Listen to a sample
A House in Winter: A glamorous princess and a restless young woman, both longing for escape
- Author
- Emily Hourican
- Narrator
- Lisa Dwyer Hogg
- Publisher
- Eriu
- Publish Date
- 3 September 2026
- Run Time
- 9 hours 3 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
Not available in your country
We don't have the rights to sell this audiobook where you are. If it's already in your library you can still listen to it in My Books.
What to expect
- 'Resonant and compelling, it brings its complex subjects vividly to life. I loved it' - SJ Bennett
- 'Glittering, gripping and sharply observed, A House In Winter is a riveting page-turner. I devoured it!' - Evie Woods
- 'Atmospheric, evocative and beautifully told' - Louise O'Neill
Set in January 1965, A House in Winter tells the story of the visit of Princess Margaret and Lord Snowden to his sister's home in Abbeyleix, Ireland, when they faced local opposition and IRA petrol bomb attacks that confined them, without electricity, for 48 fraught hours.
As well as the conflict outside the walls, there's plenty within, with Margaret's difficult mother in law gleefully contributing to her disintegrating marriage. Meanwhile in the nearby village local woman Cait has struggles of her own, unable to escape family responsibilities and small town life.
Inspired by real events, A House in Winter is an atmospheric and richly observed novel about duty, marriage and the different forms of captivity. Blending royal intrigue with compelling Irish community drama, it will appeal to readers of The Crown, Wendy Holden's The Duchess, Daisy Goodwin's Victoria and the warm, character-driven storytelling of Maeve Binchy.
Critics Review
-
'This a beautifully crafted and poignant book, a unique and engaging perspective on two very different women, set against the vividly drawn backdrop of the Troubles in Ireland. Convincing and compelling, it will move you on many different levels. An impressive follow-up to Emily Hourican's other outstanding novels'
Alison Weir
-
'Glittering, gripping and sharply observed, A House In Winter is a riveting page-turner. I devoured it!'
Evie Woods
-
'Resonant and compelling, it brings its complex subjects vividly to life. I loved it'
SJ Bennett
-
'A captivating novel which explores a fascinating episode in Irish history. Seamlessly blending fact and fiction, Emily Hourican weaves a compulsive tale of two very different women at a pivotal moment of their lives. Just like the leading ladies of her novels, Emily Hourican never disappoints'
Hazel Gaynor
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
'Beautifully written, wonderfully drawn characters, and a hugely engrossing story from one of our very best writers - stunning'
Andrea Mara
-
'Atmospheric, evocative and beautifully told. A captivating story of two women caught between duty and desire'
Louise O'Neill
-
'No woman is an island. Emily Hourican reminds us how much we are all connected and how women from all walks of life are usually just doing their best with the cards they've been dealt. A terrific yarn. The perfect fire-side read'
author of Last Chance in Paris and The Bridge to Always
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Emily Hourican
- Narrator
- Lisa Dwyer Hogg
- Duration
- 9 hours 3 minutes
- Release Date
- 3 September 2026
- ISBN
- 9781804442425
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- Eriu
- Genre
- Fiction: literary and general non-genre, Historical fiction
Synopsis
-'This a beautifully crafted and poignant book' - Alison Weir- 'Resonant and compelling, it brings its complex subjects vividly to life. I loved it' - SJ Bennett- 'Glittering, gripping and sharply observed, A House In Winter is a riveting page-turner. I devoured it!' - Evie Woods- 'Atmospheric, evocative and beautifully told' - Louise O'NeillSet in January 1965, A House in Winter tells the story of the visit of Princess Margaret and Lord Snowden to his sister's home in Abbeyleix, Ireland, when they faced local opposition and IRA petrol bomb attacks that confined them, without electricity, for 48 fraught hours. As well as the conflict outside the walls, there's plenty within, with Margaret's difficult mother in law gleefully contributing to her disintegrating marriage. Meanwhile in the nearby village local woman Cait has struggles of her own, unable to escape family responsibilities and small town life. Inspired by real events, A House in Winter is an atmospheric and richly observed novel about duty, marriage and the different forms of captivity. Blending royal intrigue with compelling Irish community drama, it will appeal to readers of The Crown, Wendy Holden's The Duchess, Daisy Goodwin's Victoria and the warm, character-driven storytelling of Maeve Binchy.
About xigxag and the x-book®
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
Our x-book® format is the only fully integrated listen-and-read experience available. See the text on screen as you listen, look up words, take notes, search within the book, and share quotes. It is especially useful for accessibility, language learning, and getting more from non-fiction. Look for the purple x-book® ribbon on the cover, or filter your search by "x-book" to find them.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.