The Tragedy at Brookbend Cottage | A Max Carrados story by Ernest Bramah | A Bitesized Audiobook
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- Опубликовано: 26 сен 2024
- Max Carrados, the blind detective, is called in by his friend Mr Carlyle to advise a man who believes his sister is at imminent risk of being murdered by her husband at their lonely cottage on the rural fringe of London. Max quickly deduces that an ingenious crime is being planned, but will he be in time to prevent a tragedy...?
A new, original recording of a classic public domain text, read and performed by Simon Stanhope for Bitesized Audio.
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Ernest Bramah (1868-1942) was born Ernest Bramah Smith, probably in or near Manchester, where he attended grammar school. An intensely private man, very little information is known about his personal life. His early career included a stint as assistant to Jerome K. Jerome; his first success as a writer came as a contributor of humorous sketches somewhat in the manner of Jerome, to newspapers and periodicals, and he later became editor of one of Jerome's magazines. As an author he is best remembered for creating two characters: Kai Lung, a Chinese storyteller who appeared in a number of humorous stories from 1900; and Max Carrados, the blind detective, created in 1913. He also wrote science fiction, and his 1907 novel 'What Might Have Been' (also known as 'The Secret of the League') is a dystopian story which was acknowledged by George Orwell as a major influence on his own 'Nineteen Eighty-four'. Orwell was also a great admirer of the Max Carrados stories, bracketing them with Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and Freeman's Dr Thorndyke as "the only detective stories since Poe that are worth re-reading". The character of Carrados appeared in more than 25 short stories and novels between 1913 and 1934, and by the 1920s was more popular than Sherlock Holmes (whose later cases appeared alongside Carrados in The Strand Magazine). His blindness proves no obstacle to his detective skills; indeed his other senses are heightened and he regularly outwits criminals and fellow detectives alike.
'The Tragedy at Brookbend Cottage' first appeared in 'The News of the World' on 7 September 1913. It was subsequently published in book form as part of the first volume of Carrados stories (entitled simply 'Max Carrados') in 1914. It has gone on to be one of the most frequently anthologised of the blind detective's exploits.
The cover image is adapted from a painting by John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836-1893), one of several depictions he made of Yew Court, Scalby, near Scarborough.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2022.
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Thanks for listening.
Simon Stanhope (narrator)
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I've read and heard dramatizations of some of these stories on BBC radio. However good they were and however well dramatised, in my opinion your voice reading the story is spot on and matches what was in my head when I read them mself. So please do read some more for us. You never disappoint.
That's lovely to hear, thank you Ruth. I'll certainly be doing more Max Carrados in the future, I have several more of his adventures already on my list. I will aim to get around to him again soon
@@BitesizedAudio I love your readings of these stories. Thank you!
I agree. I wish I had the funds to support a Patreon project for the Max Carrados stories; I would do it tomorrow. All of the others are done by a Librivox volunteer with a squeaky high pitched nasal voice ( excruciating). Unfortunately, I'm disabled or I would. The BBC productions are passable, and I've read in the comments posted under them that people prefer them as more modern; in my mind, that's exactly what is wrong with them. I don't want what people today 😕 seem to want ( a book where every other word is an emoji and a limited vocabulary of 500 words). I love the English language as it used to be; and still is for some. The writing in these older stories tops almost everything put out today, with few exceptions. You can't always use edginess and violence to replace plot, character development and beautiful prose.
Yes, I totally agree.
Thank you so much for sharing that! I will definitely listen to those channels that have those episodes on RUclips now! Thank you so much for reminding me! Blessings ❤
As a visually impaired person I love Carrados and your reading!
Glad to know that, thank you Mariana
Mr Carlisle told me
I agree with you wholeheartedly! This channel is a blessing and has gotten me through several long, pain-filled nights where no sleep was to be had. Simon has been a great blessing along with Greg at Magpie. Although I still can read, I can only do it for limited periods because I suffer severe double vision and so any prolonged visual task leads to terrible migraines. With audiobooks, I can listen to old comforting tales,, and discover new authors, and it is a huge comfort when one can do little except lay flat in a darkened room. Time goes from " drawing out like a blade"(Stephen King) to being filled with new visitors and old friends. I don't think Simon will ever realize how much his services mean to people like us, even though we may not be able to financially support him. If my channel ever does take off, the very first thing I will do, Simon, to express my appreciation is to join your Patreon group. Thank you so so much.
I don’t remember ever listening to to this blind detective. I’ve never been fond of the the typical radio dramatizations. They’ve always seemed to be so chaotic and “noisy” (if that makes any sense.🤣) But I absolutely adore listening to your smooth, professional narration. Thank you so much! Poor Milly... I wonder if she had at one time truly loved her husband, became jealous over his philandering ways, and bitter over his rejection and the suspicion that he meant to do away with her? Then once she realized he definitely wanted her dead, couldn’t deal with the fact, or his going to prison or just never being with him again. So sad 😞
Thanks so much for your kind words L Parsons, much appreciated. Personally I do enjoy listening to radio drama as well as audiobook narrations, depending on what mood I'm in or how much attention I can give. I know what you mean by "noisy" I think. Funnily enough I've noticed there seems to be a growing trend recently for adding sound effects and music underscoring solo audio readings, almost creating a sort of half-way house between drama and narration, but as a listener I find it rather intrusive and it takes me out of the story, I prefer to let the words do the work of conjuring the pictures in our imaginations. Just my opinion though, I'm perhaps a bit old school and not down with the latest trends! Anyway, I'm glad to know you've enjoyed listening, and thank you for your thoughtful comments on the story. The ending of this one certainly makes us think... on reflection, I think I'd come to a similar conclusion as you about it. Very sad indeed.
@L Parsons I've just seen that you've joined today as a channel member, thank you so much for your support. Do check out the community tab and/or membership tab (depending on your device) for updates and previews. Best wishes
They've proven people can die of a broken heart, or lose the will to live. Especially in that Era of non divorce, to find out that the person you've devoted your life to, not only doesn't love, but actively wants you dead, is a hard thing for anyone to live with. I'm sure she felt like the biggest fool that ever lived. Perhaps if the means hadn't been handy she might have thought better of it later on, but they were to hand so...
I do like the blind detective Carrados. Seems like a great many writers were trying to find a niche in the detective writing that was enjoyed by Doyle.
Thank you for sharing this one.
They were. When Conan Doyle killed off Sherlock Holmes early on, he caused a gap in the market which many of these authors rushed to fill. I do like many of the contemporary "rivals" of Holmes, but Carrados is perhaps my personal favourite, partly because of the whole world that Bramah creates around him, including the recurring characters of Mr Carlyle, Parkinson, Inspector Beedel and others, is so vividly drawn - like that of Holmes and Watson.
Would absolutely love to see mystery’s with Max Carrados as the investigator and all of them read by Simon!
It might take me quite a while to do all of them! But I'll do my best... Thanks for listening Becky
Who would?
You wrote ..."would absolutely love to..."
So I'm asking-
Who would ?
M
@@mwatts-riley2688 Take a guess based on context. I think you can figure it out.
A brilliant story without the usual happy ending. I found it rather chilling but beautifully read all the same
Chilling is the word. Thank you for your kind comments, glad you enjoyed it
Thx for spoiling the ending.
That definitely got the thumbs up from me, maestro. Loved the dry humour threaded through it. And another one where I didn't expect the end. Bonus! What a *STAR* you are! ❤
😊
Perfect story, characters & narration. I love it when I see a little blue dot letting me know there’s a new one waiting for me, it makes my day.Many thanks Simon xx
What a lovely comment, thank you Lynda
At last !!!!! have been waiting for this. Glass of wine at the ready.
Thank you!
Wonderful, I hope you enjoy! Thanks @Gumblina1
What a treat. This story was unknown to me. Beautifully read, as always. Thank you.
Thanks Jacqueline, appreciated
Very good story, although I didn’t expect the ending!
Yes indeed, it's an unexpected and melancholy twist
Wonderful reading as usual Simon. I love this Detective he sees all without seeing. But I was shocked to the core at this ending. 😲
Thanks Shannon. I know, I had the same reaction upon first reading!
I get so excited when I see the notification for a new BAC reading-always so enjoyable!
That's lovely to hear! Thanks so much for your kind comments
This narrator is AWESOME! He put me in the story and I felt like an observer instead of a reader. Thank you.
That's why I adore audiobooks.
Dear author of these audiobooks, this is a mastery of taking care of every detail, subtitles, beautiful pictures, and the scale of the project in general, amazing!!!
Oh I love this character! This has come at a perfect time, any time would be a perfect time for one of your stories! I really appreciate all of the amazing detail below the video. I find it fascinating reading about the writers. Many many thanks and blessings! Spectacular job as usual!🌟
So glad you enjoyed it, thank you Maria
@@BitesizedAudio you are very welcome! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
@@mariameere5807 hello lovely 😊 Sending warm hugs from cold and snowy Calgary.
@@auntyJanette take care of yourself! I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers! 🌹🌟🌹
I've loved Holmes since I was a child, but I must say I've become a huge fan of Carrados since finding your channel. ❤
Your Carrados readings are the best. Thank you, Simon.
Appreciated, thank you Nancy
Hello,and that was another masterpiece of narrating,thank you Simon a jem of a tale.
Really enjoy these stories,glad to hear their are so many more that I haven’t heard.
This was a really good choice,if all the others of a similar standard then we have a real treat in store.
Yet again you add a brilliant story to your amazing collection,thanks very much.👍♥️
Great to hear more of your narrations
. Your choice of stories is most appreciated. Many thanks Simon
Thanks so much for your support Mark. Best wishes to you
Your voice makes these stories magic....thank you❤❤
I love these and am so grateful for them. I had to temporarily stop my small monthly contribution due to fraudulent activity but I will be resuming as soon as I can as you provide me with so much pleasure and I know it takes a lot to run a quality channel like this Thank you so very much for your time and effort in sharing these as always! Shae
Thank you Shae, I appreciate your support
What a Sneaky, well planned murder.
It's ingenious, isn't it?
@@BitesizedAudioabsolutely, but I did not see that end coming
BLESS YOU SIMON, AS ALLWAYS YOUR NARRATING AND STORIES ARE TOP DRAWER
Well, what a story and I am sure I was not the only person shocked by the ending! Thank you very much, Simon.
No indeed, it's provoked a fair few comments! Thanks Susan
Have you ever heard of an actress named Kathryn Hepburn?
Delighted to listen to this: I've been familiar for over forty years with the observation that "every man holds the life of one other" - D.L. Sayers has Wimsey quote it to Inspector Parker (in, I'd hazard, "Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club", but can't be certain) while deliberately refusing to name the source: curiously satisfying to finally encounter its source with your excellent reading. Thank you!
How interesting! Why did Lord Peter refuse to name the source, do you remember? I like Dorothy L. Sayers' stories very much
I shall go to bed early ❤️❤️
Thank you! ❤
You're most welcome 😊
Ernest Bramah is new for me. Thanks for an excellent introduction!
Thank you , Simon, for a beautifully crafted reading. I always enjoy listening to you. This story was really good. 👍
Excellent... Thank you!
Superb performance, thank you.
Kind of you to say so, thanks Pauline
More Max Carrados! Thank you so much Simon 🎩😄
More Max definitely in the pipeline!
You are great!!
Thank you!
Such an amazing read! Thank you!
Thank you for adding the playlist link. Love Max😍
His mysteries are so extremely clever, and definitely in the same league as Baroness Emma Orczy, and the old man in the corner, or Dorothy Sayer; not that I don't adore Sherlock Holmes, but it is his character and detection more than the cleverness of the murder or crime.
A far more simpler time - when duty, gardening and murder coincided without contradiction, distinction or hypocrisy! Wonderfully read either before or after dinner!
That's was quite an abrupt ending. Love these Victorian detective stories. Lots of unanswered questions as regards the marital relationship of the protagonists. It ended too quickly. Looking forward to the next one simon.
Thanks Sarah, appreciated
Very, very enjoyable, and just as thankful for sharing. Thank you, have a great weekend.
You're welcome. You too! And thanks for listening
BLESS YOU SIMON, AS ALLWAYS YOUR NARRATING SKILLS AND STORIES ARE TOP DDRWER
Thank you Simon. Max Carrados is a very satisfying character.
Hope you have more to come from Ernest Bramah.
Thank you, as always.
Hope you are well and busy as health safety rules are eased in the UK. 😊😊💐💐
Thanks aunty. He is indeed a lovely character, definitely more to come...
Thank you.
Brilliantly read. Thank you
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
Absolutely loving the distinctive timbre of your narration, Simon. Thank you. Subscribed. I live just down the road from Stanhope in County Durham. All best wishes for the New Year, Heather 😊
Thank you Heather, same to you!
Very clever. Thoroughly enjoyed this.
Thanks Susan, appreciated
Your loads are origina and just a delight to hear@ your voice is soothing and a 🍷 bang-on enjoyment! ☕️ m. Illinois usa 😷
Another beautiful reading. Did anyone else think that Hollyer may have murdered his sister for the money? I thought that was going to be the twist at the end.
Didn't he ?. I think he did when he put her in 5he spare room.
@@louise7552 Maybe that was obvious and I'm a dummy?
@@milou66 no friend you're no dummy. I've probably got it all ass up lol 😂. It could have been the blind police man for all I know. Well nice talking Bianca, let's try and solve another one. Louise Australia. Ps listen to Christmas at Thompson Hall it's a good chuckle.
Still puzzling over the implications of the ending, will no doubt get it after a good think, wonderfully read as always, thank you for this gem
It certainly leaves us thinking. Thanks Irena
Thank you, Simon. I enjoyed the recording very much. I hope there will be more Max Carrados stories in the future.
There certainly will. Thanks for listening Celia
I’ve never heard of Carrados before. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to more. Once again your reading was so colourful and had me fully submerged in the story. Thank you 🙏🏽
Your very good self , Horror Babble and The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas , pure BRILLIANCE... No comparisons , each and everyone unique ... I'm so happy for all 3 , I listen constantly. And YOUR voice is the most Amazing voice I have ever heard . Thank you very much . Again this is the 2nd listen to this story as I do many of your story readings 🙏
Another excellent story and narration , Simon ! Thanks !
Thanks Jeff!
I enjoyed that, i got the metal plate and kite bit right but didn't see that ending coming.
Thank you for this story
Marvelous! Thanks for another Carrados story!
You're welcome! Thanks David
Fascinating story. Good reader
Best voice and narration I've ever heard!! Thank you. I'm hooked ❤ Greetings from South Africa
Thank you so much!
I’m truly enjoying your show.
Really enjoyed and well read. Thank you.
Thank You for another wonderful reading!
You're most welcome
I so enjoy your readings. Thank you!
Kind of you to say Consuela, thank you!
Bally good show ……bravo bravo 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Jolly decent of you to say so Tony, thank you!
I was waiting for a new video from your channel so thank you very much please provide me some videos continuously
Brief question. He is charged with attempted murder. His wife is dead by suicide. Could the case proceed? If so how so?
These are absolutely delightful most enjoyable stories that captivate the imagination and roll one in.
I wondered exactly that also. Plus, if he did escape arrest/conviction, would he get to inherit his wife's money?
Such a good tale ... have to have this on the playlist so it will pop up ...re~listen *Thank You* 👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks Miji Yoon, glad to know you enjoyed it
20.45 I love the dancing of these men, especially when they are in ballet clothes. Cheers me up!
A fine reading of this excellent story. Thank you, Simon!
Love the stories. thank you 😊
Glad to know that, thank you Tanya!
Simon, I suppose it should not come as any surprise, given that you're a trained, professionial actor, but your readings/perfomances are just the business. Your pacing is superb! Moreover your voice characterizations are not filled with unnecessary affectations. It's very easy to listen to these readings.
Kind of you to say so, thank you
Thank you!
Chilling story, elegant presentation. Thank you.
What a twist at the end.
Yes, so who killed her with the poison, the brother?
Another Wonderful story. Thank You 🙏 so very much . I’ve been missing you .
A blind detective ? I can't see him solving the case...
You obviously don’t know Max Carrados🤣
Excellent. You give Fry a run for his money.👍
Very kind of you to say so, thank you!
I have just found you and i am loving your narrative xx brilliant xx
Welcome to the channel, thanks for listening
Yet another well narrated story.
Happy last-ten-minutes-of Twosday! Alas for Milly, though, we hardly knew her and I don't think anyone around her ever really did (or considered what the prospect of divorce or hanging would do to her social status, having been taken advantage of in the only choice she got to make about her life and too proud to even admit to that). I picture Carrados finding a rose bloom to hold when calling the bush 'beautiful', and that's beautiful in itself. I like how comfortable he is with his friend and his willingness to explain outright for the lagging reader rather than being obscure and dramatic like Sherlock Holmes. Beautifully read, as always.
Great stuff, thanks. I always have Robert Stephens in mind when I listen to a Max Carrados story, and this was no exception. I actually listened to it during Storm Eunice, which seemed somehow appropriate.
Such a sad story. I was cheering at the arrest THEN.... 😥
This story is one of a series featuring Max Carrados, the blind detective, whose adventures first appeared in 'The News of the World' in 1913. If you'd like to hear more of his adventures, I have a playlist in development, available here: ruclips.net/p/PLi95qAoufCZLjwoLUZBvPAFemYFKiqB7z
Or for a selection of other Victorian and Edwardian detective stories, do take a look at the "Rivals of Sherlock Holmes" playlist:
ruclips.net/p/PLi95qAoufCZL5tiXECltwXUI2QDDFrDHD
Thanks for the link to more EB stories👍🏻👍🏻
This was great. Thank you!
Thank you. I enjoyed your reading of the story.
Your choice of books are amazing
I hope you can read more Carrados stories. I absolutely love him. Holmes is my #1, but Carrados is #2.
Thank you Patricia. Yes, I really like the Carrados stories too and certainly hope to do more soon. If you've not already heard them, I do have a few other Max Carrados adventures recorded and I've saved them in this playlist, which I'll add to as and when I do more:
ruclips.net/p/PLi95qAoufCZLjwoLUZBvPAFemYFKiqB7z
A great reading as usual. Congratulations.
Excellent
Thank you so much for this excellent narration. I wish you the best in your future endeavors. Cheers.
You're welcome! Thanks for listening
Great stuff
Very nice!
Thank you,
Thank you
Well, she was described as unpleasant so perhaps it was no great loss.
The husband inherits however ,so the brother is out of luck.
I suppose he will, although hopefully he won't be in a position to enjoy the proceeds. Thanks so much for your comments Peter, I wonder if you'd mind just editing the beginning of this one to let people know there's a potential spoiler, as I know quite a few people read the comments before or while listening. Best wishes
@@BitesizedAudio I am so sorry, that was thoughtless
Dont read this comment
SPOILER ALERT Wouldn't he be barred from inheriting, assuming he was convicted?
What a DUD ending!
Love the harsh set-up. The brother's account clearly points to an ambiguous "final" actor. Nevertheless "That does not concern us. In a game of this kind, one must take sides".
~ too many documentaries. Early on when asked for a photo of the husband, I turned to look at the screen!
Thanks
Hi Simon, great work on this as always! Can you tell me where you obtain the wonderful graphics you use for the stories on RUclips?
I'm so glad to know you like them! I create all the title cards myself, adapting imagery from lots of different sources. (I never use AI, I've something of an aversion to it.) Sometimes I adapt a photograph I've taken myself, but otherwise I either adapt public domain photographs, especially from the Victorian/Edwardian era (Wikimedia is a great source for these, you can search by public domain only, or creative commons) or I use classic artworks, for which Wikiart is a fantastic resource. This particular title card shows a detail from a painting by Atkinson Grimshaw. When I use artwork like this I normally put that in the video description for reference.