The Silver Mirror by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (August 1908) Unabridged Audiobook

The Silver Mirror is another of Conan Doyle's historical short stories, or Tales of Long Ago. This story contrasts with the majority of the other episodes due to its supernatural elements. This tale was first published in 1908 and therefore one of the earlier works destined for his 1911 collection 'The Last Galley: Impressions and Tales'.
A very interesting podcast called Doings of Doyle has devoted its latest episode to a discussion of 'The Silver Mirror'. Very interesting for anyone wanting a little more context. It can be found here: doingsofdoyle.podbean.com/
I'm not sure if they still have a KZbin presence. I think they even go so far as to discuss John Dee and scrying mirrors - so interesting stuff! Take a look!
Thanks for listening and supporting Sherlock Holmes Stories Magpie Audio. Please subscribe and give a thumbs up or down! - it's a free country after all ;-)
Cheers
Greg
Read by Greg Wagland for Magpie Audio.
© Magpie Audio 2021.

[@emlahey]

Another wonderful story from the master storyteller and the master narrator. What a treat. Thanks much!

[@hawkiowan]

I so appreciate your readings of the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Thank you for this new upload and best wishes to you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers iowan.

[@Scotticus71]

Thank you Greg, we always appreciate your artistic performance of another Sir ACD story!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Appreciated, Scotticus, as per!

[@michaelmcgehee1]

Wow !!! What a wonderful trip. How vivid how descriptive. Sir Arthur I now am at a loss for words.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks Michael. Glad you enjoyed.

[@ravenkeefer3143]

It's like hearing from an old friend after a time has passed. Never met you, have no real knowledge of the works you've done, and grateful you'd invest the time and your oratory to give us a reprieve from the daily. Mahe Ohna, ✌️ Favour to you and ALL

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Same to you, Raven Keefer.

[@stevenverhaegen8729]

Great classic Arthur Conan Doyle. Wasn't familiar with this one, so nice discovery! Thanks for the reading! 👍😊

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it, Steven.

[@rezmetis6723]

Hey Brother! Thanks for your awesome narration! Sir Arthur was such a voluminous writer of quality stories. I'm continuously and pleasantly surprised. God Bless!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Rez Metis. Nice comment - thanks.

[@juliadia007]

OMeffingG. What a welcome surprise. God do I need this coming half hour break. Thank you!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Bit creepy for a half hour break! Cheers, Julia!

[@cynthiaholland13]

On what joy! At work wanting to hear one of your stories and one uploaded 5 min ago. It's a great day!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Hope you enjoyed it, CynthniaH13

[@oakdew]

Thank you Greg. I pray you are well. We are well here. Cheers.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Yes we are well here. Glad to here you are too. Best wishes.

[@kaf890890]

I am delighted to see this! Thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks K., as always. Hope you enjoyed it.

[@craigcarlock5799]

Earlier today, I finished your reading of "Treasure Island". Listening to this, I found your voice is as suited to daring adventure on the high sea, as it is in the dark swirling mist of an accountant's mirror. I chose this video because the run time is roughly equivalent to the length of my drive home. During that drive, I decided on my next destination: namely, Sherlock Holmes Stories. I absolutely appreciate the work that you have done to bring this content to life. Looking at the video list I realize it to be a monumental effort! Likewise, I appreciate the information and background provided in the video description. Thank you

[@O2BAmachine]

Ooh I haven't read this one before! Greg Wagland never disappoints. 🖤

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

There are those who might dispute that! Cheers Seamoan

[@O2BAmachine]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio Never! You got me through a rough pregnancy, sleepless nights with a colicky newborn, and now we both listen during her 4 month sleep regression/early teething. You ARE the calm. I challenge all naysayers to a duel! Cheers!! 💞

[@agateplanet]

" LIke an over ripe plum ." That line made me laugh out loud. Great story, great narration as always. Thanks man.

[@emlahey]

What a treat from the master storyteller and the master narrator. Thank you so much.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks, Elaine.

[@griffini19]

I haven;t listened yet.... But i'm soooo excited!! Greg is just the most talented reader I have ever heard. I can guarantee you that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would be proud of your amazing talent..

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Very kind of you, Griffini.

[@tessellatiaartilery8197]

Thank you for a superb reading performance of an engaging, suspenseful story. Your careful spoken delivery creates such a rich imaginary theatre in our minds.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Kind of you to say so, TA.

[@evelanpatton]

Yes, when Magpie Audio channel notifies a upload, I get out my imaginary theater dressing gown. By setting my headphones on, I feel I am lodged up in one of the private booths looking upon the stage, as if I am the solo audience…[“AND YET,…] the world is the web that is a vast & wide form who also singularly settle in to listen & enjoy the classical narration of such adventures as were created upon the page by nature or flame, those wonderful adventures. Such an AWEsome treat for those of us who prefer a looking glass that reflects language & vocabulary beyond the current, everyday, media minders & the advert-I-zers pitching to get into my pocketbook & my MINDFULNESS. We who’ve come to seek, have been lucky to have SO MUCH AVAILABLE TO FIND, & this channel is a GEM set in a gilded age of expansive imagination & otherworldly insights; the beginning of our global consciousness, whereby diversity of people, language, & culture delicately is spun. 🕸️🕷️

[@jenford7078]

This is one of my favorite narrators!

[@julieagarcia6259]

“All that stuff. All that good stuff.” From that distinguished voice that made me laugh out loud

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Ha! I don't usually appear as myself! Glad it amused, Julie ;-)

[@mahalaxmijha2967]

Your voice is excellent .... Cheers Greg !!!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Kind of you to say, Mahalaxmi Jha!

[@patriciajrs46]

Awesome sauce!! Thank you, Greg. Masterful as always. Very creepy that mirror. Some pity must be left for that swindling employee as well. Add to that , some for the accountant and the figures in history.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Not sure I have a lot of pity for the swindler. Maybe a very tiny bit! Mean, moi?

[@Short-Cipher]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio Agreed: no pity for the swindler, but actual gratitude. Were ot not for he, the pitiable accountant would never have had reason to embark on his nightmarish journey. Thank you for your time and effort; they've not been for nought.

[@robertmuellerbillcallsmeBob]

Thanks, Greg, another perfect read.... As usual..!!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Most kind. Thank you Robert.

[@montanamagica5927]

Just to say... thank you so much for sharing all these classic tales... your accents give life to the words spoken 🙏 molt respecte 🌞

[@michaelpipkin2399]

Excellent! Thanks Greg

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you liked it, Michael!

[@Dildosoup]

Woohoo! Thanks Greg. 💚

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

No worries Sunstone. How's the knife business these days?

[@Dildosoup]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio So so. Thanks for asking. I've just got over the dreaded plague so I've not been very active! Tomorrow I'll be back in the workshop with some magpie, grinding as many blades as I can! I hope you're well sir. 🙏🏼

[@christroiano4691]

Wonderful story and a fantastic reading. Makes me look forward to, hopefully, another “Classic Breakdown “. I need to know if Nina is going to get those recipes or if Dracula is going to make more nuggets.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Coming soon! In fact, available today, Chris.

[@evelanpatton]

What, what!?!?! (I feel I am excluded from some amazing query into something of a saucy awesomeness! ;-).

[@jackfrostcm108]

Thank you GW :)

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Ta, Jack!

[@Bambisgf77]

Hellllloooooooo old friend!! Greetings from this side of the great pond! So good to hear from you! 🥳

[@dougchance8891]

Great narrator- pure diction and spoken with class. Looking forward to more.

[@peterchaloner2877]

Same trope as the Prof with the mezzotint but better, since forensic accountants are inherently crazier than professors. Exceptionally sensitively read.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you Peter. Yes, of course, the Mezzotint!

[@johnroche7541]

Greg is an absolutely sublime narrator. As a child/young teenager I had read all the Sherlock Holmes stories and novels. Later my Mom bought me some books that had all the other Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories. I was absolutely thrilled to realise that the great Sir Arthur Doyle had more excellent stories besides the great detective. Besides obviously Sir Arthur Conan Doyle enthusiasts I dont think this master gets the credit he deserves as a great writer. Greg should be congratulated for opening the door(pages) to the more less known works of the great writer. There is so much more to the great writer than the famous detective. By the way the BBC will dramatise the MR James story that you alluded to on Christmas Eve. Mark Gattis will direct it and he is a huge fan of MR James. Happy Christmas and seasonal greetings to fellow members of the Magpie Audiobook family. Hope the near year brings health and happiness to everyone.

[@evelanpatton]

@@johnroche7541 Nice share. Thank you! 🎉

[@taliabee8661]

Blimey o’reilly…that one’s a doozy! Thank you (I think! 😉)

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

It is! Thanks, talia bee!

[@hector10_01]

Once again, a great narration of an intriguing story.

[@elizah2093]

Lovely!!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you liked, Eliza. Thanks.

[@judeirwin2222]

I had never heard this story. Thank you. Just what I needed through dinnertime and a little after to help the digestion. I had already guessed the historical setting, in part from the description of the dark, bearded man, and in part from the shape of Mary's bonnet or cap. I had also realised the spearheads were something else, so the author did exactly what he wanted: gave enough clues for an intelligent and educated reader to come to conclusions that matched the ending, and to therefore feel a little glow of satisfaction.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Yes. He breadcrumbs us through the woods.

[@sophocles8761]

Exquisite in every sense

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Soph.

[@northernlights8126]

That was a superb story, I didn’t want it to end.Wonderful narration.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it, Northern Lights.

[@ufosrus]

A well read phantasmagorical story. Thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

It's a curiosity!

[@evelanpatton]

What a LOVELY descriptive WORD! 🎉

[@KiKiabout]

Love... Thank you!

[@Tommiart]

For the Almighty Algorithm! This was a great little tale. 😍

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Tom.

[@00WatName00]

I've just listened to this today and I must say, I greatly enjoyed the story. Wonderful reading as usual Greg, marvelous narration. :)

[@ajarnStef]

Well done Greg!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers ajarnStef

[@peterbamforth6453]

An excellent reading thank you.

[@lindathomas2350]

I enjoyed this story very much it was very intriguing and kept my interest so well and yes the narrator is my favorite!

[@magicbulletdancers]

Now this was really good Many thanks 👍

[@albie7581]

Once a again five stars and thumbs up loved it.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks Albie

[@johnnyrockabilly4962]

Nice cheers

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks, Johnny.

[@angelakyle4838]

A great story 👍 I’m sure I’m not the only one who guessed which event the mirror was depicting😊

[@ichbifeuertrunk]

Awesome as always!

[@fastaxion229]

Interesting story. Great reading.

[@joeharoutunian1805]

Fascinating story beautifully presented. I perhaps could not have guessed the author, so that is an interesting surprise.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks Joe

[@lyndaa7560]

That was a great story & a superb reading, I only came across you today so I’ve subscribed & look forward to some really great listening. Many thanks xx

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Enjoy! Thank you!

[@ringpop6177]

Love you 😘

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Ring.

[@roxanavasilakis9435]

Thank you 🔎

[@bluemoyie8618]

Greg Wagland ... I hope that you look at these once in a while. I want to tell you how much I enjoy your narration. I live in Canada, and would like to know of an easy way to contribute to your work.

[@PibrochPonder]

I keep thinking I am listening to Sherlock Holmes

[@cleopatraoatcake7364]

I thought that must have been Bloody Mary! You see, I've listened to the BBC's brand new radio drama series, "The Death of Mary Queen of Scots."

[@sallynolan5928]

What is this painting (above) called and who is it by. There are some lovely pictures attached to these fab Conan Doyle stories I’ve noticed.

[@evelanpatton]

Greg always puts information, artist, title, & brief description in the “DESCRIPTION” area. This information is under the TITLE and the word “more…” is expandable. Sometimes, there is also other associated information of the author & story, historical context, etc..

[@annskinner8467]

Thanks Greg, it arrived at bath time! 💦💦💦 🀄️🀄️🀄️🀄️🀄️🀄️🀄️🀄️

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Relaxing I hope?

[@annskinner8467]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio Pretty scary actually, Greg! Loved it! 🀄️🀄️🀄️🀄️🀄️

[@satanlucifer6099]

Thanks, Uncle Greg! Tell Jeff I said hello!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

No worries. Who’s Jeff?

[@satanlucifer6099]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio Jeff Hope, lol! Google him.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Ha! A villain in one of the BBC versions? Phil Daniels?

[@satanlucifer6099]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio Phil Davis, he portrayed Jeff Hope.

[@synesthete23]

Wow.

[@schizoidboy]

Thinking about the context of the story wasn't Mary Queen of Scot's husband assassinated?

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

I think she had a lot of tragedy and plotting surrounding her throughout!

[@jfron2822]

When he talks about the woman and the man is so creepy

[@truthreigns7]

So may i ask if this was just a book that Doyle wrote or was it something that truly happened and he recorded it?

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

A mixture, I guess.

[@mijiyoon5575]

*Spoiler Alert:* My Goodness poor feller!

[@zoobyshoe694]

I have to say I'm not completely happy with the ending. The author neglects to say if the accountant's efforts result in the successful prosecution of the suspected book-juggler. As the story goes forward, the narrator abandons his description of the "hunt" and only focuses on completing his examination of the ledgers. He stops telling us about any funny bookkeeping he may have found, so we don't know if he found any more at all. All we know is he finished checking. I find that to be a loose end.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

I seem to think there is more to the ending than you've noticed.

[@zoobyshoe694]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio I notice that the issue of whether or not he's merely hallucinating from overwork or having an authentic 'vision' is resolved, if that's what you are referring to. However, in all of the Sherlock Holmes adventures I can recall, Conan Doyle is careful to resolve all the peripheral issues that arise during the course of the story. In this tale, though, after having initially gotten us interested in the difficult "hunt" for the faint tracks of the swindler, he never knots that loose end for us. IMO, it's the second most important question: that hunt is what is driving the accountant. Strangely, though, we're never explicitly told how that turns out.

[@evelanpatton]

Actually, ACD attends to the following account at the very beginning of the story; for the ledgers are accounts that will be used in court to convict the cheat; and since he has found the beginning “white pebble” that suggests the evidence is assured to be more; so, that thread is resolved at the very beginning, leaving the rest of the lines to follow another kind of documentation of another kind of “evil doer”, at least that is my appreciation of the beginning story & the “main adventure”. 🍸🍺🍷Cheers!🍹🥃🍶

[@JTA1961]

Clearly you jest