Gleanings from the Wreckage | R. Austin Freeman | A Bitesized Audiobook

[@BitesizedAudio]

Story begins at: 00:01:20 This story is one of a series featuring Dr. John Thorndyke and his colleague Dr. Jervis, created by R. Austin Freeman in 1907. If you'd like to hear more Thorndyke stories, I have a playlist in development, available here: kzbin.info/aero/PLi95qAoufCZIRK13YVxILlbLjmxEM6Oci Or for a selection of other Victorian and Edwardian detective stories, do take a look at the "Rivals of Sherlock Holmes" playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLi95qAoufCZL5tiXECltwXUI2QDDFrDHD

[@beverlyadams7205]

Thank you, Simon😎

[@Frenchblue8]

Yes please, all the stories, all the time! (Rivals of Sherlock Holmes is probably my favorite playlist!🔍, and the various series with the reoccurring detective characters)But for you, Simon I quite likely never would have known there were such wonderful characters to have adventures with!

[@ursamajor7468]

I had never heard of Thorndike/Jervis but I am so glad I came upon them here. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, especially because of your performance.

[@josephpearson2230]

Sometimes your excellent diction reminds me of the great Michael Redgrave. Please take it as a compliment! Wonderful reading!

[@helloboris]

I do so enjoy your diction. There's nothing like it. Thank-you so much. And the stories are quite good too! 😂🤣

[@rattyrachel2930]

Gruesome, engrossing and enjoyable! You always do such a great job, Simon! Thank you for all your hard work - you make it seem so effortless, but I know it can’t be easy! So seamless and professional! Thank you, thank you and thank you! Hurrah from the gang! 🙀

[@exileinderby51]

I was just browsing your channel searching for something to listen to when this notification popped up. Yet another brilliant narration of another wonderful story, thank you.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Good timing!

[@Gribbo9999]

What would the author make of modern-day London?

[@williamhagen2792]

Stanhope is extremely talented and enjoyable.

[@mjrchapin]

A very interesting case and, as usual, impeccably narrated!

[@maxgc6413]

You give new life to these classic tales, Simon. I have sought out older stories to read more and it’s such a blessing to have this gem of a channel. I feel like it’s a classy little club we belong to. A cool evening by candlelight really makes the mood as well when I listen

[@jdsteppenzyde]

We are the cool kids!

[@aoifeocallaghan8351]

What a wonderful idea thank you

[@mariameere5807]

I had candles 🕯 lighting too! Great minds etc! Actually I am sure a lot of people did! Lol 😂

[@SEARSJAMES]

I just stared calling all of us "The Standhopeien Society"! Simon said he likes the sound of it!

[@jdsteppenzyde]

@@SEARSJAMES I agree.

[@nicolealbertson906]

The accents are impeccable and he really brings the listener to both time and place.

[@eokots]

These readings are done so well they improve the stories.

[@lizday8140]

Thank you for another enjoyable reading. I must say, the author did enjoy getting a bit graphic in this one! It was still nice to hear something new, especially from you!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Liz. Yes, he does rather!

[@Bambisgf77]

Ohhh thanks for the heads up, will skip this one for bedtime ☺️

[@footfault]

Thank you for featuring my favourite detective, Dr. Thorndyke! This is much appreciated, as is all your work in presenting excellent literature. And I'm happy to see that it's not wasted effort - so many of us who are tired of crudity and stupidity in scripts love what you're doing. There's a deep need for your research.

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Thank you, Simon. I always look forward to your stories. ☺

[@sugarfalls1]

I love your readings and this was no exception! Thank you so much, Simon! 👏👏👏👏😁😁😁💖💖💖

[@mariameere5807]

That was simply divine! Thank you so much! Loved this one!! Cheers Simon! Anything with London as a character in it, makes it so much more appealing in my eyes anyway! Especially that period! Blessings galore! Enjoy your weekend!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Maria, you too

[@Oxford322]

Incredible , beautiful accent ! I’m American ( Southern) travel to ChristChurch, Oxford every summer & have heard some lovely accents there & in London , but your combination & “depth “ of your timbre is addictive ! I could listen to you read a tractor manual !!

[@donyawicken2521]

Great idea. Simon could probably find a big market reading instruction manuals. And those incredibly tedious legal agreements that come with computers and software. But I wouldn't want to waste him on such material. His talent deserves to be paired with the best and most entertaining writers.

[@smythharris2635]

Really Mr Stanhope, your persistence in this milieu is tiresomely delightful! Don't you think we deserve some respite? I've developed a siderodromophobia thanks to you!

[@susangordon1157]

👏👏👏👏 Perfectly done! They just don't write stories like this anymore and certainly, no one can deliver a tale like you can Simon. You will forever have my devotion and gratitude. You and that golden voice of yours. ❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you so much Susan! 😊

[@sylvie1941]

I agree! The narration is superb! Thanks very much for the quality of your work. Really enjoyed and appreciated it! 💜

[@smythharris2635]

They do write stories like this but the publisher gatekeepers make sure one has to publish privately. The agenda rejects merit for merit's sake. That's why it was redefined as a construct.

[@jilldwilliams9208]

Always enjoy your great stories, Simon. More please!

[@mariamcgee4462]

Dyspeptic dinosaur! Lovely turn of phrase. 😄

[@BitesizedAudio]

Yes indeed, I enjoyed that line too

[@puimepuime8952]

Thank you, Simon Stanhope.

[@diane5891]

👍

[@SpuktasticAudio]

Always, always your golden tones thrill as they ripple over my inner vibrations. What a hero! ❤

[@jacquelineharrod6386]

I did not know this story. Thank you for choosing to delight us with this.

[@stephaniealeman8522]

Thank You 🙏🏽 Thank You 🙏🏽 Simon! was just hoping for a story from you ! 💚

[@grimtt]

Quite the tale! in these stories from a bygone age a guiding principle used by the fictional detectives is asking themselves not only what is possible but further than that, what is probable, according to the evidence. This mantra carries over into today’s detectives at work, so the Victorians weren’t completely blowing smoke when writing these detective episodes. Logic is like that.

[@JRandaII]

I was taught the correct term “inflammable.” No one says that anymore. They were taught, and they say “flammable.” When I heard the correct word it filled me with such joy and comfort. Nice.

[@juliebrown4639]

I appreciate correct pronunciations and use of accurate terms. The timbre of your voice

[@juliebrown4639]

With phrasing and calm yet expressive narration for easy listehing

[@wendybryan6071]

Does flammable not mean easily ignited or burned and inflammable the opposite?

[@donnavorce8856]

​​@wendybryan6071 operable v inoperable. . .

[@stewartlancaster6155]

@@wendybryan6071 no, they both mean the same ie easily burned.

[@wisdomoftheearlychristians2037]

I absolutely love Thorndyke! I've become hooked on him recently; he's like Sherlock Holmes on steroids without the cocaine and other personality quirks. I love Sherlock Holmes, and have read all of the stories multiple times, but the Thorndyke mysteries are legally clever on a whole different level. I don't know how I missed this one! But I did, so thank you!

[@BitesizedAudio]

So glad to know you enjoyed it

[@footfault]

I completely agree. Freeman doesn't rely on hackneyed plots (the locked room, memory loss, greedy relatives plotting to benefit from a will, switched identities, on and on), coincidences and deus ex machina, and his characters are truly intelligent without making unwarranted claims of Poirot-like brilliance or Holmesian super-reasoning.

[@CeliaZA]

Yay! Another Thorndike and Jervis! Thank you, Simon. This was a treat after a hectic week!

[@mabohemesoleiletchair6203]

Thanks, monsieur. A really clear and very good voice and diction. Have a good week end.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you, you too!

[@SEARSJAMES]

Wonderful👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍!!!!

[@solarpenguin1]

A fun little mystery. Thank you.

[@lisawhite-pagano3455]

The author’s life story sounds like it would make a great movie. He lived a very full life!

[@jackdare]

Nice! We've got some record breaking cold and windy weather (first blizzard warning ever!) so I listened to "Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad" by M.R. James as a bedtime story last night. Heh.. amazing how creepy that story is all these decades later! Not familiar with this story, yet, but that's about to change....

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Jack. Stay warm!

[@tomcurran8470]

80F on Thursday here in "Mayberry," North Carolina! 60sF all next week! Great story and presentation as usual.

[@jenniefaust9235]

Yeeeessssssssss!!!!! Simon posted a new video!!!! ❤️😘🥰

[@earthcat]

Always a treat

[@debjuch1747]

A tour de force! When I listen to it again I'm going to count how many characters this includes... I'm even starting to hear a woman when you do the female characters!

[@shirleypearl2166]

I got the hair dye clue and hands behind back .Still twist him being alive great stuff Simon thank u 🙏 💜

[@Frenchblue8]

Yay, got this on time and just simply cannot wait till bedtime. I'm all in while making stew~best soundtrack ever! So happy~ such a treat! Thank you, Simon.😀

[@lizday8140]

Beef Stew? I am currently making vegetable soup! I have added the remnants of the chicken drippings which collected on the sheet pan the last time I roasted chicken quarters. That should add nice flavor to my soup. Enjoy your stew!

[@BitesizedAudio]

@Frenchblue8 Bon appétit!

[@Frenchblue8]

@@lizday8140 oh what do you know! No, Liz, I am vegan and therefore making the humongous potful I make once a month. There is a KZbin channel called The Happy Pear, a play on words because the two chefs are twin brothers, Irish, vegan, and also own various businesses that delight the vegan pallet, I believe one is even a bakery, Dublin probably. This particular stew they shared at the very beginning of the pandemic, in their series called Pandemic Pantry, basically about how to use things one usually has on hand. This particular stew is from the island of ikaria, in Greece and contains tons of veggies, three types of beans of choice, and wholemeal pasta/ rice/ quinoa and veggie broth. You can season it anyway you like, I usually either go Cajun, or simply flavor it by the serving with vegan Worcestershire, ground pepper and garlic powder~and let others season it their way! It freezes wonderfully well in individual servings and I serve it with crusty baguette and lovely , creamy plant-based butter that is out of this world. If interested, You'll find the recipe in the video on their KZbin channel of the same name (the Happy Pear~immune-boosting, pandemic pantry, Ikarian stew) Enjoy yours as well!

[@Frenchblue8]

@@BitesizedAudio Merci, mon ami👍

[@smythharris2635]

I love stew, could you send me some?

[@Oxford322]

Thanks! Love your voice ❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you kindly!

[@markuffindell2675]

Another great story. Thank you

[@michaelgreaves2375]

There is much to glean from this wreckage indeed! Some prefer smoking wreckage, or even burning wreckage. I, however, prefer twisted wreckage when ever possible.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Noted, thank you Michael!

[@ruthhase-gutierrez9830]

I was just thinking yesterday that I wished you would upload another story. So glad to see it pop up in my notifications today.

[@gazzathomas1423]

Excellent narration

[@beverlyadams7205]

Oh, goody!❤

[@smythharris2635]

Gumdrops!

[@beverlyadams7205]

@@smythharris2635 🍬🍭🍬🍭🍬

[@Austrian_blood]

Very nice.

[@mngirl5437]

Another lovely read... thank you Simon ❣️

[@charvi999]

Oh this is most satisfying! First the Teahouse detective, then Max carrados and now Dr. Thorndyke. I really appreciate the hard work you put into creating these audiobooks❤❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know you enjoy them!

[@MeatisFreedom]

Excellent.

[@shirleypearl2166]

Thanks

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Shirley

[@maxgc6413]

Hope to hear you recite, The Ash Tree one day 🙏❤️

[@BitesizedAudio]

It's on my list... I'll get to it at some point I hope!

[@Micktyb]

Excellent thanks 👍👍

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're welcome 😊

[@terrymitchell2533]

Most enjoyable, thank you 👍👏🥂

[@arecane2000]

"But, Elliot is a broad." "True, but his wife isn't." How very progressive...

[@lizday8140]

Ha-ha!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Very good!

[@REFaust]

👏👏👏 Been waiting for this with great anticipation. Wonderful reading of a story by my favourite Edwardian mystery writer. Superb stuff. I know it's probably a bit long for the channel but 'Percival Bland's Proxy' would be my number 1 choice for another Thorndyke story 👍

[@joebeck1888]

Thank you so much for "doing" Thorndyke. As a rather precocious child i read my Grandpa's copies by stealth and torchlight under the bedclothes. Thank you. 💐

[@davidmcneff7009]

What a lovely experience🎉 Reminds me of sing song measured tones of speach that often accompanied cartoons. Warm cordial welcomed tones. You can almost see his face as he reads! God Bless you & yours

[@simoneclift3155]

Bravo Sir. X

[@stewartlancaster6155]

THITHER, what a wonderful word, sadly slipped into disuse now. !

[@BitesizedAudio]

It is a lovely word, I shall try to make more use of it in future to keep it alive...

[@veritas6335]

Highly derivative - oh Holmes and Watson, of course - but enjoyable nonetheless.

[@RayneLainey]

"Freshly mown beard." Great story! Wonderful reading!

[@smythharris2635]

Last time I saw whiskers like those, they had to cull the entire herd!. (Eric Morecambe)

[@lindahardy3083]

That was really enjoyable

[@CrowSkeleton]

Gosh, I had those hand-marks down as the poor fellow having them tied together, I'm glad I was wrong on that account. The rest fell into place easily enough, as Thorndyke said. What a pair of villians! Thank you as always for reading to me while I knit.

[@deniswilliams2212]

Brilliant as usual bravo Simon 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@klausehrhardt4481]

Dear Simon, promise me that if you ever come across a suitsble translation of one of Simenon's Inspector Maigret tales, you give it a shot. It would definetly enlarge your selection of authors and add a new color to this impressive literary selection of yours. Best regards.

[@michaelmcgehee1]

Hello Simon. Worland Wyoming says hello!!

[@ropeburnsrussell]

I'm horrified at the tracking of individual banknotes. It seems totalitarian, even though useful to the law.

[@lizday8140]

No different than today, when law enforcement and financiers, phone companies and possibly even advertisers can research one's bank records and check up on receipt purchases for their purposes.

[@ropeburnsrussell]

@@lizday8140 you are right about that.

[@KiKiabout]

You distract me very well... Thank You!

[@nickybaker1338]

I'm catching up ( in a higgledy piggledy fashion ) having only really started to listen in a concentrated way over the last few months. I must thank you Simon, for enriching many listening hours.

[@janetrocha3584]

Thank you very much for an interesting story.

[@krakow95]

The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there.

[@CJ-uo5cl]

Hello Simon. That is the poshest accent ever. It makes it so fun to listen to.

[@barrycrump6189]

Thank you

[@dubchile]

Simon, you are now my guilty pleasure at bedtime.. 💖

[@taliabee8661]

Excellent to clean the kitchen to! Thanks as always 😀♥️

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to be of service!

[@taliabee8661]

@@BitesizedAudio good lad! 😀😀

[@stephaniealeman8522]

Thanks!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks for your support Stephanie 🙏

[@thefisherking78]

What a nice little cozy mystery

[@michaelmcgehee1]

Thank you for the nice gift

[@geridayao8924]

Thanks, smells like Max C.

[@grannykiminalaska]

💝😅😊😘

[@TheMrCougarful]

Charming little tale.

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

BRAVO

[@julielevinge266]

Another excellent story, really enjoy these Thorndike mystery’s, gratefully introduced by yourself, you’ve shown us some real gems, this channel continues to get better & better, many thanks, especially for all the hard work you’ve done in 2023 already!✊♥️

[@katyvdb5993]

Thank you for this new story, Simon. I used to enjoy Thorndyke in the days when the novels were still available in libraries. The books have the humour and pace of detective stories of the classic period, but were, I suppose, precursors of the 'forensic' detective story. Too medically detailed to be comfortable reading, or listening, over a cup of coffee!

[@anna9072]

I’ve got issues with the clue of the handprint. The idea originally was that the imprint had been left by the hand protecting the skin underneath from the burning of the explosion. But the murderer wouldn’t be present at the explosion, he would have set it up and left. So how did his handprint end up immortalized on the hand of his victim?

[@kpcraftster6580]

I've enjoyed Thorndyke for years, but don't know enough of him: this was excellent (if grisly at the wreckage scene) - many thanks for such a fine reading of it!

[@appalachianamerican7171]

I do enjoy these old stories, mostly to hear references to the pace of life then. But I'm sure their time was full of stresses also, just not at the speed of light. Excellent as always, Mr. Simon.

[@oldfashiondolls]

You're one of the best narrators I've ever heard! Thank you for all your uploads. I know narration is an art, and not easy to do well, so please accept a compliment from someone who understands all the effort it requires. Take care

[@irenabevans3411]

Excellent tale, just wish it had been a bit longer, Thank You Simon, as ever superb barration❤

[@juliam7056]

It's amusing how other writers tried to emulate Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. The result is in most cases very inferior . Too many technical details ( like the state of the corpse) and previsible too. Still, quite entertaining and as usual, your naration is wonderful.

[@kathwyatt6814]

Eww, that's a grisly one! Not sure even your mellifluous tones can make that relaxing. Still a good story though.

[@janieromer2907]

Cheers Simon. Thanks for this treasure trove which you bring to life so well. 🇬🇧❤️

[@sandrapeach4990]

Thank you very much for making this effort Simon, much appreciated and eno😊🐸

[@duke927]

I enjoyed that story more than I thought I would. Very Sherlockian:)

[@MoonLitChild]

I'm only just getting to the these stories-- Thorndyke could teach every CSI series a lesson or two!

[@Stormlucy111]

Simon you have perfect diction You could record a dictionary with proper pronunciation which will be the go to for orators and speechwriters ❤

[@rneustel388]

Yay, I was right in my supposition all along! Thanks for sharing this story with your beautiful narration.

[@MovieJustin]

I have a curious question. Why do detectives and people in British novels appear so unacquainted with other parts of the city they live in? They talk about other villages like foreign countries and England is pretty small. I listen to Agatha raisin audio books and Sherlock Holmes and geography always seems to stimey them. Anyone know why?

[@BitesizedAudio]

Interesting question. Of course, although England is a relatively small country in world terms, at this period of time (late 19th/early 20th centuries) people were far less well travelled and most ordinary people wouldn't know any other part of the country than the one they lived in. The same's true of London, which is a pretty big city. I moved out of London some years ago but lived there for about 20 years, in which time I lived in several different boroughs, but there are still some parts of London I never went to, or which were just names on the tube map.

[@lilitheden748]

Although I like listening to other narrators I always make my way back to this excellent channel. The narration by Simon Stanhope is truly amazing. It’s like you are being pulled back into another era. An era with gentlemen and ladies of the past. I love the Victorian and Edwardian period. It was a time of exploration and wonderful new technology . With his genteel voice he succeeds to bring the characters of this era back to live. ❤️

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment, much appreciated

[@jerrycarter7843]

Wonderful story. I got a... giggle...bang out of it.

[@noahproblemo1257]

Excellent and very well read. Thanks.

[@NathanRance]

I would love to forget the march of progress.