"The Knavesmire Vampires" by Ian Gordon / Van Melsen Mythos

[@HorrorBabble]

First book of stories now available: UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CGXFZCH5 USA: www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGXFZCH5 The Peter Van Melsen Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLeNNKRLWxwoO0VCrw61QeyrZk_DQYZycx

[@tikkidaddy]

Kermit says Hello Ian😂😂Now you know exactly who I am....I wonder if someone would make a Vincent Price milkshake on Halloween?😆...you know me....anything "thirsty" is my preferred tale!

[@Xbalanque84]

What I want to know is when are you going to collect the Van Melsen stories into a book? Because I want one for my collection.

[@samieltheinfamous]

@@Xbalanque84 Right?!

[@HorrorBabble]

@@Xbalanque84 Eventually!

[@Cosmicorgasme]

It was dope man! Loved it. Want more. Need more.

[@andreashansen1264]

I Love the Van Melsen stories. They are every bit as enjoyable as their precursors, Carnaki and Dr Silence❤️

[@JN-rf2tg]

Carnacki and Dr Silence? Oooh, Imma check it out

[@andreashansen1264]

@@JN-rf2tg If you like this, I promise you won't be disappointed.

[@cockodemon7443]

Van Melsen these nuts

[@carolrios9216]

I like them even better, because there are no murdered dogs!

[@blarg2429]

@@cockodemon7443 Got 'em.

[@madmoran1029]

The voice acting by Ian and Jenn is top rate. Its always a welcome surprise when Jenn takes part, I have been a fan since she played the old drunk in Shadow over Innsmouth and this is just as excellent.

[@David_Tomlinson]

Should hear her performance in Re-Animator. "Refreshments Gentleman, refreshments??" 😁

[@madmoran1029]

@@David_Tomlinson Hahahaha the train!!!

[@joz6683]

This popped up in my notifications so I made a cuppa got some biscuits and went to bed early and settled in for some entertainment if only TV was as good 👍. Thanks once again the stories and narration are top notched...

[@boefjespost]

"....if only TV was as good." Spot on 👍🏻🙏🏻😎👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. I couldn't agree more!🤩🤩🤩🍻

[@ellierfromthebronx4531]

I'm listening myself, here in NYC U.S of A...

[@CPWebster]

Superb, I love the Van Melsen tales... looking forward to the deluxe hardback edition!

[@justicepie314]

There's something about Ian, Jennifer and Gareth's voices that instantly transport me to the Victorian era, whether that is or is not the intended setting of the current story. I imagine calico skirts, wool shawls, bonnets and umbrellas, and capes, canes, top hats and vests. Which all just seems era appropriate. And then I laugh at my absolute misconception when someone in the story mentions "video games" or describes something 20th century or modern. I think it shows the ability of these actors to send us on an imaginative trip using only their voices. Well done.

[@wmnoffaith1]

I agree; that's why I only listen to stories that take place in the Victorian or Edwardian era. I know it's my hangup, but when I'm mentally in that mindset with the fog, picturing fireplaces, carriages, etc. and someone talks about their battery going dead, or someone can't get a signal on their cell phone, the mood is just ruined for me, lol. Then it becomes just your modern day gritty, edgy crime story. I think I was born in the wrong era/my ancestors are English and the word in my family was that my greatgrandmother, born in 1882 who died in 1965 kept trying to come back through the veil; she kept appearing and didn't want to stay dead., then my grandmother finally told her, "Mother, you have to stay there. You can't come back" Then I was born the following year, and seemed to have memories and know things about people and places in my ancestors old town that I shouldn't have known; it raised many eyebrows. It has made me wonder.....maybe she came back after all.

[@ManSeekingMeaning]

I’m glad someone else mentioned this amazing phenomena. I keep catching myself when I start to think of the Victorian era, they’re just that good.

[@Bbergster]

That was awesome. “A dream older than the man himself.” The drawing of him really helps imagine the story. Thank you.

[@seanpaterson6863]

Dear Ian & Jen, I can't thank you enough for providing such skilfully wrought entertainment. Your achievement is really admirable. Well done. Van Melsen is tremendously well conceived and delivered. This adventure was thoroughly absorbing. I couldn't but laugh at the image of the two lads waiting in ambush on the candle lit Afghan, Mrs Winston blundering in, getting nobled by the extra dimensional entity, her scuffling demise - pinned, exsanguinated, sucked ragged, weakened scuffles and Kane conjecturing, 'do you think she's putting up a fight?" A comic gem. Bravo!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you, Sean! We really appreciate that. Van Melsen knows his stuff, but he's definitely a bungler at heart!

[@manasbose8817]

This is my second time listening of the Peter Van Melsen series and loving it again. As a 66 yo Manchester lad 😂 long exiled in Bristol I love the Northern locations and humour and of course Ian and Jenn's rich voices. Great stuff

[@HorrorBabble]

"Exiled in Bristol" -- there's a story in there somewhere!

[@jonathanfraser-smith5458]

Another great dreamer. Brilliant stories too.

[@blurryface9597]

This series is getting better and better. Thanks a lot for the great storytelling, and the awesome voice acting by all characters.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks for sticking with it!

[@tamlandipper29]

I had a truly horrifying image of an Englishman struggling with alien phrases simply by saying them slower and louder, to the disgust of the entity.

[@philippel.9086]

I’m a simple man. I see a story by Ian Gordon: I like and comment instantly!

[@susanhepburn6040]

Excellent! Thank you very much.

[@gman3241]

Simply awesome! Thank you.

[@djr1943]

A very wonderful presentation. Thank you!

[@Gmcworrior1]

This channel has singularly resparked my love for hotror and mystery books and stories.

[@bitters879]

I agree, it reignited my adoration for thriller and horror stories.

[@bidoofmania]

Same! Thanks to Horrorbabble I got back into writing horror

[@enochianwolf]

Always enjoyed hotror

[@madmoran1029]

Ah hell yea!!! Finally, a ray of sunshine on this otherwise gloomy day. Thanks HorrorBabble

[@robertma6068]

It's funny how you'll have not heard of a group, a company etc. then you discover them and it's all you can explore for the next while. I've been listeing to your podcasts every day now for the last week thereabouts, and I will continue to listen. I look forward to tackling this series soon. I like how you have playlists of authors, and series you've made yourself in your original podcats. I will be starting to listen to the originals more for awhile, and I will be picking out short stories you do by authors I know liike Clark Asthon Smith, but I will read the story then listen to it. You're introducing me to new authors I really like, and I want to start reading some of their stories and then listeing to those here too! :)

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks for stopping by, Robert!

[@williamfawkes8379]

It took me quite some time to make a full accounting of this story, due to the fact that I primarily listen to these at the end of the day, Ian has a profound effect on my ability to maintain a state of wakefulness. This story, like those that came before it, deserves much more attention. I found it very interesting, and once again it awakened a desire to visit the old walled city of York. I can feel the polished surface of time worn wood, the waxy feel of stone that has been pitted but even the imperfections have been smoothed to the point that it's impossible to imagine that it once was whole. This is a great series, and I am happy to enjoy it. I haven't been in a dusty bookstore full of sprawling shelves, with the scent of aged paper in the air for quite a while, but I could smell the paper as I listened, and I could remember the feel of fidgeting with a cigarette between my fingers...I better stop there, I'm not going to start that habit up again. Great job all around!

[@jeffashley5512]

Been waiting for Van Melsen!!! I'm ready. Great great tale!!! Wonderful addition to the series. Already wanting more. Bravo!!!

[@russellcalvert]

The best Mr Mulson story so far!

[@01Kokoelmono]

Very enjoyable. Norman grew on me very quickly, and his relationship with Van Melsen is charming.

[@mortuarycookiezshane4192]

So exciting! Always look forward to these original ones!

[@franbenson5805]

Top man, great work as usual... Thank you 👍👍🐎🐎

[@blixten2928]

A remarkable feat, and the world of van Melson continues to unfold! The gentleman with plastic appendages who gears van Melson no grudge despite having lost his arms as Melson's helper is a note of genius. And the image of "sharks and island" brings back childhood memories and makes the Afghan rug truly enchanged.

[@samieltheinfamous]

I hope we get to find out more about Van Melsen's dreams. Well done.

[@HorrorBabble]

Watch this space...

[@Wombats555]

I was initially disappointed at the lack of tea drinking but the buffing of winklepickers made my day :)

[@schwarzesonne6529]

@@Wombats555 1:04:27 tea

[@Wombats555]

@@schwarzesonne6529 is it drinking tea and talking death, though?

[@rickperry485]

Excellent story. Love HorrorBabble....

[@MoonLitChild]

This is the Van Melsen story I listen to the most often, mostly because Kane gets to really shine--still looking forward to the story that gives his and Peter's backstory. I've said it before, but I'll say it again: as a disabled book nerd, Kane is my spirit animal.

[@HorrorBabble]

That one is in the works for early next year. Thanks, RaeBae!

[@MoonLitChild]

@@HorrorBabble Aaaahh that"s excellent news!

[@phoenixjames6126]

Another stupendous addition to the Van Melsen epic. A more traditional "murder mystery" aspect brings to mind Sherlock Holmes and Watson. And the presentation of both the beast in its final battle, and the hits of a further overall story arc, I'll be eagerly await the next entry!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thrilled you're enjoying the stories.

[@andrewsisson6536]

Wow, this one is almost as great as the first one! Keep them coming, I can't get enough!

[@MrClied]

I've always enjoyed horror stories, and Hirrorbabble's team, the entire team, has done and continues to do superb work in doing justice to the stories I love so much. I think I speak for many when I say thank you for all you've done for making the genre in literature accessable.

[@jeffreese1828]

Good one , Ian !

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Great story, great voice acting by everyone. Thank you so much for the entertainment!

[@firecatfly]

Superb amd solid story telling. Immensely enjoyable!

[@ronnibech3376]

Thank you once again for another great story about Peter Van Melsen :D

[@wesleysale1052]

An outstanding production Ian and company. I will share it with a couple other folks.

[@ScullyPop]

Gosh, this is such good stuff. Graphics. Reading. All of it.

[@HmasTeR43214551]

fantastic, as usual! I absolutely love the Van Melsen stories

[@williamsandell3260]

Wow! I loved this story! Just the best! I think it’s one my favorite Horror Babble tales..thank you

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you, William!

[@tessab8195]

I love love love this channel! Horrorbabble always manages to pick stories that vibe with me! The narrator is always a pleasure to listen to, to boot!

[@cobrachicken07]

Van Melsen is on the case! Loving this character's development and the array of uncanny adventures he finds himself in.

[@AcornElectron]

Randolph! Can’t you see that Warren was just trying to sack you off without hurting your feelings? Keep up the good work fella and stay safe.

[@PhilNY15]

I am glad that I had found this channel. The voice acting is always brilliant. I must admit, though, when I first heard Ian I was not sure. When he introduces a reading he sounds so languid. The first time I thought, "Am I going to be able to stand listening to this guy and even keep track of the story?" In the end the absolute opposite is true. He has this casual, effortless power in his voice. Great range and I find myself on the edge of my seat - normally listening to an audio story I am doing other things, I am more of a reader than a listener so the voice acting is a lot more important to me. I do not know how he does it but I am always mesmerized and intrigued listening to Ian. In regard to the story, I like it but there was an especial aspect that made the story, for me, even better. With the exception of when they mention something modern, I keep thinking the story is set in Victorian times. It has a strong Victorian and Gothic feel but it is not forced or over saturated with it. More like this aspect was a natural, living, breathing part of the story. I look forward to more great posts from Horror Babble.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks Phil!

[@PhilNY15]

@@HorrorBabble Ian has to keep the Van Melsen stories! I mean he can not tease use with how the book shop owner - for the life of me I can not think of his name - lost his hands. I would love to find a book shop like that by the by. And then the weird, new helper. She never said a word, she came off as highly odd and suspect. What is going on there? Van Melsen himself, I love the way he is written.

[@soulreaver1983]

Wow! Absolutely awesome story! Thanks Ian! 😀👍

[@donaldmccleary9015]

These stories are awesome! The new Carnacki! I love how Agatha's voice sounded towards the end of the story. Van Melse 's annoyance at his name being pronounced wrong is awesome! The image on the door in the graphic is awesome, too!

[@HorrorBabble]

Ha, I'm glad you picked up on his frustration, Donald!

[@Tekel-Upharsin]

Yet again, I'm glad that I started paying attention to your original and exclusive works, after previously (and stupidly) glossing over them under the false presumption that they'd be second class stories. This is great stuff.

[@andreasfilis9001]

York? Seal the area! Keep Leeds safe! Nice job Ian. Van Melsen needs to become a movie like the old Hammer Movies.

[@boefjespost]

Oh man, that would be so epic!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❣🙏🏻🙏🏻👍🏻

[@andreasfilis9001]

@@boefjespost I guess it would be! I imagine Andre Morell as Van Melsen.

[@boefjespost]

@@andreasfilis9001 I've never heard of Andre Morell before, so I looked him up. You're absolutely right. He would've made an excellent Van Melsen.

[@andreasfilis9001]

@@boefjespost The Hound of the Baskervilles and Cash on Demand were two movies I found out about him.

[@Bassist-Beneath]

Thanks for the wonderful story as always Ian, this was a great addition to the Van Melson universe. Your original writings are all phenomenal!

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

excellent! always puts me right to sleep and then I get up and listen to it again :D

[@thisisdavid2]

quite enjoyed this! now I must go back and listen to the previous cases of Mr. Van Melsen :)

[@HorrorBabble]

Please do!

[@philippel.9086]

Great story!! I would love to see a Van Melsen movie 🍿!!

[@JWEthan]

Alas, unless we can resurrect Peter Cushing, I think any casting choice would be a disappointment.

[@philippel.9086]

@@JWEthan maybe I can... maybe I can...

[@gregoryturner9530]

Bout time been waiting thx ian and horrorbabble

[@bitters879]

Amazing as always!

[@mackalarvena2352]

absolutely in love with your work. You have earned a place amongst the great authors you, so pleasingly and enjoyably, read to us all. Fan from Europe, Slovakia :D (as you mentioned Tatras.. well, I love to hike there, they are at the boarder with Poland up North)

[@HorrorBabble]

Hi Macka, thanks for listening! I've been to the Tatras on the Polish side -- beautiful! Visited Bratislava many moons ago, too. All the best to you! Ian

[@setamonkeytoy]

You've excelled yourself, another brilliant instalment!

[@XadrumLtd]

Evocative and throughly enjoyable story. 👌

[@andrusman100]

Sorry I’m so late can’t wait to see my favorite paranormal investigator solve another wonderfully chilling mystery.

[@c0461-e1s]

The sound effect on the voices at 1:14:55 are really well done

[@Nanosuit37]

Excellent! Very good. Thank you again.

[@romanleiter601]

Thumbs up! These were good stories.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you!

[@MisterBones2910]

I hear Jennifer speaking with that accent and can't help thinking of Old Zadok Allen. Three words into a sentence and I expect her to say "and you know, Ol' Cap'n Obed..."

[@minervaaurora8109]

You are a very talented man sir Ian Gordon 😀 This is the first story of yours that I've listened to. I mean I've listened to countless stories on your channel, but the first of yours I can feel the influence of the greats you often cover through the themes and language which I love because you have made it your own🖤 Well done @horrorbabble I am so grateful for this channel!

[@HorrorBabble]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@soliscrown1272]

This is a fine story, and the voice acting and narration are truly enjoyable.

[@nathanharper5670]

Almost 90 minutes - your most ambitious Van Melsen to date! Quality as always - good pacing, the alluded to past of Peter and Norman sets up more to be developed in subsequent stories, and the kinda cheesy "stake out" joke made me laugh. If I could offer a tiny bit of feedback, the story was leading to the moment in the basement with the vampire, and I think you could have spent a little more time there with the lads and the beast before the banishment. The parts of The Soul Stealer where they're addressing the demon give me chills, so my feedback is really that you have a marvelous capacity for delivering on scares that I'd like more of than any shortcomings the story has. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks Nathan!

[@Ivanhoe52]

Excellent. When Cain puts his chin on his artificial fists while inmerged in thoughts, I instantly remembered image of Conan the barbarian brooding. And "mr. Mulson"? Hilarious. Man, did I laughed... Just too precious gem. Once again greetings to Ian and Jenn from Croatia. :-)

[@ShirleyPullman-ey3rx]

What a great imagination excellent characters and narrating thank u lan.🙏💜

[@austen5543]

You guys continue to impress. I’m proud to be a patron.

[@mahoganyeclipse3909]

First story I've listened to from this series and I. Am. Hooked! So happy to find out there are more episodes to listen to, so off I go (to lose my mind and find my soul)!

[@andrusman100]

Cannot wait for the next van melson story

[@csj9619]

"You fool, Warren is dead!" Uh, actually he's just sleeping, can I take a message?

[@fohnacidemooky-mooks4796]

Warren is a NPC CHUCKLEHEAD!!

[@Self-replicating_whatnot]

Tell him he's under investigation for attempted graverobbing.

[@josephperkins4080]

Yes yes he is dead..I KNOW CAUSE I KILLED HIM..MUH MUH MUHAHAHAHA....YOU FOOL

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

Carter is however rarely dead.

[@janetcw9808]

That was exceptional, thanks so much! Wigtown, font of much knowledge 😀, if Hay-on-Wye had been mentioned as well I'd think I was being followed.... 🤔 🤣. Looking forward to hearing of exploits in Bonnie Galloway Xxx

[@paulie555]

Couldn't pass up a vampire tale haha, great job as always 👍

[@robbabcock_]

Awesome performances!

[@hereticsaint100]

I really enjoy this series.

[@williambarnette1049]

I wish there were hard copies of these stories. Incredible!

[@HorrorBabble]

We'll get there!

[@tjjudd101]

Ah, the imminent paranormal investigator, Peter Van Melsen, returns. And on a Monday, no less! Best way to beat the Monday blues is with some chills and thrills.

[@jackalina91]

Always love a good vampire story ♥️♥️♥️

[@vivanecrosis]

Brilliant stuff. Went harmoniously with my art session. Looking forward to your next performance UWU

[@jonshepherd2550]

Fabulous thank you Ian. Are we possibly to be blessed with another of your excellent Carnacki tales any time?

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks Jon! I've just finished the first draft of our third Carnacki story... hopefully it'll be published before the end of the month. :) Ian

[@macharian6963]

Van Melsen is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jonshepherd2550]

I love how you are leading us to questions about our hero.. where is he really from? What's his secret? Does his dream represent a repressed memory? You are Ian an author of great talent and imagination

[@MoonLitChild]

I'm really hoping we get a flashback to how Kane lost his arms. I'm disabled and having a character like him is really cool. I love his dynamic with Van Melsen. Also I re-listened to The Color of the Forest and when he goes to Cook's Books and sees the copy of The Book of None, the guy mentions getting it from a woman with an interest in obscure occult literature-- Wax maybe? Van Melsen seemed taken with her, or at least intrigued. He refers to the woman who acquired the Book of None as "a woman after his own heart." Do I smell an arc-plot? We're certainly starting to get bits and pieces of his back story.

[@HorrorBabble]

You're asking some good questions here! We're glad you're enjoying the stories. :)

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Great that he is presented as a regular guy with a full and interesting life, his character is not about his disability. Seems like often when people include disabled characters the upshot is ‘this isn’t an interesting real person, but look how great i am for including this in my story.’ As a person with a mental disability, it’s always great to see real characters with realistic character.

[@MoonLitChild]

@@sub-jec-tiv Exactly! It really isn't that hard to write disabled characters of *any* kind but a lot of non-disabled writers can get hung on it because their entire interaction with disabled people is media *about* disabled people aimed at able bodied people to make them feel better about being able-bodied/neurotypical. Cane is just a fantastic example of someone who didn't let themselves get hung up.

[@manujkantimazumdar]

Oh, i love this 💛

[@datsweetsansabooty]

I’m late to the party but these are excellent

[@markpreston6012]

The Golden Fleece in York, a local landmark with a reputation for being haunted. It made me chuckle when I heard that

[@daleanderson1727]

Well done.

[@bobdrooples]

Oh...a long chappy. Decisions, decisions. Edit: Most enjoyable, thank-you.

[@nitayrafowicz5934]

Another great case of the PI Peter Van Molsen... what more can I ask for??

[@Corsbyy]

I like this. More than a little

[@colemarie9262]

Bravo!

[@beancount811]

Brings back memories. Drinks->Oshibi->Dungeon->Ghost Tour->Carousing->Ducks->Ouse (Optional: Scaling of Fortifications!) Wake up naked on the Knavesmire.🦇🦇🦇 What happened? BLOODSUCKERS!🧛 A Van Melson tour of Northern England beckons... Though I'm not sure my liver could take it these days, so perhaps tea is in order? 🫖🍵💪 The opening to this story cracks me up every time. But a good tale nonetheless! Good length too.

[@HorrorBabble]

Ha!

[@unitedplankton2866]

Ahh...Anotther fine bedtime story to lull me to sleep..

[@elric5158]

Great story

[@jamescampbell39]

Arkwright was an associate of Carnaki I believe.

[@rhoddryice5412]

A long one. I suppose I’ll have to wait until tomorrow.

[@janetcw9808]

Good Evening All Xxx 🦇

[@lisawhite-pagano3455]

Once again I went into some weird stage of sleep where I wasn’t really asleep because I know I’ve been thinking about other things and the next thing I know the story is over! I do it just about every night. I have to go back and play it again so I can find out what happened. I have to have it playing all night or I can’t sleep.

[@HorrorBabble]

We're glad you keep coming back, Lisa!

[@rhoddryice5412]

@@HorrorBabble I experience the same thing when I try to listen when I go to bed. I suspect the reader is connected to the ancient ones, trying to seduce us and lead us into the world of dreams or nightmares.

[@isorokudono]

Ehem. Gary Gordon, please stand up. Norman Cane is a GEM in literature and now, VODTUBEVILLE.........such a blast to listen to.

[@MoonLitChild]

Kane is the best! Gary nailed a really memorable character.

[@justicepie314]

And the introduction of, Jackie Daytona!! ...er wait, wrong story.

[@justicepie314]

I can probably drop the comment here but with the SPOILER warning... So it WAS Agatha all along!