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  The Devil Light - Former soldier...

  Edgar Wallace

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  Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace was born on the 1st April 1875 in Greenwich, London.  Leaving school at 12 because of truancy, by the age of fifteen he had experience; selling newspapers, as a worker in a rubber factory, as a shoe shop assistant, as a milk delivery boy and as a ship’s cook.  
   
  By 1894 he was engaged but broke it off to join the Infantry being posted to South Africa. He also changed his name to Edgar Wallace which he took from Lew Wallace, the author of Ben-Hur.  
   
  In Cape Town in 1898 he met Rudyard Kipling and was inspired to begin writing. His first collection of ballads, The Mission that Failed! was enough of a success that in 1899 he paid his way out of the armed forces in order to turn to writing full time.  
   
  By 1904 he had completed his first thriller, The Four Just Men. Since nobody would publish it he resorted to setting up his own publishing company which he called Tallis Press. 
    
  In 1911 his Congolese stories were published in a collection called Sanders of the River, which became a bestseller. He also started his own racing papers, Bibury’s and R. E. Walton’s Weekly, eventually buying his own racehorses and losing thousands gambling.  A life of exceptionally high income was also mirrored with exceptionally large spending and debts.  
   
  Wallace now began to take his career as a fiction writer more seriously, signing with Hodder and Stoughton in 1921. He was marketed as the ‘King of Thrillers’ and they gave him the trademark image of a trilby, a cigarette holder and a yellow Rolls Royce. He was truly prolific, capable not only of producing a 70,000 word novel in three days but of doing three novels in a row in such a manner. It was estimated that by 1928 one in four books being read was written by Wallace, for alongside his famous thrillers he wrote variously in other genres, including science fiction, non-fiction accounts of WWI which amounted to ten volumes and screen plays. Eventually he would reach the remarkable total of 170 novels, 18 stage plays and 957 short stories. 
   
  Wallace became chairman of the Press Club which to this day holds an annual Edgar Wallace Award, rewarding ‘excellence in writing’.  
   
  Diagnosed with diabetes his health deteriorated and he soon entered a coma and died of his condition and double pneumonia on the 7th of February 1932 in North Maple Drive, Beverly Hills. He was buried near his home in England at Chalklands, Bourne End, in Buckinghamshire.

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  Frankenstein - Or the Modern...

  Mary Shelley

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  Frankenstein - or, The Modern Prometheus - is considered to be one of the earliest examples of science fiction. Written by Mary Shelley, it tells the story of scientist Victor Frankenstein and the catastrophic consequences of his attempts to create a perfect new being by activating a group of body parts with an electrical charge. The hideous monster that is born of Frankenstein's experiment wreaks havoc when it realises that it will never know the happiness that mere mortals can enjoy. Today, Frankenstein continues to captivate readers worldwide through its enduring themes of ambition, alienation and human nature.

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  Great Expectations - Audiobook

  Charles Dickens, Classic...

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  Great Expectations is a coming-of-age novel that tells the story of Pip, a young orphan raised by his harsh sister and her gentle husband in rural England. When Pip receives an unexpected fortune from an unknown benefactor, he is thrust into London society with dreams of becoming a gentleman. As he navigates this new world, he faces illusions, heartbreak, and hard lessons about identity, loyalty, and the true meaning of success.Through Pip's journey, Dickens explores the complexities of ambition, class, and moral growth. The novel is rich with unforgettable characters—like the eccentric Miss Havisham and the cold but captivating Estella—and it challenges the idea that wealth and status equate to happiness. Ultimately, Great Expectations is a powerful narrative of self-discovery, redemption, and what it means to grow up with integrity.

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  Jane Eyre

  Charlotte Brontë

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  Step into the World of Romance, Mystery, and Resilience with Jane Eyre 
  Discover the timeless tale of Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë’s masterpiece that has captivated readers for generations. This audiobook invites you to embark on Jane's extraordinary journey - from a childhood marred by cruelty and injustice to a life defined by independence, passion, and moral strength. 
  Follow Jane as she navigates the haunting halls of Thornfield Hall, where secrets lurk in the shadows and love blossoms against all odds. Experience her struggles for dignity and self-respect in a world that often denies her both. With unforgettable characters like the enigmatic Mr. Rochester and the fiery Bertha Mason, Jane Eyre is a profound exploration of identity, equality, and the power of the human spirit. 
  Perfectly narrated with the clarity and emotion of advanced AI, this audiobook breathes new life into a literary classic, making it accessible for both longtime fans and new listeners alike. 
  Prepare to be inspired, moved, and utterly captivated. Jane Eyre isn’t just a story - it’s an experience. 
  🎧 Listen now and let Jane’s voice guide you through her unforgettable tale.

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  Mansfield Park

  Jane Austen

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  When shy Fanny Price arrives at Mansfield Park to live with her cousins, she is overwhelmed and only put at ease by her cousin, Edmund Bertram, whom she soon comes to love. But Edmund's head is turned by the beautiful Mary Crawford and she and her brother Henry spark a series of romantic entanglements that lead the Bertram family to the brink of social disaster. It becomes apparent to Fanny that pretty manners and fine words are no substitute for integrity.

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  Washington Square

  Henry James

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  Washington Square" is a novel written by Henry James, first published in 1880. The story is set in the fashionable society of New York City in the mid-19th century and revolves around the life of Catherine Sloper, a plain and socially awkward young woman. The plot unfolds as Catherine becomes the heiress to a considerable fortune, leading to the attention of Morris Townsend, a charming but financially motivated suitor. The novel explores themes of love, wealth, societal expectations, and the complexities of human relationships.

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