"Crewe" by Walter de la Mare | Classic ghost stories | Audio narration with music/FX

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Sorry for having kept you waiting for this latest upload...rather like the gentlemen in this story, one of whom is waiting for a train, the other for...well, listen and find out. I've got another story at the edit stage, coming down the track...🛤

[@mijiyoon5575]

Looking forward to it

[@JacksonNomad]

This channel is criminally underrated and undersubscribed. Truly one of the best horror narrators on KZbin.

[@Arwcwb]

Yep

[@Tigglytoot]

Agreed.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you. I could do this full time if only people would hurry up and subscribe... 😮‍💨

[@artfuldodger96]

​@@EnCryptedHorrorI just did! 😊

[@92skeet49]

I absolutely agree. The narration is top notch.

[@caroleastwood9386]

How marvellous and a lovely surprise Jasper

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Glad you enjoyed 😊

[@sueatkinson3553]

Missed you Jasper. Thanks for this.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're very welcome 😊

[@YvonneWilson312]

The master returns! Welcome back, Jasper - gosh, we've missed you!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Likewise! 😁

[@stephniegoodman4422]

He escaped from Ashridge!!

[@shelleymarquis2887]

I needed you tonight like the air I breathe. I was exhausted and feeling as though there's nothing left to look forward to ever again. Then here you are. What a lovely surprise. There is something to look forward to, real honest to goodness, entertaining stories read by an amazing performer. They even have a beginning, a middle, and an end. What a concept!😊

[@EnCryptedHorror]

That's a terrible way to feel, isn't it? That heavy feeling? Glad to hear that a story can perk you up 👍

[@karensmith2204]

Agree Shelley, these are a special treat

[@CPWebster]

The master narrator is back! Superb.....

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you kindly 🙏

[@yesterdayitrained]

Jasper, so happy to see a new upload! I hope you are doing well. Your narrations are such beautiful, soul-deep escapes. Thank you.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Soul-deep escape... How wonderful 😊 Thank you 🙏

[@along5925]

Really beautiful reading of a wonderful story. Thank you; you always do such a grand job!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Glad you think so 😊

[@BertieShaul-mn4qc]

Wonderful Story! Welcome Back ❤❤❤

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you 🙏

[@jeremypearson6852]

The narration on this is brilliant. The sound effects are just enough to compliment the story. There’s something about this voice I find incredibly soothing.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you, Jeremy. It feels like a paradox, doesn't it, people choosing spooky horror stories to relax or even lull them to sleep, but I'm glad it exists 😁

[@oreoandoz7723]

The best channel on KZbin!!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Did you hear that, Algorithm?? "The best!" 👆

[@graham1735]

Not only does the narration exceed the usual high standard Jasper, but the background music really gave me the creeps! I even followed the acknowledgment and boy, if I had that on repeat, I’d not sleep for a week. At least! Together a fantastic creation!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you! I'm so indebted to composers like Vivek Abhishek who make their work available for free. They are a duo and, for my money, the best out there for horror music.

[@shelleymarquis2887]

That was soooo creepy! Atmospheric as they say. I've heard it before a long time ago it seems and this felt more real than that other version. Real usbt the right word, authentic, genuine, less contrived about covers the difference. This gave me chills. I afraid to go down the hall to bed. Thanks a lot! 💋

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're welcome, Shelley! Glad you liked it 👍

[@stephaniestevenson6335]

I have missed you so much! Thank you!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're very welcome 😊

[@grace2me100]

Love your story telling, Masterful!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed 👍

[@Drakkmar13]

Brilliant story and amazing narration. Thank you so much for all your hard work. Just subbed.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you! And welcome 👋

[@StephenSinclair-d6n]

Brilliant as always.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you 👍

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

What a strange and unsettling tale - I was hanging on every word! Walter de la Mare is a genius; how well Blake drew us in to his world with his plain speaking, almost apologetic voice. Very strong and clever dialogue, and De la Mare never slipped out of character once. Talking of which, you were phenomenal Jasper. You read this so well. You have such a talent at nuance, and aren't afraid to make those pauses work - to great effect. Thank you ❤🎉

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you. I sometimes worry if I'm pushing it with the old pause game. They're getting longer...🤔

[@mijiyoon5575]

@@EnCryptedHorror Not at all ... keep it going

[@briandouglasahern7067]

Any story involving a haunted scarecrow is a treat in my book. Doubly so when brought to life by your excellent narration and character voices. Well done, sir.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you Brian! You're very welcome 🙂

[@WilliamTuckwell-r8b]

I think old Walt would be chuffed with your rendition of his story. He has such a nice turn of phrase- “ a face as long as your arm- enough to make a cat laugh”. Welcome back and thanks for another silky narration.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you. I liked "That's where the parrot in the nose came from." 😄

[@projectalice8119]

Welcome back!! 🥳🥰

[@EnCryptedHorror]

It's good to *be* back 😊

[@trixie10199]

Welcome back, Jasper! ❤

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks Trixie 😁

[@stephniegoodman4422]

Welcome back, Jasper. You got out of Ashridge!!

[@charlesdudgeon6326]

Absolutely delighted to see you back. Walter de la Mare must be one of the most underrated supernatural authors. I hope that you will read some more soon.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@charlesdudgeon6326 I recorded Seaton's Aunt (my favourite) ages ago. It was one of the first I did and I ended up making a hash of the mix. I'm thinking of redoing it soon.

[@rameyzamora1018]

Just thinking how WdlM would savor hearing you perform his story. If he's in heaven perhaps he can. Respect for you both, sir. Ramey

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you. De La Mare is always such a pleasure to read.

[@clairegreenaway9653]

So glad to have you back!You were missed!!!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks Claire! I've missed you all too ☺

[@flappyturtlesnatch]

Yes!! I thought you were on a hiatus. Glad to see you post one. Dunno why it just now notified me since it's been posted for 2 days. YT being YT. Oh well, better late than never. Thanks man

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're welcome! And better fashionably late than never 😉😁

[@JT_Soul]

Superb reading, as always. Blake certainly is a fascinating character. The implication seems to be that he indirectly manipulated the gardener and George into eliminating one another to increase his own share of their employer's will, and he now fears both the gardener's vengeful spirit and possible punishment for his crime in the afterlife. But this raises some questions. While he seems to have gotten the gardener fired (one doubts that he really had nothing to do with his master just happening to hear about the gardener's dispute with George), it seems unlikely that he could have planned that George would then be killed by the gardener's ghost in the form of a scarecrow! (If that is indeed what he supposes to have happened.) That said, the whole supernatural element is very ambiguous. Only he and George actually see the scarecrow, and its supernatural nature is never indisputably established. Could Blake have convinced the simple George of the scarecrow's sinister nature, which then caused George to die of fright when he sent him out into the night alone to investigate the sounds around the house? There is, however, the matter of the ghostly voice that he and George both allegedly heard, suggesting that the haunting was real. Another interesting question is the odd fact that Blake mentions the house already being haunted and even having been exorcised in the past - long before the gardener killed himself. It's not clear to me how establishing that the house already had a reputation for being haunted *before* the events of Blake's narrative fits into the overall story. Are we supposed to draw any conclusions from this? I'm not sure. Lastly, two minor questions remain to me... -It's never revealed *why* the money left to Blake in his master's will was evidently so much less than he'd been expecting... Was the old man simply not as wealthy as Blake had believed him to be? Did he perhaps leave some of his money to the dead gardener's daughter? Did he see through Blake and decide to leave him less because of his dishonest and grasping character? Hard to say. -What was the significance of the anecdote about the ship arriving from the West Indies at the beginning of the story? Why use this particular device to get Blake talking about his own encounter with the supernatural? A writer like de la Mare doesn't do these things without reason, so I do wonder what he was getting at here. In any case, thanks for another thought-provoking tale!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks for your comment which has plenty to chew on. The author leaves things ambiguous but I took it that Blake orchestrated the scrap between George and the gardener so that one or the other would go. I think what ensues is there chiefly to show Blake's other character deficiency: his cowardice. I don't know so much as he anticipates George's demise as that he just is able to have him go in his stead. I assumed that the eventual inheritance was less because of the gardener's daughter being provided for. There's a line that says something about a clause in the will relating to death, but it's unclear. However, the bit about the vicar treating the girl as if she were his own daughter suggests she took the gardener's share. The business with the wreck of The Hesper I imagined would have been an easily googlable bit of history. However, I couldn't make a connection between a topical ghost ship and the one the passengers must have been discussing. Another thing...I half wondered if Blake was poisoning or drugging the vicar in some way (to make for an easier life). The mention of him putting the "finishing touches" to the meals and finding the vicar asleep at his desk... But, yes, a fascinating story.

[@JT_Soul]

@@EnCryptedHorror Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I think you're exactly right about how things played out between Blake, George, and the gardener. I missed the possibility of Blake potentially poisoning or drugging the vicar, but that certainly seems plausible. (I might have caught it if I'd listened to "The Haunted Saucepan" before rather than after this story!) In fact, Blake poisoning the vicar makes even more sense in the context of his orchestration of the scrap between George and gardener. In the long run, there wouldn't have been much point in getting one of them fired so that the will would only have to be divided between two servants instead of three, since the vicar would have had to replace whichever of the two was let go - bringing the number back up to three again. However, if Blake timed things perfectly and executed both plans within a narrow enough window, he could get rid of George or the gardener, then make sure that the vicar expired without having had a chance to replace the sacked servant.

[@MSYNGWIE12]

Welcome back. Sorely missed were you. ( on your camping trip did you see the ghastly ! thin ghost of Charles Hawtry ((sp?)) in boy scout uniform! camping gear on back, looking Very befuddled) IMHO, THE BEST CHANNEL OF IT'S KIND AND ONE OF THE BEST PERIOD.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

No camp(ing) ghosts to report, but many years ago a friend of mine was seeing a woman who was into spiritualism etc. and they went to a thing where someone claimed to be channelling the ghost of Kenneth Williams. The recording he played me afterwards was really quite something...😆

[@XadrumLtd]

Deliciously creepy, love De La Mare. Even more so when delivered in the dulcit tones Mr. L'Estrange. 👌

[@saycheese7417]

Ohhh one of my favourites! Thanks Jasper, I’m saving this for later but I already know it will be top notch. I can’t understand why you don’t have more subs. Popularity is no guide to quality I suppose.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Think of it as an exclusive club...🤭🤫

[@donaldmccleary9015]

This popped up as soon as the story I was listening to finished. I listened to this right away! Glad to see a new one! Hope you enjoyed some well-deserved time off Jasper! Update Liste ed to this twice. What an excellent story. Well-done Jasper! Thanks! Poor George....he even cushioned the news to make it seem not as bad.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks Donald! Glad you liked it 👍

[@rachael7060]

Mr. Blake is the cause of ALL the problems! He told George to go mess with the gardener, then he knowingly sent him outside to his doom! Oh, to pretend innocence!😒Good that he wasn't favored very well in the vicar's will and that he lives in fear!!! Poetic justice, I say!👏

[@EnCryptedHorror]

He's certainly a bit of c...character 😉

[@LisaCarso]

Such a sinister tale!!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

It certainly is...

[@thurayya8905]

I loved this. Your pacing made it real. This ex-valet in the overcoat has a more than guilty conscience and it shows. He is rather oily and unctious, reflecting how others at the time thought generally about valets. This story helped me to gel this characterization. Thank you.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@thurayya8905 Blake is a fantastic character isn't he? The lies he tells, not only to others but to himself to justify his behaviour...

[@ava.artemis]

One minute in and I’m already very happy with this story and narration. 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Oh good ☺

[@annicoyne2983]

Beautiful reading, thank you.

[@mijiyoon5575]

Well, well, G'Evening *Jasper* & his listeners

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@mijiyoon5575 👋

[@pdecorsey]

You are my favourite, Jasper! Best stories, best narrated.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@pdecorsey Thank you 🙏

[@mijiyoon5575]

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃 luv your thumbnail image

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@mijiyoon5575 Thank you 😊

[@benmulvey2704]

Fantastic story. De La Mare does a great job creating a living, breathing character out of Blake. We've all met a few of them in life. Poor Blake, not quite lacking a conscience enough, to enjoy the spoils of his wickedness.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@benmulvey2704 Absolutely. It's a neat little character study.

[@TheMsmeow]

Glad you’re back! I agree, the best horror narrator on KZbin. I’d still love to hear you do Dracula.❤

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you kindly 🙏 Re: Dracula. Serialised stories (which it would have to be) don't tend to do well, but maybe a project for when I retire...

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

Where have you BEEN??? I've been sitting 'ere, worried SICK! Yer father's going to give you a right proper 'iding when 'e gets 'ome, I'll make sure of that! Missed you Jasper. I'm going to lose myself in this story tomorrow. Can't wait! Hope you enjoyed your time off ❤

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you. That *was* what it was like when I was growing up too 😄

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

​@@EnCryptedHorror Me too!! Agh! Flashbacks! 😂

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@thehangingparsiple5692 In fairness, he did joke about it. I remember one of his regular lines was to get mock angry and say "If you keep doing (whatever it was) I shall take me belt off and by 'eck...me trousers'll fall down." 😁

[@mijiyoon5575]

@@EnCryptedHorror

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

​@@EnCryptedHorror Mine used to say "get yer backside in 'ere NAH or I'll give yer somat to whine abaht lad!" Which was a bit strange, because he was Italian and I was a girl. (Still am, to be fair)

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

So good to have you back! I hope you got rested up. Another story I don't remember. Thank you so much.😵😵‍💫 Love the understated picture. Sinister by omission.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks Rosie!

[@saycheese7417]

Thanks

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you for the SuperThanks 🙏

[@petere5826]

" and the spectacle of a scarecrow in a field late on a winter afternoon has cost him more than one sleepless night........." OWAICTYML

[@scoutrifle6827]

For those who haven't seen, Jasper has had some collaborations with Tony Walker over on his channel-top notch stuff!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

What he said 👆

[@culturedchic]

Oh how I have looked forward to your return! What an amazing narration and choice of story. Thank you sir! ☺️❤️

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you so much! Glad you liked it 😊

[@woolybullybananapeel8642]

✨☺️✨Yay!!!! You’re back! Missed you Jasper! Welcome home! Excellent tale to kick off your return! It’s so good to hear your voice again! ✨🎉🎊🪅🥳🎊🎉🪅✨Thank you!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're very welcome. I'm glad to *be* back 😊

[@mijiyoon5575]

I kept returning & re~listening to this one *Jasper* b/c you have outdone yourself w/ it .... most excellent reading⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@JamesRobertSmith]

Another excellent performance.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@petere5826]

Hurrah for Mr Jasper!!!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you ☺

[@Winchester4lastorders]

Love your narration it makes the words come alive & in so doing makes the story enjoyable. I live 15 miles approx from Crewe so the headline caught my eye. I love creepy twisty crime thrillers and dark humour detective series. I shall listen to every one you have taken the hours to share with us. Thank you💖🇬🇧

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're very welcome. It's a mixed bag on this channel so hope you find plenty to enjoy 👍

[@mijiyoon5575]

I luv this one *Jasper* it reminds me of one of my favorite movies: *Dark Night of the Scarecrow* this will be on my re~listen *playlist*

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@mijiyoon5575 Thanks Miji. I wasn't familiar with that film so I found it, watched it, and enjoyed it. I love horror films with rural Americana. Oh, and Charles Durning in it too 😁

[@bayowl9715]

Heard so many reading's of this but adored yours ❤

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@bayowl9715 Oh thank you, that's very kind. It is a terrific story to read.

[@atomseahuze2687]

A great one. I would love to hear an audio version of "Strangers and Pilgrims" but that is a rather difficult tale. Thanks! Love your work.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks, I actually don't know that particular story. Will have to check it out. It's not in either of the De La Mare collections I have.

[@bronte333]

Excellent, as always❤.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you kindly 🙏

[@leonaheraty3760]

I just discovered your excellent channel! Thank you! Happy Halloween everyone! 🎃👻😀🍁

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Welcome! 👋

[@taliabee8661]

Ooh, this may keep me awake but I’m not waiting til the morning! Ah well, sleep is for wimps, anyway!! 😉😀♥️

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@taliabee8661 That's how I feel about sleep...until about two hours before the alarm is due to go off 😔

[@taliabee8661]

@@EnCryptedHorror feeling your pain, fella!! 😉😀💤

[@jackyhawkins1895]

Thank you so much 😊

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're very welcome!

[@janetrouse8362]

I enjoyed the Crewe very much.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

I'm glad 😁

[@davidgarbett3577]

First time listening for me, really enjoys story thank you

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@annetteeggett]

Oh goody. You are back ❤️👻

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Indeed I am 😎

[@clairegreenaway9653]

Just got my son to subscribe, he’s in for a treat!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Great! If we can just get to 20K subs I might be able to give up work...😮‍💨

[@libertycowboy2495]

Finest narration on KZbin. ❤

[@adathomas8604]

Fabulous narration and atmospherics. I have subscribed and will share most willingly. I hope you do well, friend. Best wishes.

[@joedge6142]

Yay, just in time for bed.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Good-o 😁

[@mijiyoon5575]

I like the part about the wasps & the rotten plums ...ever been stung by a wasper? One got me on my face one time when I was slappin' at it w/ a flyswatter. OUCH! The stings burn like a hot poker

[@mijiyoon5575]

deserved for this one *Jasper*

[@amandalee215]

Listening to this before bed is a perfect end to the weekend. Thank you, Jasper

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're welcome 👍

[@greatestytcommentator]

Jasper and Tony Walker seem intertwined.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

That's just a bit of gossip.

[@greatestytcommentator]

@@EnCryptedHorror 😀

[@KrissieS]

The only other time i've seen Crewe in a book was my sons Thomas the tank engine book lol the description of the train station sounds the same as it is now :)

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Haha! I did wonder if the train station was any more inviting nowadays. I've not visited Crewe yet. One of the trains I regularly catch is Crewe-bound so I often daydream about going there 😁. The other is Grimsby which again, sadly, I've never seen...

[@LucicPower]

Aaaaagggghhhhh!

[@J.DeLaPoer]

De La Mare is one of the great geniuses of this genre (which I’ll loosely call the literary weird - vs the sensationalistic). It’s a shame he’s so little known, for his writing stands up to anything by the usual staples like Henry James, M R James, Blackwood, etc. And this isn’t even close to his best work.

[@pikehead1]

Great story mate , I hate the character Blake in this story , he is a total coward who stitches poor old George up big time !!!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@pikehead1 Indeed! He's despicable, but a wonderful character study by the author.

[@mijiyoon5575]

TS 44:11 scarecrow

[@mijiyoon5575]

A wyrd & creepy tale *tontine* illegal in most countries but, not all. Googled this. Has some humor in it this tale does ... I'm glad it does

[@Story-Voracious66]

Illegal? As in banned? Wow, I wonder why?

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@Story-Voracious66 I think Miji means that tontines are illegal, not this story 😄. Illegal because they encourage the murder of other beneficiaries...

[@Story-Voracious66]

​@@EnCryptedHorror Thanks Jasper.

[@leebennett1821]

I live in Crewe in fact I used to work at Crewe works building locomotives

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Do you know, I've never been to Crewe. Recommend?

[@leebennett1821]

Well it's a bit of a Disaster at the moment the Council overspent and they are trying to save money

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Same thing where I am. Council hasn't a proverbial pot to piss in...🙄

[@Winchester4lastorders]

My late father worked at Royal Royce in Crewe for many a year. ❤️

[@andromeda232]

This story reminds me of one call "The Snowman" by Loretta Burrough . You are such a great story teller Jasper, I'm still amazed that you dont have more subs

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you. I must check out the Loretta Burrough story, what with Christmas on the way...☃️

[@JacksonNomad]

This channel is criminally underrated and undersubscribed. Truly one of the best horror narrators on KZbin.

[@Winchester4lastorders]

Thanks

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks for the Super Thanks 🙏