Audiobooks narrated by Karen Bartke

Tales of Terror: A BBC Radio Gothic Drama Collection: The Castle of Otranto, The Monk, The Mysteries

"Four full-cast dramatisations of classic Gothic novels, plus documentaries exploring the genre’s rise and enduring appeal Dark deeds, dastardly villains, innocent victims and supernatural happenings – these are the terrifying tropes that make up Gothic fiction, a genre that has captured our imagination for over 250 years. Blending both classic and modern dramatisations, this specially curated anthology couples thrilling masterpieces with insightful documentaries… We begin with A Gothic Quest, in which Louise Welsh examines what ‘gothic’ really means, and takes a look at its many appearances in poetry, fiction, art, architecture and film. In A Guided Tour of the Castle of Otranto, Rory McGrath explores the origins of gothic horror, first manifested in Horace Walpole’s 1764 novel. It is followed by a dramatisation of The Castle of Otranto itself, a dark supernatural tale of duplicity and dynastic rivalry. Treading warily into the book’s strange world in Kaleidoscope Feature: A Little Gothic Castle, Peggy Reynolds draws parallels between Walpole’s vision for his London villa, Strawberry Hill, and the haunted mansion in the novel. Next, we unveil the male gothic in a gripping drama featuring disguise, abduction, incest and murder. The Monk, based on the 1796 classic by Matthew Lewis, tells the story of Ambrosio (Michael Pennington), who is tempted into breaking his vows of chastity by a beautiful young nun. The dawn of the female gothic is revealed in The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe, centred on a powerless young heroine trapped in an isolated castle and pitted against an evil Italian Count. Showcasing the Gothic satire is Jane Austen’s 1817 novel Northanger Abbey, poking fun at the popular sensation fiction of her day. In this witty drama, Catherine Morland is taken to Bath for the season, and finds that in her fertile imagination, danger and hair-raising horrors lurk around every corner. Georgia Groome, Miriam Margolyes and Bridgerton’s Luke Thompson star in this full-cast dramatisation. Wrapping up our collection is In Our Time: Gothic, which sees Melvyn Bragg and guest experts considering the origins and significance of the 18th century Gothic movement. First published 1764 (The Castle of Otranto), 1794 (The Mysteries of Udolpho), 1796 (The Monk), 1817 (Northanger Abbey) Content List Part 1. Gothic Imagination A Gothic Quest Presented by Louise Welsh Part 2. The First Gothic Novel: The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole A Guided Tour of the Castle of Otranto Presented by Rory McGrath The Castle of Otranto cast and credits to be announced Kaleidoscope Feature: A Little Gothic Castle Presented by Peggy Reynolds Part 3. Unveiling A Male Gothic: The Monk by Matthew Lewis The Monk Starring Michael Pennington, Sorcha Cusack, Emily Morgan, Christopher Douglas, Brian Smith, Jenny Funnell, Tessa Worsley, Mary Wimbush, Simon Hewitt, Anne Jameson, Alan Thompson, Melinda Walker, Mia Soteriou, Allan McClelland, Garard Green, Graham Blockey, Peter Acre, David Learner and Bernard Brown Part 4. The Dawn of a Female Gothic: The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe The Mysteries of Udolpho Starring Georgia Groome, Tracy Wiles, John Dougall, Finlay Robertson, Luke Thompson, Natasha Cowley, Stephen Wight, John Bowler, Karen Bartke and Alison Belbin Part 5. Gothic Satire: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Northanger Abbey Starring Georgia Groome, Luke Thompson, Tracy Wiles, Kim Wall, Ainsley Howard, Alison Belbin, John Bowler, Karen Bartke, Miriam Margolyes, Stephen Wight, Finlay Robertson, Natasha Cowley, John Dougall, Nick Murchie, Keziah Joseph and Luke MacGregor Part 6. Gothic Legacies In Our Time: Gothic Presented by Melvyn Bragg With Chris Baldick, A N Wilson and Emma Clery © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Ann Radcliffe, Horace Walpole, Jane Austen, Matthew Lewis (Author), Full cast, Garard Green, Georgia Groome, John Bowler, Karen Bartke, Louise Welsh, Luke Thompson, Melvyn Bragg, Miriam Margolyes, Rory McGrath, Tracy Wiles (Narrator)

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The Second Wife

"Young, feisty, and beautiful, heads turn wherever Danica Campbell goes, even if she only has eyes for her fiancé, Ricky Fyfe. He might be 30 years older than her, but his job as a big-time club owner in Glasgow means he can afford to give Danica the life she deserves. Danica knows he has a history – after all, his adult daughter Teigan works at the club – and she knows that Teigan's mum, Elle, disappeared decades ago. It doesn't matter, because Danica knows that Ricky will do anything for her. Until the day that a woman walks into their lives – and everything that Danica knew about Ricky falls to pieces. But what Ricky doesn't know that Danica might just be keeping some secrets of her own – and when he discovers them, their happy ever after might just come to a shocking end…"

Alex Kane (Author), Karen Bartke (Narrator)

Audiobook

Cooking in a Bedsitter: The Complete Series 1 and 2: A BBC Radio 4 Sitcom

"Both series of the engaging romantic comedy set in a 1960s bedsit, inspired by Katharine Whitehorn's cookery classic It’s 1964, and 22-year-old Trisha moves into a West Hampstead bedsitter to escape her controlling suburban parents and her boring fiancé, Keith. She’s determined to make it as a swinging, get-ahead girl-about-town, but finds herself struggling with homesickness, loneliness and the challenges of cooking a decent meal on a single gas ring. Then she rescues a grotty wardrobe from her landlady’s attic, and it yields a surprising treasure – a copy of Cooking in a Bedsitter, which becomes her bible. Soon, she’s rustling up tasty treats for dinner parties and double dates – aided by Deepak, the dishy young medical student from across the landing. He introduces her to the delights of aloo pakora, she surprises him with a picnic at the seaside – but when their burgeoning relationship is snuffed out by Trisha’s parents, she moves on, to a different bedsit and a new man. She’s definitely over Deepak: or is she? If she wants him back, she’ll have to move fast – before he heads out of her life forever... Written by Sue Teddern (soloparentpals.com), and interspersed with recipes and extracts from Katharine Whitehorn’s original book, this appetising romcom stars Beattie Edmondson and Nikesh Patel. Production credits Written by Sue Teddern Inspired by Cooking in a Bedsitter by Katharine Whitehorn Extracts from Cooking in a Bedsitter read by Karen Bartke and Eleanor Bron Directed by Emma Harding Cast Trisha – Beattie Edmondson Deepak – Nikesh Patel June – Alison Belbin/Ellie Darvill Len – John Bowler/Rupert Holliday-Evans Tony – John Dougall Katharine Whitehorn – Karen Bartke/Eleanor Bron Jill – Natasha Cowley Keith/Mike – Finlay Robertson The Hunk/Stuart – Luke MacGregor Male Guest/Big Nev – Gavi Singh Chera Female Guest/Sal – Catriona McFarlane Moira – Isabella Inchbald Robert – Clive Hayward Karl – Adam Fitzgerald Julie/Clare/Susie – Abbie Andrews Policeman – Neil McCaul Malcolm – Gary Duncan Errol – Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 28 Nov-19 Dec 2016 (series 1) and 4 Dec-25 Dec 2017 (series 2). © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Katharine Whitehorn, Sue Teddern (Author), Alison Belbin, Beattie Edmondson, Eleanor Bron, Full Cast, John Bowler, John Dougall, Karen Bartke, Nikesh Patel (Narrator)

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A Mother's Revenge

"Cheryl Davidson was happy with husband Leo, watching her beloved son, Dean, grow into a handsome young man, dreaming of the paths his life would take. Until the day that Dean was murdered, his body dumped in an isolated scrapyard with a bullet in his head, and Cheryl's world exploded. Discovering that Dean had been mixed up in the Glasgow underworld, and worst of all, that Leo had brought him in, means that Cheryl's sanity is hanging by a thread. Overwhelmed by grief and with no one left to trust, Cheryl plans to take deadly retribution on the family that caused her son to be killed. Cheryl might be up against the formidable Janey Hallahan, the woman who runs Glasgow gangland with guns and fear, but Janey and the Hallahans might discover that a grieving mother with nothing to lose might be the most dangerous opponent of all. . ."

Alex Kane (Author), Karen Bartke (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Secret Orchard: Warm, uplifting and romantic - the perfect autumn read

"Pre-order THE FOREST HIDEAWAY, the stunning new Sharon Gosling novel, coming Summer 2025. A feel-good story about family, belonging and finding peace with the past from the author of The Lighthouse Bookshop and The Forgotten Garden. 'The exploration of family and identity is filled with vivid characters and an enthralling plot, making it absorbing and emotional' The People's Friend 'A lovely, heartwarming read about belonging' heat Can a return to the past be the start of something new? Bette and Nina Crowdie have never been close - the ten-year age difference doesn't help, and Bette's rarely been home since she left for university at eighteen. When their father passes away and unexpectedly splits the family farm between them, Nina is furious and afraid. She's been working at the farm for the past five years. It's the only home her young son, Barnaby, has ever had, and she's convinced that Bette will sell at the first chance she gets. When they discover the huge debt their father has been hiding, Bette reluctantly agrees to help her sister. But that means they have to find a way to work together, and Bette must face up to the real reason she left all those years ago. Could a long-forgotten diary and the discovery of a secret orchard on their land help save the farm - and the sisters' relationship? Praise for The Secret Orchard: 'I loved the characters and the orchard! I gobbled it up in a couple of sittings. What a gorgeous read, full of heart' Liz Fenwick, author of The River Between Us 'Warm, tender and wise, Sharon Gosling's well-crafted, engrossing story was a pleasure to read' Rachel Hore, author of The Hidden Years "

Sharon Gosling (Author), Karen Bartke (Narrator)

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The Torments

"Hiding from the world in her little white cottage on the shores of a loch, Annie Jackson is fighting to come to terms with the world of the murmurs, a curse that has haunted female members of her family for centuries. While she is within the ancient, heavy stone of the old dwelling, the voices merely buzz, but the moment she steps outside the door they clamour to torment her all over again, bringing with them shocking visions of imminent deaths. Into this oasis comes her adoptive mother, Mandy McEvoy, begging for Annie's help. Mandy's nephew Damien has gone missing, after dropping off his four-year old son at his mother's home. Unable to refuse, but terrified to leave her sanctuary, Annie, with the help of her brother Lewis, is drawn in to a secretive, seductive world that will have her question everything she holds dear, while Lewis' life may be changed forever. . ."

Michael J. Malone (Author), Karen Bartke (Narrator)

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Two Sisters

"Ever since being adopted as babies, twins Sinead and Orla have been the only family they've ever known. Orla's got the big house in Glasgow, the supportive husband and teenage daughter, Molly Rose, while Sinead's struggles have taken her to some very dark places. But all of that changes when Sinead receives a call. Their mother, Janey, is back in their lives. But she's far from what they expected and when the siblings discover their mum is the head of a dangerous gangland firm, their lives are turned upside down. In a firm like Janey's, you have to watch your back. And when someone from her past targets her new found family, Sinead, Orla and Molly Rose find themselves pawns in a dangerous game. But when Molly Rose is kidnapped, it's time for the sisters to show this family will do anything to protect one of their own."

Alex Kane (Author), Karen Bartke (Narrator)

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Janey

"Janey Hallahan was born into the criminal life. After the death of her father, she became head of the family business - every day making dark decisions that make her family firm richer, no matter how dangerous. While Janey rules gangland with an iron fist, she always sticks to her own code of honour, and the innocent never get hurt. One of her workers, Danny McInroy runs an exclusive club in Glasgow - the kind of place where the ultra-wealthy can fulfil their darkest desires, for a hefty cost. He's good at his job, but his arrogance and propensity to violence makes him a liability. But when Janey discovers that he's linked to the disappearance of two women, it's time to take revenge. Because no one messes with Janey, or her empire. . .and as gangland is about to learn, a powerful woman will stop at nothing to protect her reputation."

Alex Kane (Author), Karen Bartke (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Paris Peacemakers

"As the fragile negotiations of the international Peace Conference get underway, typist Stella Rutherford throws herself into her work and the mixture of glamour and devastation the City of Light reveals. Anything to escape the grief coming in waves for her beloved brother Jack. Her sister Corran is about to put her academic career to use among the troops in France, a chance to see what the experience was like for countless men, including her fiancé Rob. Rob Campbell, profoundly changed by his time as a surgeon on the front line, has had little chance to lift his head from the incessant grind of the injured, dying and dead. If he did the ghosts of his teammates, the Scottish rugby players who followed the same path into hell, would surely be waiting for him."

Flora Johnston (Author), Karen Bartke (Narrator)

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Stand Up Guy

"After a string of failed relationships - romantic and platonic - Lea's had enough of watching life happen without her. When she bumps into Shep, a comedian at the Edinburgh festival in need of accommodation, it feels like destiny. And voila - Lea now has a lodger and some company. The two get on like a flat on fire, and Lea can't resist falling for outgoing Shep. But she knows it's a mistake that will cost her heart - he's just another guy passing through, after all. And with Shep's stand-up routine edging him closer to his big break, there's no way he'll stick around. Love is no laughing matter as the festival draws to a close. Can Lea find the confidence to step up and confess her feelings to Shep? Will he want to stay?"

Nina Kaye (Author), Karen Bartke (Narrator)

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The Murmurs

"On the first morning of her new job at Heartfield House, a care home for the elderly, Annie Jackson wakens from a terrifying dream. And when she arrives at the home, she knows that the first old man she meets is going to die. How she knows this is a terrifying mystery, but it is the start of horrifying premonitions. . . a rekindling of the curse that has trickled through generations of women in her family - a wicked gift known only as 'the murmurs'. . . With its reappearance comes an old, forgotten fear that is about to grip Annie Jackson. And this time, it will never let go. . ."

Michael J. Malone (Author), Karen Bartke (Narrator)

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Death Rite

"Forty years ago, the name Rachel McMahon was synonymous with evil. After killing four men in the most brutal of ways, the world rejoiced as she was locked up. Now Rachel has done her time, repented for her crimes, and is ready to live a quiet life back in Scotland under a new name. But then the killings start again. As the bodies of fathers and sons appear on the streets of Perth, their deaths echoing those from Rachel's murder spree four decades ago, DCI Hazel Todd and her squad are called in to track down a murderer taunting them at every step. Could Rachel really have reformed - or is a copycat killer trying to finish what she started? And as the murders get closer to Hazel, it's a race against time to stop a psychopath with their own twisted agenda. . ."

Kerry Watts (Author), Karen Bartke (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Karen Bartke