The story begins at 00:01:28. A classic mystery set in the swirling fog of Edwardian London. The residents of Park Square are woken at 3am by cries of "murder". Police soon identify a likely suspect with a strong motive, only to find the case falls apart when it becomes apparent he couldn't possibly have done it... Some notes on the text: 'The Regent's Park Murder' is listed as having appeared in the Royal Magazine in September 1901, part of the first series of Old Man stories printed that year. However, references in the text to events taking place in 1907 indicate that it was re-written, presumably for the publication in book form as part of the 1909 collection 'The Old Man in the Corner'. The text read here is from that 1909 publication; I've not been able to locate the earlier version. In re-drafting the story to be set in 1907, however, the Baroness appears to have made a mistake: the Old Man says that the events took place before the tube station in Park Square (Regent's Park, on what's now called the Bakerloo line) was built, or even planned. This might have been true in 1901, but records show that Regent's Park tube station opened in March 1906. The geography of the story is still very recognisable today, with much of the architecture remaining the same (externally at least). Park Square was built to a design by John Nash in the early 1820s, to the north of Park Crescent (built 1806-21), which joins Portland Place to the south. The large gardens around which Square and Crescent are built are bisected by the Marylebone Road, a major traffic thoroughfare even in the early 1900s, and the two sides are linked by an underpass known as the "Nursemaids' Tunnel": a private tunnel for residents' use, grandly built in stucco, each with arched entrances and fluted Doric columns. The road, park and tunnel are all referenced in the story. This is my fourth reading to date of an "Old Man in the Corner" story; if you enjoyed it and would like to hear the others, I've collected them in this playlist, which I'll add to as and when I record more from the series: kzbin.info/aero/PLi95qAoufCZJhRcQsHN1jhG2wcLHR6bfv More information on the author Emma (Emmushka) Orczy (1865-1947) can be found in the video description.
@evelanpatton7 ай бұрын
I really enjoy this series, though it’s rather odd. I feel as though she was ahead of her time with the premise- a young, professional female (journalist, if I remember correctly) & a smart detective who solves the newspaper crimes with nothing but social knowledge, psychology logic, & twists of ill use or fate that lead to the crimes, this always strikes me as more of a 1930’s sort of social milieu between the two. Does it strike others this way- as a sort of preview of the kind of world to come? I know the 1890’s ushered in the Women’s Suffragettes & the beginning of professional women through the literary & some visual arts (painters, writers). 💕💖✨
@Frenchblue87 ай бұрын
@@evelanpattonI know exactly what you're saying yes
@Bambisgf777 ай бұрын
Thank you Simon! 🎉❤ The history you give on the stories & authors is so unique and appreciated. Hope your new year ‘24 is off to a great start!
@sugarfalls17 ай бұрын
Thank you a million times over! Love when you get into that little sound studio! Expertly narrated as always!!
@samkennedy55547 ай бұрын
Just turned the lights out and snuggled under my quilt ready to listen before sleep. If i dont make it till the end, I always listen to the second half the next night 😂 cheers Simon 🙏
@kat715807 ай бұрын
I do the same! Takes me days to complete the story..hello Simon..
@susanfleischer77146 ай бұрын
Ditto here. Sometimes it takes three nights to get through a story.
@dougchance88916 ай бұрын
Sam Me too😊
@eileensharpe30455 ай бұрын
Me too
@teresawhite44663 ай бұрын
I thought I was the only one! I wouldn't get a good night's sleep without Simons dulcet tones. Thanks Simon
@stephaniealeman85227 ай бұрын
You had me at “swirling fog of Edwardian London” 💚
@hannahreynolds76117 ай бұрын
Oh what good timing - The Teahouse Detective. Thank you for posting one of my favourite authors during what has been a very difficult week.for me and my brothers. I hope the panto run was fun for you, as well as the audiences.
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thank you Hannah, I'm sorry to hear you've had a difficult week. Best wishes to you
@SEARSJAMES7 ай бұрын
Woohoo! Your back! HAPPY NEW YEARS SIMON AND FAMILY! Glad you're back! But where also a bit sad we know how much you love acting especially on stage! This holiday season went by to fast! Hope everything was a success but we're shure it was! All the best in the new years to come 🥂🍻👍👍! And love the pictures you posted! If you have anymore we'd all be very appreciative if you'd show them in your community page! Thanks for everything you do 🥂🍻!
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
@SEARSJAMES Thank you! I haven't been sent any more, but I keep meaning to ask if there are any, I must follow that up
@susangordon11577 ай бұрын
Thank you Simon for another few minutes together. It was a delightful story made all the better by your lovely voice. I loved it! ❤
@Frenchblue86 күн бұрын
I love the Baroness, Miss Polly Burton and the old man and his knotted string.. And Simon, rounding out the square. Perfect geometry! 💙
@kjaaroe1965 ай бұрын
Good heavens, Mr. Stanhope - you could read the back of cereal box and I would listen, enthralled. Thank you for this channel.
@mariamcgee44627 ай бұрын
Happy New Year Simon, I'm really looking forward to the tales you'll be sharing this year. 😊
@nancyhammons35943 ай бұрын
Another wonderful telling of a pretty good story. I really enjoyed Simon's voice.
@crazyyoda87217 ай бұрын
Love the narration and literary background on the authors! Bravo Sir!
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Glad to know that's of interest, thank you
@mariameere58077 ай бұрын
You are amazing! As is your channel! You seem to sense exactly what authors I am becoming obsessed with! When I first subscribed I was totally ignorant of a whole world of what takes up my spare time now as I have become very familiar with these talented genius authors! Thank you so much 🌟💛🌟
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thanks Maria. More to come in the weeks ahead. I've got another Loveday in preparation too (I know she's a favourite of yours!)
@mariameere58077 ай бұрын
@@BitesizedAudio Yes she is! I really do love those stories and she was the first to draw me in and now LT Meade and Robert Eustace and the baroness Orcy and I could go on and on, and that male writer (His name escapes me) with a surname like Brahman if you know who I mean! Thanks again Simon!🌟
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
@mariameere5807 Ah yes, Ernest Bramah, creator of Max Carrados. Possibly my personal favourite, although I like them all really. I'm hoping to do the next Loveday story soon: unfortunately there are only two left to record, she only wrote 7 and I've done 5 of them so far... I've been spreading them out to make them last, but will probably complete the series later this year and will then put them out as a complete video.
@mariameere58077 ай бұрын
@@BitesizedAudio That’s him! And that sounds like a great idea! I love your work, you really should be proud! Thank you so much for all you do!🫶🙏🌟
@patriciajrs467 ай бұрын
Thank you, Simon. Listening to great stories is true solace for ill feelings. I would have hated to try to learn to write my full name, if it was as long, and complicated as hers was. It's interesting to me that a Baroness would be such a writer- but most could say why not. No reason against it for sure. It seems that many women seem to be good writers. I think, almost, that women authors outnumber those of men- at least in renowned authors who have done well. I could most certainly could be wrong. I love your narrations anyway.
@minvalara27657 ай бұрын
It is always a great pleasure to listen to your story telling, thank you.
@simoneclift31557 ай бұрын
Happy New Year Mr Stanhope. Thank you for another blissful storytime. X
@ginabeena67577 ай бұрын
What a nice story to start the new year! Thanks Simon! 🥳❤️
@sharingmyfun88047 ай бұрын
What a fun story. The ending caught me by surprise. The descriptions were wonderful. A perfect story for this cold foggy night. Beautifully narrated as always. I wish you all good things in 2024. 35:03
@smythharris26357 ай бұрын
Good evening from the Spanish meseta.I'm just going out to dinner with a woman who claims she knows me. Good to see a new story. Recuerdos to you Simon, and everyone listening.
@JS-ob4oh6 ай бұрын
Excellent! Thank you for posting another The Old Man in the Corner mystery.
@barrycrump61897 ай бұрын
Happy New Year, Simon.
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thank you Barry, and the same to you
@kimmccabe14226 ай бұрын
Totally addicted. Especially of your Victorian mysteries, like Dr. Thorndike. Please keep them coming. I'm subscribed and will keep looking for new ones. You see I've gone to many great nights listening to all your mysteries available here already i do believe. THANK YOU!!
@nickybaker13385 ай бұрын
Ditto to all you have said 🙂
@sonjawells42657 ай бұрын
❤ Yay! Happy New Year!❤ Thank you so very much. ❤You are the very best on KZbin & Bandcamp.❤
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thank you Sonja, much appreciated!
@PippaAT7 ай бұрын
My heart leapt when I heard the start of the opening music! I have missed you.😊
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thank you Pippa. I'm keeping your previous request in mind for this year... just need to carve out more time!
@beverlyadams72057 ай бұрын
Excellent story! Thank you so much Simon. What a wonderful way to spend a snowy morning.❤
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thanks Beverly, stay warm!
@cruisepaige6 ай бұрын
Have to get up and do some tedious but also challenging work this morning. Simon making it ok!!❤❤❤
@jeffashley55127 ай бұрын
Great to have your stories back for the New Year. This story from the start intrigued me as the miscreant and I share last names. Lol Blessed Be from Tennessee. )O(
@code-527 ай бұрын
This is why I buy Simon a coffee each month. 😊❤❤❤
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Truly appreciated, thank you 🙏
@code-527 ай бұрын
@@BitesizedAudio Simon, if I hit the lottery, I'm rewarding you big time. You deserve it.
@maryporter8687 ай бұрын
I check everyday hoping to see a new post. Thank You!
@nickybaker13385 ай бұрын
Me too! 🙂
@mariannwolf48897 ай бұрын
Thank you. So glad you are back. Happy New Year.
@Aiko2-26-97 ай бұрын
A wonderful new story, masterfully read as always. So happy you are still providing us with these wonderful tales.
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Glad to know you enjoy them
@matthbhhh24397 ай бұрын
Every day I check if you’ve posted.
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Sorry to have kept you waiting! I'm settling back into more of a routine now Christmas is over...
@nickybaker13385 ай бұрын
Me too! What joy to see the appearance of a new a new title!
@cathydonnellan91747 ай бұрын
Hi Simon,thank you so much,from Adelaide,Sth Australia
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Wonderful, thanks Kathy. I have an Australia-set story in my line up for the months ahead, so do look out for that!
@crystalclear68647 ай бұрын
The background info is such a bonus. Your recordings are Made with love:)
@maxgc64137 ай бұрын
Thank you good sir, happy new year to you and so looking forward to another fabulous year with your melodious voice and classy presentation.
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Appreciated, thank you Max
@athenaathena13077 ай бұрын
Great performance. Many Thanks Simon.😊
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thank you!
@step72747 ай бұрын
YAY!!! Thank you Simon, look forward to listening g.❤️❤️❤️
@vanillasuncherries7 ай бұрын
Happy New Year we missed you 🎂🍰🧁🍥🙏👍🏻🎊🤩 happy you are back
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thank you!
@Badficwriter7 ай бұрын
There is something unsettling about the Old Man in the Corner..
@nickybaker13385 ай бұрын
Yes indeed. Simon's excellent gift to bring each character to life conjures up a clear picture in my imagination of the man in the corner. 🙂
@zednotzee77 ай бұрын
Ah ! Another Teahouse detective story. Excellent ! Btw, I noticed that you appeared as Legacy in HorrorBabble's Ian Gordon's story Hammer And Nails as Legacy. Nice one. Oh, and ... You fool ! Warren is dead... 🤣
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Ah yes indeed, I enjoyed that, it was very kind of Ian and Jen to ask me. Yes, I'd heard the sad news about Warren, my condolences to all who knew him...
@THEPAGEBURNER19797 ай бұрын
Happy new year Simon
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
You too PB
@THEPAGEBURNER19797 ай бұрын
@@BitesizedAudio have you doing any plays I love to see some stage work you should do a channel on the acting part you know all us subscribers would join .
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Hello PB, yes, I've just done two plays back to back... just finished a theatre run of 'A Christmas Carol' at New Year, I put some photos on the community tab if you want to take a look! Nothing come up stage-wise, but I've got a fair amount of audio work to keep me busy for the time being I'm glad to say
@SpuktasticAudio7 ай бұрын
Thank you for making my New Year Happier! ❤
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Happy new year Bob!
@nigelramkissoonraja69167 ай бұрын
Happy New Year Simon 🙏❤️ blessings from Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thank you, and the same to you
@sugarfalls17 ай бұрын
"It is very difficult to locate sound in a fog." 🤣🤣🤣Emma has a few very funny quips in this story.
@januzzell86317 ай бұрын
Delightful - thank you again
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
My pleasure, thanks Jan
@LadyBronwynn14007 ай бұрын
Thank you Simon.
@juliet25137 ай бұрын
So happy you’re back. Thank you ❤ for this latest story
@divine.damage7 ай бұрын
Love you Simon! So grateful for your work.🙏
@snippycutwell98787 ай бұрын
My favorite narrator!
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Very kind of you to say, thank you Snippy!
@nickybaker13385 ай бұрын
Mine too!🙂
@Kit-vb5rm6 ай бұрын
Thank you Simon, you have an excellent voice, so easy to listen to your stories.
@jackyhawkins18957 ай бұрын
Thank you 😊
@amgroves767 ай бұрын
Delightful tale :)
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Glad you think so! And thank you for the coffee earlier
@jaidebrooke59467 ай бұрын
Really savoured this one.
@alidabaxter5849Ай бұрын
Events connected to Regents Park fascinate me, as I used to be taken there as a baby and a child (there is a children's playground where mothers can take small children) and went to walk in it very often throughout the rest of my life, as it is exceptionally beautiful. A rose created in the name of Ingrid Bergman is grown there. But there have been many extraordinary events in its past - back in the nineteenth century people used to skate on the lake and on one terrible occasion the ice broke and people were drowned. The depth of the lake was changed, so that ice could never be thick enough to encourage skating, and now there are huge notices in winter to warn against attempting to walk on any ice.
@kimmccabe14226 ай бұрын
Omg i think ive heard them all. How i love the Teahouse mysteries. I hope theres more or this great reader finds more scripts..
@paulacnote7 ай бұрын
Hey you! Happy New Year 😊 so glad to hear you again
@leonaheraty37607 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing, Simon. Happy New Year to all! 🎉🍾🥳
@christinemarshall13667 ай бұрын
Enjoyable, good narration and sound quality. Thank you
@lauralaladarling37757 ай бұрын
Happy New Year Simon to you and yours. Marvellous story and, as always, superb narration and acting. Thank you. ❤❤ xxx
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thank you Laura, and the same to you
@Oystersgetclamydia7 ай бұрын
Lovely Jubbly..That’s me sorted later..😊
@davehopkins19707 ай бұрын
Didn’t realise it was a man in the corner at first Thanks Simon
@CrowSkeleton7 ай бұрын
Happy NewYear! I admit, I went 'oh *no*' out loud when I realised who the accused was talking to. The first few twists I got as fairly standard, but was not expecting that!
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thanks CrowSkeleton - always good to keep you guessing!
@johnconnelly50407 ай бұрын
Glad to see you back!
@junestanich78887 ай бұрын
So glad I found your channel, makes my day!
@JamesMC047 ай бұрын
That story was curiously shocking. Which may be no bad thing.
@deirdrewhelan93937 ай бұрын
You are back happy days indeed.❤
@theDevlin755 ай бұрын
love your readings. thank you so much
@user-cj6yw5fu4lАй бұрын
Very good stories well told ,thankyou
@esterherschkovich64997 ай бұрын
Hope KZbin are behaving themselves these days for you😊Still a brilliant channel and narration. ❤
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thanks Ester. Fingers crossed all is still OK, but I do remain slightly on my guard in case it happens again!
@42nuala7 ай бұрын
I have so missed you!
@TheFiddle1013 ай бұрын
Thank you for uploading.
@crystalclear68647 ай бұрын
Happy new year! Joy indeed. Just got covid and this is most welcome!!
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
I hope you feel better soon!
@crystalclear68647 ай бұрын
@@BitesizedAudio i do already receiving this:)
@kindermord7 ай бұрын
Top stuff. Well done Sir.
@annvanstelten96852 ай бұрын
Lovely help. Thank you.
@joansavage18577 ай бұрын
Excellent!! Thank you…
@nickisunshine6777 ай бұрын
delightful entertainment!
@sacha12596 ай бұрын
Fabulous. Thank you. ☕☕
@Tootsie8067 ай бұрын
Happy to have found you.
@lisamariehennessey45327 ай бұрын
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 happy new year 🎉🎉🎉
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thank you. You too!
@lisamariehennessey45327 ай бұрын
@@BitesizedAudio green story to welcome 2024👍👍🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
@williamhagen27927 ай бұрын
Stanhope is excellen.
@cr-iv1el7 ай бұрын
Thank you!
@catmomjewett7 ай бұрын
Thanks!
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thank you so much
@jamesross53286 ай бұрын
Excellent
@arthuroldale-ki2ev7 ай бұрын
I never liked that Pimpernel thing she wrote, (although well written) , but that one was BRILLIANT and of course the narration excellent.
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Thank you! I must confess I've never made it through a Pimpernel story, they didn't grab me
@royhadley6866 ай бұрын
Thank you
@earthcat7 ай бұрын
Simon ❤
@1pipandgoose7 ай бұрын
Interesting, I just listened to this same mystery story but is told by a man in a railway station and a woman reporter that sits and talks with him. Two very different ways to tell they tale.
@ayaritudor-jones50293 ай бұрын
Thanks
@BitesizedAudio3 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for the super thanks
@marvwatkins70297 ай бұрын
Did Polly visit some pub daily where the little fellow on the corner was? This isn't really established.
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
It's actually a tea shop, specifically an ABC tea shop, which was a popular high street chain in the UK from the late 1800s through until the 1950s. You make a very good point, though: it's not actually mentioned in this particular story, although it's referred to in several other stories featuring these characters. This is the fourth story I've read from this series; if you're interested to hear more of them I have created this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLi95qAoufCZJhRcQsHN1jhG2wcLHR6bfv The first story, 'The Fenchurch Street Mystery', has a little more detail about the tea shop set up
@marisadallavalle3934 ай бұрын
I would like to be a member but I only use PayPal for monthly payments. I am certain that many are in the same position and it might be a good thing to sign up. I so enjoy your stories you are an amazing narrator.
@BitesizedAudio4 ай бұрын
Appreciated, thank you Marisa. I've had the same request from a few listeners recently: actually, I do have a PayPal donations page: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=HMMUWZ7URN26A If that link doesn't work, you can also access it on my channel home page under "Links" (you may need to click "More" to see it, depending on your device). If you do want to become a member via PayPal please let me know and I'll work out a way to get the bonus content to you. Thanks so much for your support.
@marisadallavalle3934 ай бұрын
@@BitesizedAudio I'll take care of it tomorrow first thing, thank you!
@marisadallavalle3934 ай бұрын
@@BitesizedAudio Done.
@BitesizedAudio4 ай бұрын
Thank you Marisa, much appreciated! I'm still recovering from my recent IT problems, so am a bit behind, but I'll work out a way to get the extra content to you asap...
@randomlight10697 ай бұрын
Using my powers of deduction could it be...?
@mysticmeadowshomestead62097 ай бұрын
1:24
@vickijoseph27317 ай бұрын
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@angelaomni69197 ай бұрын
💖
@user-jl8mp6lg4i6 ай бұрын
January
@liliannanagy73917 ай бұрын
Where is the intro piano music from?
@BitesizedAudio7 ай бұрын
Both intro pieces (the intro to the video and also the intro to the story) are by the very talented Esther Abrami, she has her own KZbin channel which is definitely worth checking out
@liliannanagy73917 ай бұрын
Thank you!
@theresadimaggio72417 ай бұрын
Yay
@Granny736 ай бұрын
Do you have a PayPal account for some strange reason Google wants me to jump through hoops for me to verify my account! A trillion dollar business and it doesn't have a phone you can call if you are having problems.
@BitesizedAudio6 ай бұрын
Thank you for asking Rozita. Sorry to hear you're having difficulties, I know how frustrating that can be. I do have a PayPal account - I'm not sure I can put external links into the comments any more, but if you take a look at my channel homepage www.youtube.com/@BitesizedAudio all my links are shown there at the top of the page just below the channel name (click where it says "bandcamp and 5 more links"). There are a few options there, including PayPal, but Buy Me A Coffee, Patreon and Bandcamp also all offer monthly memberships as well as one-off contributions, and I make sure that all bonus content is offered across all platforms. Thanks again and best wishes
@rosemarycook320018 күн бұрын
Marvellous nonsense. Ruritanian princes, Balkan dignitaries called Boris struggling with English grammar in the time honoured way and a bright ‘modern’ heroine being defiantly independent. Enjoy!!
@JennyLane86666 ай бұрын
Aw Simon! Thank you for your brilliant stories. You've one of those voices that are completely soothing, and I just relax into the story so easily I forget I'm listening.