Author: Mark A. Thurston

1Gambler

By Katherine Cecil Thurston

Clodagh, 18 years old, is the eldest daughter of Dennis Asshlin, an Irish gentleman who lives in an area of Ireland called Orristown. Dennis is passionate, proud and indebted to no one. But, Dennis has an obsession with gambling that is leading the family to ruin. When tragedy strikes, Clodagh finds herself in a situation where she must defend the family honor because “no Asshlin is ever obliged to anyone”. She marries a man she does not love who is many times her age and is thrust from adolescence to adulthood literally overnight. Clodagh travels to Europe and mingles with people of society and fashion which through her immaturity, she believes is her right. She finds instead uncertainty, despondency, and deceit. Her emotions are constantly in battle with reality as she discovers her society acquaintances are not the “friends” she believes them to be. During her visit to Europe, Clodagh discovers that she too is burdened with the Asshlin curse for gambling which eventually leads to more heartbreak. A chance encounter seems to change her life and she returns to Ireland, only once again to be thwarted by the Asshlin curse. A surprise and tense ending is in store for the listener. (Introduction by Tom Weiss)

2Masquerader

By Katherine Cecil Thurston

The Masquerader is one of two Katherine Cecil Thurston’s books that appeared on the Publisher’s Weekly best-seekers list in 1905 (The other, The Gambler, is also in the Librivox collection). The Masquerader is part mystery, part romance and part political thriller – all tied up in one neat package. Nature has a way of sometimes making two people nearly indistinguishable in appearance. Such is the premise for this book. John Chilcote, a British politician, and John Loder, a man down on his luck meet by accident one night during one of London’s worst fogs. Chilcote, addicted to morphine, needs to escape his political responsibilities and presents an offer to Loder to exchange places occasionally. Loder, reluctant at first, finally accepts the proposal and finds he fits into Chilcote’s role – perhaps better than Chilcote himself. The exchanges become more frequent and lengthy. Loder, finding his way, discovers he is worthy of Chilcote’s position, especially during an international crisis, but when Chilcote reclaims his life, Loder’s accomplishments try to unravel. Two women are intimately involved in this story – one is Chilcote’s wife, Eve, who is a wife of convenience rather than love. The second is Lady Astrupp. We will say little about Lady Astrupp except that she adds a great deal of suspense to the story. In such a charade, things do not always go as expected. Does Chilcote break his drug habit? What becomes of Loder? Does Eve become suspicious as a wife might? Is the masquerade exposed by……but then I would be telling you more than you should know beforehand. (Summary by Tom Weiss)

3Omens and Superstitions of Southern India

By Edgar Thurston

This book deals mainly with some aspects of what may be termed the psychical life of the inhabitants of the Madras Presidency, and the Native States of Travancore and Cochin.(Summary by Edgar Thurston)

4Max

By Katherine Cecil Thurston

On a trans-continental train journey into Paris, Max, a young adventurer determined to make his way as an artist, meets Blake, a well-to-do Irishman. Blake helps Max set up a studio in Montmartre and they enjoy the life of Paris and each other's company. However, things are definitely not what they seem and the book takes a very contemporary turn as another person appears on the scene. - Summary by Simon Evers

5Masquerader (Version 2)

By Katherine Cecil Thurston

In the London fog, two men bump into each other one night. They are immediately unnerved by their exact resemblance to each other. Jack Chilcote MP is a rising political star and John Loder a man with a thwarted ambition. The plan they jointly hatch leads to a story of high tension both politically and personally. The book has been turned into a play and four films over the years. The authoress sadly died in 1911 at the age of 36. (Summary by Simon Evers)

6Gambler (version 2)

By Katherine Cecil Thurston

The book follows the life of Clodagh Asshlin, an Irish girl brought up with her younger sister by her spendthrift father in the wilds of the Irish countryside. When her father dies, she marries the much older friend of her father who pays off all the family’s debts. They move to Italy, where Clodagh falls in with a fast crowd where she is easily led by her naivete and youth down the wrong paths. However, eventually she sees sense and her life takes a turn for the better. - Summary by Simon Evers