Story begins at 00:01:20. Arthur Cressley returns from making his fortune in Australia to take possession of his historic family seat, Cressley Hall in Derbyshire. He confides his fears about the sinister legend surrounding the Cressley heirs to John Bell, the "ghost exposer" - are supernatural forces at work, or could Cressley be the victim of a more material plot? *Warning* Some comments below may reference the plot and suggest spoilers.... read with caution. Narrated/performed by Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me (and get access to exclusive content): * Occasional/one-off support via Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesizedaudio * Monthly support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bitesizedaudio * Visit my Bandcamp page to hear more of my performances of classic stories, and you can purchase and download high quality audio files to listen offline: bitesizedaudio.bandcamp.com/ * Become a Bitesized Audio Classics member on UA-cam, from $1 / £1 / €1 per month: ua-cam.com/users/BitesizedAudioClassicsjoin
What a marvellous job you made of conveying the desperate urgency to reach Cressley Hall timeously. I was having palpitations! But then, cher Simon, your artistry always gives me palpitations! ❤
So much suspense in this one, I’m nervous the whole way through about what’s going to happen and if the hero will save the day. I often fall back asleep during many of the stories but this one actually put a pit of nervousness in my tummy!
Gosh, this story was exciting! I'm very glad to have it read to me with your dramatic flair and acting skills, I don't think I'd have got half as much immersion from it in print...when an ancestral tryst with the Devil and secret passages in the pannelling are just by-the-ways, a story can easily wobble over into silliness.
I couldn't ask for more~ although I love ALL of your detectives, Simon, these are the authors of what I still feel is my very favorite story, the Eight Mile Lock, following Dr. Bell on yet another guaranteed wonderfully arcane, yet truly suspenseful tale of mystery and adventure is hard to beat. Thank you thank you!💙
So glad to know that, @Frenchblue8. Sadly this is the last in the series, but now I've finished the whole cycle I'm going to put them all together as a complete video, to come in the next week or two, all being well. In fact I've had to re-record a couple of the older ones because the audio wasn't compatible for the compilation (for various boring technical reasons), so I had to do a new version of 'The Eight-Mile Lock'. The old one is still available, but if you'd like to try the new one it's available here: ua-cam.com/video/D12opIaC7v0/v-deo.html
@@BitesizedAudio Really!?!? Unbelievably, I am actually in the perfect moment to enjoy it right now, LOL what are the odds! Unfettered joy, and many thanks! 💙
Such a good story and so well narrated with the various voice choices for the characters- so smoothly transitioned ! Always a pleasure Simon to hear you work your craft so well! 🙏🏽
I had TWO long and lingering colds in the last 13 months. They call them covid-19. Assume you done a test? Anyway my sympathies, for I have been there, and yes the stories are the only thing that guarantee my rapid falling out, each and every night without fail. Hope you find it so as well and that you feel more yourself soon. Simon is a treasure, thoroughly beyond compare!
I very much enjoyed this story. O my goodness, you had me bitting my lip. Hoping he would make it in time. I like listening to your voice. When I have a hard time sleeping I find you and you make me relax and l am out. I wish the people around could do that. Thank you.
Your narration perfectly brings out the atmospheric charms of this clumsily structured genre effort. I’m fascinated by its resemblance to “A Terribly Strange Bed” by Wilkie Collins, which of course you know and have read. That seems to have been published much earlier and Collins is much craftier, in my opinion. Funny that both stories give the game away in their titles. Thanks for reading both!
Amazing - thank you! I agree with the other commenters - the ominous suspense was so powerful, and you brought it home so finely! Interesting to compare the backstory, with "Barrington Cressley, one of the most abandoned libertines of that time", and that of The Hound of the Baskervilles published four years later! (Also interesting to see the advertisements for Guy Boothby's Dr. Nikola books in the back of the Master of Mysteries book publication, given the Australian connections in the plots of various stories you have recorded.)
Wonderful,wonderful,wonderful! I am 82 years old, having a glass of wine and listening to this great story. Your voice is very lovely. Thank you so much
Another superb story made even better by your narration, Simon. Your passion for the era shows itself through the excellent selection of stories and authors. And you've introduced me to authors I'm not familiar with : you have broadened my horizons! Thank you.
Really enjoyed this story so much, was desperate for Bell to get there in time to save Cresley as obviously some dastardly plot was afoot! Wonderfully narrated as usual.✊♥️
When you do your recordings in a sound proof studio, you can really tell the difference! Well done, Simon! 💖💖💖💖 Oh, the plot to this ending is really good! Great pick!
You have the best voice in the country. I am still waiting for Diary of a Nobody, as you could capture the petty entitlement perfectly. Having said that, I could listen to you reading out the phone book. (Do phone books still exist?)
Very kind of you to say, Pippa, thank you! I do have 'Diary of a Nobody' on my list, in fact it's pretty much top of my list for if and when I have time to do something a bit longer (the short stories are just easier to fit in around other work commitments). I'm quite booked up for the next few months, but after that... well, rest assured I'll keep it in mind!
On the edge of my seat.📚📖 A thought: might this be the ruffian’s precursor plans before setting about a specialized but similar plan, though the new one fleecing quite a few gambling men? Kind of like a Wilkie Collins or…(?)
Hello handsome, sorry it's been awhile. Hope all is well with you & yours. Do take extra care in these dark days. Tysm as always! Prayers & blessings my friend! ♥🙏✌ your sister in Christ, near Nashville
Lovely to hear from you Teda, I hope you're keeping well? I thought I'd missed seeing your comments recently. Anyway, a good few stories for you to catch up on, welcome back!
Story begins at 00:01:20. Arthur Cressley returns from making his fortune in Australia to take possession of his historic family seat, Cressley Hall in Derbyshire. He confides his fears about the sinister legend surrounding the Cressley heirs to John Bell, the "ghost exposer" - are supernatural forces at work, or could Cressley be the victim of a more material plot? *Warning* Some comments below may reference the plot and suggest spoilers.... read with caution.
Narrated/performed by Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me (and get access to exclusive content):
* Occasional/one-off support via Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesizedaudio
* Monthly support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bitesizedaudio
* Visit my Bandcamp page to hear more of my performances of classic stories, and you can purchase and download high quality audio files to listen offline: bitesizedaudio.bandcamp.com/
* Become a Bitesized Audio Classics member on UA-cam, from $1 / £1 / €1 per month:
ua-cam.com/users/BitesizedAudioClassicsjoin
❤
😅😅
that was EXCITING! thankyou❤
What a marvellous job you made of conveying the desperate urgency to reach Cressley Hall timeously. I was having palpitations! But then, cher Simon, your artistry always gives me palpitations! ❤
So much suspense in this one, I’m nervous the whole way through about what’s going to happen and if the hero will save the day. I often fall back asleep during many of the stories but this one actually put a pit of nervousness in my tummy!
Sorry to keep you up! I hope you managed to get some sleep in the end after all the drama...
Yes. A real cliffhanger but it ended rather lamely alas. The result of two authors perhaps?
Gosh, this story was exciting! I'm very glad to have it read to me with your dramatic flair and acting skills, I don't think I'd have got half as much immersion from it in print...when an ancestral tryst with the Devil and secret passages in the pannelling are just by-the-ways, a story can easily wobble over into silliness.
Never read this classic before but it was beautifully narrated!
Oooo! All the necessary factors for suspense: an ancient family hall, a curse, gold from Australia! Perfect!
Another wonderful Bell story🥳 Thank you so very much!❤️
What a wonderful story and narration!
I couldn't ask for more~ although I love ALL of your detectives, Simon, these are the authors of what I still feel is my very favorite story, the Eight Mile Lock, following Dr. Bell on yet another guaranteed wonderfully arcane, yet truly suspenseful tale of mystery and adventure is hard to beat.
Thank you thank you!💙
So glad to know that, @Frenchblue8. Sadly this is the last in the series, but now I've finished the whole cycle I'm going to put them all together as a complete video, to come in the next week or two, all being well. In fact I've had to re-record a couple of the older ones because the audio wasn't compatible for the compilation (for various boring technical reasons), so I had to do a new version of 'The Eight-Mile Lock'. The old one is still available, but if you'd like to try the new one it's available here: ua-cam.com/video/D12opIaC7v0/v-deo.html
@@BitesizedAudio Really!?!? Unbelievably, I am actually in the perfect moment to enjoy it right now, LOL what are the odds! Unfettered joy, and many thanks! 💙
Wow! What a story! I was on pins and needles all through the story !
Such a good story and so well narrated with the various voice choices for the characters- so smoothly transitioned ! Always a pleasure Simon to hear you work your craft so well! 🙏🏽
I’m playing on llevel o
Thankyou so much Simon, i am struggling with sleep due to a long and lingering cold so this is just the tonic i need. 😊
I had TWO long and lingering colds in the last 13 months. They call them covid-19. Assume you done a test?
Anyway my sympathies, for I have been there, and yes the stories are the only thing that guarantee my rapid falling out, each and every night without fail. Hope you find it so as well and that you feel more yourself soon.
Simon is a treasure, thoroughly beyond compare!
@MrMrsmcd Glad to help! Get well soon...
@Frenchblue8 yes, tested several times, all negative. I am good now, hope you are also.
I need some calm, British, cheeky phrases. They make me feel better.
Thank you and blress you, Simon.
That was a good story! Well done. I could feel the urgency as he was getting closer and closer to the time the train was leaving.
Glad to know you enjoyed it! Thanks Rebecca
Listen! I couldn't listen to anything that was happening cause I'm thinking 'he's gonna miss the train!' Lol
Absolute perfection in time for bed. Thank Mr Stanhope. 😊
Thank you so much for another perfect performance. Superb.🇨🇦
Thank you Simon for a great story and your superb narration 😊
Sweetest love story I've heard this week! What a trio of villains - and their unseen accomplice, and their strange music-box!
Yes love❤❤❤that's what came to my mind, when I sensed the desperation to save a good looking -innocent not damsel 😂😂😂
I was on the edge of my seat the entire story!
Curled up warm in bed with cold rain outside - ready for a story ❤
More lovely stories from you, how wonderful!
Marvelous listening! Thank you!
Just wonderful, you have eased my mind on many occasions. I thank you.
I very much enjoyed this story. O my goodness, you had me bitting my lip. Hoping he would make it in time. I like listening to your voice. When I have a hard time sleeping I find you and you make me relax and l am out. I wish the people around could do that. Thank you.
Thank you ❤ You truly bring these stories to life. A true talent.
Superb tale, gripping right until the end, brilliantly narrated as ever, Thank You Simon
Thank you again for your perfect productions of the vintage stories!
Wow I am so grateful for these Simon‼️
Enjoy the rest of your weekend… you deserve the very best❗️
♥️✨👑✨♥️
What a treat! Another wonderful narration.
Your narration perfectly brings out the atmospheric charms of this clumsily structured genre effort. I’m fascinated by its resemblance to “A Terribly Strange Bed” by Wilkie Collins, which of course you know and have read. That seems to have been published much earlier and Collins is much craftier, in my opinion. Funny that both stories give the game away in their titles. Thanks for reading both!
Thanks - was wondering which came first
A wonderful listen! Thanks Simon.
Brilliant as usual Simon, Many thanks xx
Marvellous stuff Simon. Thank You
Really enjoyed this one!Thanks so much Simon 😍
Great work. Many Thanks Simon 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎉🎉🎉
Loved this over! More of Meade & Eustace, please!
Excellent Simon as always! Bravo. ❤❤
Yea another bitesized! Thanks. Sanity restored
Thoroughly enjoyed this one Simon thank you 😊
Worth waiting for on this grotty evening! ❤❤
Thank you. Just the thing to wrap up a great day.
Excellent tale, thank you Mr S.
Thank you so much Simon! Wonderful story!💕💕💕
Amazing - thank you! I agree with the other commenters - the ominous suspense was so powerful, and you brought it home so finely! Interesting to compare the backstory, with "Barrington Cressley, one of the most abandoned libertines of that time", and that of The Hound of the Baskervilles published four years later! (Also interesting to see the advertisements for Guy Boothby's Dr. Nikola books in the back of the Master of Mysteries book publication, given the Australian connections in the plots of various stories you have recorded.)
What a thrilling story, excellent narration.
Thank you so very much. You are extremely talented!❤
I am a devoted fan of L.T. Meade and other female mystery writers!
Simon, you remain the master. Beautiful reading.
Thank you for the excellent tale!
Oooh, I love your new intro graphics, Simon 😊😂. Thanks so much for the new story, with Arthur Cressley. ✌️
Stanhope delivers another fine story.
1 hell of a story loved it👍👍
Oh this is great!!! 👍
Glad you think so! Thanks for listening
Another story and an L.T. Meade one at that - just perfect! Thank you so much, Simon.
What a wonderful surprise to see this new one! Beautifully narrated, as always. Thanks, Simon!
Thanks Vicki, appreciated
Wonderful,wonderful,wonderful! I am 82 years old, having a glass of wine and listening to this great story. Your voice is very lovely. Thank you so much
Thank you kindly, best wishes and thanks for listening
Excellent as always
Nothing better to relax to on a chilly Northeastern night❤
Such a treat :) thank you
Yea another one. I check every day. Hope you are doing well as you ready yourself for the theater.
You are so good to us, thank you!
Excellent story!
Loved to listen to these while I work.
What a great story! Thank you, Mr. Simon, for a superb presentation!
Superb reading as always
Another superb story made even better by your narration, Simon. Your passion for the era shows itself through the excellent selection of stories and authors. And you've introduced me to authors I'm not familiar with : you have broadened my horizons! Thank you.
Please more regular mysteries for UA-cam. I think I’ve heard all that you’ve recorded so far.
Thank you, Love you!
Oh boy, i liked this one very much!
Glad to know that, thanks for listening Rhonda
Excellent story and superb reading. Thank you!
Thanks you so much!
What brilliance. ❤
Really enjoyed this story so much, was desperate for Bell to get there in time to save Cresley as obviously some dastardly plot was afoot!
Wonderfully narrated as usual.✊♥️
that was exciting! thankyou
When you do your recordings in a sound proof studio, you can really tell the difference! Well done, Simon! 💖💖💖💖 Oh, the plot to this ending is really good! Great pick!
Thank you !!
Thank you Simon another lovely story thank you
I really would love to hear more Ernst Brahmas Max Carrados books. I love your narrations of all the authors. You calm my nerves.💛🙏
Really good thank you.
Love this pair
A rousing good tale.
I like these *Meade / Eustace* stories Thank You *Simon* much appreciated
Glad you like them! Sadly this is the last in the series. I'm aiming to post the whole sequence in the next week or two
You have the best voice in the country. I am still waiting for Diary of a Nobody, as you could capture the petty entitlement perfectly. Having said that, I could listen to you reading out the phone book. (Do phone books still exist?)
Very kind of you to say, Pippa, thank you! I do have 'Diary of a Nobody' on my list, in fact it's pretty much top of my list for if and when I have time to do something a bit longer (the short stories are just easier to fit in around other work commitments). I'm quite booked up for the next few months, but after that... well, rest assured I'll keep it in mind!
@@BitesizedAudioOh, such happy news!
A really good story ! Thank you 🤗
I thought it was Presley Hall! 😅 until I saw the story description. Very suspenseful and well narrated
On the edge of my seat.📚📖
A thought: might this be the ruffian’s precursor plans before setting about a specialized but similar plan, though the new one fleecing quite a few gambling men?
Kind of like a Wilkie Collins or…(?)
Fantastic 👍
😮What a story.
Yay! Thank you. ❤
Hello handsome, sorry it's been awhile. Hope all is well with you & yours. Do take extra care in these dark days. Tysm as always! Prayers & blessings my friend! ♥🙏✌ your sister in Christ, near Nashville
Lovely to hear from you Teda, I hope you're keeping well? I thought I'd missed seeing your comments recently. Anyway, a good few stories for you to catch up on, welcome back!
I love your British voice.
Perfect.
Thanks!
Thank you for the super thanks, much appreciated 🙏
Thanks, yet again!
loved this story
Wonderful narration 👏👏👏👏
Another good one ❤
I think they all are. Cannot recall any duds.
❤ another re-listen
Thanks
Thank you for the super thanks! 🙏
Hey! This is fun. Check out, on the same theme, "A terribly strange bed" (I think it's called). The Parisian version!
I wonder which came first :)
@@januzzell8631 It was Wilkie Collins wrote the first. So I agree, one wonders!