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...

The famous and thrilling stories of William Shakespeare's plays are lovingly retold in equally poetic language by Charles and Mary Lamb. First published in 1807 and intended as an introduction to the plays for children, these retellings have a beauty of their own which still captivate today.Music and narration by Simon Hester.

Here are 12 specially selected tales by one of the masters of this miniature art, Saki (H.H Munro). They range from the comic deception of "The Schartz Metterklume Method" to "The Cobweb", a subtle meditation on life, change and death. Also included is Munro's short essay "Birds on the Western Front", a poignant description of some of Nature's response to the devastation of war: written in the very place where Munro would tragically lose his life to a sniper's bullet in 1916.Beauti...

Sherlock Holmes makes his second literary appearance in this thrilling novella by Conan Doyle. In addition to a gripping tale of murder, lost treasure and revenge the author begins to flesh out his famous detective, with fascinating insights into his character, habits,methods and philosophy.Simon Hester performs this new reading; the third instalment in the Head Stories Audio complete Sherlock Holmes, which includes specially written theme music.

Rudolf Rassendyll, a carefree young man, doing all he can to avoid settling down in life, suddenly finds himself in the centre of royal intrigue in which he must play a role that will test all of his bravery and resolve. However his biggest test comes when the choice is between true love and duty.The classic romantic adventure, much imitated but never bettered, beautifully narrated with verve and imagination by Simon Hester

Head Stories Audio presents a selection of 16 short stories by the creator of Sherlock Holmes.Despite being over a century old, Conan Doyle's short stories continue to captivate readers and inspire other works of fiction. Many modern writers including Neil Gaiman, Michael Chabon, and Anthony Horowitz have paid homage to Conan Doyle and his world. These fascinating stories are sure to entertain, thrill, and intrigue you.Although none of the stories feature the famous detecti...

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...

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”,...

The Princess and the Goblin, first published in 1872, is a timeless tale of courage, imagination, and the triumph of light over darkness. Written by George MacDonald, a pioneer of modern fantasy literature, who was to influence both C.S Lewis and Tolkien, this enchanting story has captured the hearts of readers young and old for over a century. It remains one of MacDonald's most celebrated works, embodying the deep moral and spiritual insights that define much of his writing....

Arguably the most famous Sherlock Holmes story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.Dr Watson is sent by Holmes to the wilds of Dartmoor to protect the young Sir Henry Baskerville, heir to a substantial fortune but also threatened bythe historic Baskerville curse. Are supernatural powers at work in the shape of a diabolical hound? Or does a criminal hand lay behind the mystery?And why does Sherlock Holmes not leave London to assist Watson?Here is the first in the Compl...

Perhaps the most famous and most accessible of Dickens' stories which can be enjoyed every year afresh at Christmas time, as we never tire of the inspirational story of Scrooge's redemption and transformation. Here performed with warmth and compelling narrative skill by Simon Hester

Step into the timeless world of Shakespeare through the E. Nesbit's "Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare" which bring the Bard's greatest plays to life in clear, engaging prose, preserving their drama, romance, humour, and adventure for readers of all ages.Nesbit skilfully distils the essence of each story into a short and accessible chapter, without sacrificing spirit of the original play.From the magic of The Tempest to the tragedy of Hamlet, th...