Showing results for "simon hester"

When Max Carrados first appeared in the pages of Ernest Bramah in 1913, readers were invited to reconsider one of the most enduring assumptions in detective fiction: that seeing is knowing.Carrados is blind. Yet he is never portrayed as diminished. Instead, his lack of sight sharpens the faculties upon which most of us scarcely rely. A faint irregularity in a footstep, the texture of paper beneath the fingers, the almost imperceptible hesitation in...

Although accepted to be a classic of children's literature, Kenneth Grahame's tale of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad is layered with the universal themes of nature, longing, belonging, awe and friendship; all woven around the exciting adventures of the incorrigible Mr Toad and his faithful companion's attempts to tame his wayward spirit.

"Lord Peter Views the Body," first published in 1928, stands as a brilliant testament to Dorothy L. Sayers' mastery of the detective genre. This collection of short stories offers readers an intimate glimpse into the world of Lord Peter Wimsey, one of the most beloved detectives in literary history. With his characteristic charm, incisive wit, and an unerring sense of justice, Lord Peter navigates a series of perplexing cases, each showcasing Sayers' exceptional storytelling prowess.

Hugh Lofting’s The Story of Doctor Dolittle is a timeless tale that has delighted readers of all ages for over a century. Published in 1920, this charming story introduces us to the peculiar yet endearing Dr. John Dolittle, whose love for animals transcends the ordinary bounds of human-animal relationships. With the aid of his unique ability to speak the languages of animals, Dr. Dolittle embarks on adventures that are as whimsical as they are heartwarming.It is also impor...

Andrew Lang (1844–1912) in collaboration with his wife Leonora Blanche Alleyne (1851-1933) published The Blue Fairy Book in 1889 and it was to become the first of a series of twenty five collections of fantastical tales from around the world, ending with “The Strange Story Book” published in 1923.In this first collection we find many of the traditional favourites from the “Fairy Tale” world, including amongst others “Goldilocks”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves”,...

First published in 1905 Kipps soon became H.G Wells’ most popular novel. It is a rags to riches story of a “simple soul” Arthur Kipps, a naïve young man who finds himself suddenly struggling to keep afloat in the deep waters of unlooked for wealth. He reaches out to those he considers his betters to anchor himself in this new world, so far removed from his relatively humble life of apprentice to a Draper.Young Kipps is quick to abandon his first love Ann for the allure of Helen Wal...

In Mr Mulliner, P.G Wodehouse (1881 -1975) has created a conduit for all manner of tall tales. The amiable gentleman happily regales the drinkers in the Angler’s Rest Pub with fascinating stories, usually about his own relatives, which range from the somewhat dubious, to the downright unbelievable.Welcome to this eccentric world inhabited by Curates and Bishops high on health tonic, and a lovesick chap who utilises beauty remedies to win his love. A world w...

John Buchan himself stated that he set out to write a book in the style of the ubiquitous American “Dime Novel”. What he actually succeeded in creating was a relatively unique and new genre for British literature, the Spy Novel. Those thrilling elements of the fleeing innocent man hunted through the wilds by sinister and undefined dark forces have been explored countless times in books and on screen ever since.

In The Green Fairy Book, Andrew Lang continues his celebrated work of gathering fairy tales from many nations into one collection, preserving stories that have delighted generations and offering them anew to young readers—and to all who value the enduring charm of folklore. This volume, the third in Lang’s famous “Coloured” Fairy Book series, draws its tales from an especially wide array of sources: French, German, Russian, Italian, Scottish, and even oral traditions from tribal c...

In the vast tapestry of human history, certain figures stand as beacons of virtue, symbols of chivalry, and embodiments of the eternal struggle between good and evil. Among these figures, the legend of King Arthur shines with a brilliance that has endured through the ages, captivating the hearts and imaginations of countless generations.Sir James Knowles's retelling of "The Legend of King Arthur and His Knights" is a masterpiece that breathes new life into this timeless tale. Drawi...

In this 1914 collection of short stories by P.G. Wodehouse, readers are beckoned into the whimsical universe of P.G. Wodehouse, where wit dances hand in hand with charm. Through these stories, Wodehouse showcases his mastery of the short form, offering vignettes that sparkle with his trademark humour and keen observation of human nature.Head Stories Audio presents "The Man Upstairs and other stories by P.G. Wodehouse, narrated by Simon Hester. With original music.

The shadow of Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes would inevitably fall across much of the crime fiction that followed that most famous of detectives.However, in 1910 G.K Chesterton's unassuming, devout and unprepossessing Father Brown made his first appearance and proved no less of a fascinating figure who would stands firmly on his own two ecclesiastical feet.Head Stories presents the first in a series of the Complete Father Brown, read by Simon Hester. With original music.