Audiobooks by E. Phillips Oppenheim

The Great Impersonation: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Thriller

"Stunning full-cast production of the classic mystery thriller set on the cusp of the First World War First published in 1920, The Great Impersonation was a runaway best-seller. Listen now to this stunning full-cast adaptation, available as a download for the first time. It’s early 1914 and two men meet in the wilds of German East Africa - one is a German, the other an Englishman. Both men are roughly the same age, both share a similar background and each man looks almost identical to the other. This similarity gives Leopold von Ragastein a perfect opportunity… Sir Everard Dominey returns to England, but who really is this mysterious aristocrat? As the country moves towards inevitable conflict with Germany, Dominey takes up a powerful position in society, returning to 'his' ancestral home in Norfolk. Pursued by the passionate Princess Eiderstrom he has a lucky escape, but then the Kaiser demands a meeting and things start to unravel for the imposter. Is he Sir Everard, or the Prussian von Ragastein…? Edward Philips Oppenheim was a prolific writer of thriller and mysteries in the early twentieth century. Over 32 of his novels were made into films and he is considered one of the earliest writers of blockbuster fiction, publishing hugely entertaining and easy-to-read novels. A 1927 review in The New York Times said he ‘numbers his admirers in the hundreds of thousands and has one or more of his books on a prominent shelf in almost every home one enters’. He appeared on the cover of Time magazine and has never been out of print. This full-cast adaptation is a must listen for any fans of gripping, fast-paced thrillers. Cast and credits Written by E Phillips Oppenheim Dramatised by Barry Campbell Directed by Brian Miller Sir Everard Dominey / Leopold von Ragastein - David Robb Dr Schmidt - Phillip Manikum Mangan - William Eedle Princess Eiderstrom - Narissa Knights Seaman - William Hope Duchess of Worcester/Nurse - Anne Jameson Duke of Worcester/Dr Harrison - Garard Green Capt Bartram - Graham Pountney Prince Terniloff - Tim Meats Princess Temiloff - Angela Phillips Middleton/The Kaiser/Reynolds - Paul Nicholson Mrs Marston - Gwen Cherrell Parkins/Stilwell/Pelham - Howard Hoffmann Lady Dominey - Melinda Walker Heggs/Ludwig Miller - Mark Straker Williams - Brian Gear First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, February-March 1985 ©2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

E. Phillips Oppenheim (Author), Anne Jameson, David Robb, Full Cast, Garard Green, Graham Pountney, Narissa Knights, Phillip Manikum, William Eedle, William Hope (Narrator)

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The Pawns Count

"'I am for England and England only,' John Lutchester, the Englishman, asserted. 'I am for Japan and Japan only,' Nikasti, the Jap, insisted. 'I am for Germany first and America afterwards,' Oscar Fischer, the German-American pronounced. 'I am for America first, America only, America always,' Pamela Van Tale, the American girl, declared. They were all right except the German-American. It is during World War I. A chemist, Sandy Graham, has discovered a new powerful explosive, but he lets it slip in a London restaurant that he has made the discovery. Graham is ready to join some friends for luncheon at the restaurant but chooses to clean up before joining them. He never comes out of the restroom. Several spies from different governments set out to find him and the formula. What was particularly interesting to me about this espionage novel is that it was written in 1918, but it could just as easily have been from today."

E. Phillips Oppenheim (Author), Tom Weiss (Narrator)

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The Double Traitor

"'It is an easy task,' Selingman declared. 'This young man is your slave. Whatever your daily business may be here, some part of your time, I imagine, will be spent in his company. Let me know what manner of man he is. Is this innate corruptness which brings him so easily to the bait, or is it the stinging smart of injustice from which he may well be suffering? Or, failing these, has he dared to set his wits against mine, to play the double traitor? If even a suspicion of this should come to you, there must be an end of Mr. Francis Norgate.'"

E. Phillips Oppenheim (Author), Tom Weiss (Narrator)

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The Evil Shepherd

"A former defense attorney turned righteous crusader is the hero of this blockbuster novel from an early master of the thriller genre A businessman is found stabbed through the heart, the obvious suspect his partner: Oliver Hilditch, a cold-eyed fellow with a paper-thin alibi. Hilditch seems destined for the gallows, but he is saved by brilliant defense attorney Francis Ledsam, who uses every legal trick he knows to free his client. It is a defense to be proud of, but Ledsam's joy vanishes when Hilditch's wife informs him that her husband is guilty of crimes far more monstrous than murder. His faith in his career shaken, Ledsam vows never again to defend a guilty man. But when his newfound principles run up against the harsh reality of real-world justice, he finds himself trapped between his love for a beautiful woman and a powerful desire to do the right thing—no matter the cost."

E. Phillips Oppenheim (Author), Richard Kilmer (Narrator)

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The Devil's Paw

E. Phillips Oppenheim (Author), Tom Weiss (Narrator)

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The Great Secret

"E. Phillips Oppenheim was a British writer known for his thriller novels. He is credited with writing over 100 novels including suspense, international intrigue, romance, parables, and comedies. His protagonists are known for their love of luxury, gourmet meals, and their enjoyment of criminal activities. The Great Secret a.k.a. The Secret was published in 1908. The plot involves an international conspiracy. The heroine is a beautiful American girl. An excerpt reads, 'I left my door ajar whilst I sat upon the edge of the bed finishing a cigarette and treeing my boots, preparatory to depositing them outside. Suddenly my attention was arrested by a somewhat curious sound. I distinctly heard the swift, stealthy footsteps of a man running at full speed along the corridor. I leaned forward to listen. Then, without a moment's warning, they paused outside my door. It was hastily pushed open and as hastily closed. A man, half clothed and panting, was standing facing me-a strange, pitiable object. The boots slipped from my fingers. I stared at him in blank bewilderment.'"

E. Phillips Oppenheim (Author), Tom Weiss (Narrator)

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The Great Impersonation

"E. Phillips Oppenheim, an English novelist created well in excess of 100 novels and 30 plus collections of short stories. Most of his tales are thrillers and espionage. The Great Impersonation was written following World War I and is considered by many to be perhaps his best novel. The story focuses on German espionage in England prior to the start of World War I. The tale centers on two characters that are almost identical in appearance. Indeed, while both attend the same school in England, they are often mistaken for one another. One character is Sir Everard Dominey, an English baronet who enjoys the 'good life' but falls into disfavor when he is accused of murdering Roger Unthank. Unthank, of the same village, has an infatuation for Dominey's wife, Rosamund, and attacks Dominey. Dominey comes before his wife bloody and ragged after the struggle with Unthank. The spectacle renders her unbalanced. This is more than Dominey can bear and he goes on a long travel and drinking binge spanning years. Dominey's wife threatens to kill him if he ever returns. The second character is Baron Leopold von Ragastein, a German nobleman. Von Ragastein has fallen into disrespect with the Kaiser for his affair with a Hungarian princess and subsequent killing of her nobleman husband in a duel. He is banished to a minor government position in East Africa as punishment. A chance encounter between Dominey and von Ragastein in German East Africa sets the pretext for the story. Von Ragastein returns to England as Dominey, to regain his position in society, and serve Germany by influencing England to keep out of the coming conflict. There is one problem however: there are some, including Dominey's wife, who are not convinced that Sir Everard Dominey is really who he claims to be. You will need to listen to the end to determine the truth."

E. Phillips Oppenheim (Author), Tom Weiss (Narrator)

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Havoc

"Havoc occurs when European countries are discussing covert alliances. The story revolves around the creation of a secret alliance between Germany, Russia, and Austria. The English hope to split Russia away by holding the Czar to his previous public commitments, but they need proof of what was done to create the pressure. All the pressures that lead to WWI are there, but the intrigues and secret treaties create an interesting background to the twists and turns of the plot."

E. Phillips Oppenheim (Author), Tom Weiss (Narrator)

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Jacob's Ladder

"This is a story about Jacob Pratt who 'stood bond' for his brother and then lost all his money and was unable to pay his debts. Two years later his brother is finally able to restore him to an enviable financial position. Jacob rewards those who stood beside him during his time of trials and attempts to get even with those who had cast him aside. He finds that revenge is not always sweet. Even though Jacob has plenty of money, he is unable to win the girl of his dreams."

E. Phillips Oppenheim (Author), Richard Kilmer (Narrator)

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The Zeppelin's Passenger

"The Zeppelin's Passenger is a tale of German espionage in England during World War I. Dreymarsh is a fictional 'backwater' area in England with no apparent military value. The story begins with Dreymarsh residents discovering an observation car from a German zeppelin along with a Homburg hat near Dreymarsh. The mystery is further complicated when an Englishman, Mr. Hamar Lessingham, presents himself at Mainsail Haul which is the residence of Sir Henry Cranston. Lessingham bears with him, hand-carried letters from Major Richard Halstead, and a British prisoner of war in Germany. He presents them to Halstead's sister, Phillipa and Helen, Halstead's fiancée who have had no word of Richard's fate and are deeply concerned. Phillipa, Sir Henry's wife, is smitten with Lessingham, after Sir Henry appears to her to be a coward since he will not become involved in the war effort. Lessingham appears to be the perfect gentlemen but he is not who he pretends to be. Eventually, Phillipa and Helen discover that the delivery of Halstead's letters come with a price. All becomes clear near the end to discover the secret of Lessingham, Sir Henry, and Mainsail Haul."

E. Phillips Oppenheim (Author), Tom Weiss (Narrator)

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The Yellow House

E. Phillips Oppenheim (Author), Sharon Kilmer (Narrator)

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The Vanished Messenger

"A conference of European nations is being held in the Hague. England has not been invited to attend. Some think war is about to break out. Mr. John P. Dunster, an American, is traveling to the Hague with an important document that may prevent the outbreak of war when he mysteriously disappears after a train wreck in England. Richard Hamel is asked by the British government to attempt to solve the mystery of Dunster's disappearance and prevent the outbreak of war in Europe."

E. Phillips Oppenheim (Author), Richard Kilmer (Narrator)

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Audiobooks by E. Phillips Oppenheim

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