The Redhill Sisterhood | Catherine Louisa Pirkis | A Bitesized Audiobook

Surrey police call in the services of 'Lady Detective' Loveday Brooke, to investigate the activities of a local order of nuns which they suspect may be a cover for a gang of country house burglars. The criminals are well organised, and Loveday finds herself hemmed in by spies as she attempts to thwart their nefarious plans...
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:
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:20 The Story begins
00:58:49 Credits, thanks and further listening
Catherine Louisa Pirkis (1839-1910), often credited as C. L. Pirkis, was born Catherine Louisa Lyne to a middle class family in London. She became a prominent author of detective and mystery fiction in the final quarter of the 19th century, publishing 14 novels between 1877 and 1894, after which she gave up writing in order to focus on campaigning for animal rights. She co-founded, with her husband Frederick Edward Pirkis and some like-minded friends, the British National Canine Defence League, which still exists today under the name 'The Dogs Trust'. As a writer she is best remembered for her last published work, 'The Experiences of Loveday Brooke, Lady Detective', a series of adventures featuring the eponymous sleuth, almost certainly the first female detective in fiction, and the first to be created by a female author. An insight into contemporary attitudes to the revolutionary nature of the character may be seen in an 1893 review in the Glasgow Herald, which, after praising Brooke's insights and detective skill, added "We are just afraid Miss Brooke is too clever in catching criminals ever to catch a husband." Almost inevitably "Miss Brooke" became known as "The female Sherlock Holmes"; she certainly shared Holmes' eye for detail and ability to see past the obvious solution to find the truth behind the crime. Pirkis died after a long illness in October 1910, just two days before her husband also died; they were survived by their two children.
'The Redhill Sisterhood' first appeared in April 1893 as part of 'The Experiences of Loveday Brooke, Lady Detective', a six-part series of stories which appeared in the Ludgate Monthly magazine from February to July 1893; the series was subsequently published in book form by Hutchinson in 1894.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2021.

[@BitesizedAudio]

This story is one of a short series featuring Loveday Brooke, one of several "rivals to Sherlock Holmes" who featured in British periodicals in the 1890s and early 1900s. She is almost certainly the first professional female detective in English fiction, and the first to be created by a female author. You may like to hear some of Loveday Brooke's other adventures available on this channel: kzbin.info/aero/PLi95qAoufCZKziCYPPNgXcx1Uk40ulkJL Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:20 The Story begins 00:58:49 Credits, thanks and further listening

[@waningmooncancer9628]

Happy Thanksgiving, Simon Stanhope! Thank for this present of your talent. Have a great day with lots of laughs with friends and family 😁🕊️🕊️🕊️✝️

[@shelleymcafee8197]

Interesting!!

[@susangordon1153]

I adore this clever story and of course the lovely gent that performed it for us! ❤

[@snippycutwell9878]

Thank you for these stories, you complete my Friday night...

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to be of service!

[@ameyagnihotri1117]

Have a restful weekend fellow audiobook lovers. Thank you very much for 2 new stories !🌸😊

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome! I hope you had a lovely weekend too

[@krishnasen397]

Wonderful story which I thoroughly enjoyed thanks to your inimitable narration, Mr Simon Stanhope. Grateful thanks.

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome!

[@rachelleaptrot6121]

Enjoy the 'Bitesized' audio stories. Like the reader's voice. Thank you.

[@BitesizedAudio]

That's very kind of you to say, thank you Rachel!

[@athenaathena1307]

Great performance. Many thanks 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@januzzell8631]

JUST what I needed - thank you Simon - ❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful, very glad to know that!

[@rosemarykahn7900]

Simon, you read most beautifully. I have listened to 7 of your readings and will definitely listen to many more. I am 82 and love reading myself, but it is so relaxing to be read to, and you have a very good voice for it. Thank you!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you for listening, Rosemary, and for your kind comments

[@SpuktasticAudio]

One of my faves. Two of them with cher Simon. ❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful, thanks Bob! I'm rather fond of this particular story too, hence this remastered audio. I'm gradually working my way through all Loveday's cases...

[@margaretgoodheart4167]

@@BitesizedAudio Awesome 👌

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Thank you, Simon. I always enjoy your work!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Much appreciated, thanks Rosie!

[@evelynrange7764]

Thank you Simon 😊 appreciate your audio videos. Gets me through these sleepless nights x

[@jackalina91]

Is it only me who immediately thought of that old series -“The flying nun” when looking at this picture? We had some really ancient t.v series here in Australia! It had Sally Field as a young nun !! (I really enjoyed the story Simon, also, lol)♥️♥️✌️

[@shelleymcafee8197]

Hearing ‘Miss Loveday’ say that she believes the Detective-stories of the day to be very-helpful to Criminals, made Me smile; I’ve often thought that about Our current Police-Procedural and Crime-Scene Investigation tv-series and films. …Guess that’s something that hasn’t changed!😂😂😉😄

[@NannyOggins]

As a lifelong “Mystery” genre reader Im delighted to find a new (to me) author. I am so enjoying the series starring Loveday Brooke, many thanks.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful, glad to know that. Yes, I like this series too, I hope to get around to recording them all eventually

[@margaretroebuck2938]

Love your voice! Reminds me very fondly of the late Edward Everett Horton, a wonderful narrator. And C. A. Pirkis! A real find, thanks.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you kindly!

[@williamhagen2792]

The narrator has a wonderful voice and delivery.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you

[@charlenetaub1701]

Ooooh, one of my favorite stories (and character) Simon. Thank you!

[@wendygillard2133]

Thank you Simon. I enjoyed this story.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know that, thanks Wendy

[@shelleymcafee8197]

Very-good; Thank-You! This was the first time I’d heard of the Author, and/or of ‘Lovejoy’. …I’d say that Catherine Louisa Pirkis would make a much-better detective than would Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; I find it delightful that she was not-only the first female Writer of detective-stories, but also the fact that her Protagonist is a Female Detective… yet-another ‘First’ of which to be proud!😁🥳

[@jdsteppenzyde]

The TV series “Rivals of Sherlock Holmes” includes an episode with the lady in question.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Ah yes, that was a great series. Actually, I didn't remember a Loveday episode, I thought she was omitted for some reason (she should have been included as she's certainly in the book the series is based on) - perhaps you're thinking of Lady Molly of Scotland Yard, a Baroness Orczy detective? One of her cases was certainly adapted for that series, with Elvi Hale

[@jdsteppenzyde]

@@BitesizedAudio That is absolutely possible. So few lady detectives in those days.

[@LadyBronwynn1400]

Thank you, Simon! This made my day and night. I can't wait to start listening.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful, thanks Cindy!

[@terigunderson5905]

Loved the ending religious note. Well done

[@kimmyrick1950]

Excellent as always thank you

[@aliciapcolman120]

Thank you for being such good company with your excellent reading and generosity

[@tyramasters-heinrichs921]

Thank you. Really enjoyed that.

[@kpcraftster6580]

My second delightful experience in as many days with your presentation of the unfamiliar Miss Loveday Brooke - and the second with intriguing religious dimensions, leaving me wondering if this is characteristic of Mrs. Pirkis's series. Then again, the story appeared the year after Owen Wister's retelling of The Dragon of Wantley with its own intriguing (mediaeval) religious order - a theme of those days, then, perhaps?

[@ursamajor7468]

A fine narrative and a unique opportunity to discover authors overlooked and lost amongst the more well-known of the era. I am delighted that I stumbled upon this channel. I am very much enjoying it

[@BitesizedAudio]

I'm very glad you stumbled here too! Thanks for listening and taking the time to comment

[@libratude9595]

Lmfao!!! "Two old sisters, ugly as sin." 😆🤣😂

[@judithhopes151]

It is so nice to have the opportunity to listen to a well modulated voice, I don,t know if people are lucky enough to inherent a pleasing voice or whether they cultivate one by elocution lessons or have drama classes, is it that some actors are successful because of very individual voices?

[@iefarrington5473]

hi Simon, l was really amused to hear *as ugly as sin*.very well put. Valérie.

[@louise7552]

Newly subscribed, thanks for taking me back to my favourite era. Loving these. Louise Australia 🇦🇺

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're welcome! Thanks for subscribing, I hope you enjoy listening

[@chimknee]

Thanks.

[@janevarley8482]

More Loveday, please!

[@kristinacable]

Perfection

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@CarlaHaynie-yr5mz]

Thanks!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@justinrad5073]

I loved this story. was wondering if you had any stories about witches in your collection.? If so I'm sure we all would love to hear you read one. Keep up the great work I absolutely love your channel. God bless ✝️

[@BitesizedAudio]

Off the top of my head, I don't think I have recorded any stories about witches (yet). Something to keep in mind! Thanks for the suggestion

[@justinrad5073]

@@BitesizedAudio Ill take the (yet) as you might read one in the future. I'll keep my fingers crossed 🤞🏻hope all is well God bless ✝️

[@shirleypearl2166]

Love day a great character 💜🙏

[@sebastianmelmoth9100]

lovely cover

[@nshaw1567]

Remember Christopher Lee doing M. R James Ghost stories for Christmas? I would really like to see you reading these stories on video. Pipe and glass of Madera in hand. Keep up the good work.

[@rakellcolotta3675]

Boy was I wrong. I thought the ugly sisters would turn out to be men of the gang!

[@blixten2928]

Oh those 19th century female detectives. tTheir neat and tidy ways. One curries favour with them exactly like the males - but their way of talking to domestics is much less hectoring, which must be a relief for all involved.

[@luffypupperstien2706]

Word

[@SuperBartles]

Yes it's not badly put together, I must say Puts me in mind of Agatha Christie, rightly or wrongly

[@jacobitewiseman3696]

I'd thought he'd have a mustache and a monocle

[@onlibertyjm]

Thanks

[@kpcraftster6580]

My second delightful experience in as many days with your presentation of the unfamiliar Miss Loveday Brooke - and the second with intriguing religious dimensions, leaving me wondering if this is characteristic of Mrs. Pirkis's series. Then again, the story appeared the year after Owen Wister's retelling of The Dragon of Wantley with its own intriguing (mediaeval) religious order - a theme of those days, then, perhaps?

[@kpcraftster6580]

Ack - apologies for the dozy double submission!