The Case of the Dixon Torpedo | Arthur Morrison | A Bitesized Audiobook
40,660
Published 2023-05-26
Narrated/performed by Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me (and get access to exclusive content):
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00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:18 The Case of the Dixon Torpedo
00:52:00 Credits, thanks and further listening
Arthur Morrison (1863–1945) was a journalist and author who made his name with realistic portrayals of English working class life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, typified by his most famous novel, 'A Child of the Jago' (1896). In addition, he composed numerous short stories for periodical publication between 1891 and 1913, with themes ranging from horror and the supernatural to detective tales. In the latter genre he created two popular contemporary "rivals of Sherlock Holmes", Martin Hewitt and Horace Dorrington.
Morrison was born in Poplar, in the east end of London, into a working class family. His father, a dock worker, died of tuberculosis when Arthur was eight. He began his career as an office boy at the London School Board and gradually worked his way up through the ranks of various publications, first as a clerk and eventually as a journalist and editor. He married Elizabeth Thatcher in 1892, and their son Guy was born the following year.
Morrison's detective character Martin Hewitt first appeared in The Strand Magazine just weeks after Conan Doyle apparently killed off Sherlock Holmes in 'The Final Problem', beginning with 'The Lenton Croft Robberies' in March 1894. Morrison was initially uncredited as the author, although his name was finally printed at the end of the series. The stories were illustrated by Sidney Paget, who had illustrated all the Holmes adventures for The Strand.
Hewitt was deliberately conceived by Morrison as a more realistic contrast to the "superman" figure of Holmes: he's workmanlike, practical and down to earth. That first series featured monthly in The Strand until September 1894; they were then collected in book form under the title 'Martin Hewitt, Investigator'. Two subsequent series of adventures featuring Hewitt appeared in The Windsor Magazine in 1895 and 1896, with a fourth and final series appearing in 'The London Magazine' in 1902–03. The stories are narrated by Hewitt's friend (and sometimes companion) Brett, a lawyer-turned-journalist. However, Brett is a far less active participant in the narrative than Dr. Watson, often not appearing at all in the story himself, merely relating events in the third person.
Morrison's second detective character, Horace Dorrington, also made his debut in The Windsor Magazine in January 1897, in 'The Dorrington Deed Box'. Dorrington is another unusual detective: described as "deeply corrupt" and a "lower class answer to Sherlock Holmes", he blurs the lines of the law, never afraid to resort to blackmail, burglary or fraud to achieve his results.
In addition to his career as a successful author of fiction, Morrison was also a collector of Japanese artwork, publishing a noted book and several articles on the subject. On his death his collection of Japanese paintings, prints and ceramics was left to the British Museum, his son Guy having pre-deceased him.
'The Case of the Dixon Torpedo' first appeared in The Strand Magazine in June 1894.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2023
All Comments (21)
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You can really tell the story is read by a trained actor because you bring such life to the characters! Nicely done, Simon! Enjoyed every minute!
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Sir, I can not adequately express to you how much your readings and the old stories have helped me over the last 2 years! The ball of yarn known as my life has had a couple of knots in it, cancer treatment and the death of my husband. While I shut the world out to give myself time to heal, I welcomed you in. You gave me the opportunity to avoid reality and live in a world of wonderful stories, creative authors and equally as important your brilliantly presented talent. Thank you, thank you.
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There seems to be (thank goodness) no end to these fascinating UK detective stories! But if read improperly, they would never sparkle; and that's full credit to you, sir.
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A great Friday night for this old bookworm! Thanks!
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Bliss, I thought you hadn't posted a story this week, so to find you had this morning done so. I grabbed a coffee & feet up on the sofa, sat comfortably enjoying both, Thank you for another wonderful narration Simon, a great way to start the day 😊
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Another cozy tale for the weekend. Cheers!
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If men still carried sticks, what a lot of mischief could be gotten up to! 💚
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Really enjoyed this story, as always your narration was brilliant,each character instantly recognisable by their speech,your talent just gets better & better !✊♥️
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Thank you, Simon!!! I have about 45 minutes before I can listen. I can't wait.
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Great! So happy to see a new story on here. I can’t wait to hear it!❤
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Another cozy night in the Laurel Highlands of southern Pennsylvania. With a "premonition of lunch."
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Thank you so much Simon ❤ You do a lovely job narrating!
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Another treat for the ears! What a STAR you are! ❤
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Just caught up. Thanks Simon for the new upload.
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Thank you, Simon well done!
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Another little portion of bliss. Thank you Mr Stanhope.
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How utterly marvellous Simon. And you ARE a Marvel yourself..
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So delighted to see Arthur Morrison debuting on the channel. Can I suggest The Case Of Laker, Absconded as another top quality story from this series? thanks
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Thank you, Simon! 💋
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What a blessing! Sick with Covid and a new story from you is just what I needed! Thank you! ❤️
