Lady Audley's Secret
Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Read by Elizabeth Klett
Mary Elizabeth Braddon's first novel, Lady Audley's Secret, was one of the most popular English novels of its day. Published serially in 1862, it tells the story of the lovely Lucy Graham, who becomes Lady Audley at the beginning of the novel, and who conceals a scandalous secret from her new husband and his family. The plot, which includes madness, bigamy, attempted murder, and seduction, made this a shocking but highly successful story for Victorian audiences. It remains one of the best examples of 19th century sensational fiction, and is a wonderfully absorbing book. (Summary written by gloriana). (14 hr 16 min)
Chapters
01 – Lucy | 28:55 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
02 – On Board the Argus | 26:02 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
03 – Hidden Relics | 16:13 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
04 – In the First Page of ‘The Times’ | 11:20 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
05 – The Headstone at Ventnor | 12:23 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
06 – Anywhere, Anywhere Out of the World | 11:21 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
07 – After a Year | 24:33 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
08 – Before the Storm | 24:37 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
09 – After the Storm | 14:34 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
10 – Missing | 8:22 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
11 – The Mark Upon My Lady’s Wrist | 11:36 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
12 – Still Missing | 10:26 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
13 – Troubled Dreams | 14:51 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
14 – Phoebe’s Suitor | 16:44 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
15 – On the Watch | 23:15 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
16 – Robert Audley Gets His Conge | 18:10 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
17 – At the Castle Inn | 12:01 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
18 – Robert Receives a Visitor Whom He Had Scarcely Expected | 12:20 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
19 – The Writing in the Book | 25:45 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
20 – Mrs. Plowson | 16:20 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
21 – Little Georgey Leaves His Old Home | 26:20 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
22 – Coming to a Standstill | 28:30 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
23 – Clara | 17:05 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
24 – George’s Letters | 15:48 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
25 – Retrograde Investigation | 31:53 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
26 – So Far and No Farther | 24:47 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
27 – Beginning at the Other End | 23:14 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
28 – Hidden in the Grave | 19:29 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
29 – In the Lime-Walk | 35:26 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
30 – Preparing the Ground | 23:12 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
31 – Phoebe’s Petition | 28:39 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
32 – The Red Light in the Sky | 36:14 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
33 – The Bearer of the Tidings | 30:02 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
34 – My Lady Tells the Truth | 32:45 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
35 – The Hush That Succeeds the Tempest | 23:26 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
36 – Doctor Mosgrave’s Advice | 17:18 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
37 – Buried Alive | 22:03 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
38 – Ghost-Haunted | 58:12 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
39 – Restored | 17:55 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
40 – At Peace | 4:39 | Read by Elizabeth Klett |
Reviews
Engaging story, well narrated
Laura
I love 19th century English literature but was unfamiliar with this author. This was part drama, part mystery, with some understated love story thrown in. The story was well written, engaging, and provided a good ending. I really enjoy Elizabeth Klett as a narrator. She doesnât do distinct voices for characters but her inflection and tone are enjoyable and I have sought out multiple books read by her. Thank you LibriVox and Elizabeth Klett. You provide a wonderful and greatly appreciated service.
Fantastic!
Jennifer Juntunen
I am a seamstress and listened to LAS while I sewed face masks during the month of April 2020 while staying home safely amongst Covid-19. This excellent book kept my mind engaged while I worked. It was very well balanced and had just the right mix of elements. I found the reader most skilled in her vocal personalities!
Perfect!
KAB
I read and enjoyed the book years ago but thought I'd listen to it anyway. So glad I did! There are many details I'd forgotten, and the story is so much more developed than I'd remembered. It reminds me in a way of Daphne DuMaurier's Rebecca, which is powerful & understated. Naturally Ms. Klett's reading is perfect.
A very good "read"
Robin Wright
Elizabeth Klett is an excellent reader. The book is very good. I won't repeat what others have said. I didn't find any parts dry. Don't let the fact that the story lets you know where it is going stop you from listening to it. I am really glad I didn't. The difficulty isn't so much with the, who done it, but more with the how to deal with the mess.
Amy Chandray
SO well read. An intriguing story, and fun to listen to. Yes, I had it figured out about half way through, but I think the author meant for you to figure it out. Regardless, it kept me on the edge of my seat to see how it all unfolded. I think that was more of the point. Good, fun, and very well read. Highly recommend!
Dances with Prose
The recording of this book that I listened to was superb. The narrator was a true master of her craft. The book is classified as sensational fiction and is written in the style very similar to that of Jane Austen. If the reader enjoys this style of prose then this book will bring many houses of joyous reading. As for the detective part of the book it is in the style of Columbo - the tv series with Peter Falk. The rhythm is slow for the first half of the book then it steadily increases in the two thirds of the second half and then it slows down considerably toward the end. All main characters are well developed. This is the main strength of this novel - characters development. It is done superbly. As for the plot, that’s where in my opinion the book falls short of expectations. The plot becomes predictable. Yes, there is mystery and suspense at the beginning but then it all slowly fizzles out. Still, this book is worth reading.
Interesting
Jane Q Public
Librivox has introduced me to many authors that I had not discovered. Some, like Melville; were more enjoyable read aloud, some, like Trollope, I had dismissed as not being my cup of tea because he is SO amazingly prolific, and the 1st I encountered was not up to his usual standard, and some were unknown to me, like Frederick Marryat, Jerome K. Jerome or George Groosmith. I listen to Librivox when falling asleep and when awakened throughout the night due to insomnia, which almost turns insomnia into an asset. Elizabeth Klett, the narrator, is very good. Some of the Librivox narrators are SO wonderful, like Adrian Praetzellis, Jonh Greenman, Ms. Klett, and others adding immeasurably to my listening pleasure. Thanks, Librivox.
A Tale of Deceit!
Kat
Great narrator! Story is about a woman who seeks to better her life's situation in an era with limited opportunities for women. So she uses her assets and reinvents herself. But the truth will seek her out. I did find myself yelling at the nephew to be smarter. His honor makes it difficult to see where others will lie, cheat, and steal because he would never think of doing those things. He needs to spend more time pondering worst case scenarios! Good read.