"An Experiment of the Dead" by Helen de Guerry Simpson | Audio narration | Macabre fiction

When the Reverend Dionysius Luan asks to visit his cousin who is in prison awaiting execution, the solicitor begins to wonder whether he has an ulterior motive.
This original recording is an audio presentation by Jasper L'Estrange for EnCrypted Horror. “An Experiment of the Dead” by Helen de Guerry Simpson (1938).
You can hear me discuss this story by becoming a channel member and listening to episode 17 of The EnCrypted Postmortem: • Postmortem #17: BUMPER...
CREATOR’S NOTE: These recordings contain sound effects and music because that’s what I personally like to listen to, and what I enjoy making. As you will see from the comments, a lot of the listeners also like it. If it’s not your thing, please feel free to listen to the many other narrators who are voice-only. I’m sure they’ll be glad to hear from you. I do accents and voices to help distinguish between characters, but please keep in mind that I’m not Michael Sheen or Meryl Streep. I’m also not Trevor Horn twiddling the knobs at Abbey Road. These are recorded in my home using the equipment that it has been within my means to buy. While I take care to my pronunciation is correct, I may make the occasional mistake. Your natural inclination will be to point this out in the comments, but please give some credit for all the words I pronounce perfectly! The older stories I read may contain “outdated attitudes” but, in their authors’ defence, they didn’t know what you would find offensive in the 21st century. Sometimes in these tales a pet animal dies but no real animals were killed in the writing or narrating of them.
💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀
Supporting my work
If you like, you can donate in the following ways:
Patreon: / encryptedpod
KZbin channel membership: / encryptedclassichorror
One-off donation: ko-fi.com/encr...
You can now also say THANKS (on KZbin) with a SUPER THANKS!
LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE - it all helps the show survive and prosper!
If you want to discuss the show, talk business, or have any ideas for stories you'd like to hear in future episodes, contact me: [e-mail]
💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀
About the story:
"An Experiment of the Dead” by Helen de Guerry Simpson. First published in The Tatler, 19th October 1938. Later collected in The Ash Tree Press Annual Macabre, 2001 and, more recently, in “The Outcast and The Rite: Stories of Landscape and Fear, 1925-1938” (ed. Melissa Edmundson, pub. Handheld Press, 2022).
Music credits:
Music used : "IMAGINARY" composed and produced by "Vivek Abhishek"
Music link • [ No Copyright ] Imagi...
SUBSCRIBE us on KZbin: bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : bit.ly/2ImU2JV
Music used : "IMMACULATE" composed and produced by "Vivek Abhishek"
Music link : • [ No Copyright ] Immac...
SUBSCRIBE us on KZbin: bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : bit.ly/2ImU2JV
Sound effects: All sound effects sourced at Freesound*.
*Used with the following licence: creativecommon...
The recording was created using Audacity and BandLab. Podcast hosted by Spotify.
💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Here's a short story for you. More on the way quite soon.

[@waningmooncancer9628]

Hi Jasper!! How are you doing? I do hope life is treating you very well. Thank you for this weird tale. What was the man thinking?! Being of the Cloth and dealing g in evil works, well it just has to come back and bite him on the rear. Tsk, tsk, tsk....

[@yesterdayitrained]

Thank you! You have a wonderful voice, perfect intonation. Love your narrations!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@waningmooncancer9628 Indeed. And...spoilers for anyone reading before listening... ...goodness knows what the new inhabitant will do with his corporeal form!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@yesterdayitrained Glad to hear it. Thank you kindly 🙏

[@waningmooncancer9628]

@@EnCryptedHorror She's going to learn to hate the life she was so devious in getting...

[@itallia666]

🇬🇧 Oh how utterly delicious! A nasty little tale of feminine Perniciousness & evil. I could just picture Lady Helen as A kind of haughty beauty such as Vivian Leigh had in her role as Scarlett O'Hara. Cold, callous & scheming & the Reverend Luan as a corpulent Robert Morley who with his beetling eyebrows cast his baleful stare at the solicitor. Its what i love most about Jaspers narrations, He always manages with ease to invoke such images in the film screen of ones mind, the unfolding story. I really enjoyed this little gem Very entertaining & the characterisation & voices were just spot on! I used to know a girl with part of the same surname of the author of this story. Her name was Lorna De Guerry & she was an artist & also a writer, wonder if there had been any family connection? 🤔 This was back in the 1990s shame i never found out. Thank you as always Monsieur L' Estrange, its very much a pleasure to see a new story from you come up. Many thanks & appreciation Peace & Love to All 🇬🇧👧

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you for your lovely comments. Robert Morley is a terrific shout for Rev. Luan. But I'm disheartened that nobody seems to have spotted I was trying to "do" Arthur Lowe for the solicitor 😄

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

​@@EnCryptedHorror Arthur Lowe? Brilliant! I think the next villain should definitely have a touch of Benny from Crossroads, although I suppose that would be terribly un-pc....🤔 Great story, beautifully Lowe-rated as always, thank you ❤

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

Yes, definitely very vivid mental pictures with this one. But I'm afraid I shall have to disagree with you as to the role of Lady Helen. In my mind it should go instead to my favourite leading lady, Bette Davis. 👀

[@itallia666]

@@thehangingparsiple5692 Hey! Thanks for the reply 🖐 I hope you mean when Bette was still in her prime & a damn attractive woman??? I think character actresses are scarce these days, its all about looks, enhancements, etc. Sure there are some brilliant actresses who are in it for the Craft. Like Cathy Bates.. who is more attractive now than when she was younger. On the whole, Brit actors ( i forgot we're not allowed to call female actors .. actresses 😑) There are still few & far between That have that stare or look in the eyes that chill you to the marrow... yes Bette Davis had it So did Joan Crawford. Modern ACTors like Megan Fox have an Icy cold stare through beautiful features which makes the overall effect Scary. Another Actress ( stuff em) who actually scared me with just her on screen presence was Charlotte Rampling I thought she had reptilian eyes. There are some good actresses out there today but trying to bring a specific type to mind is hard Not so with the actresses of the golden age of Hollywood There are a ton of incredibly talented women ... ones who could look like Little Orphan Annie one moment & switch like a blade into a maelstrom of evil.🤤 Merle Oberon was another beauty with an underlying menace. My ultimate alltime favourite star, my idol was Rita Hayworth She was so amazing.. Whenever i feel droopy & sad i play the scene from Gilda when she drunkenly sings & sways to Put The Blame on Mame Boys. An instance tonic ! Also the natural exquisite beauty of Gene Tierney. Never knew shed had a fling with a young John Kennedy ( But he did her wrong!!) Oki doki fenoki! Thanks for still reading, yes i concur with Bette in the part She made a brilliant villainess Peace & Frivolity 🇬🇧👧

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

​@@itallia666 Wow! You certainly know your stuff! I have to say your comments on Cathy Bates are absolutely spot on. Joan Crawford hated Bette and vice versa - but those two together in Baby Jane changed the game. One of my favourite films ever. If you ever have the chance (and you haven't already seen it) I recommend the Bette Davis film 'The Anniversary'. Bette accepted she wasn't a beauty. Her mother told her often enough, and it was she who encouraged Bette to smoke from a young age, telling her it was the only way anyone would ever take notice of her. Sad, isn't it? I loved her spirit and her wit, which remained razor sharp right to the last. Thank you for the interesting exchange! ❤

[@jared1870]

I did very much enjoy it, thank you. But imagine, if you will, Jasper possessing that red bound book and all his willing minions *shudder*.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

With that red book I'd be a minionnaire 😈

[@evelanpatton]

Oh, what it is to be the first to say, “THANK YOU!” Excited!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

🥇

[@timothyfurmidge2206]

Oh a very good story, loved the different voices, very effective and well done. Many thanks Jasper for this, another excellent production 👏 😊, TF

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you, glad you liked it 👍

[@YvonneWilson312]

Another excellent story from Helen de Guerry Simpsonn- thank you so much for introducing us to the work of this extraordinary author, who was previously unknown to me.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks Yvonne. Glad you enjoyed 😊

[@trixie10199]

Great short story! You are so talented! Can’t wait for the next one! Thank you 🙏!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks for the Super Thanks. That's very kind 🙏

[@sheilaewing3309]

Thankyou. I’m saving this for night shift Fri as I love to listen when I’m doing the ironing.

[@rohanquinby3188]

What an exquisite and subtle story. So brilliantly crafted, and so wonderfully narrated. Thanks to you and the author, I have a pretty bad case of the creeps tonight..

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@northernlights8126]

Excellent Jasper.Thank You!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're very welcome 👍

[@user-tc2ie3db3z]

Excellent story choice! I love a character with such forceful willpower.

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Great story and narration. What a tale! Lady Lidyard (spelling) is something else. Talk about planning and confidence in a plan!

[@mijiyoon5575]

Well presented *Jasper* & the car crash sound is so real 👍👍👍👍👍

[@stephaniestevenson6335]

What a wonderful story to wake up to!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Glad you liked it 😊

[@rickmills4801]

Just like the failed chemistry experiment, it was not quite the solution he expected... Enjoyed it, Jasper!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Glad to hear it! Thanks Rick 👍

[@michellebastiani6470]

Oh that was delightful Jasper! Really like the picture for the thumbnail too, reminds me of a specific woman of Hollywood

[@mariameere5807]

WoW 🤩 Now this is my kind of story! Thank you Jasper! Best wishes and blessings in abundance! ☮️💜☯️

[@ClassicGhost]

Fantastic!. It’s a great story beautifully performed and very well produced

[@hilaryeales1268]

Thank you, Jasper......I wish you a happy, relaxing Easter and 'ope you get lots of heggs 😊

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You too! I'm looking forward to it! 🐣

[@itallia666]

🇬🇧 Oooh How did i miss this 10 hours ago! I must be slipping! 😉 Im off to listen... nothing like Jaspers soothing & modulent tones ( can there be modulent Tones??) Whatever... lie back, get relaxed Close ones occular objects & listen....ahhh 🇬🇧👧

[@unclevlad3357]

very much did enjoy it. thank you Jasper L'Estrange

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're very welcome 👍

[@victoria5043]

Excellent, as always. Thank you❤

[@frankedwards2784]

Great story - thanks Jasper.

[@lisatate7783]

You have a fantastic voice! A pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this upload,

[@samnelson2343]

Another treat. Thank you mr L'estrange

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're welcome 👍

[@briangreen1781]

This was excellent. Thank you!

[@marjie012000]

Great story. Thank you

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're welcome 👍

[@woolybullybananapeel8642]

You are just the best Jasper! Happy Easter!!!🐙

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks for the Super Thanks! Happy Easter to you too! 🐣

[@AmandaLee-in2yl]

Thank you always enjoy a new upload

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Glad to hear it! Thank you 😊

[@tonyeden8381]

Excellently done good sir 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you kindly 🙏

[@violetfemme411]

I don't see a comment from myself here, though I definitely listened. Hmmm...well this ongoing chest infection has kept me down a lot, but to forget to comment on JASPER?? Nonsense. Ok who stole my comment lol 💜

[@EnCryptedHorror]

We had an email from KZbin HQ the other day about disappearing comments. Maybe yours was in there somewhere...🤔

[@SandyBrrr]

Cat, meet canary. Oops, too late. The cat's already got yellow feathers stuck in its whiskers. Never underestimate the will of a single-minded woman. 😅 Awesome sauce, J.

[@thurayya8905]

I imagine there will be some argument over who gets the body and I don't think she likes to share.

[@Story-Voracious66]

I hope that late is better than never, to say "Thank you Mr LeStrange.". You bring stories to vivid life for us, characters coalesce in the mind's eye. An aural magic lantern show. A view of a wrecked red Ferrari Dino at the bottom of the scree dappled slope and a long cool woman in a black dress, looking back over her shoulder as she casually smears a steak of her husband's blood across her cheek for effect. Happy chocolate worship season! 🐰🍫

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you! You really get what I try to do with these stories 🙏

[@jackyhawkins1895]

Thank you 😊

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're welcome! 👍

[@joedge6142]

My notifications aren't working, I've only just seen this.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

But you found it eventually and that's the main thing 😁. Seriously though, the notifications thing and even the subscriptions feed generally is pretty bad. I swear it would rather show me a dozen things I have no interest in and never engage with than the things I watch and "like" without fail.

[@joedge6142]

@@EnCryptedHorror Yep, you watch one video of someone cleaning a filthy rug at 3.30 in the morning and your TL is full of them but you don't get notifications from your subscriptions. Who knew they had spin dryers for rugs? 😂

[@mijiyoon5575]

The afterlife in this ... the fate of the woman... this reminds me a bit of *Schalcken the Painter* which makes my skin crawl & would be worse than just being dead ...dead would be a blessing compared to the fate of that poor woman in the latter I mentioned. This woman is in control & the other one was not. Just letting my thoughts run on here🤔

[@spews1973]

I enjoyed it.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Glad to hear it 😁

[@lccsd2392]

But what was in it for Llewyn? Supposedly Lady Helen was overpowered him to use his body but what was supposed to happen? Was he going to reanimate her body? Was she going to do some ghostly bidding for him?

[@EnCryptedHorror]

My understanding was that he thought he was going to command her spirit to do his evil works for him after her death, yes. But, as the stronger of the two, she possessed him instead.

[@michaelbell2035]

Eeexelent smithers!

[@franktheexpertstrenchclub9025]

Jacked that fool’s spot.

[@mijiyoon5575]

*Spoiler Alert* coshed on the noggin. *Toad of Toad Hall* risking life & limbs in *swift vehicles*

[@mijiyoon5575]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@JennyLane8666]

Oooh I quite liked that one! Brilliant performance, Jas!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed 😊