This is the man I choose to read me to sleep at night. The stories are delightful and his voice is of a person truly frightened of his ghostly experiences. My favorite all around.
A simple mystery - but the location and the era - and, of course, the usual excellent recital - make for a cozy half hour of pure entertainment. As soon as I heard the first line “Hazell stood in his London flat...”, I said, “Yes!”, Nothing’s better than a British mystery or ghost story from the Victorian/Edwardian era.
Absolutely true. There are a few writers today who have the ability and command of the language to write this well, but in their endeavor to try to be edgy and relevant, they always include a lot of profanity, violence or sex scenes which are so graphic they are almost gross. I'll take the literature of 100 years ago any day.
You inspire me to greatness, Simon. 😉 Got my 1st 100 views in 24hrs for "As Not Seen On TV"! Nothing 2 compare 2 U but a milestone for me. Hope to write something worthy of your talents one day. ❤
❤️ the train stories. Also Simon, I wanted to compliment you on your title card art! Very evocative, classic, and I appreciate being able to see a thumbnail of the author, many of whose likeness’s I have never seen before 🤩
@Stephen Perretti Yes indeed, he was a Church of England clergyman who wrote murder mysteries on the side... I've put some biographical information about him and a bit of background to the story in the video description if you're interested.
I haven't listened to it yet but I know already it'll be good. It's 30 minutes long and that's exactly how long it takes me to drive to work. So saving it for tomorrow morning.
Came across this channel and this story specifically for the first time at work today. Listened to the story for a bit during my shift and a pleasant time was had, you've definitely earned another follower!
Thanks Dale. Also, I think this may be the first opportunity I've had to say thank you for joining as a channel member, I truly appreciate your support. Best wishes
As usual great stories brought to life with your fantastic vocal range. I can picture each character through your voice. And feel the empathy and fear you project when need. So much work you put in to perfect a character and bring a story to life. Thank You so much. .
People will find it simple and predictable but to write a story of this kind in the old times and have a thought process like this, its like trying to understand Quantum Mechanics now. This is one of the reasons I have a huge amount of Respect for the writers of that era. P.S. I very much liked the character of Mr. Hazell.
Indeed. I fully agree about Mr. Hazel. As a writer, I can tell you that without loads of research into that era, it would be difficult to write in this manner. People don't speak that way anymore, but class and tact never go out of style. I think I will have to make note of this author.
Some charming or archaic language used by the author - in many of the Thorp Hazell stories Hazell "smokes furiously". Not quite Chomsky's "Colourless Green Ideas Sleep Furiously".
Angular sight = sight out of the inner corner ("angular vein" = vein running along the side of the nose past the eye) of the eye, hence, peripheral vision. Term of art in ophthalmology.
Simon, what an unexpected and wonderful surprise finding you at 3.30am. Despite a compelling storyline I’m afraid your soothing vocals sent me off to sleep within a few minutes. I have just completed the story! As always a cracking story and read so beautifully. Thank you. Have a great weekend.
I often nod off to a story, too. I have to listen again during my commute the next day. I like the name Karen, by the way. I think it sounds nice. I’m rankled by the way it’s been hijacked by the internet.
Excellent and also far more action-packed than I was expecting though I should have known better seeing as stories with "Express" in the title are seldom sedate in pace). Thank You, TC.
Yes, it does rather rattle along, this one. I'm partial to a steam-train story myself, I hope to do some more from this series at some point. Thanks HerrCrankzy
Thank you for such a beautiful reading. I’ve been in a separation for a few months and my children are with their mother, and I miss them so much. The only way to get to sleep are your amazing narrations. Thank you.
@@BitesizedAudio I already want more of this guy. It's fun to see the different eccentricities that writers have given their detectives to help them stand out from the peers.
A far-fetched method of hiding the boy indeed. It was, though a lovely read of a new-to-me story, and I'm very grateful. I've liked and subbed and am looking forward to more Actually I think I'll stay a while now. It seems my rainy Saturday night just got a lot more interesting. Thanks again
This is the first time I've heard the phrase "keep your pecker up." Apprently, it's British slang meaning "be happy." It means something else in the States.
It' s a breathtaking story.Thank you, dear Simon.Enjoy your morning porridge and sweet tea with lemon or milk.What drink do you prefer in pleasant Sunday morning? Much love from Moscow.
A very enjoyable listen. So much so that I went off to see what else was available by this author & can refer to the Fadedpage, a Canadian website along the lines of Project Gutenberg where two books are available (which I haven’t read yet). Thanks once again for this tale
Thanks Kevin. I aim to record some more Thorpe Hazell stories at some point. Gutenberg is an excellent resource, I've heard of Fadedpage before but I don't think I've used it - I'll check it out.
Wow, even 100 years ago, how many tragedies begin with people taking their eyes off of children for "just a minute", which is really ten. Children are like roaches and mice; as fast, and as able to fit through and around almost any obstacle almost as if they were teleporting, lol. You can't have your eyes off of them for a second :)
Thank you for another super Sunday evening a perfect reading as always , Hows the teeth ? I sympathise , having had years ago, two impacted wisdom teeth ! Good luck, keep your pecker up it will all resolve itself and you will be your old self RNK
Thank you for the story; made me feel a little smart 🤓. I guessed the child was handed off the train at some point. Better keep listening so the grey cells don't go comatose. Great work, as usual.👍👏😃
To be fair, he does say he put the case before an inspector at the station... I'd assumed he meant a police inspector, but maybe it was just a ticket inspector! I think it's the inspector who recommends him to Thorpe Hazell. (The police do consult with Hazell in several of the stories.)
Please don’t stop saying “an” hotel. It’s the British way of saying it, and adds to the charm of the stories you read. Besides , that’s the way the author wrote the story. And It’s not the only difference between British and US grammar; there are plenty.(Sorry to hear you have an impacted tooth, take care and get better soon!)
Thanks Rachel. Actually, I'm currently recovering from having the tooth removed, so I've not been around to reply to comments. A relief to have it over with, though it's currently sore and swollen - but hopefully not for too long. Appreciate your kind wishes
Quite possible. I don't think there's any right or wrong about these things. Very often I have to make a decision about pronunciation one way or the other. If it hadn't been for the second "L" in the name I might well have gone with Hay-zel too, but something about the name in combination with "Thorpe" didn't quite sound right to me. But it's only instinct/personal choice at the end of the day, and no doubt others have made a different choice
The dangers of smoking wouldn't be clarified for quite a few decades after this was written - but I have to admit a chuckle at that particular bit myself.
You're right that "a hotel" is the familiar usage in contemporary English, but it's not a grammatical mistake... "an hotel" (without the 'h' pronounced) was the standard form in this period. In fact, according to 'Fowler's Modern English Usage', both are still acceptable in modern English. (Rather randomly I recall the character of Inspector Morse, who was a bit of a pedant, used to say "an 'otel" in the 1980s... I don't know if you're a fan?) When I narrate stories for this channel, I try as far as possible (i.e. without obscuring the meaning for listeners) to employ the correct period pronunciation. With words such as "forehead", "waistcoat", "portrait", for example, I wouldn't necessarily use the same pronunciation if I was narrating a modern piece, with contemporary characters. "Hotel" is an interesting one. In this particular case it's written as "an hotel" in the story, so I went with that, but when the word is preceded by "the", "that" or "this", I have to make a decision. To be correct for the era I usually don't pronounce the "h", but sometimes I do: it depends on the context, the social class or education, or accent, of the person speaking, and so on. These are the sorts of debates I have with myself every time I prepare a new narration! Thanks for listening Neil
@Neil Forbes @Snowy Skylar Actually, both forms are acceptable, according to Fowler's Modern English Usage, which states (on this very subject) "the choice of form remains open". Although it should be noted that they also add that "speakers who like to say 'an' should not try to have it both ways by aspirating the 'h'"; in other words you can say either "a hotel" or "an 'otel", but "an *H*otel" is incorrect. (In written form either is acceptable, it's a personal style choice.) As I noted above, the "an" form is old fashioned and has been on the decline for decades, I suspect it's never used by younger generations, but it was the prevailing standard for many years. There's a wider, related rule in English, where "an" can precede certain other words beginning with "h". This rule only applies when the first syllable is not stressed. For example, some people say (and write) "an historian" or "an heroic effort"; this is acceptable and correct English, but again is slightly old fashioned. Of course, with the majority of 'h' words, where the stress is at the beginning of the word, the rule is always to use "a". You would never say "an hornet's nest" or "an house". Neil, I'm sure, will be glad to know that these days support for the use of "an" before any word with an aspirated 'h' is falling; many British publications have a style rule on this very issue and the majority these days apparently come down on the "a" side of the argument, including 'The Daily Telegraph' and 'The Guardian'; whereas I understand 'The Times' (an older, perhaps more traditional newspaper) continues to prefer "an". All the above, I should say, relates to British English... American, Canadian, Australian and other English speakers have no doubt developed their own rules and preferences on these points!
Your voice is a gift. Thank you for sharing it with us.
What a lovely comment, thank you Karen!
This is the man I choose to read me to sleep at night. The stories are delightful and his voice is of a person truly frightened of his ghostly experiences. My favorite all around.
Thank you for your kind words! I hope you sleep well....
A simple mystery - but the location and the era - and, of course, the usual excellent recital - make for a cozy half hour of pure entertainment.
As soon as I heard the first line “Hazell stood in his London flat...”, I said, “Yes!”,
Nothing’s better than a British mystery or ghost story from the Victorian/Edwardian era.
Yes, it's a wonderful era... and add in steam trains for the ideal combination! Thanks Chris
Absolutely true. There are a few writers today who have the ability and command of the language to write this well, but in their endeavor to try to be edgy and relevant, they always include a lot of profanity, violence or sex scenes which are so graphic they are almost gross. I'll take the literature of 100 years ago any day.
What can I say, Simon? Another lovely half hour transported to another world by that glorious voice. ❤
Thank you for your very kind words Bob! So glad you enjoyed it
You inspire me to greatness, Simon. 😉 Got my 1st 100 views in 24hrs for "As Not Seen On TV"! Nothing 2 compare 2 U but a milestone for me. Hope to write something worthy of your talents one day. ❤
@@bobbeyderbrain So true. So inspiring.
❤️ the train stories. Also Simon, I wanted to compliment you on your title card art! Very evocative, classic, and I appreciate being able to see a thumbnail of the author, many of whose likeness’s I have never seen before 🤩
Excellent, glad to know they're of interest! Thanks @grimtt
The author seems to be wearing a priest's collar. Is he a religious?
@Stephen Perretti Yes indeed, he was a Church of England clergyman who wrote murder mysteries on the side... I've put some biographical information about him and a bit of background to the story in the video description if you're interested.
I agree, artfully done, and evocative!
Yes! You are an artist. The atmospheric backdrop photo plus author thumbnail is excellent.
Thank you, nobody reads a story quite like you 👌
Thanks Hannah!
This was a great story! A very enjoyable half hour - thank you once again.
Finally got off work...Been thinking about listening to this all day. Very much enjoyed it. Thanks Simon.😊
Wonderful, so glad to know that. Thanks Shannon
Another splendid novelette; with gratitude !!!😘😘😘
Thank you. I just love these so much. You have the most soothing voice and the classics you pick are so captivating. You are an absolute treasure
Thank you C Ramsey, extremely kind of you to say so! Glad to know you enjoy them, thanks for listening
@@BitesizedAudio Am just so enamored by your work. Absolute treasure
Another great story Simon. Whitechurch's biography details were fascinating. He must have been an interesting character himself!
Yes indeed. I must confess I've not read any of his longer stories, I must try to do so. Thanks manas bose
I haven't listened to it yet but I know already it'll be good.
It's 30 minutes long and that's exactly how long it takes me to drive to work. So saving it for tomorrow morning.
Excellent, thanks Nick! Hope you have a good commute...
Another brilliant narration as always thank you so much!
Love... Thank you!
Enormously pleasing! Thank you!
This consoled a truly horrible rainy walk, exercising my poor bored dogs in a fortnight of dire weather.
Thank you, as always. I love to get lost in your portrayals!
I see what you did there...
Came across this channel and this story specifically for the first time at work today. Listened to the story for a bit during my shift and a pleasant time was had, you've definitely earned another follower!
That's wonderful, thanks Justin. Also I see you've just joined as a channel member, thank you so much for your support, really appreciated.
Thanks, interesting twist. hope you feel better
Thanks Dale. Also, I think this may be the first opportunity I've had to say thank you for joining as a channel member, I truly appreciate your support. Best wishes
Excellent narration of this interesting detective story ... Thank You for posting ❣
You're most welcome! Thanks for listening Sarah
As usual great stories brought to life with your fantastic vocal range. I can picture each character through your voice. And feel the empathy and fear you project when need. So much work you put in to perfect a character and bring a story to life. Thank You so much. .
Just love these. So inspirational. Find your amazing talents & share 💕💕💕💕
Excellent as always. Many thanks.
You're very welcome! Thank you Glease
People will find it simple and predictable but to write a story of this kind in the old times and have a thought process like this, its like trying to understand Quantum Mechanics now. This is one of the reasons I have a huge amount of Respect for the writers of that era.
P.S. I very much liked the character of Mr. Hazell.
Indeed. I fully agree about Mr. Hazel. As a writer, I can tell you that without loads of research into that era, it would be difficult to write in this manner. People don't speak that way anymore, but class and tact never go out of style. I think I will have to make note of this author.
Just discovered your site - excellent story and beautifully narrated. Thank you.
Welcome! Glad you found the channel, thank you for listening
Thank you thank you thank you! Thank you for keeping these amazing artists alive! I’m sure they are appreciating you from heaven! Blessings!☯️
You're most welcome Maria, thanks for listening and for your kind comments!
An excellent story, well read as always. Many thanks.
Appreciate your comments, thanks Denise
Oh, boy.
My entertainment tonight.
Love every single reading-thanks for these!!
Appreciated, thanks Scout Rifle!
As always Simon it is such a pleasure to listen to your beautiful narration, wish I had a talent half as good as yours. Take Care🇬🇧🏴🙏🍷🇬🇧🏴
Some charming or archaic language used by the author - in many of the Thorp Hazell stories Hazell "smokes furiously".
Not quite Chomsky's "Colourless Green Ideas Sleep Furiously".
Yes, I enjoyed that line too! There's some pleasing, understated humour in these stories. Thanks John
Angular sight = sight out of the inner corner ("angular vein" = vein running along the side of the nose past the eye) of the eye, hence, peripheral vision. Term of art in ophthalmology.
That eye exercise routine at the start sounds like the type of thing Dr. W H Bates MD would publish a few decades later.
Many thanks, I love these stories & your narration is superb.
Thank you! And I see you just bought me some coffee, thanks so much for your support
A fun little gem, read ever so well. Thoroughly enjoyed your narration!
Simon, what an unexpected and wonderful surprise finding you at 3.30am. Despite a compelling storyline I’m afraid your soothing vocals sent me off to sleep within a few minutes. I have just completed the story! As always a cracking story and read so beautifully. Thank you. Have a great weekend.
Thanks Karen, you too!
I often nod off to a story, too. I have to listen again during my commute the next day.
I like the name Karen, by the way. I think it sounds nice. I’m rankled by the way it’s been hijacked by the internet.
Excellent and also far more action-packed than I was expecting though I should have known better seeing as stories with "Express" in the title are seldom sedate in pace). Thank You, TC.
Yes, it does rather rattle along, this one. I'm partial to a steam-train story myself, I hope to do some more from this series at some point. Thanks HerrCrankzy
Thank you Simon. I enjoyed this very much 😊
Excellent, thanks aunty
Excellent narration.
Thank you for such a beautiful reading. I’ve been in a separation for a few months and my children are with their mother, and I miss them so much. The only way to get to sleep are your amazing narrations. Thank you.
I'm really sorry to hear that Lee. Take care. Glad if these stories are able to help you a little. All best wishes to you
The question is: Do I listen now or save it to savour later? I could do both I suppose. 😉 ❤
I could listen all day every day! Look daily for a new one :)
Haha! I have a whole list of audiobooks waiting for me, like I don't want to abuse. I love the anticipation!
Very enjoyable thank you
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks Barbara
Nothing but your voice and a great story. It de pressured me. Thank you 30.25
Glad to know that. Good to hear from you Lee, I hope you're keeping well
Thoroughly enjoyed the tale
That was wonderful thank you for your time
You're most welcome, thanks for your support Dean
Thank you ! Love them all ❤
Glad to know that! Thanks @ROXI 1010
Very enjoyable, well narrated and good sound quality.
Very entertaining for a tired mind,Thank you!
Happiness... Thank you!
Wonderful! Thanks KiKi
That was a good story and I really like that detective. I must have missed this one before but it popped up today.
And here I thought that the milk, biscuits, and banana, were fit the boy!
Good point! Yes, Thorpe Hazell's dietary regime is bit of a running gag throughout these stories... Thanks for listening Suz
@@BitesizedAudio I already want more of this guy. It's fun to see the different eccentricities that writers have given their detectives to help them stand out from the peers.
I love these , Mister E. E. Horton !
Splendid Simon, as always. Thank you.
As always..Appreciated Thanks💚
You're welcome as ever, thanks for your support Stella
How amazing voice! Many thanks for all of your works! So valuable!
Thank you Cenk, appreciated!
“It was just beastly!”
You have a new fan! You are a treasure, Sir!
Thank you!
A far-fetched method of hiding the boy indeed.
It was, though a lovely read of a new-to-me story, and I'm very grateful.
I've liked and subbed and am looking forward to more
Actually I think I'll stay a while now. It seems my rainy Saturday night just got a lot more interesting.
Thanks again
Thanks for subscribing Bilinda, much appreciated. I hope you enjoy some of my other stories. Best wishes
The beginning is so much like The Priory School.
Yes, I see what you mean. Actually this story pre-dates 'The Priory School' by some four years or so
This is the first time I've heard the phrase "keep your pecker up." Apprently, it's British slang meaning
"be happy." It means something else in the States.
Thank you, Simon! (Liked & Subscribed ;)
Thank you, & thank you! Appreciate your support
Thank you. 👌💕
Thank you. I enjoyed that one.
Glad to know that, thank you Olive
Thank you
I remember a version of this story made into a tv movie with a different protagonist. Good stories like this are so often imitated.
…but never duplicated…
It' s a breathtaking story.Thank you, dear Simon.Enjoy your morning porridge and sweet tea with lemon or milk.What drink do you prefer in pleasant Sunday morning? Much love from Moscow.
It's English Breakfast tea for me, first thing every morning! Thanks Natalya
To me, kidnappers are one of the lowest, grotesque, sickest forms of people. A very fine reading.
these stories would make a great TV series , in the vein of THE TWILIGHT ZONE or TALES of the DARK SIDE
That thirty minutes was too short.
Thanks Dorothy. More stories in the pipeline...
A very enjoyable listen. So much so that I went off to see what else was available by this author & can refer to the Fadedpage, a Canadian website along the lines of Project Gutenberg where two books are available (which I haven’t read yet). Thanks once again for this tale
Thanks Kevin. I aim to record some more Thorpe Hazell stories at some point. Gutenberg is an excellent resource, I've heard of Fadedpage before but I don't think I've used it - I'll check it out.
Wow, even 100 years ago, how many tragedies begin with people taking their eyes off of children for "just a minute", which is really ten. Children are like roaches and mice; as fast, and as able to fit through and around almost any obstacle almost as if they were teleporting, lol. You can't have your eyes off of them for a second :)
a stellar reader
Thank you Don, appreciated!
Thanks
Thank you for another super Sunday evening a perfect reading as always , Hows the teeth ? I sympathise , having had years ago, two impacted wisdom teeth ! Good luck, keep your pecker up it will all resolve itself and you will be your old self RNK
Thanks Bob, appreciated. It's subsided for the moment, but I'm hoping to get it dealt with very soon...
Thank you for the story; made me feel a little smart 🤓. I guessed the child was handed off the train at some point. Better keep listening so the grey cells don't go comatose. Great work, as usual.👍👏😃
Ah yes, always satisfying to get ahead of the investigators! More mystery/detective stories in the pipeline... Thanks Nancy
@@BitesizedAudio Thank you ❣️
Child suspected of getting kidnapped, does not alert police, goes directly to a train expert. Logic checks out
To be fair, he does say he put the case before an inspector at the station... I'd assumed he meant a police inspector, but maybe it was just a ticket inspector! I think it's the inspector who recommends him to Thorpe Hazell. (The police do consult with Hazell in several of the stories.)
@@BitesizedAudio yeah was having the same thoughts as I continued to listen. At any rate, great work! 👍
Please don’t stop saying “an” hotel. It’s the British way of saying it, and adds to the charm of the stories you read. Besides , that’s the way the author wrote the story. And It’s not the only difference between British and US grammar; there are plenty.(Sorry to hear you have an impacted tooth, take care and get better soon!)
Thanks Rachel. Actually, I'm currently recovering from having the tooth removed, so I've not been around to reply to comments. A relief to have it over with, though it's currently sore and swollen - but hopefully not for too long. Appreciate your kind wishes
When I've heard these stories in the past, it's been HAY-zell.
Quite possible. I don't think there's any right or wrong about these things. Very often I have to make a decision about pronunciation one way or the other. If it hadn't been for the second "L" in the name I might well have gone with Hay-zel too, but something about the name in combination with "Thorpe" didn't quite sound right to me. But it's only instinct/personal choice at the end of the day, and no doubt others have made a different choice
So all he wanted in return was the opportunity to buy a book.
I'm going to listen in my bath 🛀🚿😊
Eye gymnastics 😂
💙🎙📚💙
Hazell is a bit of a health fiend yet he 'smoked cigarette after cigarette'. 17.09.
The dangers of smoking wouldn't be clarified for quite a few decades after this was written - but I have to admit a chuckle at that particular bit myself.
Beautifully read, but for my taste a watered down Holmes story.
6:00 Grammatical mistake: Not "an hotel", rather *a hotel!* The 'H' is *NOT* silent and takes 'A' as its preposition.
You're right that "a hotel" is the familiar usage in contemporary English, but it's not a grammatical mistake... "an hotel" (without the 'h' pronounced) was the standard form in this period. In fact, according to 'Fowler's Modern English Usage', both are still acceptable in modern English. (Rather randomly I recall the character of Inspector Morse, who was a bit of a pedant, used to say "an 'otel" in the 1980s... I don't know if you're a fan?)
When I narrate stories for this channel, I try as far as possible (i.e. without obscuring the meaning for listeners) to employ the correct period pronunciation. With words such as "forehead", "waistcoat", "portrait", for example, I wouldn't necessarily use the same pronunciation if I was narrating a modern piece, with contemporary characters. "Hotel" is an interesting one. In this particular case it's written as "an hotel" in the story, so I went with that, but when the word is preceded by "the", "that" or "this", I have to make a decision. To be correct for the era I usually don't pronounce the "h", but sometimes I do: it depends on the context, the social class or education, or accent, of the person speaking, and so on. These are the sorts of debates I have with myself every time I prepare a new narration! Thanks for listening Neil
@@BitesizedAudio I know of the series *Inspector Morse* which starred the late John Thaw, but didn't he speak in dots and dashes? LOL
@@neilforbes416 an hotel is the correct term
@@snowyskylar8821 The 'h' in hotel is *NOT* silent, thus *A hotel* is correct!
@Neil Forbes @Snowy Skylar Actually, both forms are acceptable, according to Fowler's Modern English Usage, which states (on this very subject) "the choice of form remains open". Although it should be noted that they also add that "speakers who like to say 'an' should not try to have it both ways by aspirating the 'h'"; in other words you can say either "a hotel" or "an 'otel", but "an *H*otel" is incorrect. (In written form either is acceptable, it's a personal style choice.) As I noted above, the "an" form is old fashioned and has been on the decline for decades, I suspect it's never used by younger generations, but it was the prevailing standard for many years.
There's a wider, related rule in English, where "an" can precede certain other words beginning with "h". This rule only applies when the first syllable is not stressed. For example, some people say (and write) "an historian" or "an heroic effort"; this is acceptable and correct English, but again is slightly old fashioned. Of course, with the majority of 'h' words, where the stress is at the beginning of the word, the rule is always to use "a". You would never say "an hornet's nest" or "an house". Neil, I'm sure, will be glad to know that these days support for the use of "an" before any word with an aspirated 'h' is falling; many British publications have a style rule on this very issue and the majority these days apparently come down on the "a" side of the argument, including 'The Daily Telegraph' and 'The Guardian'; whereas I understand 'The Times' (an older, perhaps more traditional newspaper) continues to prefer "an".
All the above, I should say, relates to British English... American, Canadian, Australian and other English speakers have no doubt developed their own rules and preferences on these points!