A Country Rivalry by Sasha Morgan

A Country Rivalry

Small-town secrets meet sharp-tongued charm

Written bySasha Morgan
Narrated byLesley Harcourt
Length8h45m
Release dateOctober 21, 2022
LanguageEnglish
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Quick Facts

AuthorSasha Morgan
NarratorLesley Harcourt
Runtime8h45m
PublishedOctober 21, 2022
RatingNot yet rated
CategoriesLiterature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Family Life, Friendship, Romance, Contemporary
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

*A Country Rivalry* isn’t just another cozy village tale—it’s a razor-sharp dissection of rural life where the hedgerows hide more than blackberries. Sasha Morgan’s prose crackles with dry wit, turning the picturesque Cotswolds into a battleground of class, ambition, and the quiet wars fought over jam competitions and parish council meetings. The arrival of a documentary crew doesn’t just stir the pot; it rips the lid off entirely, exposing the fractures in a community that prides itself on politeness. This isn’t *Midsomer Murders*—it’s *Succession* with wellies and a cream tea.

Lesley Harcourt’s narration is the audiobook’s secret weapon: her delivery swings effortlessly from arch humor to simmering resentment, nailing the novel’s tone of civilized venom. She gives each character a distinct vocal fingerprint—whether it’s the clipped vowels of the village grand dame or the weary drawl of the pub landlord—without slipping into caricature. The production is crisp, with pacing that mirrors the story’s slow-burn tension, making the 8-hour runtime feel like a binge-worthy sprint. Perfect for listeners who crave their drama with a side of biting social satire.

Tags: sharp-witted rural dramaBritish village satire audiobookfemale-narrated family sagasclass tensions in fictionslow-burn social comedycharacter-driven literary fiction

Why Listen to A Country Rivalry?

  • Expert narration by Lesley Harcourt brings every character and scene to life across 8h45m of immersive audio.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
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Editor's Review

AudioBook Atlas

I’ll admit, I approached *A Country Rivalry* expecting something gentle—a literary equivalent of a Sunday stroll through the countryside. Instead, I got a masterclass in how to wield a scalpel wrapped in a tea towel. Morgan’s writing thrives in the gaps between what’s said and what’s *meant*, and Harcourt’s narration amplifies this brilliantly. Her timing is impeccable, especially in scenes where dialogue drips with subtext, like when the village’s self-appointed matriarch ‘compliments’ a newcomer’s ‘*interesting*’ choice of curtain fabric. You can *hear* the air quotes. That said, the audiobook isn’t without its stumbles. The first hour feels slightly overstuffed with characters, and Harcourt’s decision to give the documentary filmmaker a breathy, almost caricatured ‘media type’ voice grated at first—though it grows on you as the character’s arrogance becomes the point. The real standout is the production’s use of silence: pauses after cutting remarks land like dagger twists, and the lack of background music lets the prose’s barbs shine. My only real critique? The ending ties up *just* a little too neatly for a story that otherwise revels in messiness. But if you love audiobooks where the narration feels like a performance—where every inflection adds layers—this is a treat. Just don’t listen while sipping tea; you might choke on the pettiness.

Download: A Country Rivalry

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A Country Rivalry by Sasha Morgan is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Lesley Harcourt with a runtime of 8h45m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.