Both a cautionary tale outlining the dangers of over-indulgence and a farcical account of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Brugglesmith is funny and at times, unbelievable. Our sorry narrator finds himself in a situation with a stranger who is less than logical, and has to resort to rather drastic means to keep him at bay.and to keep his...

A story of marital discomfort, bribery and 'just desserts', this story follows an unpleasant man's efforts to divorce his wife. Described by some critics as 'overdoing' the retribution dished out to the story's villain, this tale is a gritty and satisfying listen which outlines the perils of dishonesty and is a fable of sorts.

A refreshingly unusual story which examines the human condition and the idea of words from the past haunting the present. A jockey in a big race is set to win and is a 'sure bet' but with haunting voices from the past ringing in his ears, can he overcome his psychological torture to succeed on the track? A well-crafted story which lends itself to a...

This thrilling and mysterious story was first published in the Civil and Military Gazette on March 4th 1887 and collected in Plain Tales from the Hills in 1888, and in subsequent editions of this collection. The Bisara of Pooree is a tiny eyeless fish, carved from a nut, inside a little jewelled silver box. If stolen, it is a powerful love charm. I...

As a listener learns at the beginning of this fable-like old-fashioned story: "This is the story of a man who wilfully stepped beyond the safe limits of decent everyday society, and paid for it heavily. He knew too much in the first instance; and he saw too much in the second. He took too deep an interest in native life; but he will never do so aga...

An intriguing India-based tale from Rudyard Kipling that concerns money, stealth and deception. Reggie Burke is seemingly the perfect bank manager, but "As he said himself, and as many men found out rather to their surprise, there were two Burkes, both very much at your service." This becomes very clear as the story progresses and a listener is dra...

This ghostly story by O.Henry tells the tale of Danny, on his first day away from home, in the 'Big City'. Looking around his new apartment, he begins to discover hints of who the previous occupant could have been. This story about beauty, warmth, loneliness and regret will touch the heart of any who read it.

Our narrator tells the sad tale of her marriage, marred by a husband who breaks her heart spending his money in disreputable establishments, while she, Barbara, slowly withers away. Her beauty fading, she moves inevitably closer towards her only form of escape, her death. A melancholy and tragic tale, masterfully told.

This story of obsession and loss is set in the thespian world. When a figure from the past comes back to retrieve something he lost, a pair of lovers are thrown into turmoil. The strange and powerful person has a story to tell.but what will the ending be?

Nunzia's sister keeps birds in a cage outside the bedroom that they share. Nunzia herself cares not at first for the birds, but all the same keeps her own secret locked in a cage inside her. What is the secret that makes the bird inside her flutter around her chest excitedly? And why does her secret result in her half-starving her family with doubt...

Loretta, Mary, Anne and Sylvia are four young women who belong to a sisterhood composed of superior women, who for various reasons, determine to remain single and devote themselves to earnest work. They, do not rush into marriage recklessly like other young girls, who fear being single and perhaps penniless or uncared for. They enjoy their liberty...

Published in 1899, in "Grey Weather", a collection of short stories and poems by the author, Buchan.

One of the Runagates Club stories, where members of a dinner club take it in turns to relate a tale to the other guests. A man is shipwrecked on a desert island in the Archipelago. He has heard that either he will find nothing to eat or else he will be eaten by the local savages. Either way things don't look too promising. He is, in fact, captured...

A political discussion piece, this story sees political canvassers in Ireland discussing the merits of their candidates and the advantages and pitfalls of their positions, including whether or not they are to be paid. Also concerned with allegiances and tensions between nationalists and loyalists, this story from 'Dubliners' is historically interes...

Sherlock Holmes arrives at a large, dark, seemingly deserted house with Dr. Watson. Heavily loaded carriages with luggage are visible outside the house. Our intrepid team find a window ajar, and climb into the apartment where they find they are not alone. Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes Adventures are legendary classics of crime writing, and a...

Sherlock Holmes is dying of a rare Asian disease, and desperately needs the help of a sworn enemy. Watson must try to get to the bottom of this mystery, and save Holmes' life. Written with Arthur Conan Doyle's characteristic ingenuity, this Holmes mystery is not one to miss.

A story in Conan Doyle's famous 'Professor Challenger' series. In this story he encounters a Russian scientist who has created a machine that not only disintegrates humans but also re-assembles them. He is selling his plans to the country that made the highest offer but first Professor Challenger wants to test out the machine himself.

Holmes calls on Watson late one evening to tell him about a case that he has been working on, and also to invite him to be a witness to the final stage of the investigation. Colonel James Barclay, of The Royal Mallows based at Aldershot Camp, is dead, apparently by violence, and his wife Nancy is the prime suspect. Holmes and Watson never disappoin...

Terry Neil, a bone-setter and doctor, agrees to keep watch over the big house, which is rumoured to be haunted by an old inhabitant. After building his courage by drinking alcohol, he stays up through the night, and starts to hear sounds and see things that should frighten him, but which actually have surprising and even almost comical requests and...

Joe battles the greed of his parents, who want him to marry for money, not love.

A story of magic, Empire and deception in Raj India, our narrator tells of Suddhoo, a 'very, very old man' who lets out rooms in his house. All-accepting, Suddhoo gives a roof to grocers, prostitutes and other equally polar opposite professions, including a man who describes himself as a 'seal-cutter' but who actually seems to practice a career rat...