Gleanings from the Wreckage | R. Austin Freeman | A Bitesized Audiobook
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- Опубликовано: 16 июн 2024
- On a late-night walk through London, Thorndyke and Jervis are witnesses to a small explosion and fire in a laboratory. A few days later, Thorndyke is consulted by the widow of a scientist killed in the blast, seeking help to satisfy the insurers that his death was an accident, and not suicide...
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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00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:20 The Story begins
00:53:37 Credits, thanks and further listening
Richard Austin Freeman (1862-1943) was born in London and trained in medicine at the Middlesex Hospital. After a spell as a house surgeon, he joined the Colonial Service and spent some years working in Africa. He was invalided home with blackwater fever in 1891. Returning to London he worked as an ear, nose and throat specialist, as well as in general practice and, for a time, as Medical Officer at Holloway Prison. He began writing fiction in the early 1900s, initially under the pseudonym "Clifford Ashdown", including the Romney Pringle stories which were serialised in Cassell's Magazine in 1902. Five years later, under his own name, he wrote 'The Red Thumb Mark', the novel which introduced the character of Dr. John Thorndyke.
Thorndyke is a self-described "medical jurispractitioner", having given up practice as a medical doctor to train in the law, and established himself as what is now known as a forensic scientist. He is accompanied in his investigations by his friend and colleague Dr. Christopher Jervis, who narrates the adventures. Of all the many "rivals" to Sherlock Holmes who appeared in fiction at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Thorndyke and Jervis partnership is perhaps the closest parallel to the world of Holmes and Watson. The similarities are underscored both by the original illustrators who depicted Thorndyke very much in the mould of Holmes and also by the casting of John Neville as Thorndyke in a 1971 television adaptation of one of his adventures (Neville played Holmes in the 1965 film 'A Study in Terror', as well as on stage in William Gillette's play). Making his first appearance four years after Holmes's 1903 retirement to Sussex to keep bees, Thorndyke takes on the mantle of Holmes for the next generation, and with his medico-legal training is well equipped for the modern scientific advances of the new century. He appeared in 21 novels and 40 short stories between 1907 and 1942.
Freeman continued writing throughout his career, despite suffering the onset of Parkinson's disease in later life. He briefly paused his output at the start of the second world war in 1939 - before resuming writing in an air raid shelter in his garden. He died aged 81 at his home in Gravesend, Kent, in September 1943.
The earliest verifiable publication of 'Gleanings from the Wreckage' appears to have been as part of 'The Magic Casket', a collection of short stories featuring Dr. Thorndyke, published in 1927.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2023. 
Развлечения
Story begins at: 00:01:20
This story is one of a series featuring Dr. John Thorndyke and his colleague Dr. Jervis, created by R. Austin Freeman in 1907. If you'd like to hear more Thorndyke stories, I have a playlist in development, available here: ruclips.net/p/PLi95qAoufCZIRK13YVxILlbLjmxEM6Oci
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
Thank you, Simon😎
Yes please, all the stories, all the time! (Rivals of Sherlock Holmes is probably my favorite playlist!🔍, and the various series with the reoccurring detective characters)But for you, Simon I quite likely never would have known there were such wonderful characters to have adventures with!
I had never heard of Thorndike/Jervis but I am so glad I came upon them here. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, especially because of your performance.
Sometimes your excellent diction reminds me of the great Michael Redgrave. Please take it as a compliment!
Wonderful reading!
You give new life to these classic tales, Simon.
I have sought out older stories to read more and it’s such a blessing to have this gem of a channel. I feel like it’s a classy little club we belong to.
A cool evening by candlelight really makes the mood as well when I listen
We are the cool kids!
What a wonderful idea thank you
I had candles 🕯 lighting too! Great minds etc! Actually I am sure a lot of people did! Lol 😂
I just stared calling all of us "The Standhopeien Society"! Simon said he likes the sound of it!
@@SEARSJAMES I agree.
Stanhope is extremely talented and enjoyable.
👏👏👏👏 Perfectly done! They just don't write stories like this anymore and certainly, no one can deliver a tale like you can Simon. You will forever have my devotion and gratitude. You and that golden voice of yours. ❤
Thank you so much Susan! 😊
I agree! The narration is superb! Thanks very much for the quality of your work. Really enjoyed and appreciated it! 💜
They do write stories like this but the publisher gatekeepers make sure one has to publish privately. The agenda rejects merit for merit's sake. That's why it was redefined as a construct.
Gruesome, engrossing and enjoyable! You always do such a great job, Simon! Thank you for all your hard work - you make it seem so effortless, but I know it can’t be easy! So seamless and professional! Thank you, thank you and thank you! Hurrah from the gang! 🙀
Really Mr Stanhope, your persistence in this milieu is tiresomely delightful! Don't you think we deserve some respite? I've developed a siderodromophobia thanks to you!
Quite the tale! in these stories from a bygone age a guiding principle used by the fictional detectives is asking themselves not only what is possible but further than that, what is probable, according to the evidence. This mantra carries over into today’s detectives at work, so the Victorians weren’t completely blowing smoke when writing these detective episodes. Logic is like that.
Incredible , beautiful accent ! I’m American ( Southern) travel to ChristChurch, Oxford every summer & have heard some lovely accents there & in London , but your combination & “depth “ of your timbre is addictive !
I could listen to you read a tractor manual !!
Great idea. Simon could probably find a big market reading instruction manuals. And those incredibly tedious legal agreements that come with computers and software.
But I wouldn't want to waste him
on such material. His talent deserves to be paired with the best and most entertaining writers.
I do so enjoy your diction. There's nothing like it. Thank-you so much.
And the stories are quite good too! 😂🤣
Thank you, Simon. I always look forward to your stories. ☺
I was just browsing your channel searching for something to listen to when this notification popped up. Yet another brilliant narration of another wonderful story, thank you.
Good timing!
What would the author make of modern-day London?
The author’s life story sounds like it would make a great movie. He lived a very full life!
Always a treat
I did not know this story. Thank you for choosing to delight us with this.
That was simply divine! Thank you so much! Loved this one!! Cheers Simon! Anything with London as a character in it, makes it so much more appealing in my eyes anyway! Especially that period! Blessings galore! Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks Maria, you too
A fun little mystery. Thank you.
A very interesting case and, as usual, impeccably narrated!
Always enjoy your great stories, Simon. More please!
Dyspeptic dinosaur! Lovely turn of phrase. 😄
Yes indeed, I enjoyed that line too
I absolutely love Thorndyke! I've become hooked on him recently; he's like Sherlock Holmes on steroids without the cocaine and other personality quirks. I love Sherlock Holmes, and have read all of the stories multiple times, but the Thorndyke mysteries are legally clever on a whole different level. I don't know how I missed this one! But I did, so thank you!
So glad to know you enjoyed it
I completely agree. Freeman doesn't rely on hackneyed plots (the locked room, memory loss, greedy relatives plotting to benefit from a will, switched identities, on and on), coincidences and deus ex machina, and his characters are truly intelligent without making unwarranted claims of Poirot-like brilliance or Holmesian super-reasoning.
Always, always your golden tones thrill as they ripple over my inner vibrations. What a hero! ❤
Thanks! Love your voice ❤
Thank you kindly!
I got the hair dye clue and hands behind back .Still twist him being alive great stuff Simon thank u 🙏 💜
Thanks, monsieur.
A really clear and very good voice and diction.
Have a good week end.
Thank you, you too!
Thank you for featuring my favourite detective, Dr. Thorndyke! This is much appreciated, as is all your work in presenting excellent literature. And I'm happy to see that it's not wasted effort - so many of us who are tired of crudity and stupidity in scripts love what you're doing. There's a deep need for your research.
I was taught the correct term “inflammable.” No one says that anymore. They were taught, and they say “flammable.” When I heard the correct word it filled me with such joy and comfort. Nice.
I was just thinking yesterday that I wished you would upload another story. So glad to see it pop up in my notifications today.
Nice! We've got some record breaking cold and windy weather (first blizzard warning ever!) so I listened to "Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad" by M.R. James as a bedtime story last night. Heh.. amazing how creepy that story is all these decades later!
Not familiar with this story, yet, but that's about to change....
Thanks Jack. Stay warm!
80F on Thursday here in "Mayberry," North Carolina! 60sF all next week! Great story and presentation as usual.
Oh this is most satisfying! First the Teahouse detective, then Max carrados and now Dr. Thorndyke. I really appreciate the hard work you put into creating these audiobooks❤❤
Glad to know you enjoy them!
There is much to glean from this wreckage indeed! Some prefer smoking wreckage, or even burning wreckage. I, however, prefer twisted wreckage when ever possible.
Noted, thank you Michael!
Wonderful👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍!!!!
Excellent.
Thank you for another enjoyable reading. I must say, the author did enjoy getting a bit graphic in this one! It was still nice to hear something new, especially from you!
Thanks Liz. Yes, he does rather!
Ohhh thanks for the heads up, will skip this one for bedtime ☺️
Thank you so much for "doing" Thorndyke. As a rather precocious child i read my Grandpa's copies by stealth and torchlight under the bedclothes. Thank you. 💐
I'm catching up ( in a higgledy piggledy fashion ) having only really started to listen in a concentrated way over the last few months.
I must thank you Simon, for enriching many listening hours.
"Freshly mown beard." Great story! Wonderful reading!
Last time I saw whiskers like those, they had to cull the entire herd!. (Eric Morecambe)
I love your readings and this was no exception! Thank you so much, Simon! 👏👏👏👏😁😁😁💖💖💖
Yay, got this on time and just simply cannot wait till bedtime. I'm all in while making stew~best soundtrack ever! So happy~ such a treat!
Thank you, Simon.😀
Beef Stew? I am currently making vegetable soup! I have added the remnants of the chicken drippings which collected on the sheet pan the last time I roasted chicken quarters. That should add nice flavor to my soup.
Enjoy your stew!
@Frenchblue8 Bon appétit!
@@lizday8140 oh what do you know! No, Liz, I am vegan and therefore making the humongous potful I make once a month. There is a RUclips channel called The Happy Pear, a play on words because the two chefs are twin brothers, Irish, vegan, and also own various businesses that delight the vegan pallet, I believe one is even a bakery, Dublin probably.
This particular stew they shared at the very beginning of the pandemic, in their series called Pandemic Pantry, basically about how to use things one usually has on hand. This particular stew is from the island of ikaria, in Greece and contains tons of veggies, three types of beans of choice, and wholemeal pasta/ rice/ quinoa and veggie broth. You can season it anyway you like, I usually either go Cajun, or simply flavor it by the serving with vegan Worcestershire, ground pepper and garlic powder~and let others season it their way! It freezes wonderfully well in individual servings and I serve it with crusty baguette and lovely , creamy plant-based butter that is out of this world. If interested, You'll find the recipe in the video on their RUclips channel of the same name (the Happy Pear~immune-boosting, pandemic pantry, Ikarian stew)
Enjoy yours as well!
@@BitesizedAudio Merci, mon ami👍
I love stew, could you send me some?
Gosh, I had those hand-marks down as the poor fellow having them tied together, I'm glad I was wrong on that account. The rest fell into place easily enough, as Thorndyke said. What a pair of villians! Thank you as always for reading to me while I knit.
Another lovely read... thank you Simon ❣️
Excellent thanks 👍👍
You're welcome 😊
The accents are impeccable and he really brings the listener to both time and place.
👍
Thank You 🙏🏽 Thank You 🙏🏽 Simon! was just hoping for a story from you ! 💚
Oh, goody!❤
Gumdrops!
@@smythharris2635 🍬🍭🍬🍭🍬
Bravo Sir. X
These readings are done so well they improve the stories.
Excellent tale, just wish it had been a bit longer, Thank You Simon, as ever superb barration❤
I do enjoy these old stories, mostly to hear references to the pace of life then. But I'm sure their time was full of stresses also, just not at the speed of light. Excellent as always, Mr. Simon.
Cheers Simon. Thanks for this treasure trove which you bring to life so well. 🇬🇧❤️
Excellent to clean the kitchen to! Thanks as always 😀♥️
Glad to be of service!
@@BitesizedAudio good lad! 😀😀
You're one of the best narrators I've ever heard! Thank you for all your uploads. I know narration is an art, and not easy to do well, so please accept a compliment from someone who understands all the effort it requires. Take care
I've enjoyed Thorndyke for years, but don't know enough of him: this was excellent (if grisly at the wreckage scene) - many thanks for such a fine reading of it!
Hope to hear you recite, The Ash Tree one day 🙏❤️
It's on my list... I'll get to it at some point I hope!
Brilliant as usual bravo Simon 🏴
Yeeeessssssssss!!!!!
Simon posted a new video!!!!
❤️😘🥰
Thank you, Simon Stanhope.
Hello Simon. That is the poshest accent ever. It makes it so fun to listen to.
Although I like listening to other narrators I always make my way back to this excellent channel. The narration by Simon Stanhope is truly amazing. It’s like you are being pulled back into another era. An era with gentlemen and ladies of the past. I love the Victorian and Edwardian period. It was a time of exploration and wonderful new technology . With his genteel voice he succeeds to bring the characters of this era back to live. ❤️
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, much appreciated
Most enjoyable, thank you 👍👏🥂
Another excellent story, really enjoy these Thorndike mystery’s, gratefully introduced by yourself, you’ve shown us some real gems, this channel continues to get better & better, many thanks, especially for all the hard work you’ve done in 2023 already!✊♥️
Thank you for this new story, Simon. I used to enjoy Thorndyke in the days when the novels were still available in libraries. The books have the humour and pace of detective stories of the classic period, but were, I suppose, precursors of the 'forensic' detective story. Too medically detailed to be comfortable reading, or listening, over a cup of coffee!
Yay! Another Thorndike and Jervis! Thank you, Simon. This was a treat after a hectic week!
Yay, I was right in my supposition all along! Thanks for sharing this story with your beautiful narration.
Very nice.
Superb as ever! Easily one of the best channels on RUclips, thank you Simon
Thank you Simon ... As always a pure delight 🙏
👏👏👏 Been waiting for this with great anticipation. Wonderful reading of a story by my favourite Edwardian mystery writer. Superb stuff.
I know it's probably a bit long for the channel but 'Percival Bland's Proxy' would be my number 1 choice for another Thorndyke story 👍
Oh yes. I can't wait to hear this. Like, right now. Thank you Simon!
You distract me very well... Thank You!
Love your stories and narrating.
Can't get enough of how words were warded back then.
Charming little tale.
Thank you very much for an interesting story.
Thanks!
Thanks for your support Stephanie 🙏
Well read! But good lord that story was thuddingly crafted. As in you could hear each clew land with a thud whenever Freeman dropped it! Thanks for the story!
Clue😊
What a nice little cozy mystery
I enjoyed that story more than I thought I would. Very Sherlockian:)
Gripping story beautifully narrated!
Many thanks and regards.
Thank you for the nice gift
I'm only just getting to the these stories-- Thorndyke could teach every CSI series a lesson or two!
Dear Simon, promise me that if you ever come across a suitsble translation of one of Simenon's Inspector Maigret tales, you give it a shot. It would definetly enlarge your selection of authors and add a new color to this impressive literary selection of yours. Best regards.
Thank you very much for making this effort Simon, much appreciated and eno😊🐸
bravo bravo, what an engaging and entertaining hour Now that's time well spent there's nothing on cable that even compares to the tales, that you tell so well, Sir. Many thanks friend Simon
Thanks
Thank you Shirley
Excellent and very well read. Thanks.
Another great story. Thank you
3 of my favorites all in a row wont woot! *playlist*
I'm horrified at the tracking of individual banknotes.
It seems totalitarian, even though useful to the law.
No different than today, when law enforcement and financiers, phone companies and possibly even advertisers can research one's bank records and check up on receipt purchases for their purposes.
@@lizday8140 you are right about that.
Excellent narration
A tour de force! When I listen to it again I'm going to count how many characters this includes... I'm even starting to hear a woman when you do the female characters!
Thank you
Wonderful story. I got a... giggle...bang out of it.
THITHER, what a wonderful word, sadly slipped into disuse now. !
It is a lovely word, I shall try to make more use of it in future to keep it alive...
That was really enjoyable
Hello Simon. Worland Wyoming says hello!!
🎉thanks!!
Thanks.
Simon, you are now my guilty pleasure at bedtime.. 💖
I would love to forget the march of progress.
I'd love to hear you reading the Stone Ground Ghost Tales by E.G. Swain. He was a colleague and friend of M.R. James and much influenced by him, though his ghosts are a lot more benign than Monty's 'entities'!
Ah yes, I do have Swain on my list for the future, rest assured! I need to remind myself of his stories, it's been quite a while since I read them - any particular favourites you'd recommend?
@@BitesizedAudio There's only nine of them but I like 'Bone To His Bone' with the ghost turning the pages of the vicar's book, and 'A Place Of Safety' with the ghostly boat shenanigans. Then there's 'The Indian Lampshade' with, well... a haunted lampshade. I look forward to hearing them delivered in your impeccable style!