Showing results by author "Wilkie Collins" in All Categories

From the author of novels like The Moonstone and The Woman in White, Caprisha Page masterfully narrates the short story Mrs. Zant and the Ghost, the tale of a widower and his daughter as they encounter a mysterious woman in a London park. This chance encounter leads to them along a path that involves lost love, murder, (possibly) a ghost, and a fairly vicious love triangle. Is there a ghost? Can Mrs. Zant be saved? Or is it all merely madness?

When Arthur Holliday arrives at Doncaster during race week, he is unable to find a hotel room free. His search for a bed for the night leads him to a dubious hostelry, The Two Robins, where he is offered a bed in a shared room at a handsome price of five shillings. The landlord assures Arthur that his room-mate is sleeping soundly and will in no way disturb him. A quick examination of the sleeping man confirms that he is indeed very quiet. Too quiet!

A timeless collection of classic short stories by some of the master storytellers of the world. Old Iron by Stacy Aumonier, Odour of Chrysanthemums by D. H. Lawrence, The Idiot by Arnold Bennett, Miss Harriet by Guy de Maupassant, Red Hanrahan by W. B. Yeats, The Doll's House by Katherine Mansfield, The Devil's Spectacles by Wilkie Collins, The Model Millionaire by Oscar Wilde, Miss Bracegirdle does her Duty by Stacy Aumonier, The Piece of String by Guy de Maupassant, Glad Ghosts by D. H. Lawrence.

The Weird Circle, featuring tales of terror and horror, aired from 1943-1947, mainly on the Mutual radio network. This episode was originally broadcast on October 3, 1943.

Fifty great classic short stories selected from the works of the best writers of the last century.

In a tale delivering the best in the genre of romantic suspense, Willkie Collins’ novel The Yellow Mask, will hold you riveted from beginning to end. A priest believes the inheritance and great wealth of Count Fabio D’Ascoli was stolen from the Church many generations ago. This scheming priest decides to steal the money back and unleashes a mystery filled with terror and menace. Who is behind The Yellow Mask? Maddalena or...?

In the heartwarming tale of Hide and Seek, artist Valentine Blyth exemplifies compassion as he cares for his ailing wife while also rescuing a deaf orphan girl from the cruelty of a traveling circus. Adopting the girl, affectionately nicknamed Madonna, he becomes a mentor to a troubled young man named Zack, who struggles under the oppressive rule of his father. As Madonna and Zacks bond deepens, Valentine harbors a chilling secret about her origins, fearing that her blood relatives may one day come to reclaim her. The arrival of a mysterious stranger, recently returned from a rugged life in ...

In the aftermath of war and shifting allegiances, the church finds itself deprived of a precious piece of land. Father Benwell is resolute in his quest to reclaim it, and he believes the key lies in converting its owner, Lewis Romayne. But when the enchanting Stella enters the scene, capturing Romayne’s heart, Father Benwells plans hang in the balance. As love blooms, so do secrets—both Romayne and Stella harbor dark truths that could change everything. The Black Robe, an 1881 epistolary novel by the renowned Wilkie Collins, delves into the tangled web of desire, ambition, and betrayal, ...

Sixteen classic stories.

We sit. We lie. We wait. We are examined. We are left alone. Emotions fritter. The door reopens. The face. Is it tinged with sadness or reassuring and open? The words. Are they easy to comprehend? Is it good news or bad? We can answer that. It’s bad. Undeniably bad. None of our authors have good news for you. The diagnosis? You already know that. Death.

Nancy Morris, a shopkeeper's daughter from Sandwich, becomes a governess with the help of a benefactor, Sir Gervase Damian. One day she helps a stranger whose advances she gently rebuffs, only to meet him again when she takes a new position in the North.

In this gripping tale, two boys from the Foundling Hospital share the same name, leading to catastrophic repercussions in their adult lives. To set things right, two determined associates embark on a quest to locate a missing heir. Their journey plunges them into the depths of Londons mysterious wine cellars and the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean, traversing the treacherous Alps in winter. With danger and betrayal lurking at every turn, its the unwavering bravery of the heroine and her loyal servant that keep hope alive. Rich with vivid descriptions, diverse characters, eerie ...

After a riding accident involving her uncle, a respected General, Mina's life takes a dark turn. A new groom with a mysterious past and unsettling talents arrives at the estate, stirring whispers of hidden secrets and dangerous motives. As Mina delves deeper into the groom's enigma, she unravels a web of intrigue that threatens to upend everything she knows.

Often hailed as the first detective novel ever written, The Moonstone masterfully intertwines romance and mystery, captivating readers with its blend of intrigue and emotion. It features a rich tapestry of characters, including a hunchbacked girl whose tragic love story resonates deeply, a dying Jewish doctor who plays a crucial role in solving the mystery, and cunning Hindu conjurers pursuing the return of their sacred gem. With moments of humor and poignant storytelling, this novel is a profound testament to the art of narrative. - Summary by Tony Addison

In the tranquil countryside, elderly brothers Owen, Morgan, and Griffith enjoy a peaceful retirement—until the arrival of Griffiths ward, the spirited young Jessie Yelverton. What was meant to be a brief six-week visit quickly turns into a delightful dilemma for the gentlemen, who find themselves eager to extend her stay by ten more days. To keep Jessie entertained and engaged, they concoct a promise to share captivating and thrilling stories each night. Join them on this enchanting journey filled with laughter, intrigue, and heartwarming moments. - Summary by Carolin

Dive into the intriguing world of Wilkie Collins 1870 novel, Man and Wife. Set against the backdrop of a peculiar Scottish law that recognized verbal or written assertions of marriage, the story follows Arnold and Geoffrey as they navigate a tangled web of relationships. Both men inadvertently find themselves entangled with Anne, who is desperately trying to secure her reputation amidst their conflicting intentions—one is bound to another woman, while the other seeks a wealthier match. With stakes high and hearts in turmoil, Anne must find a true husband before it’s too late. Join us for a...

In the year 1846, the idyllic life of the Vanstone family at Combe-Raven in West Somersetshire is shattered by tragedy. When Andrew Vanstone suffers a fatal accident, followed closely by the death of his wife, dark secrets come to light the couple was never married at the time of their daughters births, rendering the girls Nobodys Children under English law and stripping them of their rightful inheritance. With his brothers fortune now in his hands, Andrews elder sibling, Michael, revels in his newfound wealth, leaving his nieces to fend for themselves. While the gentle Norah accepts her fate ...

In Legacy of Cain, sisters Eunice and Helena lead a seemingly idyllic life under the care of their father, the Reverend Abel Gracedieu. However, their world is turned upside down when buried secrets from their past begin to emerge. One sister, adopted, grapples with the haunting legacy of a mother executed for her husbands murder. As the mistress and brother of the slain man enter their lives, a gripping chain of events unfolds, forcing one sister to confront the painful truths of her heritage. Who will rise to face the darkness that looms over them? - Summary by Carolin

Heart and Science is a captivating didactic novel by Wilkie Collins that follows the journey of the young doctor Ovid Vere as he battles against the odds for his love. Confronted by his familys disapproval and the complexities of their social circle, Ovids path is fraught with intrigue, including a significant inheritance, a secret engagement, and a wicked stepmother. What sets this novel apart is Collins passionate plea against animal cruelty in the realm of science, reflecting his deep affection for animals. - Summary by Carolin

In Fallen Leaves, we follow Amelius Goldenheart, a hero unjustly cast out from a Utopian community in New England, as he embarks on a transformative journey in London. His path intertwines with a series of remarkable women, each embodying the essence of a fallen leaf that he feels compelled to save. Among them is the very woman whose actions led to his expulsion, the troubled wife of his only friend, a young prostitute seeking a way out, and his own fiancée. As Amelius strives to aid these women while grappling with the complexities of a foreign society, both he and the women he encounters ...