Brother Michael, The Ivy Tree and The Gabriel Hounds, all also released yesterday. For Mary Stewart readers, Christmas has come early. Shame in some ways that the narrators are such a scatter gun mixture, rather than a single voice, but just glad they are all recorded.
As to Daphne Kouma, a really good first attempt. Hope she goes on to record more.

An old and well loved friend

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