The Unique "Hamlet" by Vincent Starrett (1920) Possibly the best Sherlock pastiche ever written.

This is a GREAT story. Subtitled 'Being an Unrecorded Adventure of Mr. Sherlock Holmes', Vincent Starrett produced this splendid pastiche in 1920. Starrett was certainly a bibliophile and wrote all manner of books and articles. His autobiography was titled 'Born in a bookshop'.
It's read here by me, Greg Wagland for Magpie Audio. I do hope you enjoy it and I look forward to hearing what you thought about it in the comments.
It's great to be reading some pastiches by authors other than Doyle. This Sherlock Holmes story is certainly streets ahead of 'The Adventure of the Three Gables'. Some of you will agree with this view, while others will find it a somewhat treasonous statement! Ah well.
Amazon Prime Ministers - get a new one delivered every day for only eighty quid a year!
All the best
Greg
© Magpie Audio 2022

[@docmetal8194]

I'd listen to every nation's agricultural report if Greg Wagland read it. He is the best in the business. More please!

[@dale9724]

You are so right.

[@xr6lad]

He could read a shopping list and I’d listen.

[@ecouturehandmades5166]

What a soothing voice! Listening for the 2nd time, due to being lulled to sleep the first run thru (oops!), lol.

[@rohankhajuria1084]

do you think he would do a different voice for each vegetable

[@rahawa774]

@@rohankhajuria1084 yes - and foreign accents for the spices perhaps?!

[@lchchatter614]

Greg Wagland, what a gift you are in a world that seems at times to have gone mad. Thank you for this story, which I had not previously read. As always, your heartfelt narration is masterful, near perfect, delivered with wit, warmth and precision. I no longer listen to “news” in the morning, of any description, but start my day with a dose of Magpie Audio. I highly recommend it to all!!!!

[@Bambisgf77]

Well said

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks for listening LCH. The 'news' is something I can no longer endure. I listen to a good audiobook instead.

[@maureenhartley1093]

WELL SAID.

[@maureenhartley1093]

⁠

[@cousinsister69]

A wonderful pastiche. It flowed with the same pace, language & direction. It had none of the unending jarring moments which leaped out at me from the pages of The Three Gables.

[@silverhills5684]

102 years after this tale was published, it enthralls as much now as it probably did at the time of its first reading. Very charming a tale of a crime that remains prevalent even in today's miscreants' minds or those in desparate financial situations. So very well brought to life by the cadence of the very talented and marvelously skilled voice of Mr. Wagland. Thank you, Mr. Wagland by bringing this story to us. This is another story I had never read or heard of before your delightful presentation. What a pure gift you are, Mr. Wagland for those of us who love stories and theatre of the mind. Blessings to you, Sir. And thank you for sharing your gifts of your skill and talents and this timeless tale of crafty human nature.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you for your kind words, Silver Hills. Much appreciated.

[@joehockley2610]

this is a open message to everyone who listens to this channel. I am a fervent listener of podcast in audiobooks. Mr. Greg wagland is truly THE G.O.A.T if you don't know what the goat is, look it up, I put him up against top narrators Greg is truly amazing with each character having a different and distinct voice and personality I'm writing to implore everyone who enjoys and appreciates the top-notch work he brings to everyone to go to his patron a give $1 he has 100000 subs and he never asked for money like so many others do I would love him to put out much more great content and would be very saddened if he stopped he is F ing brilliant thanks for reading this and hopefully everyone can dig deep for that dollar...FLORIDA JOE

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks!

[@nathanharper5670]

Starrett does wonderfully to use the same language as Doyle, while injecting smart touches of self-awareness (Holmes telling the baronet that he should know better than to have the obvious conclusion be the correct one based on all his other adventures) and loving satire (it just so happens that Holmes has written a monograph on the effects of an emotional shock on 1,200(!) different professions). Good stuff.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Agreed. Pretty good stuff.

[@elizabethmorales6148]

So wonderful to listen to a story with Sherlock & Watson that I hadn’t heard before. I absolutely loved it and rang very true for me as an original Sherlock Holmes story. Thank you so very much for recording it. Quite the enjoyable hour😊

[@heikesuo]

Thank you! Words can’t describe how much I love to listen to this channel’s audiobooks - be it Sherlock Holmes’ stories or anything else. When time allows, mood strikes, opportunity arises - please do venture into other authors! Although there is a particular detective holding a special place in my heart, I’m very much aware of limited number of stories we can enjoy. I’m extremely grateful for every nugget of literature gold that I encounter here. At risk of repeating myself - thank you :) (side note - English is not my native language, I hope I've managed to get my point across)

[@silverhills5684]

Heikesuo, Your English is superb. Better so many native speakers. Further, I agree so completely with all you have written. I love Mr. Wagland's voice, smooth and beautiful, like a lovely lullaby, but with tales so intriguing I could never fall asleep, so intent on listening to his tale to the very end. 🥰🙏🏻🥰

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

So glad that you enjoy the channel and thank you for your comments. I will try to move on to other 'golden' pastures.

[@heikesuo]

@@silverhills5684 reason unknown (by me, not yt) I've just read your response, thank you :) It goes without saying, I feel the same!!

[@heikesuo]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio Please do!! I can vouch for myself at least: I have and I will listen to everything you put out :) guided by my love for English literature and people with devotion. Can't wait for the next release - whenever it will be!

[@emilykrahn3185]

you're my favorite narrator. something about your voice and acting of all the characters is magical, thank you.

[@parthkhare1335]

It's always a delight to listen to you. Never, ever stop. The pastiches are a great idea, we love Sherlock and Watson together in any story.

[@ulalaFrugilega]

A jewel cased, leather bound pre-print?!? Utter nonsense! Also, in opposition to the works of Conan Doyle I knew early, who the thief was, which I find strange... what kind of difference is that? But what a joy to listen to! Ah, the kind of language people spoke, or at least wrote, back then! Plus no one ever satisfies me as Holmes, or Watson, since I've stumbled unto Magpie Audio. Thank you for your tireless, and gorgeous work, Mr. Wagland. Hoping KZbin finally treats you with the respect you deserve.

[@Boogie_the_cat]

Waking up at 6:30AM because of my noisy neighbor: bad. Waking up early to find a new Magpie story waiting for me: good. So it all balances out. Thanks for a nice surprise!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Noisy neighbours! Ugh!

[@davidchunko]

I love listening to the sherlock Holmes audio books when I'm going to sleep it's very relaxing listening to these stories I feel like a little kid again with someone reading me a bedtime story to put me to sleep I fall asleep everytime listening to all these Sherlock Holmes stories I love the accent it's very soothing .

[@MaoRuiqi]

[@peterchisholm4522]

Brilliant Greg!! Very happy to see a new one! And yes….this is waaaaaaaaay better (or at least closer to ACD) than the Lupin one!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Yes.

[@Hawkmoon1981]

How delightful to have a new Holmes story just when I'm under the weather! And a bibliophile's special at that. I'm only a third of the way through, but I already have my suspicions about what's happened to the volume in question...

[@domcole]

A wonderful reading (as ever) of one of the very best non-canonical stories.

[@peacelove7332]

Splendid! Greg, agree wholeheartedly that Starret’s pastiche of Doyle here performed perfectly by you is amazing. Thank you for locating and performing it in your inimitable fashion! I loved the deep pathos you encapsulated juxtaposed to Holmes logical expressions

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you, Peace Love.

[@lozking9568]

So excited for a new story!!!

[@necieau2700]

This reads like a very loving fanfiction of the works of ACD. Well matched in tone and inspired by the canonical stories.

[@ginabeena6757]

This was wonderful! Thank you Greg!

[@Scotticus71]

Thank you Greg, it's always nice to find a new story to enlighten the imagination!

[@sarahellie4113]

You’ve done it once again Mr Greg! What a wonderful story! One of the best non ACD stories I’ve heard so far! It’s always a good day when you post :) I hope you do more non ACD stories in the future!

[@prasatko2820]

Perhaps Seven percent solution... that would be awesome!

[@ismarwinkelman5648]

Seeing the notification of this upload I immediately started to suspect Greg of secretly monitoring my browser history, because this pastiche is definitely one of my most favorite! Thank you for making Thursdays great again 👏🏾❤️🔥🇳🇱

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

I'm not monitoring your browser history but you can be sure that somebody is. Moriarty?

[@CedarRose7]

Love listening to your audiobooks while I am working 😊 Your voice is perfect for Sherlock. Thank you for sharing your great work 👍

[@michaelpipkin2399]

Greg, my favorite Holmes hands down!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you, Michael.

[@kaf890890]

Exciting! Looking forward to listening to you perform this for us.

[@bkp1283]

Thank you Greg . simple and to the point.and with Hugh respect and appreciation.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Much appreciated

[@betsygosnell3847]

Aaaahhhhh! Just wonderful! Thank you again, Mr. Wagland for sharing your gift of storytelling and characterizations. A pure delight😊

[@tykahmg]

What a fun story! Thanks for all your hard work and delightful content!

[@gregfam6250]

Thank you for this! Hopefully you'll do more of the worthy ones, such as from Adrian Doyle's Exploits of Sherlock Holmes.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Probably still in copyright.

[@anniestroklund2442]

Once again you made my day. It is a special day when a new story from you pops up in my feed, Tank you so much for a bedtime treat! 🥰😍😘❣️❣️❣️

[@oakdew]

Thank you Greg! I really enjoy your stories keeping me company. I hope you are well. Thank you for reading these for us. (You knew me as Charles Tree)

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Hi Charles / Oakdew. Good to hear from you. I hope all is well in your corner of the universe. Best wishes.

[@suzyq1730]

It was excellent I really enjoyed it. Thanks

[@catherineladd5300]

Perfect listening for a rainy day. Loving this channel.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Great to hear it, Catherine! It's actually stopped raining here. Very unusual.

[@peacefulness3080]

When I saw this I clicked on it so quickly now I'm in for the treat. Thanks, Greg you are truly the best.

[@ellaschilling6215]

Excited to see this venture into pastiche territory. I heartily recommend those by Nicholas Meyer as well.

[@ancientmusketeer6564]

Thank you, great reading of a very good pastiche.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks for listening Ancient

[@cousinsister69]

This one was fun. A terrific narration. Thank you, again Greg.

[@emilygeiger7639]

Very enjoyable. Thank you!

[@johnharding9634]

Superb reading in every detail ☺️☺️☺️ and thankyou for posting.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers John. Appreciated.

[@larsen8059]

Ah, what a lovely present! Literally... happy birthday to me! Thank you, for another totally absorbing reading of another unique story!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Belated Happy Birthday, Larsen. Thanks for your support!

[@julianwilkins1669]

Thanks for your super work. Blessings to all

[@paddypup1836]

Many thanks. Perfect voice acting

[@mijiyoon5575]

A truly delightful pastiche *Thank You Greg*

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it MY

[@angelmessenger8240]

Superb reading. Thank you.

[@myriaddsystems]

Superb edition!

[@taliabee8661]

Excellent, fella, thank you! 😀♥️

[@grantsuhs2526]

Delightful in both writing and performance.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks Grant.

[@breevwhyman2985]

Sir, your reading is clinical perfection.......your talent makes it so pleasant for listeners.... .....many sincere thanks to you for such dilligent recording and. Sharing of a superb reading. Of. A story............. these stories are more than suitable for the purposes of audio books....... Again ....many sincere thanks indeed vin

[@princetherocket]

Although the story is a bit beneath Doyle, it is beautifully embellished and with you as the characters, is as close at it will ever get.

[@SpiderPriestess]

Brilliant! As always

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you Bethezzda! Cheers!

[@SJVonB]

An elegant read of a decidedly inelegant pastiche of elements of genuine ACD stories.

[@bkp1283]

Great listening on any cold New England night.

[@relodinge]

Loved it, thanks, from the Caribbean

[@sheenaghmcmahon9665]

What a glorious voice!

[@deewhite4346]

Nice surprise to see this .thanks for another wonderful reading .

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it, Dee.

[@Bambisgf77]

Wooohooooo!! 🎉Greg! So happy right now! Thank you!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Hi Felene. My pleasure. Have a good festive season!

[@Bambisgf77]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio I hope you are having a very Happy Christmas with lots of sausage dishes 😂 I still remember how you described your love of those from the “Digress” episodes. You just cannot know what a treasure it is to find a few new posts from you recently. While I will always be faithful to the canon there are many quality pastiche tales out there worthy of lending your epic narration to. Truly looking forward ri whatever will be published in 2023. Cheers! 🎄🎁🤗

[@biacampbell676]

Greg Wagland always the best voice. Thank you so much Sir. Cheers

[@hollywebster6844]

Excellent, as always.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@peterbamforth6453]

An excellent tale and reading thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@greyborzoi]

Awesome reading!

[@stewartlancaster6155]

a quality story, Sir Arthur would appove !

[@spikemcnock8310]

A great story, many thanks.

[@sonjawells4265]

Thank you. I Iove being read to by you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks, Sonja.

[@dandamerville]

Excellent! Both the story and the reading first rate!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@denvan3143]

Wonderful tail well read. Thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it Den Van!

[@Vernon-Chitlen]

Very well read and story.

[@rivkaclifford427]

Oooo, thank you Mr, Wagland,

[@fastaxion229]

GREAT reading, pal.

[@cha5]

👏 Bravo Sir!

[@ABDULRAHMAN-pu2lo]

Greg Wagland is wonderful . Thank you very much! Please send me websites that feature additional audio stories by Greg Wagland and other men. Thank you very much!!

[@nevercommentnotevenonce9334]

Lovely, just lovely.

[@philipinchina]

So many pastiches are heavy handed. This is wonderfully understated.

[@cassandradrewell5048]

Incredible book. Incredible narration

[@tgdomnemo5052]

... at last ! One more treat ! 🙂🙏🏼🖖🏼

[@stevenverhaegen8729]

... Of books! 😂👍 The timing is perfect. I have the feeling you also "pastiched" your Holmes reading style! 😁

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Maybe a bit.

[@annskinner8467]

Happy Christmas Greg! 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Same to you, Ann! & a happy new year!

[@georgedincu1776]

Dear Greg, a great upload as always, as noticed you move towards pastiches and other established works in wich sherlock holmes appears. May I suggest reading the Dupin trilogy by Edgar Allan Poe, one of my favourite detective works and it greatly inspired Doyle. I would love to listen to your adaptation of it, and perhaps more Poe short stories, Marlzel's Chess Player and The Balloon-Hoax, two anthologies made up from his newspaper articles in wich Poe reasons and reveals the hoaxes.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks George for these suggestions. I will certainly keep them in mind. I do need to find some more connected material soon! Poe is great!

[@ravenkeefer3143]

Been quite busy. Just catching up. Thank you as always, Greg. Mahe Ohna ✌️ Favour to you and ALL

[@sandraelder1101]

That was fun. Thanks. 👍🏼

[@TexanAmiga]

Fantastic!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Hi Jeaninne Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheMinerMan]

More pastiches please!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Done.

[@ronnyrono782]

That was so good. Thanks for the supreme effort

[@eveb.6568]

This is by waaaaay the best of the pastiches

[@thurayya8905]

This was delicious to hear; a story that sounded much like Sir Doyle (because the author lifted lines and situations from ACD) and teetered, here and there, into straight faced parody. Very enjoyable!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@waltergordon4682]

Excellent narrative .

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you WG. Cheers!

[@quiensoy2295]

I know this is a useless and silly comment, but the word pastiche always puts me in the mood for my favourite flavour of ice cream. If I weren't already in bed I'd run across to the shop and get a pint.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Yes. That's a great ice cream flavour. Underrated.

[@judikingsman6132]

Great ❤

[@rab7889]

The random details make it clear that this was historical fiction. I'm enjoying it. Just up to the opening, but it already reminds me of the Beryl Coronet.

[@helenamirian908]

Ahh, he made the same entrance as Thornycroft Huxtable, PhD!

[@19683]

Yes. The school head master.

[@TheNeilo-Audiosound]

Sherlock Radar Activated and I’m on it Greg🙏👍

[@peterchaloner2877]

Well read by Greg, as always. The pastiche is morally doubtful in a way that Conan Doyle's authentic works never are. The fate of Miles, for example is left out of account, since this is 1920 and Miles, a mere underling, is to the author a cipher, a moral zero. To take such a view, as an author, is an offence against caritas-- and Conan Doyle was innocent of such authorial crime. As James Joyce notes: "The crucial question about any work of art is from how deep a life it springs."

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

An offence against caritas indeed. The difference between a hack and an artist?

[@ravipatil666]

It started with my obsession with Sherlocks audio stories and now i am addicted to Mr. Greg's voice.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Bad luck Ravi. Maybe I should set up an addiction clinic?

[@julestonk8807]

Me too!...

[@BigLeggedEmma]

Fresh Sherlock! Yay!!!!

[@sus_r0]

very nice.

[@leonricci1993]

A welcomed surprise from the Genius Readings of the sublime Mr. Greg...Peace, Love, and Understanding to you with continued success a predetermined outcome...although it was irritating to learn that KZbin is so very slow at what constitutes the best of their Platform...glad that was settled, I hope, to your satisfaction...Leon

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks Leon. Kind of you to say so. Kind of settled, if anything can ever be said to be settled.

[@phoenixfridge1495]

Greg Will you be doing the stories from ACD 's son I seem to remember reading them years ago

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Still in copyright wouldn't you think?

[@phoenixfridge1495]

@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio I have a copy somewhere Wife bought me years ago as a gift

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

Tsk tsk, Nathaniel. Thank you, Greg. ❤

[@jacquelinebell6201]

It was a great story! Very Holmesian!

[@avpmobi]

This is like variations on Sherlock Holmes. Ideas from Beryl Coronet, Priory School, Yellow Face, Charles Augustus Milverton, The Naval Treaty, Boscombe Valley Mystery, Silver Blaze, Solitary cyclist and a bit of a Case of Identity and the Red Circle creeping in at the end. It's extremely clever.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Yes!!

[@ulalaFrugilega]

And, like a wink, it throws in "elementary, Watson"...