The Spectre of Rislip Abbey | A Ghost Story by J. E. Preston Muddock | A Bitesized Audio Production

[@TheRickie41]

A touching story, written in deliciously brilliant English and presented with the perfection we appreciate so much. It reminds me, in it’s melancholical aspects, a bit of the Canterville Ghost, that I love so much.

[@katrinakitty52]

My dear father would have loved these stories. He was one for all things ghostly and mysterious . He died on Halloween almost 50 years ago. His legacy to me is my lifelong fondness for mystery books, mummy stories and spectral tales. Thanks for sharing your talents and time ... these bring me back to more poignant nights as a child.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Kathleen for such a lovely comment. So glad you've enjoyed the stories and to hear how they resonate with you

[@billybatchelor2863]

Beautiful memory

[@lauralaladarling3775]

Hello Simon, Thank you so much for creating, as always, a frightening atmosphere for Preston Muddoock's story that I particularly love because it has a happy ending for living and the dead. The Abbey sounds a most charming house in which to reside, apart from the poor man, a Cavilier by the sounds of it, who gruesomely subjected three of its occupants to his horrifically slashed and bleeding throat. However, the ghost was benevolent appearing only to to be discovered and released, from the horror of being incarcerated behind a brick wall and door, and given a Christian burial to rest in peace at last. Xxxx🤗💓

[@edwardlund5025]

A wonderful rendition of a great story. These recordings are treasures.

[@Bambisgf77]

Agreed 👏🏻thank you once again *Bite sized audio*

[@Nettsinthewoods]

That was smashing, thank you. I’m so pleased that there was a good resolution for the poor tortured spirit.

[@stephennicholas1590]

The narrator has a marvelous voice.

[@gigig2492]

I've listened to all of the ghost stories on your channel and I hope you are planning to do more. They are excellent! Thank you.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Gigi. I certainly shall, so long as I can. New one uploaded today - The Judge's House - in case you didn't get a notification. Thanks again for listening

[@gigig2492]

Bitesized Audio Classics Yes, I listened to it earlier today. You did an excellent job on it as usual. Your narration is paced and pitched perfectly. There is never over-dramatization or flat delivery. It is really a pleasure to listen. Thanks again.

[@gerry5134]

@@gigig2492 Agreed 👍🏼

[@eddiemunster2196]

All of these Ghost Stories are better than great. Thank you, for all that i have listened to, and all, that I will listen to !!! Well, I just wanted to stop by and leave a quick message. So,, let me get back to the story. Again, thank you

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome, thanks Eddie

[@lyndaa7560]

Another great book & brilliant narration, I’m so glad I found your channel, many thanks 🙏

[@karehhartig7287]

I am a fast fan and you are an overnight 😁 favorite of mine 💓 😉

[@BitesizedAudio]

Kind of you to say so, thank you! Thanks for listening

[@vincentconti3633]

I never knew there were so many ghost stories!

[@bonniebarbee7984]

You have out done yourself again !! This has been my favorite channel to listen to . You have made my evening, God Bless

[@johnbryant8603]

Thank you for these. They are wonderful. 🙏🏽❤️🇲🇽

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're welcome, thanks for the feedback

[@granny13ad33]

How wonderful to discover near 3 a.m. couldn't sleep. Thank you.

[@chrissythornhill]

Came back to finish listening to the story, as I was somewhat under the weather a while ago. There is a softness to the voice in this , that I’d forgotten about . ❤️ Charming

[@BitesizedAudio]

How lovely, thank you Christine. Funnily enough, there's a reason for that... with these early recordings when I was first setting up the channel (and had very few listeners!) I didn't have my studio set up, and was experimenting with different spaces to record, microphone placement etc. I tried all sorts of places, from the spare bedroom to the garden shed believe it or not (too cold and noisy). If I recall correctly, this story was recorded in a walk-in closet which was OK acoustically but rather cramped, so I had to sit close to the microphone and speak quietly... not ideal. The result is the softness you mention, although also a breathiness which I don't personally like. I now have a studio and can record properly, and in comfort, which is a great relief. I'd like eventually to re-record the best of these early stories, with improved sound quality and (I hope) performance; I'm doing them as and when I have time to spare... in fact I'm about to re-release The Phantom Coach. Anyway, thank you as ever for your support. I'm sorry to hear you've been under the weather, but hope you're feeling better now. Best wishes.

[@chrissythornhill]

@@BitesizedAudio Dear Simon , what a pleasure to have such an interesting reply from your good self, my imagination has been stimulated by the story of your early experience with recording these wonderful Classics. The chilly surroundings of a noisy shed can’t have been particularly comfortable, no wonder you decided to try a more peaceful place within the walk in closet ! To have a studio with the technology available to you must be a far cry from those somewhat cramped conditions to say the very least. I’m absolutely delighted that your progress has accumulated such a number of subscribers and listeners to your channel. Everything you accomplish is well deserved. I may not always leave comments, but rest assured I’m with you all the way. This past year most especially appreciated by those of us who can’t go out . Vaccination number two in a few days , then later on some Freedom with any luck. My love and blessings to you always , best wishes, Christine 👵🏼❤️

[@DanaLaCroixMusic]

Thanks!

[@mrs.cracker4622]

Thank you so much as always! Wonderful tale and absolutely perfect narration.

[@jaceek2030]

Your narrations are some of the most professional and eloquent I've ever heard. I don't know if your career entails voice acting/narrating..but I do know it absolutely should. Bravo sir, bravo!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Very kind, thank you!

[@jaceek2030]

@@BitesizedAudio You're quite welcome sir.

[@janetrocha2250]

Thank you, once more. A new author for me.

[@animationstudio5311]

Thank you! These stories have kept me from going mad during quarantine.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know that, thanks so much for listening

[@animationstudio5311]

@@BitesizedAudio You're welcome.

[@elizah2093]

Such awesome stories! Thank you 🌹🌹🌹

[@deegeraghty3421]

Great story beautifully narrated. Thank you.

[@KiKiabout]

Excellent... Thank you!

[@nicci.schinman3881]

Thank you for this and your other stories. They keep me company during quarantine. Short, so I can get back to the kids needs!

[@iestynovich]

Another classic - these are making my summer evenings. Thank you so much!

[@footfault]

Many thanks for giving us another Muddock tale.

[@babybooandherhumandeb3188]

Thank you again

[@jpatton2086]

Love your stories!! You have a new subscriber!!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Excellent - thank you!

[@tonylennon9579]

Very nicely done. Thankyou. 👍🍻

[@cindyrhodes]

Thank you for this rich cache of beautifully narrated stories! They are so perfect to listen to while painting! 🎉🎉🎉

[@veran.8661]

I love your narration. Thanks for the great story. Also, the family in this sounds really nice. :)

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Vera!

[@krishnasen397]

Splendid! The very interesting story and the flawless narration. Many thanks and regards Sir

[@clare218]

Another great story. Thank you so much for such a wonderful narration.

[@TheBRIZZA82]

Great channel and another great story. Thank you for posting.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Brad Jensen, appreciate you taking the time to comment

[@sankturban291]

Great rendition, bravo.

[@tinawelch3005]

chills!!! fantastic story-telling!

[@spacehound3355]

Classic ghost story. 👻👻👻👻

[@babybooandherhumandeb3188]

Thank you 😷

[@mjrchapin]

A classic but interesting ghost tale!

[@feralbluee]

very good reading - really enjoyed this one! thanks so much :) 👻🙀

[@leonaheraty3760]

Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas! 🌲😊

[@jerryjohnson8485]

Very well written and very well read☠️🧟👻😈

[@thoman1458]

I notice that many of the comments on these stories are older, so just to keep things current, I wanted to lend mine that your stories are still being listened to and overwhelming enjoyed.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Very kind of you, thank you. Yes, this is one of my earliest/oldest recordings. Appreciate your feedback

[@mariameere5807]

Thank you so much 😊

[@johnbryant8603]

Thank you again. Always well received and highly appreciated. Do you use Patreon, or another resource for patronage ? ❤️🎩👀

[@BitesizedAudio]

Not just at the moment, but I'm looking into options for it - will post details on here when sorted. Thank you!

[@hollyfleur6144]

ooooh, thank you so much.

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're welcome!

[@bonniebarbee7984]

Another Awesome story told by such a wonderful narrator!! I Love that you share the pictures of the authors . I hope you can keep the stories coming !!! God Bless you for All your hard work . Is there any way we can donate to your work ?

[@BitesizedAudio]

Appreciate you asking, thank you Bonnie. There are a few ways depending on what suits you best. I have a "Buy Me A Coffee" account where you can make one-off, ad hoc contributions, at this link: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesizedaudio Alternatively, you can become a channel member on KZbin, for a regular payment at various levels, starting at $1 per month, and in return for which you can get various benefits such as advance preview access to new stories and insider news updates. That's available via the Join button underneath any of the videos, or at this link: kzbin.infojoin Finally, I also have a few readings available on Audible, if you're a member and have a credit or two to spare: any Audible purchases and reviews all help to support me and "spread the word". The easiest way to find them is by searching my name as narrator (Simon Stanhope). I hope to release more on Audible in the future. Best wishes, and thanks again for your kind comments

[@whousay4672]

I love a good ghost story. Thouraghly enjoyed this one.

[@kpcraftster6580]

Have I ever heard of J.E.P. Muddock, or Dick Donovan? If so, I do not remember any details - and thank you for yet another enjoyable new author, so finely narrated!

[@javedsultan4830]

Absolutely interesting ghost story.. ..

[@VickiNikolaidis]

Super and scary!

[@jerrycarter7843]

"I eventually grew weary and mounted the stairs feeling terribly fagged. LOL!

[@grahamturner1290]

Clearly one should never adopt a cavalier attitude toward ghosts. 👻

[@BitesizedAudio]

Boom boom

[@grahamturner1290]

@@BitesizedAudio very Basil Brush. Excellent! 🦊

[@ernestweaver9720]

You were the Only one that had Intellect and lack of fear sir. Simple.

[@jojoquigley7741]

Why did ACD remain popular but other popular authors of his time (Muddock, Nesbit, etc) are relatively unknown today ?

[@BitesizedAudio]

Well, of course it's impossible to answer that definitively, but I'd say the answer has to be Sherlock Holmes, doesn't it? The character caught the public imagination in a way which few other authors, if any, have achieved. He established the idea of a single character running through an unrelated series of stories, which is so common today it's difficult to imagine no-one had really done it before Conan Doyle, and Holmes went on to be the most filmed fictional character in cinema and on television in the 20th century. It's worth noting that even Conan Doyle's non-Holmes short stories - of which there are several examples on this channel - are less remembered today than his Sherlock output. A shame, as a fair few of the original Holmes stories, especially the later ones, aren't his best writing, probably churned out to meet a deadline, whereas some of his other tales are really very good indeed.

[@jojoquigley7741]

@@BitesizedAudio Thank you for creating readings from a wide variety of authors. I had no idea how good these authors were, and some I never heard of. You've opened up a whole new world of literature for listeners like me. I have not yet developed the "dramatic voice" inside my head to enjoy reading the printed page. When I listen to your recordings, I hear the inflection, change of accent, character, etc that brings the "script" to life. That's the way stories should be read. I wonder how the original authors heard the "script" in their head ? Isn't that the point of a good reading, to bring out what the author intended ?

[@42NORRIS]

How was it going to take before this man got his family the hell out of that house???

[@EleanorPeterson]

Another fine upload. Thank you. 🙂 I find the determinedly rational nature of this ghost story fascinating. The insistence that the supernatural is really nothing but the suitably devout Christian's 'natural' (so don't question, just flee to church and pray, oh ye scared little people!) almost smacks of desperation. Someone's selling something. At the time this was written (not necessarily published) there was a strong culture of belief in 'new spiritualism' on a par with today's 'Factual Bible', Flat Earth and conspiracy theory ravings. A lot of otherwise rational people extended their faith (which already accepted magic, miracles, gods, imps, demons and angels) to include seances, 'the other side', levitating tables, hauntings and fairy-folk. I wonder if this story is an attempt by a sympathetic fellow author to justify Arthur Conan Doyle's conversion to spiritualism. It must have been shocking to see prominent people taken in by charlatans; a modern equivalent might have been Christopher Hitchens turning to Mormonism, Catholicism or Scientology. Whatever. Those Cottingley Fairy photographs were certainly good for business.🤭

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

refreshing to find a story that ends how real life often ends up....unsatisfactorily lol

[@miarencrowsdaughter6434]

The ghost seemed satisfied, at least. :D

[@archibaldbagge1235]

I'd read anything written by Dick Donovan, but J.E. Preston Muddock? Never!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Ha! Yes, apparently Mr. Muddock wrote under a few pseudonyms during his career, even though he had enough names of his own (James Edward Preston Muddock, but also Joyce Emmerson Preston Muddock by some accounts...). Dick Donovan was the name of a detective character he created - another of the rivals to Sherlock Holmes - and those stories were always presented as being written by Dick Donovan. At some point it seems he started using the character name as a pseudonym for other unrelated stories, rather confusingly, but it was inconsistent. So I thought it easier to credit him under his actual name!

[@Paxtonparsnip]

@@BitesizedAudio much easier!

[@rubytrotter3766]

I always wonder why people refuse to accept what they see and disparage what others clearly see also

[@raymondscottbehnoud8986]

💀👣👻

[@rossrichmond856]

0:33

[@anthonyochocki6535]

😂😂😂😂at 20:50...."...morbid condition of the Mind', ain't medical science grand, then as now----with no moral, philosophical--meta-physical or not, or no religious moorings to anchor one's self to; anything that does not read as black and white as a book page, most be tossed out as Humbug. Better that, to them, than to re-evaluate their convictions, What a Doctor.

[@katethomas3509]

I once saw a ghost ,it was very disappointing ,he was a small badly dressed man ,he was standing in my kitchen ,and slowly faded away ,i was annoyed that i didn't ask him anything ,and that he wasn't a cavalier or some such romantic figure .But I'm telling the truth .

[@JonFrumTheFirst]

I"m in the minority here: any writer who piles up 'uncanny' and other such adjectives in place of doing the work of actually creating an uncanny situation is taking the lazy way out. As the old writing advice goes, "Show, don't tell." If you enjoyed it, bless you.