Murder by Proxy | M. McDonnell Bodkin | A Bitesized Audiobook

A classic "locked room" mystery from 1897: Squire Neville is found shot dead in his study on a sultry August afternoon. Witnesses swear that no-one could have entered or left by the door or window, but the case is clearly murder. The victim's nephews, John and Eric, agree to call in the celebrated "rule of thumb detective" Paul Beck to investigate...
Narrated/performed by Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me (and get access to exclusive content):
* Occasional/one-off support via Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesize...
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:20 Murder by Proxy
00:52:53 Credits, thanks and further listening
Matthias McDonnell Bodkin (1850-1933) was born in County Galway, Ireland, the second son of a doctor. Over the course of a long career he was a journalist, newspaper editor, barrister (QC during the reign of Victoria), county court Judge (for County Clare) and, for a brief period (1892-95), a Member of Parliament for North Roscommon, sitting in the House of Commons as an Irish Nationalist during Gladstone's fourth and final term as prime minister. Somehow alongside all this he managed to find time to write fiction, which he produced quite prolifically from the 1890s through to the late 1920s.
In this capacity he created two popular "rivals of Sherlock Holmes": Paul Beck, "the rule of thumb detective", who made his debut in 1897, and Dora Myrl, "the lady detective", whose adventures appeared in 1900. He subsequently had the ingenious idea of having them meet and work together, get married and produce a son (Paul Beck junior) who became a detective in his own right, appearing in stories from 1911 onwards. His other fictional output included a trilogy of historical novels set at the time of the Irish Rebellion of 1798, one of which ('Lord Edward Fitzgerald', 1896) was dedicated to William Gladstone, as well as several other novels, both contemporary and historical. He also published plays, works of history and some political journalism.
'Murder by Proxy' was one of the earliest stories to feature Paul Beck. It was the third adventure to be published and first appeared in Pearson’s Weekly, on 6 February 1897. It is probably Bodkin's best known short story and has been since appeared in a number of popular anthologies, including Hugh Greene's 'The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes volume 3' (1973).
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2023.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Story begins at: 00:01:20 A classic "locked room" mystery from 1897: Squire Neville is found shot dead in his study on a sultry August afternoon. Witnesses swear that no-one could have entered or left by the door or window, but the case is clearly murder. The victim's nephews, John and Eric, agree to call in the celebrated "rule of thumb detective" Paul Beck to investigate... If you enjoy this story, you may like to listen to more Victorian and Edwardian detective stories on my "Rivals of Sherlock Holmes" playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLi95qAoufCZL5tiXECltwXUI2QDDFrDHD If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me (and get access to exclusive content): * Occasional/one-off support via Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesizedaudio * Monthly support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bitesizedaudio * Visit my Bandcamp page to hear more of my performances of classic stories, and you can purchase and download high quality audio files to listen offline: bitesizedaudio.bandcamp.com/ * Become a Bitesized Audio Classics member on KZbin, from $1 / £1 / €1 per month: kzbin.infojoin

[@ktkat1949]

I joined your channel last month. Last week my credit card was stolen. As a result, THAT card has been blocked. I have tried for two days to get KZbin to accept a new credit card number and it will not allow me to do so. So I thought I would cancel my membership and start again. It will not allow me to do so. It keeps taking me back to the old stolen credit card. I just wanted to let you know about the difficulty I am having and why I cancelled my membership. When I figure out how to deal with YT I will be back on the membership roll. Great video as always.

[@annoloughlin5549]

23:08 k we lllk[) lk

[@bethelgrounds8006]

KK o

[@Gottenhimfella]

One little quibble with the plot: when you think it through, the described method would have been considerably more practicable for suicide than murder. So it seems to me that ruling the former out was not justified, and that the writer did not substantiate the implicit claims his story was making for the intellectual rigour of his "celebrated" protagonist.

[@karenzak6627]

Please be encouraged! I'm so grateful to find stories like these available on KZbin. I'm sure most of us listen to yours and others like them BECAUSE of the very things at least one individual has criticized. (To each his own as they say.) Such individuals would be best served finding modern works on KZbin more suitable to their taste, instead of knocking the taste of those of us who enjoy being immersed in "outdated" language and speech patterns. Modern speech and often story telling leaves many of us flat, so stories like these are a breath of fresh air! Thank you, sir, for providing them!

[@susangordon1153]

How very lovely! But I've found it doesn't matter whoever the author is or how pleasing the story as long as it is narrated by you, dear Simon. You are the most magical part of each tale told! God love you for doing this and as do I! ❤

[@YvonneWilson312]

What a treat! Paul Beck is another favourite of mine, I just love the way he operates. Thank you so much for bringing these stories to such vibrant life for us, Simon. You really are a master of your craft and your talents are greatly appreciated!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you so much for your lovely comments Yvonne, glad to know you enjoy this character!

[@patriciajrs46]

I agree.

[@skeleczar]

It’s a rainy day up here in the UP, my squirrel hasn’t been home for days and I’m worried sick, an old schoolmate tragically passed away a few days ago from carbon monoxide poisoning at the age of 36, and I feel really, really sick right now, so I literally cannot stress enough how badly I need this at this particular moment. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

[@boosqueezy2418]

hope your squirrel comes back

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

Hope your nut eating friend is okay, best of luck.

[@patriciaramsey5294]

I am originally from Southwest MI and now enduring 92 degrees with heat warnings in Central Ohio. I wish it was raining here. I am sorry about all the things happening to you right now. My husband and I both live with chronic illnesses, but we keep going. That's what you have to do every day. Get up, deep breath and keep going. My old mentor Pastor Joseph Carpenter, also from Michigan, said: "Rest if you must, but don't quit." Be patient. I promise life will get better. 👍

[@jojoe4093]

My condolences. Mr. Simon and Mr. Greg Wagland of Magpie Audio have gotten me through rough times.

[@siobhanb344]

I'm so sorry those are awful things to experience

[@ginabeena6757]

Oh Simon! You are such an excellent storyteller, a real vocal artist! I've been listening to your videos for so long that I'm afraid I take them for granted sometimes, but then I hear one like this and it just reminds me how grateful I am for you and your talents! ❤️

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you so much for your very kind comments Gina, I'm touched!

[@Lillyburn]

Thank goodness for your wonderful calming narrations. Your channel continues to be an anchor ❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

😊 thank you

[@pauliewogmastercertifiedli535]

Excellent as always. Was going to save this till Friday, my husband and I go into three weeks isolation as he starts his stem cell transplant but I couldn't wait. I'm listening for the second time today as I eat peaches I picked up from local orchard.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wishing you both all the best for the isolation and treatment period

[@aoifeocallaghan8351]

Yes good luck and Gods blessing to both of you ❤️💙

[@stewartlancaster6155]

what a surprise, just browsing looking for some evening entertainment and up you pop with a new upload. Locked room mystery too, one of my favourite genres. Thanks Simon.

[@taliabee8661]

It’s lovely when this happens, isn’t it?! 😀♥️

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful. Thanks for your support Stewart

[@texasrose455km]

Oddly enough, it's a sweltering August day here in Texas 😅 I always enjoy envisioning the settings of these old stories. Thanks for another delightful performance!

[@rneustel388]

I live in Arizona, and your temperatures have been like ours, plus humidity for an added torment. Stay hydrated!

[@cantonhag]

💯🥵🌞 from ETx

[@BitesizedAudio]

@texasrose455km Glad you enjoyed it. Stay cool!

[@maxgc6413]

A warm summers evening, Simon once again delivers a classic performance. It inspired me to record a Victorian ghost story for my dear friend overseas. Thank you for this gem of a channel.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful. What story did you pick, out of interest? I've still got a fair few Victorian (and Edwardian) ghost stories on my to-do list... nearly that time of year already!

[@maxgc6413]

I picked, Man Size in Marble, followed up by, The Mezzotint

[@BitesizedAudio]

Excellent choices! The Nesbit is a particular favourite. And 'The Mezzotint' is one I hope to get around to at some point

[@code-52]

Performance is correct, it's so beyond reading; I forget it's all the same man.❤

[@SpuktasticAudio]

"Mr Waggles Found His Voice" sounds like a Saki title. 😁 Another lovely demonstration of your remarkable talent, cher Simon. Thank 'ee. ❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

A very good title! Perhaps one for Mr Dullard to take inspiration from....? Thanks Bob

[@mijiyoon5575]

Thank You *Simon* for all you do for the listeners all over this world

[@patriciajrs46]

Simon you are a treasure. Thank you so much for your readings. They truly are a balm for injured, frayed nerves.

[@stephaniestevenson6335]

I can't sleep because I have a cold so this is a most wonderful gift for me. Thanks so very much Mr. Stanhope!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to help. I hope you feel better soon!

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

"Sweltering August". Well chosen.

[@caroleastwood9386]

Marvellous Simon. Thank You SO much

[@judikingsman6132]

There are 3 reasons I listen to this channel... The voice ❤ The story 💙 AND listening to words I know 💥 but no longer have a chance to use them because I am surrounded by the illiterate 😮

[@macummings7818]

I love the subtle details... the murderer, Eric's,perception of hostility from the detective while being questioned. Such wonderful storytelling 👏👏

[@deal0417]

Thank you for another great story telling, Simon.

[@beverlyadams7205]

Such a great story. Thank you so much Simon. And thank you for recommending some of your fellow KZbin actors to us. I have been enjoying some of their performances as well.🙏💕

[@15multiventure51]

Yet another excellent rendition of an intriguing mystery. Many thanks from Thailand, Simon 🙏

[@marshathornburg4352]

Thanks for these stories! They are wonderful and you do a great job 👍

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@athenaathena1307]

Great performance. Many Thanks 😊

[@jeffashley5512]

Great as always Simon. I loved hearing you on Horrorbabble with Ian Gordon. Hammer and Nails series on Horrorbabble. 💀

[@BitesizedAudio]

Ah yes, that was good fun to take part in. I hope we can arrange another collaboration in the future

[@ryanjohnson3615]

Was a great one! Thanks Simon,

[@meganbartlett8453]

Thank you for your wonderful stories. Cold, grey, damp winters day here in NZ, all of us huddled round the fire with colds. My teens are enjoying being mothered...and i have no voice to read out loud.

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome! I hope you all feel better soon

[@mariameere5807]

Thank you so much Simon ❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome Maria. I hope you're keeping well

[@patriciaramsey5294]

Perfect timing. Thank you Simon.

[@Angelious2]

Always happy for another detective story. Thanks

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know that, more to come!

[@eleshasmith6064]

Excellent 😊

[@kpcraftster6580]

Excellent - thank you! I enjoyed the first two Hugh Greene anthologies when I encountered them, but did not know of a third, and M.M. Bodkin is equally unfamiliar: I'm very glad to see you have read two more of his stories!

[@thomasnl24]

Heard the description and your voice and hit subscribe immediately, thanks in advance!

[@paulawakefield7869]

👏Bravo again! Your distinctive, creative delivery is always excellent. One of the very best on KZbin. ❤

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

👏👏👏Thank you, Simon!

[@jamesross5328]

Always the best. Thx. J

[@susanotway7875]

Very enjoyable! Thanks again Simon for another great story. Well worth a listen

[@feralbluee]

you’re welcome and thank you, too :) i am soo glad you read other stories besides horror! there are people who read so well, but i do get so tired of them. This was a good one! :) 🌷🌱

[@irenabevans3411]

Nice twist at the end, we'll read as ever thank you

[@januzzell8631]

Fascinating - thank you again :)

[@j.t.1215]

This is AMAZING. Very interesting story and beautiful narration.

[@step7274]

Oh boy, fantastic! Thank you❤️❤️

[@BitesizedAudio]

You are most welcome!

[@barrycrump6189]

Thank heavens that you are British through and through with a cultured accent. These stories wouldn't be the same if they were narrated with an American accent. Even American stories are ruined by Americans doing the reading.

[@dodgycat476]

Just discovered your channel. Wonderful thank you for sharing these stories in this way. This has become a must every night.

[@BitesizedAudio]

So glad to know you enjoy them! Welcome to the channel, thanks for listening and taking the time to comment

[@stephaniealeman8522]

Hello Simon! Hope your vacation was lovely and Thank you for the welcome back Beck story situated in the heat of August💚 “One dropped his peach 🍑 while the other his pipe!”

[@katherinelovett9239]

Wonderful! Would you consider doing The Bath Chair by E F Benson? No one has performed it on KZbin. I have it in my Audible library, however, I would love th hear it on your channel.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks for the suggestion Katherine. Yes, I'd like to do more Benson (the last one I did was 'The Dance' for channel members, which I hope you've heard?), so will keep that one in mind! Thanks for your support

[@maximilianmatthews842]

What a coincidence - only yesterday I read this story online!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Great minds!

[@julielevinge266]

Really enjoyed this story as I always enjoy all Beck stories. I’m afraid I’m still not sure how the perpetrator set off the gun?(😂) But a very entertaining story perfectly narrated,as always, thank you so much.✊♥️

[@paulinewilliams8973]

Used the water bottle to act like a magnifying glass to concentrate the sun to set of the gun.

[@Gottenhimfella]

Indeed. On their way towards the target (the hole in the butt end of the barrel where a percussion cap would normally sit) the sun's concentrated rays burnt a telltale trace on the wooden stock of the gun. The hammer had to be raised away from that hole so the sun could shine through it and ignite the powder charge, hence the refererence to both barrels being "at half cock"@@paulinewilliams8973

[@riverbilly64]

8.28.2023 - Listened from Berea, Kentucky.

[@YT_AXROR]

Thanks very much you are the best speaker ever

[@chrissy529]

Amazing Indeed.

[@johnnyrockabilly4962]

Nice story🎉

[@barbaraprest783]

Very enjoyable

[@mngirl5437]

Ty Simon ❤

[@veljkocosic7656]

Your work is amazing! I eagerly wait for every new story!😊 Thank you for your work. Greetings from Serbia ❤

[@rneustel388]

What is the Shakespeare saying, “Hoist with his own petard?”

[@williamhagen2792]

Stanhope is a wonderful voice actor.

[@guillermomelendez7950]

I love getting glimpses from the past trough the language that was used in the different eras of English literature. New English has nothing on the classics.

[@angelakyle4838]

A good story 👍 I did get a bit lost re the mechanics of guns and the glass at the end but very enjoyable 😊.

[@riittasalmu4624]

You should look up Melville Davisson Post' book Uncle Abner: Master of Mysteries and Chapter I: The Doomdorf Mystery; it has the same method, explained. It's available at wikisource.

[@cantonhag]

I would love seeing your stage work; however, only a one man show could bring as enjoyable a performance as the readings! Thanks so much for sharing them 😊

[@olivia-zx7yi]

Wonderful!

[@2msvalkyrie529]

The solution IS ingenious . ! But you do have to suspend your disbelief .! Even John Dickson Carr would have been proud of it . And he was a guy who knew all about ingenious murder mysteries !

[@mijiyoon5575]

*'sweltering 12th of August'* perfect timing b/c it sure is sweltering where I live

[@BitesizedAudio]

Yes indeed, I've been saving this one and 'The Cardboard Box' as I thought they'd especially suit the August weather... although it's pleasantly sunny rather than sweltering where I am. Thanks Miji Yoon, stay cool

[@mijiyoon5575]

@@BitesizedAudio Thank You

[@code-52]

Happy Dance😅!!🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗 Simone Simone, he's our man, he can read like no one can. ❤

[@user-zn7of3bd6o]

Thank you 😊

[@cristinagoode8509]

Great story! 😅

[@AlgorithmEngagementEntity]

Came for the Saki, stayed for the bites.

[@deniswilliams2212]

Another reason to wait for the day to be done Your stories are always worth the wait May I make a suggestion? The dickens story “To be taken with a grain of salt “ You are perfect for it 🧟‍♂️cheers!

[@barbaravickroy7563]

''The pungent smell of gun smoke made itself felt'' ''feeling'' a ''smell''.....very colorful verbiage.

[@tishahouse846]

Listening from the ukwales❤

[@escapefelicity2913]

I applaud your efforts. Sadly, these are so ponderous I feel like I'm jogging in wet concrete.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Fair enough, you're by no means the only person who has commented that my pace is too slow, but I've also received multiple comments saying I'm too fast... so clearly I can't please everyone! On listening back sometimes I'd agree that I may take it too slowly on occasion, but are you aware that the playback speed can be easily adjusted in settings and can make a big difference? Obviously best not adjusted too much as it will sound distorted, but a speed in the region of 1.15x up to 1.2x or 1.25x may sound better for you. I hope that helps. Thanks for listening

[@escapefelicity2913]

Your reading is perfect. The problem is the writing. The best I'll give it is flowery & deferential. But it's really convoluted & obtuse.

[@vrccim5930]

Thanks.

[@sandraelder1101]

Interesting story and clever plot but oddly abrupt ending. 🤔

[@lawrence142002]

So this is what Columbo feels like! I had the killer pegged from the start!

[@BitesizedAudio]

That's always satisfying...!

[@riittasalmu4624]

This brought to mind Melville Davisson Post and Uncle Abner: Master of Mysteries wich I would love to hear read by You sir! Chapter I: The Doomdorf Mystery has the same method, explained.

[@patriciajrs46]

I am quite put by on this one! I would not have believed it possible. It's rather odd that no seemingly sufficient motive rouses its head. Is this the entire story? Or just the conclusion of the book, or a conclusion of a chapter? Thank you.

[@suzannewhitaker3507]

I was wondering the same thing Why?

[@patriciajrs46]

​@@suzannewhitaker3507I found the motive. By listening again I heard that the uncle had a quarrel with Mr. Neville. So, there was, at the least, that upset that predicated the murderous deed. I think, also, there was a bit about money and frivolity. Maybe.

[@SEARSJAMES]

🥂!

[@nshaw1567]

Please don't think I'm a bounder but when are the Loveday Brooke tales going to appear?

[@BitesizedAudio]

Loveday will be up next! I'm a bit tied up with another project at the moment but hope to be able to upload in the next couple of weeks or so

[@nshaw1567]

@@BitesizedAudio Topping 🌻

[@BitesizedAudio]

@nshaw1567 Just a little update to explain that Loveday has been slightly held up as my workload has been intense over the last couple of weeks... I had hoped/planned to have uploaded by now but I've just been flat out with play rehearsals and unable to finish it. Hoping I'll be able to do it before the end of September... apologies for the delay!

[@nshaw1567]

@@BitesizedAudio Spiffing

[@cristinagoode8509]

❤Let's walk ...

[@snippycutwell9878]

Luvs ya

[@j.taylor3670]

Gentlest suggestion 🌿 Perhaps rather than always giving the characters of common people or workers the same accent (East Anglian?) each time, you might vary it a bit with Yorkshire, Geordie, Scouse, Cockney, Dorset and maybe for someone named "Lennox" a Scots dialect?

[@BitesizedAudio]

All suggestions appreciated, thank you! Funnily enough I think I've attempted all those accents in previous narrations, with the exception of Geordie (which is one I would like to do because I have a story on my to-do list which requires it... but it's a tricky one to get right, and I need to study it properly to avoid it sounding too awful!). I try to make the accents in sympathy with the geographical setting as far as I can - you can hear my Liverpool accent recently in 'The Cardboard Box', and I've certainly done various northern accents in different stories in the past, and west country, London/cockney etc crop up quite a lot. Of course I'm better at doing some than others so it's easy to slip into the ones which are most familiar to me...

[@michaelwargo5702]

❤❤😅😅

[@patriciaramsey5294]

White flannels in August? Linen suits sound much cooler.

[@fluffyfour]

Men of that class, in those times, always wore flannels. Linen suits were never worn. If a gentleman was going on safari, he might have taken a linen or cotton jacket, but it was generally only considered appropriate for "the tropics". Also, August in England - not really that warm a lot of the time.

[@evelanpatton]

Oh, after reading the notes, I affirm that as a listener I hope you may tell us much more of this work by Bodkin- specifically stories from the Paul Beck, Dora Myrl, & their son, PB Jr detective collections. I’m a bit of a “who done it?”/“caper” intellect, I like solving for solutions & the journey of putting pieces together to create a whole picture- one stroke at a time, ey? Those labors of love that come from human hands to communicate the delightfully inspired information that chooses to evolve out of a celebrated artistic soul. 👁️👁️🪬🪄🪆🗝️🚪📜✍🏻📚🎬🎼🎨🎭 🎏

[@BitesizedAudio]

Appreciated, thanks Evelan

[@evelanpatton]

@@BitesizedAudioor WHATEVER IS CLEVER! You ALL ways pick the best! I’m always interested in what holds your attention & inspires you to enactment & production, yours is the very taste of letters! Xo. -EP