Audiobooks by Wilkie Collins

The Evil Genius: The Novel and the Play Audiobook

“In one respect, men are all alike; they hate to see a woman in tears.” Paired with Blackstone’s and Skyboat Media’s production of Wilkie Collins’s The Evil Genius, Skyboat Media presents the dramatic adaptation of the novel, also by Wilkie Collins. Although both versions of the story were written at the same time, the play has never before been published and was only ever performed once on the stage. In fact, it is almost entirely unknown and is otherwise unavailable. Miss Sydney Westerfield has been saved from a lonely life of teaching at her aunt’s school and taken into service as a governess for Kitty, daughter of Herbert and Catherine Linley. Kitty simply adores Sydney, and Catherine does as well for the governess’s warmth and kindness as a caretaker and a member of their household. But when Herbert and Sydney fall in love, it is only a matter of time before the truth must come out—helped along, of course, by Catherine’s mother, the fierce gossip and foremost meddler Mrs. Presty. Infidelity, divorce, and child custody are at the forefront of this tale of domestic drama, but Wilkie Collins takes a most modern approach to the view of women in such situations. Not only does Collins offer sympathy—empathy even—for these women that was not at all common at the time, he also remembers to keep a spotlight on young Kitty, whose life will be forever shaped by the affairs of the adults around her. This full-cast recording of both the novel and the play will fully immerse you in a truly forward-thinking portrait of love and betrayal.

Wilkie Collins (Author), A Full Cast, Bahni Turpin, Gabrielle De Cuir, John Rubinstein, Kathe Mazur, Nan Mcnamara, Stefan Rudnicki (Narrator)

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The Lock and Key Library: Classic Mystery and Detective Stories: Modern English

Assembled and edited by Julian Hawthorne and first published in 1909, the Modern English volume of The Lock and Key Library features sixteen classic mystery and detective stories by such luminaries as Rudyard Kipling, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Wilkie Collins. Detective stories existed for centuries before the concept of the detective itself—amateur or professional— was fully formulated, and tales of mystery and intrigue have been thrilling readers since ancient times. The Lock and Key Library is the classic overview of the history of the mystery genre, at once a rousing listen for fans of the unsolved and unknown as well as an essential literary resource for those seeking to understand the roots of modern pulp fiction. The Modern English volume of The Lock and Key Library features sixteen stories that explore the genre, from Rudyard Kipling’s supernatural mysteries in India to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved and classic tales of detection (including the introduction of Irene Adler into the Sherlock Holmes canon). Other special additions include the reality-bending “The Dream Woman: A Mystery in Four Narratives” by Wilkie Collins, whom T. S. Eliot called “a master of plot and situation”; and Robert Louis Stevenson’s “The Pavilion on the Links,” which was regarded by Doyle as “the high-water mark of [Stevenson’s] genius” and “the first short story in the world.” And the mystery goes beyond the ordinary in this comprehensive collection: the last five stories are all written by anonymous writers, giving the listener an extra shroud of secrecy to peek behind. This volume of The Lock and Key Library is sure to delight and enthrall armchair detectives and fans of classic mysteries alike. Full contents: “My Own True Ghost Story” by Rudyard Kipling—read by Stefan Rudnicki “The Sending of Dana Da” by Rudyard Kipling—read by Stefan Rudnicki “In the House of Suddhoo” by Rudyard Kipling—read by Stefan Rudnicki “His Wedded Wife” by Rudyard Kipling—read by Stefan Rudnicki “A Case of Identity” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle—read by John Rubinstein “A Scandal in Bohemia” by Sir Arthur Conan Conan Doyle—read by John Rubinstein “The Red-Headed League” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle—read by John Rubinstein “The Baron’s Quarry” by Egerton Castle—read by Paul Boehmer “The Fowl in the Pot” by Stanley J. Weyman—read by John Rubinstein “The Pavilion on the Links” by Robert Louis Stevenson—read by Stefan Rudnicki “The Dream Woman: A Mystery in Four Narratives” by Wilkie Collins—read by Paul Boehmer, Stefan Rudnicki—and John Rubinstein “The Lost Duchess” by Anonymous—read by John Lee “The Minor Canon” by Anonymous—read by Stefan Rudnicki “The Pipe” by Anonymous—read by John Rubinstein “The Puzzle” by Anonymous—read by John Rubinstein “The Great Valdez Sapphire” by Anonymous—read by Stefan Rudnicki

Egerton Castle, Julian Hawthorne, Robert Louis Stevenson, Rudyard Kipling, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Stanley John Weyman, Wilkie Collins (Author), John Lee, John Rubinstein, Paul Boehmer, Stefan Rudnicki (Narrator)

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The Wilkie Collins BBC Radio Collection: Dramatisations and readings of his sensational stories incl

BBC radio productions of the finest works of Wilkie Collins: sensation novelist, early master of the mystery story, and pioneer of detective fiction Wilkie Collins was one of Victorian England's best-loved and best-selling authors, and a crime fiction pioneer. His enthralling 'sensation novels' such as The Woman in White paved the way for today's thrillers, and his tour de force The Moonstone is one of the first, and greatest, modern detective stories. This collection features dramatisations of these two masterpieces, with star casts including Toby Stephens (The Woman in White) and John Sharp (The Moonstone). Also included are adaptations of three of Collins' other major novels: No Name, The Law and the Lady and The Haunted Hotel, starring Sophie Thompson, Abigail Docherty and Henry Lloyd respectively. Collins was a prolific short story writer, and included here are a number of his shorter tales, such as a full-cast dramatisation of the ghost story 'Mad Monkton', starring Gary Bond, and readings of five tales of suspense: 'The Dream Woman' (read by David Suchet), 'The Biter Bit' (read by John Rowe), 'A Terribly Strange Bed' (read by Paul Daneman), 'The Stolen Letter' (read by Garard Green) and 'The Dead Hand' (read by Peter Marinker). Plus, the darkly comic 'Mrs Badgery' is read by Christopher Harper, while Ronald Pickup reads the murder mystery 'Who Killed Zebedee?', taken from the 1887 short story collection Little Novels. There are also dramatisations of five additional Little Novels tales: 'Miss Jeromette and the Clergyman', 'Mr Marmaduke and the Minister', 'Miss Bertha and the Yankee', 'Miss Morris and the Stranger' and 'Mr Percy and the Prophet', all starring Ronald Pickup as Wilkie Collins. A lifelong friend of Charles Dickens, Collins collaborated with him on several works including 'A House to Let', which was co-written by Collins, Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell and Adelaide Anne Proctor. Marcia Warren stars in an adaptation of this exciting tale of secrets and intrigue. Finally, in Night Waves: The Woman in White, Matthew Sweet joins Simon Callow, Kate Summerscale, Paul Lewis and Lisa Appignanesi to discuss the groundbreaking novel that catapulted Collins to literary stardom, exploring its lasting influence and asking how it stands up today. Contents 1. The Woman in White 2. No Name 3. The Moonstone 4. The Law and the Lady 5. The Haunted Hotel 6. 'Mad Monkton' 7. 'The Dream Woman' 8. 'The Biter Bit' 9. 'A Terribly Strange Bed' 10. 'The Stolen Letter' 11. 'The Dead Hand' 12. 'Mrs Badgery' 13. 'A House to Let' 14. 'Who Killed Zebedee?' 15. 'Miss Jeromette and the Clergyman' 16. 'Mr Marmaduke and the Minister' 17. 'Miss Bertha and the Yankee' 18. 'Miss Morris and the Stranger' 19. 'Mr Percy and the Prophet' 20. 'Night Waves: The Woman in White' (p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd © 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Wilkie Collins (Author), Abigail Docherty, David Suchet, Full Cast, Harry Lloyd, John Sharp, Marcia Warren, Ronald Pickup, Sophie Thompson, Toby Stephens (Narrator)

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B. J. Harrison Reads The Moonstone

'The Moonstone' by Wilkie Collins is one of the forefathers of detective fiction, cementing the foundations of the genre. At the centre of it lays the theft of a diamond, dating in origin from a religious Indian shrine, which prompts detective Sergeant Cuff to take up the case. It is an absolute page-turner of a story and goes through the accounts of the different characters, winding and meandering from fact to fiction and vice versa. A tale of romance, theft, murder, and mystery, 'The Moonstone' is a central text for the genre, recommended to all readers of fiction. B. J. Harrison started his Classic Tales Podcast back in 2007, wanting to breathe new life into classic stories. He masterfully plays with a wide array of voices and accents and has since then produced over 500 audiobooks. Now in collaboration with SAGA Egmont, his engaging narration of these famous classics is available to readers everywhere. Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was an English novelist, one of the most popular and well paid during of his generation. A close friend of Charles Dickens, Collins achieved his fame mostly through his novel 'The Woman in White' which many consider the first piece of British detective fiction. His other popular works include 'The Moonstone' and 'Armadale'.

Wilkie Collins (Author), B. J. Harrison (Narrator)

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B. J. Harrison Reads The Dream Woman

'The Dream Woman' is a novella by Wilkie Collins, telling the story of Francis Raven, a young man who dreams that a strange woman is trying to kill him. Eventually, he marries a woman who looks exactly like the one from his dream. This novella is a cosy mystery that leaves readers with more questions than answers. A lot of guesswork is needed, and the reader is often disturbed by the occurrences, not knowing what or how it came to this. The femme fatale mystery, as well as the supernatural and dream-like episodes turn the story into a compelling read that fans of supernatural crime and mystery fiction will love. B. J. Harrison started his Classic Tales Podcast back in 2007, wanting to breathe new life into classic stories. He masterfully plays with a wide array of voices and accents and has since then produced over 500 audiobooks. Now in collaboration with SAGA Egmont, his engaging narration of these famous classics is available to readers everywhere. Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was an English novelist, one of the most popular and well paid during of his generation. A close friend of Charles Dickens, Collins achieved his fame mostly through his novel 'The Woman in White' which many consider the first piece of British detective fiction. His other popular works include 'The Moonstone' and 'Armadale'.

Wilkie Collins (Author), B. J. Harrison (Narrator)

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The Haunted House

Whilst writer Charles Dickens needs no introduction, his 'Haunted House' anthology might, not least because in his role as editor he introduces a formidable array of known and lesser-known literary talents. Dickens started a tradition of releasing stories each Christmas with 'A Christmas Carol' in 1843. 'The Haunted House' was his 1859 offering and, as the name suggests, is set in a large house which, as his introductory story explains, is desired by John the narrator, as a temporary country retreat for health reasons. He is made aware of the terror the house holds for the locals but undaunted, he and his sister, Patty, take residence without any servants, save for the deaf stable hand, who is untroubled by the ghostly goings on. John and Patty invite friends to visit and except Patty who keeps her own room, they all draw lots for which rooms they will stay in but agree not to share their experiences of their rooms until the twelfth night.On that night they all gather together to feast on their experiences and share them with each other. The Haunted House is a skillful portmanteau by Dickens, assembling the best literary talent of his age including Wilkie Collins, Elizabeth Gaskell, Hesba Stretton, Adelaide Anne Proctor, George Augustus Sala and, of course, the literary leviathan himself to delight us, scare us and occasionally raise a laugh or two before the next moment of fear and dread come calling.

Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, Wilkie Collins (Author), Ghizela Rowe, Mark Rice-Oxley, Richard Mitchley (Narrator)

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The Dead Alive

The Dead Alive, also called John Jago's Ghost, is a novella written in 1874 by the author of The Moonstone and The Woman in White, Wilkie Collins, and is based on the Boorn Brothers murder case. When invalid barrister Phillip LeFrank visits his cousin's farm in America, he's hoping for a quiet convalescence. He is to be seriously disappointed, finding the farm to be a hotbed of jealousy, spite, hidden passions...and apparently; murder. Is his cousin, Ambrose, as innocent as his betrothed claims? Is she? Narrated by Michael Ward.

Wilkie Collins (Author), Michael Ward (Narrator)

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The Dead Secret

A masterful blend of Gothic drama and romance, Wilkie Collins's mystery novel is an exploration of illegitimacy and inheritance. Set in Cornwall, the plot foreshadows The Woman in White with its themes of doubtful identity and deception, and involves a broad array of characters. The 'secret' of the book's title is the true parentage of the book's heroine, Rosamond Treverton, which has been written down and kept in an unused room at Porthgenna Tower. This is where, 20 years later, much of the novel's action is set.

Wilkie Collins (Author), Nicholas Boulton (Narrator)

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The Woman in White (Unabridged)

Wilkie Collins (Author), Brian Morris (Narrator)

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A House to Let

'A House to Let' is a short story by Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins, Elizabeth Gaskell and Adelaide Anne Procter. It was originally published in 1858 in the Christmas edition of Dickens' Household Words magazine. Collins wrote the introduction and collaborated with Dickens on the second story and ending, while Gaskell and Proctor wrote the remainder. When elderly Sophonisba moves to London for a change of tone, she notices something unusual about the supposedly unoccupied house to let across the street. She entreaties her friends and confidants to investigate the matter, and they return with a collection of tales of previous occupants, but what exactly is the secret of the mysterious house to let? Narrated by Michael Ward

Adelaide Ann Proctor, Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, Wilkie Collins (Author), Michael Ward (Narrator)

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No Name

Magdalen and Norah Vanstone have known only comfort and affluence for their entire lives. Orphaned suddenly following the unexpected deaths of their parents, the illegitimate sisters find themselves flung into the other extreme of living: their father had neglected to amend his will following their parents' recent marriage, leaving them with nothing, and their bitter, estranged uncle, the legal inheritor of the family fortune, mercilessly refuses them support. They have no money, no rights and no name. Norah, the elder of the two, looks for work as a governess and accepts her fate. Fiery and headstrong Magdalen, however, does not. She vows revenge and schemes a series of traps to recover the fortune, no matter the cost...

Wilkie Collins (Author), David Rintoul, John Foley, Lucy Scott, Nicholas Boulton, Rachel Atkins, Russell Bentley (Narrator)

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The Haunted House at Latchford & The Haunted Hotel

Two tales from the golden age of supernatural fiction The Haunted House at Latchford by Mrs. J. H. Riddell Mrs. J. H. Riddell excelled at blending the realistic and supernatural elements in her stories. In Essex she found the right dreary setting for The Haunted House at Latchford, “where beyond the fated house and ruined garden lay the belt of pine trees and the lake of the dismal swamp, which had furnished Crow Hall with no less than two tragedies.” The Haunted Hotel by Wilkie Collins Like Edgar Allan Poe before him and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle after, Wilkie Collins shifted easily from rational domains to the “superrational.” The Haunted Hotel exhibits the same relentless pace and narrative power, the same attention to plot and backdrop detail that distinguish The Moonstone and The Woman in White, along with the obsession with destiny and the willful struggle against it. Collins’s much-loved Venice provides the scenery and fatal beauty, the grim waterways and palaces the author will haunt with mysterious women, grotesques, and bloody conspiracies.

J. H. Riddell, Wilkie Collins (Author), Gabrielle De Cuir, Stefan Rudnicki (Narrator)

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