If you enjoyed this story, you may like to visit my Bandcamp page where you can listen for free to my narrations of many more classic stories. You can also purchase and download an mp3 (or another format of your choice) of the recordings: bitesizedaudio.bandcamp.com Listener support on Bandcamp helps me to keep producing new content like this. I also have a Patreon page: www.patreon.com/bitesizedaudio Or for occasional one-off support, you can Buy Me a Coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesizedaudio Thanks for listening. Simon Stanhope (narrator)

"What on earth would have happened had I not been married?"🤣 These stories are great and the narration is second to none.

@chicagogyrl4846

9 ай бұрын

I think that he shudders at the thought.

Out of all the authors that Ive had the pleasure to listen to, on this channel, this one is my very favorite. Her vivid descriptions of every particular, made me see, feel and even smell the odors of the roses, hay fields, see the night wuth the moonlight filtering down, giving everything a beautiful aspect is so descriptive, that I was standing there seeing, feeling, smelling it all myself. I love her. Wish I could have been born and raised at Nut Bush myself way back then. This is the fourth time of listening to this wonderful tale.

@ironbutterfly6835

20 күн бұрын

Perfectly said

I am glad he did not run after seeing the ghost but decided to solve the ghost murder and right the wrongs for his family. Excellent story!

Ahh . . . At last . Someone who doesn't merely read the words, but understands and portrays each character splendidly.

You and this channel have become my absolute, number one favorite thing to listen to and I listen to them repeatedly! IMHO, only a proper English gentleman can do these awesome old ghost stories the justice they deserve and I’m so happy to have discovered you! I enjoy your readings just as much as I enjoy Michael Hordern and Basil Rathbone readings but (unlike them) I can look forward to new ones from you. I listen every single night when I climb into bed and let me tell you, I’m enjoying losing sleep...THANK YOU!!

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Samantha - I'm extremely flattered to be bracketed with Michael Hordern and Basil Rathbone, I'm a huge admirer of both, they featured in many of the films I enjoyed in my formative years (and Michael Hordern was still a regular on TV in the UK when I was growing up). Thanks so much for listening, and your kind words... but I do hope you manage to get enough sleep though!

I loved this story. I love that you focus on old English tales. I love the stories that come out of the UK. God bless you and your family

I love ghost stories with happy endings

@isaacolivecrona6114

9 ай бұрын

Gee thanks.

These somewhat longer tales are wonderful for the present moment, and read so well; absorbing and very welcome.

I'm about 75% through this and wanted to say how excellent it is - it's very skillfully performed, but also it's a story with great characterization and much more social depth than usual (for a ghost story.)

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mickey, appreciated

The reading of this interesting story is so nuanced, so balanced. I have listened to it several times and it is invariably immersive. Thank you so much for providing these needed respites from the world right now.

The narrator could recite the alphabet and I would listen intently to it. Saved this for tonight , listening at present in bed. Lovely.

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Very kind of you to say so, thank you!

@nadiaminerva

4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely agree! Love this channel's choices of story and narration.

"She was 67 but looked 200." Ha! Tragic that we have to go back to the Victorian authors to find plain speaking. Very well read, as always.

@MovieJustin

Жыл бұрын

The good old days of sexism

@klausehrhardt4481

8 ай бұрын

A pleasure, even for those not native to english.

@smythharris2635

7 ай бұрын

​​@@MovieJustinare you saying such comments were only directed at women? How little you know of English idiomatic language and expressions.😅

@TheChugg11

5 ай бұрын

...ugh

More by this author please, she's wonderful!

"He beckoned me to come. He might as well have asked one seize with paralysis." Great line.

I love listening to bite-size audio Classics I can listen to him over and over again

An antique ghost story that has evaded my greedy eyes and in this instance ears! What a True treat and delight!

This is such a good story! You are just magical with your renditions. Thank you so much. Kathi

I discovered your channel recently. I’m addicted to it! Provides me with much needed stress reduction when I listen.

@BitesizedAudio

2 жыл бұрын

Glad to know that

Ok Simon.. looked you up. You've been talking me to sleep for a few weeks so I had to put a face with the voice.. Your credits had me at Paw Patrol. Greetings from Seattle and I hope to hear more installments soon.. 😊🍿

I was apparently, one of the few, who listened to One Word radio. I loved the unabridged books and classic readings. Read by individuals who clearly loved what they were doing. What a gem this is.

@childofthestones2820

3 жыл бұрын

One Word Radio was very good. I think it was part of Channel 4. In any case, I regret its passing.

Just listened to this for a second time on a disappointing day and was so lifted by this wonderful story and Simon’s beautiful voice! 😃💕

@BitesizedAudio

2 жыл бұрын

@The Last Sausage I'm sorry to hear you've had a disappointing day, but glad if this story helped a bit! Thank you for your kind comments, all best wishes to you

@julielevinge266

Жыл бұрын

Effects me likewise!✊♥️

There's only one word fitting to describe the narration: Perfect in all and every way! Loved every second of it!

@kennymonty8206

3 жыл бұрын

First class voice actor.

@myhounddog

3 жыл бұрын

I agree 👍 with you.

@julielevinge266

3 жыл бұрын

Yep I love this narrator too.✊

@julielevinge266

3 жыл бұрын

@@kennymonty8206 Makes huge difference, really enjoy this mans narration✊

@kerryhatfield8538

3 жыл бұрын

@@kennymonty8206 Hi

Really enjoying listening to this old favourite, I have collected ghost stories for the past 45yrs since I was a very young child . Being an Irish girl I grew up loving the folk tales & stories told at home and at gatherings . Charlotte Riddel wrote quite a few good supernatural tales and features in many compilations. The victorians are still my favourites , along with the later master MR James of course . Beautiful pacing and pronunciation, this narrator is a bedtime gift .

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Glad to know that. Thanks for listening, and for your very kind feedback!

@nadiaminerva

4 жыл бұрын

M R James is my absolute favourite as well

@FIONA21ful

4 жыл бұрын

@@nadiaminerva Oh Yes he is a master of the ghost story to be read aloud, and I adore the atmosphere of academic investigation in most of his work. Theres little I love more in literature than his tales of some old professor or vicar digging through archives or archaeology to come up with a terrible past happening & haunting , or a cursed artifact ; then of course we have the holidaying ramblers seeking or finding supernatural relics , as in his masterpiece, O" Whistle and I'll come to you , my Lad. In which case the use of a simple bed sheet becoming a thing of horror was pure genius, a ghastly idea which has been copied in film and stories time & again ever since. Yes MR James is a character I should love to have known.

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Pleased to tell you I have some M. R. James lined up... hopefully coming within the next month or so

@FIONA21ful

4 жыл бұрын

@@BitesizedAudio Wonderful news , great stuff! You will read his stories beautifully , I look forward to it very much. 💚

Good old fashioned mystery! Thanks

What a delight ! I really enjoy listening to such wonderfully narrated stories . A joy to have discovered this channel . 👌🏼

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Christine

@garyquall6358

4 жыл бұрын

1

@SynchronizDaniel

3 жыл бұрын

@@BitesizedAudio ÀààààààaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaàaaaaaaaaaaaP

@suziwatkins5499

2 жыл бұрын

Perfect voice for this book! Absolutely great sir😊🇺🇲

I am so delighted to have found your channel! I have migraines and spend a lot of time in a dark, quiet, room so I’m always looking for something to listen to that’s compatible with both those conditions and my condition. This was very well read and the reader’s voice was quite pleasant. I feel those things are as high in importance in an audiobook as the written words aren’t.(I might even be able to listen to the “right” voice read me the ingredients lists on cereal boxes for an hour and a half.. but that may be the pain medication talking lol) I look forward to listening to more and I know I won’t be waiting for a migraine either! lol Thank you so much!

@scoopup2349

Жыл бұрын

Me too Marilyn. The narrator's pitch of voice doesn't increase my head pain.

@thomasshelby2506

Жыл бұрын

You can also try those audios with background music of nature sounds best being rain and thunder

i’d just love to hear more of her stories. this one was engrossing and, of course, you read it beautifully. the characters were so well drawn. thank you so much :) 🌷🌱🌿🌸🌱🌼🌷

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Alexa. Yes, I have some more Charlotte Riddell on my list for future recordings...

Just listened again...such a gripping story, so well interpreted and brilliantly performed by Simon. Well done, sir!

What a beautifully written and read story. The leisurely pace allows characterisation of impressive depth and variety, and the loving descriptions of nature are a delight. I had not heard of Charlotte Riddell before I found your channel, and am grateful that you have introduced me to her works.

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind comments Katy, appreciated! Glad to know you enjoyed it. I hope to more from Charlotte Riddell in the future (along with many other unjustly neglected authors!). Best wishes

The moonlight walk was so beautifully descriptive. I loved Ms. Riddell's quirky Mrs. Gostock. Well written and read. Thanks, again.

Wonderful narration. His deep voice and cadence were soothing. Like having Santa read me a story! 🎅

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

What a lovely comment, thank you!

@hanselmansell7555

4 жыл бұрын

Santa! 🤣 Simon's voice definitely does have a sort of timeless quality to it 👍

My new method of falling asleep...binging on KZread audiobooks and ghost stories! 👻

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for listening! Sweet dreams...

A master narrator. A rare find. Thank you.🙏

I am pretty sure I will never in my life hear a moonlit landscape described more beautifully. How Ms. Riddell wrote those words, and how you spoke them, Simon! "Glamour" used that way, my goodness.

Thank you very much for reading and sharing this tale.

Beautifully written by Riddell, and so deserving of Simon's sensitive interpretation... I just love this one... Being a spiritual medium i can also appreciate Riddell's descriptions of the ghostly interactions, and totally am convinced she had to have had a few run-ins herself. I wonder if she kept a personal journal? Would love to find it. Thank you Simon! Another fine telling!

@BitesizedAudio

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Marcia, appreciated!

Doggie and I think this is our very favorite of all your stories. Indeed, it has helped with our insomnia on so many nights…. But the whole spirit of the story is so lovely. Solving a mystery. Working a farm. Describing the meadows, cattle, hawthorns in bloom. And the characters! Simon, you bring them to life for us! We want to live at Nut Bush Farm. P. S. The landlady is the best.

@maryann3671

2 жыл бұрын

We also love The Hammer of God. What a story! Chesterton doesn’t pull any punches.

Well done, you've done it again. Plucked another great story from obscurity. 😁

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Rach

@rachweatherilll69

4 жыл бұрын

Don't mention it 😁 can I ask you your name please?

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Of course! My name is Simon - I'm a jobbing actor, based in the UK. My web link etc is on the channel page.

@rachweatherilll69

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Simon, and what is a jobbing actor?

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

So sorry Rach, I missed your reply/question for some reason! Jobbing actor as in going from job to job, for multiple employers rather than one. Although in these days of lockdown that's rather a moot point as most areas of work have closed down! I do have bits of recording work to do, and of course I'm very glad to have an artistic outlet via this channel...

I have listened to this story over and over, always finding something new. Fantastic reading constantly brings me back. It is now November 2021 and sadly I haven't come across any new uploads for a while. However I want to thank this reader for guiding me through many dark dispondent times during the dark months of the covid outbreak. I am sure that I am not alone in that gratitude.

@BitesizedAudio

2 жыл бұрын

You're most welcome! I'm glad to say though that I have been uploading regularly, most recently a couple of days ago and usually about every 7-10 days depending on circumstances. It sounds like you've not received the notifications... If you click Subscribe and hit the bell that should mean you're alerted about future uploads. In the meantime you can see all the stories at this link: kzread.infovideos Glad to know you enjoy the stories, thank you for your kind words

@Catsmeow90

2 жыл бұрын

@@BitesizedAudio You are more than welcome. I have just checked and for some reason, I had become, unsubscribed?! I have now rectified this and so, I should now resume getting my notifications👌

My kind of story. The delightful descriptions as well as the speech satisfy my every expectations of old fashioned tale telling which are so seldom being available in these days of ridiculous made up monsters, cursing and every other low class scribblings. This is certainly a refreshing change of the sort I have looked in vain for in this day and age. Thank you for it and the fantastic enjoyment of narration.

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Keekee hawk, much appreciated!

Perfect for relaxing in my recliner with my headphones on, or lights out in bed. thank you !

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Excellent - thank you Charlie!

Delighted to have found this channel. I enjoy your skill. Thanks.

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Delighted you found your way here too! Thanks for listening

Thankyou. Looking forward to listening to this one tonight.

I quite enjoyed Ms. Riddell's descriptive prowess. And you have a lovely narrative voice. ☺️

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Very kind of you to say so, thank you!

Thank you!

Not long found this channel.. now can't seem to stop.. i did have a few others that i listened to but thus has taken over, no unnecessary long pauses, no unnecessary emphasis on words. Just reads with feelings, as if understanding the writer to how it should be read.. Seems you nearly a company me most of the day, ear plug in and away I go. How can I be lonely. Thank you..

@BitesizedAudio

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for listening, Alison, and for your kind comments. Best wishes to you

Good author great reading Thank You!!

Another excellent story & reading. Thank you.

11 : 19 "...the afternoon sun streamed over the grass..." What a beautiful language.

I think there was a ghost . He was trying to tell the owner where his body was once his body was found he could rest in peace .

I am so glad your channel popped up in my feed. You have an absolutely amazing (and growing) selection of wonderful stories. The narration is excellent and the quality too. And personally, I do love the portraits of the authors to the story, nice touch. Now I am subbed and immensely look forward to gorging my way through your channel. Thank you very, very much!

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful, thanks so much for listening - and subscribing!

I really enjoy the stories you choose. This one is haunting and Romantic in its description of the moonlight walk. I thoroughly was impressed by your narration of this tale. You gave the central narrator a softer tone than other characters and changed tempo and volume where appropriate.

“Putting out a measure which frightened me.” 😂🤣

Excellent narration. Thank you.

Ooo long day at work..shall enjoy this Thank you🌹

Wonderful, what a joy to listen to

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Robert

I'm late to your site but am an instant fan. I look forward to listening to more of your narrations.

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

That's wonderful, thanks Nina. Happy listening!

Beautifully told story, I would liked to have lived at Nut bush Farm, thank you once again Simon.

@BitesizedAudio

Жыл бұрын

You are most welcome!

I love the old turn of phrases in these novels, 'done away with'. I haven't been able to find out what a Palmerston suit looks like?

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

That's a good question, I did look it up when preparing the reading but couldn't find anything either. I assume it relates to Lord Palmerston, foreign secretary and prime minister earlier in the Victorian era (although he died almost 20 years before this story was written), but so far as I can tell he wasn't particularly celebrated for his sense of fashion... so perhaps another Palmerston. Or something from Australia / New Zealand which both have towns and cities named after Lord P? For some reason I had the idea of a light coloured, possibly linen or similar material, suit with matching waistcoat - but I've no idea where that comes from, it may be an old memory of something I read long ago, or possibly entirely my imagination! I'd be interested to know if any other listener / readers can enlighten us further....

Excellent thankyou

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for listening - and subscribing!

Simon Stanhope is a great narrator.

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Your narration is fantastic! Listening while i crochet/knit/embroider! Hugs from Italy!!

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Maria, very kind!

Excellent story!!!!

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks Nancy

strangely I find these stories and the reader's voice very soothing and therapeutic in an ugly, disturbing time of global turmoil and daily news of gloom and disaster! Thanks so much. Natural remedies without drugs indeed. Now what happened to those bank notes? Lol

Wow! held me entranced. great “ghost” story. very good writer. i’m going to check if have more of her work. thanks . :) 🌷🌱

Hard to choose, but I think my favorite Charlotte Riddell so far - another fascinating narrator, and a nicely elaborated mystery. Thank you for this splendid narration!

@kpcraftster6580

2 ай бұрын

It was long enough to nibble away at, so I made a note of the four chapters: ch. 1 ends 27:34 ch. 2 ends 53:14 ch. 3 ends 1:13:44

Enjoyed this story very much ! Thank you 😊

I really appreciate this channel!! Love the stories and LOVE the narrator!!

@BitesizedAudio

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Rebecca, glad to know you enjoy them. Thanks for listening and for your kind words!

This tale is read much better than a couple of others I've listened to.

Thank you 👍

Excellent quality, on all levels. Special thanks to the narrator! Always a joy to find a star 😊

I love this story. The descriptions of the countryside are beautiful and the plot good. I love the observations of Miss Gostock - humourous, a great character. It reminds me of some of my old farming relatives. Wonderful narration too. I have listened to this several times. Many thanks for this.

@BitesizedAudio

11 ай бұрын

Much appreciated, thanks for listening Jane

Pure bliss, beautifully written tales, wonderfully narrated, so happy to have found you, Thank You

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you found your way here too! Thanks for your kind comments

Excellent, thank you. 👌💕

I really enjoyed this one. What a great story. And I love the gentleman who reads them. He has a great storytelling voice. Thank you for these stories.

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

You're most welcome, thank you for your kind feedback

How beautifully narrated! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ What a broad spectrum of dialogue, and tone. 💯 for the presentation . Well done. Valerie ❤️

Totally wonderful telling of these tales. Loving your work

Another wonderful reading! And another story with a delicious dry sense of humor interspersed with the mystery.

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Nancy, glad you enjoyed it. Yes there's quite a bit of humour in this one, the character of Miss Gostock was especially good fun to read...

@possumaintdead

4 жыл бұрын

Bitesized Audio Classics Yes, she was enjoyable,. I was hoping for an explanation of her eccentricity. I decided she was based on someone the author knew, and who probably thought she belonged in a story.

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

You're right, it's a shame she doesn't feature as much in the latter part of the story after her very promising introduction and, as you say, it's a pity her back story isn't more developed. Perhaps Mrs Riddell decided the story was already long enough!

Another quality story, well told.

Just love it love it love it! Your voice is wonderful and so lends itself to narration. Looking forward to listening to all the stories you make available. Thank you so much!💖

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your kind words Jade Bird, much appreciated!

A cracking story-compellingly told! Loved it! Thank you!

Another first listen to a previously unheard excellent story ! Thank you so much for posting 👏👏👏👏👏👍😊

Most enjoyable. Thank you for posting this story.

Bravo! Excellent! I absolutely loved it!

This one was funny and suspenseful. Great job on the narration❤️

I just listened to this story again. You are incredibly talented. Thank you for sharing that talent. I certainly hope your channels get the attention you deserve.❤❤❤

What a lovely story, and a perfect narration too. Thank you so much for bringing these stories to life!

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Padmini Ramaswamy, I see you've been listening to quite a few stories on the channel recently, glad to know you enjoyed them!

Excellent, thank you so very much.

To add....so excited am I that I paused to look at suggested titles below hoping some other gem had also escaped my voracious literary appetite I laughed when the next two suggested were “The Willows” which still makes me shiver to recollect twenty maybe thirty years on and the complete collection of master M.R. James also long ago consumed but not a tale forgotten.... I will just count my blessings that this gem of Riddell escaped me till a morning I needed just such a gift of distraction. Great thanks to the narrator and poster. I’m subscribed! A lady can always hope and in fact must!

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for listening - and subscribing!

I’m new to this channel but I absolutely love it and listen to a couple of stories a week. Bravo to the narrator who brings life to these charming stories.

@BitesizedAudio

Жыл бұрын

Thank you - and welcome to the channel

I am absolutely thrilled to have access to these enchanting stories . Thank you so much!

Excellent... Thank You!

Excellent story, Simon. I listen to your chanel while driving to work every morning.

Wow! held me entranced. great “ghost” story. thanks. :) 🌷🌱

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐excellent in every way the narration & the writing ... *Simon* Thank You for presenting this one

Listening again to this perfect story & so well presented ... *TY Simon Stanhope*

@BitesizedAudio

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Miji, appreciated

Brilliant. Oh, you are the champ at this material. Just make darned sure you produce more material than I can keep up with - please!

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you kirpalani-griffin, I'll do my best!

Great to hear these stories on a dark, cold winter’s day / night. Thoroughly enjoyed this one, thank you 😊

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for listening Barbara, glad you enjoyed it

Took my dog out today, picking Haze l and cobnuts on the Kent Downs! Beautiful.