John Bunyan's classic allegory of the Christian journey of pilgrimage has never lost its power to teach the important truths of Faith. We may prefer our allegories to be a little more sophisticated these days, and feel that characters such as Mr Worldy Wise, Mr Talkative, Giant Despair , Mercy and Great Heart are far from subtle.Yet Bunyan never wanted us in any doubt as to the thrust of his story, and if we can lay aside our 21st Century tendency to equate plain speaking with naiv...

"Lord Peter Views the Body," first published in 1928, stands as a brilliant testament to Dorothy L. Sayers' mastery of the detective genre. This collection of short stories offers readers an intimate glimpse into the world of Lord Peter Wimsey, one of the most beloved detectives in literary history. With his characteristic charm, incisive wit, and an unerring sense of justice, Lord Peter navigates a series of perplexing cases, each showcasing Sayers' exceptional storytelling prowess.

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...

Although accepted to be a classic of children's literature, Kenneth Grahame's tale of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad is layered with the universal themes of nature, longing, belonging, awe and friendship; all woven around the exciting adventures of the incorrigible Mr Toad and his faithful companion's attempts to tame his wayward spirit.

White Nights is one of Dostoyevsky's shorter works told from the standpoint of an ultimate introvert, brought briefly out of his shell by love. It might have been written 170 years ago, but certain aspects of it are very relatable to the modern reader, especially to those of us who gravitate toward solitude and introversion.

First published in 1905 Kipps soon became H.G Wells’ most popular novel. It is a rags to riches story of a “simple soul” Arthur Kipps, a naïve young man who finds himself suddenly struggling to keep afloat in the deep waters of unlooked for wealth. He reaches out to those he considers his betters to anchor himself in this new world, so far removed from his relatively humble life of apprentice to a Draper.Young Kipps is quick to abandon his first love Ann for the allure of Helen Wal...

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...

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.

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.

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”,...

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...

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