The Old Man in the Corner
Baroness Emma Orczy
Read by J. M. Smallheer
Created by Baroness Orczy, author of the famous Scarlet Pimpernel series, The Old Man in the Corner was one of the earliest armchair detectives, popping up with so many others in the wake of the huge popularity of the Sherlock Holmes stories. The Old Man relies mostly upon sensationalistic "penny dreadful" newspaper accounts, with the occasional courtroom visit for extra laughs. He narrates all this information (while tying complicated knots in a piece of string) to a Lady Journalist who frequents the same tea-shop. (Summary from Wikipedia) (6 hr 20 min)
Chapters
The Fenchurch Street Mystery | 13:10 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
The Millionaire in the Dock | 18:24 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
His Deduction & The Robbery in Phillimore Terrace | 15:59 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
A Night's Adventure & All He Knew | 20:31 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
The York Mystery | 9:27 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
The Capital Charge & A Broken-Hearted Woman | 24:47 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
The Mysterious Death on the Underground Railway | 20:18 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
Mr. Errington | 14:48 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
The Liverpool Mystery | 14:54 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
A Cunning Rascal | 10:55 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
The Edinburgh Mystery | 7:56 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
A Terrible Plight | 9:25 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
Non Proven & Undeniable Facts | 14:12 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
The Theft at the English Provident Bank | 13:10 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
Conflicting Evidence & An Alibi | 17:22 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
The Dublin Mystery & Forgery | 19:55 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
A Memorable Day & An Unparalleled Outrage | 16:27 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
The Prisoner | 17:31 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
A Sensation & Two Blackguards | 9:57 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
The Regent’s Park Murder | 12:34 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
The Motive & Friends | 15:54 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
The De Genneville Peerage | 9:23 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
A High-Bred Gentleman | 10:30 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
The Living and the Dead & The Mysterious Death in Percy Street | 17:55 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
Suicide or Murder? & The End | 24:58 | Read by J. M. Smallheer |
Reviews
Good Orczy enjoyable book
tellmeatale
I really enjoyed this book,and the little old man. J.M. Smallheer adds her very great narration as always to a group of nice tales. I really find this author's works very entertaining, and this book is well worth a listen. Thanks to Librivox.and to J. M. Smallheer for a very enjoyable experience.
GOOD DIVERSION
Avid Listener
As in "LADY MOLLY OF SCOTLAND YARD" the stories are too briefly drawn to have much meat, but they are interesting and do present short diversions. Worth the time, especially the ending.
Listenerinks
Great job by reader.again.as in all.her.works. Just find all of.Orczy.work.enjoyable.and good plots to hold my.intetest well worth.a listen
Very enjoyable
AW
Nice collection of stories well read
One extra story (Omitted from collection) Text only, not audio.
whatley2002
http://famous-and-forgotten-fiction.com/writings/orczy-the-old-man-in-the-corner/orczy-the-glasgow-mystery.html - Apparently objected to, when published, due to inaccuracies in its portrayal of Scottish Legal system. Also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiMAKabWqT4 A retelling of "The Mysterious Death on the Underground Railway" part of the "Rivals of Sherlock Holmes" TV series from the early 70's. The old man does not appear, and his lines are usurped by the hitherto invisible Sir Arthur Inglewood, magnificently hammed up by John Savident. Polly, then is the main character, and Judy Geeson, who plays her, is ably supported by a cast that includes Richard Beckinsale and Christopher Timothy. So for British viewers well worth a look, but not for the purist. I must say "Thank You" to Librivox for this upload. And For https://archive.org/details/ladymolly_1104_librivox which I have yet to listen to.
Download and enjoy!
trail_runnr
Well read by J. M. Smallheer. This story by Baroness Orczy, kept my attention in a story that I will listen to again. The Old Man in the Corner is a detective story. I was initially unsure if I would enjoy it - but I did. Those of you who share my love for detective stories go ahead and download this one and put it in your digital library - Enjoy! I am giving it 4 stars only because there are other books/stories I have listened to that I could not put down (so to speak/write).
Phxjennifer
This was a little sad, I didn't find the mysteries very engaging, and the relationship of the "old man" and Peggy just dissolved in the unconscious cruelty of the young and beautiful vs. the old and awkward.
another great Orczy group of mysteries!
oldman
Love all of this authors books. Thanks to reader and found the old man character very interesting. Good easy to follow mystries. Thanks to all. Enjoy