43 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax from His Last Bow [ Sherlock Holmes ] (1917) Audiobook

The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax is a short story featuring the exploits of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. It appears in the volume of stories published in 1917 entitled 'His Last Bow', written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Something odd is afoot in Lausanne and Holmes is far too busy to leave London, fearing that the Empire will grind to a halt should he do so. He persuades Watson to head over to Switzerland to look for Lady Frances who hasn't written to her old nanny in ages. There's an Honourable gentleman who sounds a bit of a rough diamond and a dubious chap from the antipodes who professes to be a missionary.
Holmes is, as usual somewhat dismissive of Watson's investigative powers. It's not one of Conan Doyle's best stories and this is far from one of my best narrations. SNAP!
It is read (on an interesting microphone) by Greg Wagland for Magpie Audio.
© Magpie Audio 2019
What microphone is it today?

[@robertnavetta4419]

Finally at age 65 I am a born again Sherlock Holmes fan thanks to the marvelous voice of Mr. Wagland. Amazing storytelling thanks so much!

[@thegarden-musicforrelaxation]

Me too, 64 yrs and I wasn't interested until I heard this story teller. The combination of Conan Doyles beautiful words and the delivery by Mr Wagland is a magical combination. My born again experience has begun here . .

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

Oh I like this story. Dr Watson investigating on his own, the police being respectful, the villain is devious and the "savage" is a good man.

[@am91101]

Action sequences so brilliantly narrated that they need no visuals!

[@arnoldronning5471]

No need to feel disappointed with this narration nor Doyle's story. It is original and entertaining. I rather like the fact that it takes Watson out of his usual environment. Although Holmes may seem dismissive of Watson, he does have confidence enough to send Watson to Switzerland without him and depend entirely upon his observational and narrative ability. Thank you for posting.

[@sivanlevi3867]

The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax is one story I won't forget. Solving murders is one thing, but figuring out missing persons cases is quite another.

[@HeliNoir]

This had me laughing! The exchange between Peters and Holmes was just brilliant, they really sounded like different people having an argument. Great job as always Mr. Wagland!

[@jodyhunter9044]

I just read The disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax. It was superb as alwaysand I listen to all your stories over and over again.. you keep me intriguedwith the way you switch characters at a second's notice as I've said a hundred times before, no one can touch you. Please keep it up. I admire you so much.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks Jody Much appreciated - as always!

[@MrsHandyRU]

So much to discuss! 47:55 Holmes says "Temporary Eclipse"! What will the general population do when The Eclipse comes along?? Call for God, that's what. You are brilliant! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lidiaadobato6667]

These stories are superbly read. Thanks for doing it so well. The reading is at the same level as Conan Doyle's style.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Lidia

[@nancyM1313]

Just found my last story for bedtime. Thanks!💕

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Nancy

[@Sallyb1022]

Thank you many times over. Your readings are perfection.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Very kind Cheers Sallyb

[@michaelpipkin2399]

I live in South America and often miss my native, English language. Thank you so much for keeping me connected

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Michael South America ? Big place, Michael North South East West ?

[@michaelpipkin2399]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio Medellin, Colombia. Wishing you the best from Medellin! And many thanks!

[@barbarasmith2693]

So delighted to see this upload! Bravo Mr. Wagland. Another tale well read. You are now, officially, the voice I hear in my head when reading dialogue in any Holmes mystery. I could not ask for a better.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks Barbara. Appreciated!

[@ringpop6177]

I dream in British voices now It’s scary

[@wmnoffaith1]

Better than dreaming in the voices from Jersey Shore! I'd rather hear Greg Wagland in my head than Snookie or the Situation. God, American tv is such trash. Thank God for audiobooks. Who would've thought that with the advent of technology, we would effectively regress to the days of the fireside story, and we would all be gathered around, figuratively speaking, to listen to Greg tell us a story from a hundred years ago.

[@alonzomadero9413]

I must say, these stories are superbly presented. Thank you very much. I have listened to quite a number of your presentations and I have enjoyed them all immensely.

[@thelaughingtiger146]

Thank you Greg, as always your reading is my favorite. Five stars!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Crazy CAT

[@johnnye87]

"I don't admit that a fresh illustration is an explanation" is up there with sassiest Watson comebacks of all time

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Sharper than many give him credit for!

[@jiuc9314]

Thank you so much for doing this!!! You have no idea how much I love your reading. Absolutely brilliant!!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Jiu

[@Bambisgf77]

Here I am again listening for the umpteenth (old southern saying 😂) time! Always a pleasure and never gets old. Thank you Greg

[@hjander]

Food for the imagination, thanks.

[@morganjohnson4430]

Thank you!! So glad you are still uploading videos 😃

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Oh yes. While there's still strength...

[@stevemcwatt9900]

Greg you are most certainly in the same league as Martin Jarvis, outstanding and a shear joy to listen to.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Steve - now that IS a compliment.

[@greatvarda8688]

Your work is impeccable, sir. I'm enjoying every second of it! 👌❤️

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers GV

[@gavinstarling8737]

Couldn't agree more!

[@ironically7561]

It’s a good day when you upload! I’ve been ill for a year now and these help cheer me up a lot :) thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Ironic

[@annskinner8467]

Get well soon ❤️

[@ringpop6177]

Ironic Ally I hope u are ok I’m thinking of you! It’s nice to listen to Greg when u don’t feel good I luv u!

[@elizebethpenington3755]

Yes. Like you, I am frequently confined to home and bed so my appreciation for your marvelous gifts to us. Thank you so much.

[@jencgold]

Ironic Ally get better❤️❤️🙏🏻

[@carlstevens4981]

Excellent once again mr wagland

[@bkp1283]

Your the best Greg .thank you !

[@SeerOfTime577]

Ah, so wonderful! Such impeccable narration!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Seer

[@peterbamforth6453]

A super story and impeccable reading many thanks.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks for listening, Peter. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@susandombrowski7711]

Oh be still my heart..... a new Greg Wagland narration!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Not totally still though!

[@harrickvharrick3957]

In real life, chloroform is very deadly when inhaled for longer than a very short time. THAT is the main reason why it has been abandoned as an anaesthetic during surgery: there is not enough of a safe margin between a dose needed to achieve the desired effect and a deadly one.

[@ringpop6177]

Nice of you to join us Mr Wagland!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Well, like a weird eclipse, it's rare but worth looking out for.

[@ringpop6177]

Ya that’s you A weird eclipse

[@andreaodermatt8297]

You officially made my day, thank you for another case!!!!!

[@nicolawallace7255]

I listen to these stories for sleep 💜 thank you so much im getting into a good pattern 💜 your narrative is fabulous 😍

[@lizparker8431]

I can’t sleep till the end! 🤗

[@jiuc9314]

Thank you so much for what you do. You have no idea how much I enjoy your reading!

[@sunflowerz54]

Greg, thank you for another wonderful production as always. !!

[@jabrayjay6679]

Yes! So excited for a new story, and I don't think I've read this one! Thank you

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Yes, I don't think it's the greatest but it's serviceable!

[@jabrayjay6679]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio it's fantastic 😁

[@calebashby2968]

Awww yis. I was just about to do the dishes and now I have something to listen to.

[@lidiaadobato6667]

These wonderful readings make chores so much lighter!

[@Butters-ly3hq]

This is no doubt the best story of Sherlock Holmes, for a short story it contains so many twist and turns and confusing moments.

[@Lisa-zm2qh]

These has been my bed time stories since the quarantine. I love listening to them. ♥️

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

thanks Lisa.

[@mckavitt13]

Wonderful! And the equation of evil vs. good perfect. Thank you, Greg, for your outstanding portrayals 👏👏👏

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you mck13

[@orsoncart1021]

Thank very much,thank you very much, thank you very very verrrrry much Greg.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Isn't that from 'Thank you very much for the Aintree iron ?' Cheers

[@orsoncart1021]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio that's the one,good old Scaffold. Listening to "Ed Stewpot Stewart " every W/E. The best radio show ever.

[@lauraveapi3840]

Thank you so much. I have chronic insomnia and calming stories only bother me. You have cured my insomnia for a week now. You gave me over 2 hours sleep each day 😍

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad to hear it!

[@JANN-JAPAN]

Even though I know most of the stories I find I want to stay awake to listen. But, put my eye mask on and do fall asleep little by little.

[@reneenoldus3621]

An absolute joy listening to this !! Thank you so much!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks for listening - cheers!

[@JudeNance]

I'm 82 and have been fascinated with Sherlock since I was a teenager. Thanks 😊

[@sjr7822]

Narrator Greg Wagland, Well Done. Thank you, enjoyed!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Nice cat! Cheers

[@amanitamuscaria7500]

Excellent

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks!

[@exrk1647]

Another impeccable reading of Holmes, thank you Mr. Wagland.

[@crochetedlace2838]

Fabulous. Thanks

[@punkfledermaus]

Thank you so much for this story! Keep up the good work!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers punkfledermaus I'll try!

[@TedaR]

Excellent as always! What a story teller you are! Pls note I said "story teller" not READER..it's as if we are all gathered for an evening's entertainment in some stately parlor! TYSM Greg, I am a happy sub! (but could always be happier with more...please. LOL)

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you teda lyn

[@elizebethpenington3755]

So true

[@wmnoffaith1]

Yes, that's how I look at it as well. It's a virtual fireside with Greg telling tales from one hundred years ago. Plus ça change, plus c'est la meme chose. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[@popeye583]

Nice! Thanks!

[@bobowzki]

A new one! Fantastic!

[@tinaarko6625]

Love these. Thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Ta, Tina

[@giovannanunziata6414]

Greg, your are simply the best. Thank you so much

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Steady on Giovanna! You spoil me with praise! Cheers ;-)

[@trukeesey8715]

Two realities wherewith you must come to grips: 1) If your pronunciation is not phonetic, then you are wrong. 2) OED does not try to establish a standard of pronunciation, but is reportage of the errors made by the masses.

[@micahfoley9572]

Literally the only time i've ever solved one of these before Sherlock. And i've listened to ever single one of these.

[@jimfee9847]

Very easy to listen to, very well read

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Jim

[@TexanAmiga]

Fantastic! Thank you thank you! I enjoyed this so much!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Jeaninne

[@angelaconnor4942]

Thank you, made my day.

[@gatacelta]

"I cannot at the moment recall any possible blunder which you have omitted. The total effect of your proceeding has been to give the alarm everywhere and yet to discover nothing." Oh my, the absolute biting wit! And the good Mr. Wagland had delivered it with astonishing perfection. I had to replay it several times, laughing with satisfied amusement. The lines, the delivery. Perfection!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you gatacelta. Glad you liked it! I'd quite like to hear it myself now!

[@movingpicutres99]

Thank you and bravo.

[@johnmichaelfitzgerald3052]

"Maaate, been waiting ages for this upload, Greg Wagland, bloody awesome read, thanks, I'll listen to it a couple more times, by then maybe you'll be recording another masterpiece" ? 💯👍🇦🇺

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Well... JMF, maybe But don't hold your breath It's medically unwise :-)

[@johnmichaelfitzgerald3052]

Hmm, i can hold my breath for a minute, that's about it, so I'll hold my breath whilst breathing through my nose!😥cheers 🇦🇺😂

[@mariavarea2795]

Man this guy is awesome...

[@laurencemallick6744]

A Turkish Bath sound delightful... the Oregon cold is sinking into my bones and my toes! Snow is coming soon! ❄️

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Yes it does - apart from that part where they pull you about like a Stretch Armstrong. Not for the faint hearted.

[@donkeybus]

Wow, props to the carfax marketing dept thinking way outside the box.

[@patrickd4468]

Brilliant .Bravo Sir!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Ta!

[@rustyhook69]

❤❤❤

[@sim3otto]

Excellent as always. I find it peculiar that not only do you get any thumbs down, but you get them almost immediately after posting something. Are there just anti-Greg people who sit there and wait for you to post, just so they can declare (without comment) that they thoroughly disapprove? At least ‘Disgusted, from Tunbridge Wells’ bothered to write in with an explanation of objection. Perhaps these Thumbs Downers are merely jealous rivals who should really ask inwardly why they simply have boring and shit voices, rather than outwardly spew diversion tactics. Maybe some people think it’s their British civic duty to balance out any form of praise. Don’t want Sir Greg of Wag Land getting too big for his boots. No sir! Weird. I disapprove of the disapprovers.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers sim3otto Yes! What are the motivations of the Thumbs Downers? They react so quickly that they clearly haven't bothered to listen to more than a fraction of it, if at all. They don't like 'em but are very keen to thumbs down the next offering - reminds me of zombies returning to the shopping mall and banging up against the big glass windows. Let them continue if it gives their 'lives' some purpose! I will continue to eat the supplies within the mall and taunt them through the glass. Let's hope they don't get a hammer anytime soon and that a helicopter is on its way. I'm very fond of zombie movies by the way. Thumbs downers gonna thumbs down, as no one ever said. Sir Greg of Wag Land

[@sim3otto]

Sherlock Holmes Stories Magpie Audio I enjoy the zombie film genre too. Of more recent ones, ‘Train to Busan’ is an entertaining romp. And ‘Cargo’, though I wouldn’t describe that as a “romp”.

[@Jk3046USMC]

Thanks for doing this. I have PTSD and this helps.

[@asmasalem6837]

I'm enjoying listening to this in my quarantine :) Thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoy it! Keep safe!

[@escapefelicity2913]

Thank you Mr. W

[@wadejameskennedy4495]

Thankyou Greg. You are good.

[@iriswaterford8881]

Happy to have you being rewarded for your channel.🙃😄❣️

[@landofmyth221]

I m looking forward to come this story in my reading order 💕

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Of course!

[@mmmhmmm_7]

Great voice acting by the reader. Very engaging.

[@kylebotha935]

Love these books

[@revive-full]

You have a good voice

[@Redwood1971]

Fantastic! Really exciting..

[@ringpop6177]

You know I have to have glossy! Silly

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

My bad.

[@MsDaniella1983]

Thank you!!! 💙

[@4362mont]

So well read!

[@richfairclough123]

BOOM.... fresh Holmes

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Relatively fresh. Reconstituted maybe - just add water.

[@JohnMeadowsSoulPatchPiper]

Sir Wagland, another wonderfully entertaining session! My full thanks sir. I am curious about the “interesting microphone.” Please expound.

[@KD-mo5pw]

Class! X

[@WelshGman1972]

"The Bath, he said, The Bath"

[@davidwillard9785]

It wasn’t your best, but it is appreciated !!!!!!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

True enough. Not ACD's best either. Cheers David

[@fahnikan]

I have a friend who notices the changes in everyone's shoes and appearance the way SH did at the beginning of the story. My friend is a renown novelist. Canon Doyle might have been imagining his own capacities for SH.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Indeed!

[@mwatts-riley2688]

You actually did the narritive? You did the reading?? Ah cool !! You my dear friend,(and i mean that truely) did a great job because when i hear this voice, yours, i always always imagine you and me sitting at a cafe table with tea and biscuits, you with a stogie and myself, with a Kent cigarette, the large windows looking into the street. I lean forward to hear every word and you tell, the whole story right from the start. This is vision has occured more than ounce, when hearing this voice. Fact. 😳 M.kaye. IL. 🇺🇸

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Well, that's very kind - an interesting vision. I would prefer a cup of coffee perhaps or a pint of bitter, a bag of crisps, and maybe a small cigar or pipe. I often imagine there's a rich benefactor out there who would like me to read to them at night for half an hour until they dropped off and then the rest of the day would be my own to mooch about and spend my massive salary. Anyone ?

[@mwatts-riley2688]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio what a hoot. You would not get a massive salary but you would get a small cigar or a pipe and i would allow you to, after i drift off to sleep, sit around my kitchen table eating and snarfing anything in the lagar you may find and thus, mooch. M. Il.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Sounds pretty good to me!

[@JANN-JAPAN]

I have a similar image but it comes from Lord Jim and I’m sitting around the table and you’re Marlow.

[@laseryohanna]

Hallelujah!!!!!

[@ringpop6177]

When do I get my autographed picture? It’s all I wanna know Mr Downton Abbey

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glossy or Matte finish?

[@rkgaustin9043]

Show me the Carfax! Sorry, can't. She's disappeared!

[@SuperBartles]

Rum do, what? Bit of a bore!

[@solivier7983]

lovely to hear from you again, but where is some more I Digress???

[@karenwaters1926]

Yes. Yes. I agree. More Digressions, please!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

I digress has gone. It was a bubble - it has passed and popped. Sic transit gloria

[@karenwaters1926]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio gone gone? Not even on another platform?

[@lubzeN]

Excellent!

[@susanhepburn6040]

Thank you very much.

[@murtl5595]

Hurrah!!

[@ringpop6177]

Hey Greg do u like Sade?

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Yes.

[@ListenToEnglishStories]

thank a lot

[@stevequizodlibumpbumpbump3575]

0:56 Not goin to look this'n up, but it is likely that the word is "alterative" rather than "alternative". Don't rulen out the possibilitude of typesetter's or proofreader's mistakin.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Could be Steve.

[@mattb7882]

Show me the Carfax.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Ha!

[@ringpop6177]

Funny!

[@GazpachoMacho]

I was gonna say that. :3

[@riggs20]

LOL!!!!

[@elizah2093]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@tomcurran1538]

As usual, an excellent reading. Lady Carfax is from the family that invented the automobile history company.

[@harrickvharrick3957]

Injected aether! AND every other method!

[@fredbennet6539]

Ether suppositories

[@annskinner8467]

1000 thanks for Lady Frances, Greg! Some days the only two who keep me sane are you and Bach. As for the thumbs-downers, they’re surely trolls who have nothing better to do. . . their loss 👹

[@wmnoffaith1]

Too true! Bach keeps me sane many days as well. ( try Elgars concerto for cello. It is beautiful to sleep to).