Audiobooks narrated by William Roberts

A retired university professor has just been diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease. Returning home from the doctor's office, he witnesses a pretty young girl being kidnapped. Believing the police are dragging their feet, he vows to find her on his own. He knows that if he doesn't act, she may never be found alive. Jennifer Riggins, the kidnapped girl, is being held prisoner by a depraved couple who have started an exclusive website called "What Comes Next." Viewers can watch her terrifying ordeal in real time, and thousands tune in for each episode of her ongoing nightmare. Jennifer has been named "Number Four." Her life is just beginning, and her only hope is a man whose life is nearing its end.

John Katzenbach (Author), William Roberts (Narrator)

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Voyage: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation by Dirk Maggs

An alternative history of the US space programme, dramatised by Dirk Maggs. After the moon, Mars... What if John F. Kennedy survived the assassination attempt and developed the space programme? President Nixon, with the help of former president JFK, has just green-lit NASA's first manned expedition to Mars. Aboard the expedition is Natalie York, a geologist who risks everything she loves for the chance to go to space; Phil Stone, former X-15 test pilot; and Ralph Gershon, a Vietnam War hero intent on being the first African American to reach another planet. Exploring mankind's ambitions in space, Voyage chronicles the incredible story of what could have been. Also included is an one-hour bonus programme featuring Dirk Maggs in conversation with Stephen Baxter, 20 years after Voyage was recorded. This wonderful, intimate conversation between the two friends is peppered with memories of the recording, the production process, and what inspired Stephen to pen such a well-loved story. Cast: Natalie York...Laurel Lefkow Mike Conlig...William Dufris Gregory Dana...Michael Roberts Joe Muldoon...Vincent Marzello Chuck Jones...Frank Lazarus Jim Dana...Russell Bentley Ben Priest...William Roberts Ralph Gershon...Mel Taylor Phil Stone...Rolf Saxon Based on the novel by Stephen Baxter Produced and directed by Dirk Maggs Music by Wilfredo Acosta

Stephen Baxter (Author), Frank Lazarus, Laurel Lefkow, Mel Taylor, Michael Roberts, Rolf Saxon, Russell Bentley, Vincent Marzello, William Dufris, William Roberts (Narrator)

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The Swimmer

The truth weighs nothing... Klara Walldeen, orphaned as a child and brought up by her grandparents, is now a political aide in Brussels. And she has just seen something she shouldn't. On the other side of the world, an old spy hides. Once, he was a man so dedicated that he abandoned his daughter. Now the only thing he lives for is swimming. Then Klara is thrown into a terrifying chase through Europe. Only the Swimmer can save her. But time is running out...

Joakim Zander (Author), Multiple Narrators, Various, William Roberts, Yolanda Kettle (Narrator)

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The Shadow Over Innsmouth and The Whisperer in Darkness

The Shadow Over Innsmouth and The Whisperer in Darkness are counted amongst H.P. Lovecraft’s most popular stories. In the first we are transported to the decrepit coastal town of Innsmouth, whose amphibian-like citizens betray a dark and sinister secret. The second takes us to Vermont, where a university professor becomes embroiled in a mind- bending, celestial mystery after strange things are seen floating in the rivers. Dark, brooding and suspenseful, this is Lovecraft at his very best.

H.P. Lovecraft (Author), William Roberts (Narrator)

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The Portrait of a Lady

An American heiress newly arrived in Europe, Isabel Archer does not look to a man to furnish her with her destiny; instead she desires, with grace and courage, to find it herself. Two eligible suitors approach her and are refused. She then becomes utterly captivated by the languid charms of Gilbert Osmond. To him, she represents a superior prize worth at least seventy thousand pounds; through him, she faces a tragic choice.

Henry James (Author), William Roberts (Narrator)

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The Origins and History of Consciousness

This audiobook narrated by William Roberts explores the evolution of consciousness through the archetypes and myths that are universal to all humanity The Origins and History of Consciousness draws on a full range of world mythology to show how individual consciousness undergoes the same archetypal stages of development as human consciousness as a whole. Erich Neumann was one of C. G. Jung's most creative students and a renowned practitioner of analytical psychology in his own right. In this influential book, Neumann shows how the stages begin and end with the symbol of the Uroboros, the tail-eating serpent. The intermediate stages are projected in the universal myths of the World Creation, Great Mother, Separation of the World Parents, Birth of the Hero, Slaying of the Dragon, Rescue of the Captive, and Transformation and Deification of the Hero. Throughout the sequence, the Hero is the evolving ego consciousness. Featuring a foreword by Jung, this Princeton Classics edition introduces a new generation of readers to this eloquent and enduring work.

Erich Neumann (Author), William Roberts (Narrator)

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The Henry Huggins Audio Collection

Henry Huggins's adventures are finally all in one location! Come join Henry on Kilckitat Street as he gets into hijinks-usually with the help of Ribsy and none other than Ramona Quimby. This collection includes: Henry Huggins Henry and Beezus Henry and Ribsy Henry and the Paper Route Henry and the Clubhouse Ribsy

Beverly Cleary, Tracy Dockray (Author), Neil Patrick Harris, William Roberts (Narrator)

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The Great Gatsby

When The Great Gatsby was published, commercially it was a failure but critically it was a success. It is still the most admired and well read of all Scott Fitzgerald's novels and it is considered a handbook of the 'Jazz Age'. Scott Fitzgerald put much of himself and his life into the book. He created the character of Jay Gatsby to illustrate his own experiences of the illusory and morally bankrupt aspects of 1920s' America, and the character of Nick Carraway to show his disapproval of its destructive effects. 1. A WORLDLY LIFE. Narrator Nick Carraway explains how he came to New York. He rents a house in West Egg, next to a mansion owned by a mysterious millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin Daisy Buchanan. Visiting her and her husband Tom, he is introduced to Jordan Baker and learns from her that Tom is having an affair. On his way home Nick sees Gatsby looking across the water, arms outstretched. 2. IMMORALITY. Nick is surprised when, en route to New York, Tom insists that he meet his mistress. They go to Wilson's garage, where Tom tells the proprietor's wife Myrtle to come to New York. There, a drunken party gets under way. It ends abruptly when Tom and Myrtle quarrel and he strikes her, breaking her nose. 3. HIGH LIVING. Nick goes to one of Gatsby's parties, where he sees Jordan again and eventually meets his host. Gatsby asks to speak to Jordan alone. Nick falls for Jordan and sees one of Gatsby, who tells him the story of his privileged past; he also says that Jordan will let Nick in on a secret. 4. A DREAM OF LOVE. Nick has lunch with Gatsby and one of his business associates Meyer Wolfshiem. That afternoon, Jordan tells Nick that Daisy and Gatsby were in love during the war. Gatsby is still besotted and wants Nick to invite her to tea so that they can meet again. Nick agrees and warns Daisy not to bring Tom. 5. REALITY INTRUDES. Daisy is amazed to see Gatsby again and he is overwhelmed. Gatsby takes Nick and Daisy to his house, keen to impress Daisy. However, he evades Nick's question about his business. At the point, Nick reveals Gatsby's true, humble origins to the reader. When Nick next sees Gusby, a guest brings Tom in for a drink, with the result that Tom is invited to Gatsby's next party. There he voices his suspicions that his host's riches are ill-gotten and Daisy expresses loathing of the fashionable crowd and their 'new' money. 6. ADULTERY DISCOVERED. After the party, Gatsby explains to Nick that he wants Daisy to tell Tom that she never loved him, then leave him; he refuses to heed Nick's warning that he cannot undo the past and tells him all about their love affair. Gatsby has no more parties because they do not please Daisy. Nick, Jordan and Gatsby have lunch with Tom and Daisy; Tom realizes that Daisy is having an affair with Gatsby. They drive to New York - Daisy and Gatsby in Tom's car and Tom, Nick and Jordan in Gatsby's. Tom stops for petrol at the garage, where Myrtle is watching from a window. Wilson has realized that she has been unfaithful, although he does not know with whom. In New York, the group hire a hotel room, where Tom confronts Gatsby. 7. A TRAGIC ACCIDENT. Gatsby tells Tom that Daisy does not love him; he reacts furiously and accuses Gatsby of bootlegging. Although she half-heartedly agrees that she is leaving Tom, Daisy cannot say, as Gatsby demands, that she never loved him. Finally, Daisy and Gatsby leave, this time in Gatsby's car; they kill Myrtle, who runs towards them believing that Tom is in the car. Tom, following in his own car, stops at the scene and quickly denies any involvement. That night, Gatsby confides the secret of his past to Nick, explains how he and Daisy were separated and says that he will take the blame for the accident to protect her. In the morning, Nick leaves for work and Gatsby goes to his swimming-pool. As they part, Nick tells Gatsby that he is 'worth the whole damn bunch put together'. 8. A LONELY END. Wilson, overcome by grief and rage, believes his wife has been murdered by her lover. He shoots Gatsby dead, then kills himself. Nick finds their bodies and learns that Daisy and Tom have gone away. While at Gatsby's mansion, Nick receives a mysterious telephone call which inadvertently confirms that Gatsby was a criminal. Gatsby's father arrives for the funeral, but Wolfshiem refuses to come and only one of the party guests attends. Worn out by the events of the East and too sickened to continue his relationship with Jordan, Nick decides to go home to the Midwest. Some time later, he bumps into Tom in New York and learns that, as he believed, it was Tom who told Wilson that Gatsby was driving the car.

F. Scott Fitzgerald (Author), William Roberts (Narrator)

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The Girl Who Couldn't Read

New England, 1890. Doctor John Shepherd arrives at a women's mental hospital to begin work as assistant to the owner. As Shepherd struggles to conceal his secrets, he finds the asylum has plenty of its own. Intrigued by a girl who is fascinated by books but cannot read, Shepherd embarks upon an experiment to help her. In this chilling literary thriller everyone has something to hide and no one is what they seem.

John Harding (Author), William Roberts (Narrator)

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The Fall of the House of Usher and other tales of mystery and imagination

The horrors of the Spanish Inquisition, with its dungeon of death, and the overhanging gloom on the House of Usher demonstrate unforgettably the unique imagination of Edgar Allan Poe. Unerringly, he touches upon some of our greatest nightmares - premature burial, ghostly transformation and words from beyond the grave. Written in the 1840s, they have retained their power to shock and frighten even now.

Edd Mcnair, Edgar Allan Poe (Author), William Roberts (Narrator)

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The Call of Cthulhu and Other Stories

At the heart of these stories, as with all the best of Lovecraft's work, is the belief that the Earth was once inhabited by powerful and evil gods, just waiting for the chance to recolonise their planet. Cthulhu is one such god, lurking deep beneath the sea until called into being by cult followers who - like all humans - know not what they do. It is because of these dark, mythic tales with their terrified awareness of the limits of Man's knowledge, that H.P. Lovecraft is one of the most influential American writers.

H.P. Lovecraft (Author), William Roberts (Narrator)

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Portrait Of A Lady

The Portrait of a Lady focuses first and foremost on the character and experiences of its heroine Isabel Archer. She is, in Henry James' words, the 'lighted' character; all the other people in the novel remain relatively obscure. Their dealings with Isabel, for good or ill, serve to reveal more of her character to the reader and to further her along the path of emotional development and maturity. The deep goodness of Ralph and the machinations of Osmond and Madame Merle are revealed only in relation to her. 1. Old World and New - A young American in England. Elderly American banker Mr Touchett is sitting in the garden of his English country home, Gardencourt, with his delicate son Ralph and Ralph's friend Lord Warburton. Touchett tells them that his wife has taken her niece under her wing and is bringing her home from America. The young lady, Isabel Archer, arrives; Lord Warburton pays court to her and invites her to lunch. 2. Suitors Abound - A friend from afar - Declarations of love. Isabel's excitable friend Henrietta Stackpole reveals that Caspar Goodwood, Isabel's American admirer, has followed her to England. Isabel is disturbed as she does not share his feelings. He writes, asking to see her. As Isabel reads the note in the grounds of Gardencourt, Lord Warburton arrives and proposes to her. She refuses him, seeing marriage as the end of her new-found freedom. Henrietta suggests Isabel accompany her to London and there Goodwood renews his advances. Isabel learns that Henrietta has encouraged him and feels betrayed. Later, Ralph informs Isabel that Mr Touchett is ill and together they leave London for Gardencourt. 3. Inheritance - A new-found friend - Sudden riches. At Gardencourt Isabel meets Madame Merle, also an American, and is charmed by her. They are frequently thrown together while Ralph and Mrs Touchett are occupied with caring for Mr Touchett, who wants Ralph to marry Isabel. Ralph refuses because of his heart condition but says he would like her to receive half his father's money so that she may be truly independent. On Mr Touchett's death, Isabel is shocked to learn of her inheritance. Madame Merle believes Isabel to have been 'clever', but Henrietta says that the money will do Isabel more harm than good. Ralph, however, encourages Isabel to enjoy her new wealth. 4. Italian Encounters - A meeting is engineered - Will love bloom? In Florence Madame Merle visits her friend Gilbert Osmond and his daughter Pansy. She tells him about Isabel and arranges for them to meet. Osmond begins to court Isabel, who grows to like him, much to Mrs Touchett's horror. Protective of Isabel, she questions Madame Merle, who defends Osmond. When Ralph and Isabel leave for Rome, the latter suggests that Osmond follow. Osmond cynically discusses Isabel with Madame Merle. In Rome Isabel meets Lord Warburton, whose feelings are unchanged. He is sad to learn that Isabel is attracted to Osmond. 5. An Unpopular Engagement - Deaf to opposition. Isabel travels with Madame Merle, then returns in Rome. Caspar Goodwood comes to see her there, in response to her letter announcing her engagement to Osmond, but she dismisses him. Mrs Touchett voices her opposition, regarding Osmond as a fortune-hunter. Ralph tells Isabel that she is giving up the freedom she once cherished and that he loves her without hope. However, Isabel says that she values Osmond because he has never striven for money, and that she is glad to share her fortune with him. 6. Matchmaking - An unhappy marriage - Hopes of an engagement. Isabel's marriage to Osmond does not prove happy and the child she bears dies in infancy. Three years later, Ralph arrives in Rome with Lord Warburton, who is attentive to Pansy. Osmond is pleased, forbidding Pansy's other suitor, Edward Rosier, to see her, and telling his wife to encourage her old friend. At a dance, Isabel realizes that Lord Warburton still cares for her and notices also that Rosier is in love with Pansy. She tells Rosier that she will help him and asks Lord Warburton to send a letter to her husband asking for Pansy's hand, thus challenging him to prove that he is in earnest. 7. Plans Fail - A suitor departs - Secret intimacy. Lord Warburton fails to propose to Pansy and leaves Rome. Pansy is delighted, but Osmond is furious with Isabel and accuses her of preventing the marriage. Isabel admits her unhappiness to Henrietta, who tells her Goodwood has come to Rome. Isabel asks him to take Ralph home as he is too ill to travel alone. Henrietta, too, volunteers her services. Isabel tells Ralph that she will come to him if he needs her. Madame Merle asks Isabel about Lord Warburton's change of heart. When Isabel says that it is none of her business, Madame Merle insists that it is. She then talks intimately with Osmond about his marriage and her previous relationship with him. 8. A Shocking Discovery - Choosing between love and duty. Osmond sends Pansy back to the convent and Isabel hears that Ralph is dying. Osmond refuses to let his wife go to him. Isabel then learns that Pansy is Madame Merle's daughter. Isabel decides to defy Osmond and visits Pansy to say goodbye. There she meets Madame Merle who tells her that Mr Touchett left the money to her at Ralph's suggestion. Isabel has an emotional reunion with Ralph, who soon dies. Goodwood surprises Isabel and kisses her, but despite being tempted for a moment, she rejects him again. Two days later, he follows her to London, only to learn that she has returned to Rome.

Henry James (Author), William Roberts (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by William Roberts