Murder by Proxy | M. McDonnell Bodkin | A Bitesized Audiobook
68,844
Published 2023-08-22
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):
* Occasional/one-off support via Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesizedaudio
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:20 Murder by Proxy
00:52:53 Credits, thanks and further listening
Matthias McDonnell Bodkin (1850–1933) was born in County Galway, Ireland, the second son of a doctor. Over the course of a long career he was a journalist, newspaper editor, barrister (QC during the reign of Victoria), county court Judge (for County Clare) and, for a brief period (1892–95), a Member of Parliament for North Roscommon, sitting in the House of Commons as an Irish Nationalist during Gladstone's fourth and final term as prime minister. Somehow alongside all this he managed to find time to write fiction, which he produced quite prolifically from the 1890s through to the late 1920s.
In this capacity he created two popular "rivals of Sherlock Holmes": Paul Beck, "the rule of thumb detective", who made his debut in 1897, and Dora Myrl, "the lady detective", whose adventures appeared in 1900. He subsequently had the ingenious idea of having them meet and work together, get married and produce a son (Paul Beck junior) who became a detective in his own right, appearing in stories from 1911 onwards. His other fictional output included a trilogy of historical novels set at the time of the Irish Rebellion of 1798, one of which ('Lord Edward Fitzgerald', 1896) was dedicated to William Gladstone, as well as several other novels, both contemporary and historical. He also published plays, works of history and some political journalism.
'Murder by Proxy' was one of the earliest stories to feature Paul Beck. It was the third adventure to be published and first appeared in Pearson’s Weekly, on 6 February 1897. It is probably Bodkin's best known short story and has been since appeared in a number of popular anthologies, including Hugh Greene's 'The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes volume 3' (1973).
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2023.
All Comments (21)
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Story begins at: 00:01:20 A classic "locked room" mystery from 1897: Squire Neville is found shot dead in his study on a sultry August afternoon. Witnesses swear that no-one could have entered or left by the door or window, but the case is clearly murder. The victim's nephews, John and Eric, agree to call in the celebrated "rule of thumb detective" Paul Beck to investigate... If you enjoy this story, you may like to listen to more Victorian and Edwardian detective stories on my "Rivals of Sherlock Holmes" playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi95qAoufCZL5tiXECltwXU… 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): * Occasional/one-off support via Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesizedaudio * Monthly support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bitesizedaudio * Visit my Bandcamp page to hear more of my performances of classic stories, and you can purchase and download high quality audio files to listen offline: bitesizedaudio.bandcamp.com/ * Become a Bitesized Audio Classics member on YouTube, from $1 / £1 / €1 per month: youtube.com/c/BitesizedAudioClassics/join
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It’s a rainy day up here in the UP, my squirrel hasn’t been home for days and I’m worried sick, an old schoolmate tragically passed away a few days ago from carbon monoxide poisoning at the age of 36, and I feel really, really sick right now, so I literally cannot stress enough how badly I need this at this particular moment. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!
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Please be encouraged! I'm so grateful to find stories like these available on YouTube. I'm sure most of us listen to yours and others like them BECAUSE of the very things at least one individual has criticized. (To each his own as they say.) Such individuals would be best served finding modern works on YouTube more suitable to their taste, instead of knocking the taste of those of us who enjoy being immersed in "outdated" language and speech patterns. Modern speech and often story telling leaves many of us flat, so stories like these are a breath of fresh air! Thank you, sir, for providing them!
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How very lovely! But I've found it doesn't matter whoever the author is or how pleasing the story as long as it is narrated by you, dear Simon. You are the most magical part of each tale told! God love you for doing this and as do I! ❤
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What a treat! Paul Beck is another favourite of mine, I just love the way he operates. Thank you so much for bringing these stories to such vibrant life for us, Simon. You really are a master of your craft and your talents are greatly appreciated!
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Oh Simon! You are such an excellent storyteller, a real vocal artist! I've been listening to your videos for so long that I'm afraid I take them for granted sometimes, but then I hear one like this and it just reminds me how grateful I am for you and your talents! ❤️
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Excellent as always. Was going to save this till Friday, my husband and I go into three weeks isolation as he starts his stem cell transplant but I couldn't wait. I'm listening for the second time today as I eat peaches I picked up from local orchard.
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Thank goodness for your wonderful calming narrations. Your channel continues to be an anchor ❤
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Oddly enough, it's a sweltering August day here in Texas 😅 I always enjoy envisioning the settings of these old stories. Thanks for another delightful performance!
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A warm summers evening, Simon once again delivers a classic performance. It inspired me to record a Victorian ghost story for my dear friend overseas. Thank you for this gem of a channel.
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"Mr Waggles Found His Voice" sounds like a Saki title. 😁 Another lovely demonstration of your remarkable talent, cher Simon. Thank 'ee. ❤
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what a surprise, just browsing looking for some evening entertainment and up you pop with a new upload. Locked room mystery too, one of my favourite genres. Thanks Simon.
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Simon you are a treasure. Thank you so much for your readings. They truly are a balm for injured, frayed nerves.
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Marvellous Simon. Thank You SO much
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I can't sleep because I have a cold so this is a most wonderful gift for me. Thanks so very much Mr. Stanhope!
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Thank you for another great story telling, Simon.
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Thank You Simon for all you do for the listeners all over this world
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There are 3 reasons I listen to this channel... The voice ❤ The story 💙 AND listening to words I know 💥 but no longer have a chance to use them because I am surrounded by the illiterate 😮
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"Sweltering August". Well chosen.
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I love the subtle details... the murderer, Eric's,perception of hostility from the detective while being questioned. Such wonderful storytelling 👏👏
