The Man Who was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton

Two poets in a London park at sunset, debating on the attributes of poetry and whether it's really a metaphor for anarchy. A group that meets in secret, planning to overthrow the world order. Disguises and deceptions, ideals and ideology. A medley of themes and genres makes this a great read for anyone who's a fan of Chesterton and his iconic Father Brown. The Man Who Was Thursday includes Chesterton's favorite theme of Christianity with touches of delightful humor to enliven the twists and turns that abound throughout the book. Set in the early part of the twentieth century, the novel's main protagonist, Gabriel Syme is a Scotland Yard detective who's assigned to break the trend of anarchic groups mushrooming all over London. He hides his true identity and takes on the role of a poet. He meets Lucian Gregory, also a poet, and they become friends. One evening, they get into a passionate debate on the true function of poetry and whether it is a symbol of revolution. As the debate rages on, Gregory is incensed and indiscreet enough to confess that he is part of a secret group that espouses anarchy. The group meets in a remote public house in Chiswick on the banks of the Thames and Gregory invites Syme to join them that evening, to prove that he (Gregory) is indeed a true blue anarchist. At the meeting, Syme discovers that the group of seven are all code named by days of the week. Currently, the slot of Thursday is vacant and Gregory is a strong contender for the post. The rest of the story describes how Syme is drawn into the group and uncovers some of its deepest and most incredible secrets. The final conclusion is typical Chesterton – almost unbelievable and totally unexpected!Orson Welles, who was one of Chesterton's most devoted fans directed the first radio adaptation of The Man Who was Thursday in 1938. Since then, the book has been adapted for radio readings and a film was also planned based on the book, though it wasn't made. The appeal of the book lies in its extremely readable style, exciting twists and turns of plot, memorable characters and the lyrical descriptions of Edwardian London. For die-hard Chesterton fans, this would be a great new addition to their list, while those whose good fortune it is to encounter Chesterton for the first time in this novel will certainly enjoy the experience!

Public Enemy Zero - a free audiobook

A free audiobook by Andrew Mayne

Audiobook - Tom Corven

On a remote coast in Scotland, a boy opens his eyes to a world he does not recognise. Almost dead, he stumbles on a desolate cottage where he meets the beautiful Katriana and a man she professes to be her uncle.Stormbound and haunted by visions, the boy, Tom Corven is his name, soon realises that finding Creggan was no accident. But as he uncovers the truth of his unique place in the universe, Tom must find and control the power he harbours before it destroys him. Only then will he be ready to fight the evil stalking him to Creggan and only then will he understand that the fate of billions rests with what he does next.

Anne of the Island - Librivox

by L.M. Montgomery, audiobook read by Karen Savage

Confessions (Outler translation) by AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, Saint

Confessions (Latin: Confessiones) is the name of an autobiographical work, consisting of 13 books, by St. Augustine of Hippo, written between AD 397 and AD 398. Modern English translations of it are sometimes published under the title The Confessions of St. Augustine in order to distinguish the book from other books with similar titles, such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Confessions. (Summary by Wikipedia)

The Wisdom of Father Brown by G. K. Chesterton

The Wisdom of Father Brown explores many characters and fascinating themes such as the following. An eminent criminologist is persuaded by the mild yet persistent Father Brown to sort out a family matter. Also, a Tuscan poet fancies himself as the King of Thieves. A famous French philosopher and atheist holds the key to a new invention called “Noiseless Powder.” A corpse is discovered in a dark passage backstage at London's Adelphi Theater. Finally there is Psychometric testing of criminals in Chicago.Featuring twelve delightful stories about the short and stumpy Roman Catholic priest who finds himself thrown willy-nilly into the role of a sleuth, this book is the second in the series. Written in Chesterton's inimitable, poetic style, full of movement and color, some with an interesting twist in the tail, and all of them packed with memorable characters, the Father Brown stories have never lost their charm. The kindly but shrewd priest who sees much more than he lets on, is based on a real priest, Father John O'Connor of Bradford, who brought Chesterton into the Catholic faith. This lovable cleric, perennially dressed in a shabby habit, carrying an ancient umbrella and peering around short-sighted, has an astonishing ability to spot evil in the world and in mankind.Father Brown first made his appearance in the short story, The Blue Cross, published in 1910. This story also featured other Father Brown staples, the arch-criminal Flambeau and Inspector Valentin, head of the Paris Police. Father Brown's methods are intuitive rather than deductive. Unlike Sherlock Holmes, Father Brown has a fundamental awareness of evil, which he attributes to the fact that as a priest, he gets to hear plenty of nefarious stories in the confession box. Also unlike the London detective, Father Brown counts humility among one of his virtues which is something that Holmes certainly doesn't do.However, Father Brown's methods are also strictly rational. The final explanation he gives at the end of each story traces the exact route he takes to arrive at the solution. He tends, nevertheless, to use philosophic and spiritual angles to unravel the mystery rather than rely on purely scientific data. Father Brown has been extensively played on stage, radio, television and film by a host of actors. The latest television series commissioned by the BBC has gone on air in 2014.For enthusiasts of the lovable, bumbling priest, The Wisdom of Father Brown is indeed a great addition to their collection.

The Innocence of Father Brown by G. K. Chesterton

A Chief of Police hosts a dinner party for an American millionaire wishing to will his entire fortune to the Church of France. Jewels that have been stolen and recovered so many times that they're known colloquially by thieves as The Flying Stars. A murder committed by an invisible man. These and many others are the mysteries that are presented to the lovable, bumbling, stumpy Man of God, Father Brown.The Innocence of Father Brown, by G.K. Chesterton is a collection of eleven stories which marks the debut of this most unusual detective. Chesterton was a contemporary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and it is only natural that his fictional sleuth be compared with the most famous one in English literature, Sherlock Holmes. Unlike Holmes, Father Brown is a gentle, unassuming figure, who solves crimes through reasoning based on spiritualism and philosophic truths instead of scientific methods. The priest is also deeply compassionate and insightful as far as psychological aspects go. He truly delves into the minds of the people and comes up with results. Another big difference is that unlike Doyle, Chesterton was in fact a brilliant writer. His elegant, humorous prose, full of literary touches is very different from Conan Doyle's bland and simple style.The Father Brown stories are characterized by wildly improbably crimes and plots! In The Secret Garden for instance, the walled garden is almost a parody of the traditional Agatha Christie like isolated country house murder, with no access to outsiders. Though the stories are all stand alone ones, there are some common threads that run through them, providing a tenuous connection.One of Chesterton's most famous Father Brown stories, The Hammer of God, is contained in this volume. It is a story of unbridled lust and murder that is set in a peaceful village. Full of memorable characters like Mad Joe, the local dysfunctional vagabond, the lascivious Colonel Bohun in hot pursuit of the blacksmith's beautiful wife and many others, this is one of Chesterton's masterpieces, remarkable for its tight plot and interesting solution.Chesterton wrote a total of five volumes in the Father Brown series, and a total of some sixty stories concerning the Catholic priest with “an uncanny insight into human evil.” As a most unusual sleuth, Father Brown is sure to captivate readers of all ages and if you haven't encountered him before, The Innocence of Father Brown could be the beginning of a great literary adventure for you!

Forever Fifteen Free Vampire Audiobook

The first and best free vampire audio book on the internet. A popular V.C. Andrews-meets-Stephen King thriller. Similarities to Twilight, but please note that Forever 15 is NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN. Read by the author, Kimberly Steele.

Works of Edgar Allan Poe, Raven Edition, Volume 2, The by POE, Edgar Allan

Monday, January 19, 2009 marked Edgar Allan Poe's 200th birthday. Though these tales need no introduction, the rationale for starting with volume two is threefold: many of the best-loved (and best) tales are included, the vast majority run from 15 to 30 minutes, and the other volumes can then be recorded without repetition, if there is interest in doing so. (Summary by M.L. Cohen)

Dracula (version 2 dramatic reading) by STOKER, Bram

Bram Stoker did not invent the vampire story, but he popularized it with his classic 1897 novel. In form Dracula is an epistolary novel, told through a series of journal entries, letters, newspaper articles, and telegrams. It begins with lawyer Jonathan Harker's perilous journey to Castle Dracula in Transylvania, and chronicles the vampire's invasion of England, where he preys upon the lovely Lucy Westenra and Harker's fiancee, Mina. Harker and Mina join forces with lunatic asylum proprieter Dr. Seward, Lucy's fiance Arthur Holmwood, Texas man of action Quincey Morris, and Dutch vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing to try and defeat their powerful adversary. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)Cast:Jonathan Harker: mbMina Murray Harker: Elizabeth KlettLucy Westenra: Arielle LipshawDr. Seward: Denny SayersQuincey P. Morris: Eric ZetterlundArthur Holmwood: Brett W. DowneyCutting from The Dailygraph: Kara ShallenbergLog of the Demeter: Chuck BurkeSamuel F. Billington & Son: Katalina WattCarter, Patterson & Co: Robert B.Sister Agatha: AvailleAbraham Van Helsing: RismythThe Pall Mall Gazette: Lucy PerryPatrick Hennessey: Dee WyckoffThe Westminster Gazette: David LawrenceMitchell, Sons, & Candy: Robert B.Rufus Smith Telegrams: Nadine Eckert-BouletAudio edited by: Elizabeth Klett

Robinson Crusoe

Here is 'Robinson Crusoe' by Daniel Defoe in its entirety as a weekly podcast. Widely regarded as marking the start of the english novel, this book is a grand and moving adventure. If your impression of this story comes from a movie, perhaps you should listen. The book is much better. For more audio from CandlelightStories.com, try the Sound Story Club at our web site. You can also listen to a pirate novel at the 'Pirate Jack' podcast.

Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (version 2), The by DOYLE, Sir Arthur Conan

Sherlock Holmes, a fictional character of the late 19th and early 20th century created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is a brilliant London-based "consulting detective" famous for his intellectual prowess and renowned for his enormous scope of observation, his astute logical reasoning and forensic science skills in solving difficult crimes. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes is a collection of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, including The Final Problem in which Holmes confronts his arch-nemesis Professor Moriarty, originally published in 1894, which are preceded by The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and followed by The Hound of the Baskervilles. (Adapted from Wikipedia)

Middlemarch (version 2) by ELIOT, George

Middlemarch: A Study of Provincial Life is a novel by George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Anne Evans, later Marian Evans. It is her seventh novel, begun in 1869 and then put aside during the final illness of Thornton Lewes, the son of her companion George Henry Lewes. During the following year Eliot resumed work, fusing together several stories into a coherent whole, and during 1871–72 the novel appeared in serial form. The first one-volume edition was published in 1874, and attracted large sales. Subtitled "A Study of Provincial Life," the novel is set in the fictitious Midlands town of Middlemarch during the period 1830–32. It has multiple plots with a large cast of characters, and in addition to its distinct though interlocking narratives it pursues a number of underlying themes, including the status of women, the nature of marriage, idealism and self-interest, religion and hypocrisy, political reform, and education. The pace is leisurely, the tone is mildly didactic (with an authorial voice that occasionally bursts through the narrative), and the canvas is very broad. (Summary by Wikipedia)

Library of the World's Best Mystery and Detective Stories, Volume 4 by VARIOUS

In the six volumes of the Library of the World's Best Mystery and Detective Stories, Julian Hawthorne presents us thrilling and mysterious short stories from all corners of the world. Some of the stories appeared in this collection for the first time translated into English, and many of them come from unexpected sources, such as the letters of Pliny the Younger, or a Tibetan manuscript. In this fourth volume, we find stories originally written in French, Italian, Spanish and Latin. (Summary by Leni)

Arabian Nights Entertainments, The by LANG, Andrew

The Arabian Nights is a collection of Perso-Arabic folk tales and other stories. The collection, or at least certain stories drawn from it (or purporting to be drawn from it), became widely known in the West from the 18th century, after it was translated from the Arabic — first into French and then into English and other European languages. The first English language edition, based on Galland's French rather than the original Arabic, rendered the title as The Arabian Nights' Entertainment - and this, or simply The Arabian Nights, has been the title by which it has been best known to English-speaking people ever since. (Summary from Wikipedia)