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1Diamond Cross Mystery

By Chester K. Steele

Colonel Ashley is confronted with a difficult case: The proprietor of a jewelry shop is found murdered, and a valuable diamond cross is stolen. Whodunnit, and how can the Colonel's expertise in fishing help to solve the case? (Summary by Carolin)

2Mansion of Mystery

By Chester K. Steele

Mr. and Mrs. Langmore were found mysteriously murdered in their mansion one morning. Their daughter Margaret, who was at home at the time of the deaths, is quickly suspected of having committed the crime. However, her fiance Raymond Case will not believe in her guilt and convinces the famous detective Adam Adams to investigate. This book was written by Edward Stratemeyer, head of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, under the pseudonym of Chester K. Steele. (Summary by Carolin)

3Funeral: or Grief A-La-Mode

By Richard Steele

The Funeral: or, Grief à-la-Mode, a Comedy, was written in the summer of 1701, and given to Christopher Rich, of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in October. Soon afterwards it was acted, and it was published by Jacob Tonson between December 18 and 20, with the date 1702 on the title-page. The music to the songs, by William Croft, appeared between December 16 and 18. [] The play was revived occasionally in most of the years between 1703 and 1734, and from time to time during the following half-century, the last date, apparently, being April 17, 1799. The plot is entirely original. Summary by G.A. Aitken <BR><BR>Cast list:<BR> Lord Brumpton: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6754">ToddHW</a><br> Lord Hardy, Son to Lord Brumpton, in love with Lady Sharlot: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8164">Rob Marland</a><br> Mr. Campley, in love with Lady Harriot: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10789">Tomas Peter</a><br> Mr. Trusty, Steward to Lord Brumpton: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13072">Campbell Schelp</a><br> Cabinet: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8879">Son of the Exiles</a><br> Mr. Sable, an Undertaker: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/4174">Availle</a><br> Puzzle, a Lawyer: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10614">Leanne Yau</a><br> Trim, Servant to Lord Hardy: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/9647">Joseph Tabler</a><br> Tom, the Lawyer's Clerk: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7170">alanmapstone</a><br> Lady Brumpton, Widow: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6281">Beth Thomas</a><br> Lady Sharlot, Orphan, left in ward to Lord Brumpton: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11084">Devorah Allen</a><br> Lady Harriot, Her Sister, left in ward to Lord Brumpton: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12500">Foon</a><br> Mademoiselle d'Epingle: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6319">thestorygirl</a><br> Tattleaid, Lady Brumpton's Woman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10179">Sonia</a><br> Mrs. Fardingale: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11790">TJ Burns</a><br> Kate Matchlock: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12055">Carol Pelster</a><br> Servant: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12891">Kay</a><br> First Lady: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12506">Bhavya</a><br> Second Lady: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10956">SaraHale</a><br> Third Lady: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11417">Eva Davis</a><br> Fourth Lady: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/5244">Crln Yldz Ksr</a><br> Fifth Lady: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10614">Leanne Yau</a><br> Woman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12506">Bhavya</a><br> Boy: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11535">Nemo</a><br> Gravedigger: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11417">Eva Davis</a><br> Jemmie Bowin (Singer): <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7170">alanmapstone</a><br> Pate (Singer): <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10087">Sandra Schmit</a><br> Bumpkin (Soldier): <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12552">pmstrahm</a><br> Clump (Soldier): <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10614">Leanne Yau</a><br> Matchlock (Soldier): <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10614">Leanne Yau</a><br> Ragg (Soldier): <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13079">MrRogers</a><br> Tatter (Soldier): <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12827">Treefairy</a><br> First Soldier: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12948">MajorToast</a><br> Second Soldier: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10087">Sandra Schmit</a><br> Stage Directions: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8466">Chris Cartwright</a><br> Edited by: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6754">ToddHW</a>

4Days With Sir Roger de Coverley

By Joseph Addison and Richard Steele

The author Sir Richard Steele, who was one of the writers for The Spectator, gets the opportunity to spend a month in Sir Roger de Coverley's house. (Elijah Fisher)

5Isaac Bickerstaff, Physician and Astrologer

By Richard Steele

Isaac Bickerstaff Esq. was a pseudonym used by Jonathan Swift as part of a hoax to predict the death of then famous Almanac-maker and astrologer John Partridge. In 1709, Richard Steele bolstered the release of his new satirical paper The Tatler by naming the fictitious Isaac Bickerstaff Esq. as editor. These are fictional essays/memoirs of Bickerstaff, written by Steele. Isaac writes from his time, and his personal things on what was going on. Bickerstaff, or rather Richard Steele, talks mostly about Mr. Bickerstaff's friends, his family, and the many different entertainments that Bickerstaff goes through. Bickerstaff also gets many opportunities to talk to people who are in trouble with their spouse or maybe looking for a partner, and so Bickerstaff plays the role of a father, giving advice to many characters throughout the book. (Summary by TriciaG & Elijah.)

6Lying Lover: or, The Ladies' Friendship

By Richard Steele

"The spark of this play is introduced with as much agility and life as he brought with him from France, and as much humour as I could bestow upon him in England. But he uses the advantages of a learned education, a ready fancy, and a liberal fortune, without the circumspection and good sense which should always attend the pleasures of a gentleman; that is to say, a reasonable creature. Thus he makes false love, gets drunk, and kills his man; but in the fifth Act awakes from his debauch, with the compunction and remorse which is suitable to a man's finding himself in a gaol for the death of his friend, without his knowing why. (From Preface) - Summary by Preface <BR><BR>Cast list:<BR> Old Bookwit: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6754">ToddHW</a><br> Young Bookwit, the "Lying Lover": <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10789">Tomas Peter</a><br> Lovemore, in love with Penelope: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12874">Aaron White</a><br> Frederick, Friend to Lovemore: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12948">MajorToast</a><br> Latine, Friend to Young Bookwit: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13139">Lex Hankins</a><br> Storm, a Highwayman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6281">Beth Thomas</a><br> Charcoal, an Alchemist and Coiner: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8879">Son of the Exiles</a><br> Simon, Servant to Penelope: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7170">alanmapstone</a><br> Penelope: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10614">Leanne Yau</a><br> Victoria, Friend to Penelope: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13072">Campbell Schelp</a><br> Betty, Victoria's Woman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11084">Devorah Allen</a><br> Lettice, Penelope's Woman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10179">Sonia</a><br> Servant: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8425">Larry Wilson</a><br> Maid: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11953">Nichalia Schwartz</a><br> Constable: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8425">Larry Wilson</a><br> Watchman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10995">adr6090</a><br> First Prisoner: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13220">TwoFace</a><br> Second Prisoner: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10087">Sandra Schmit</a><br> Turnkey: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11535">Nemo</a><br> Gaoler: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12552">pmstrahm</a><br> Chair man: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11535">Nemo</a><br> Mr Leveridge, professional singer: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7170">alanmapstone</a><br> Stage Directions: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12500">Foon</a><br> Edited by: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6754">ToddHW</a>

7Tender Husband: or The Accomplished Fools

By Richard Steele

"The Tender Husband is, as a whole, very amusing; but unfortunately a second plot—alluded to in the title—is woven into the story which gives to the play its interest; and as this account of the manner in which the "tender husband" tries the faithfulness of a foolish wife by means of his mistress, disguised as a man, is unwholesome in tone and unnatural, it spoils what would otherwise be an excellent farcical comedy, and at the same time has no real connection with the rest of the play." (G.A.Aitkin from 1894) See if you agree. - Summary by ToddHW <BR><BR>Cast list:<BR> Sir Harry Gubbin, brother-in-law to Mr. Tipkin: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13072">Campbell Schelp</a><br> Humphry Gubbin, son of Sir Harry Gubbin, and suitor to Biddy Tipkin, his cousin: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12874">Aaron White</a><br> Mr. Tipkin, a banker, Biddy Tipkin's uncle: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8425">Larry Wilson</a><br> Clerimont, Sen: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6754">ToddHW</a><br> Capt. Clerimont, brother of Clerimont, Sen: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13563">Steven Fellows</a><br> Mr. Pounce, a lawyer, Fainlove's brother: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10789">Tomas Peter</a><br> Mrs. Clerimont: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11790">TJ Burns</a><br> Aunt (Mrs. Tipkin): <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12500">Foon</a><br> Niece (Biddy Tipkin), Mr. Tipkin's niece: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12923">EmmaHatton</a><br> Fainlove, mistress to Clerimont, Sen: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10179">Sonia</a><br> Jenny, maid to Mrs. Clerimont: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13524">Lola Janie</a><br> Boy: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10614">Leanne Yau</a><br> Servant: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8425">Larry Wilson</a><br> Stage Directions: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/4174">Availle</a><br> Edited by: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6754">ToddHW</a>

8Conscious Lovers

By Richard Steele

As early as 1720 Steele spoke in the Theatre of "a friend of mine" who was lately preparing a comedy according to the just laws of the stage, and had introduced a scene in which the first character bore unprovoked wrong, denied a duel, and still appeared a man of honour and courage. This was clearly an allusion to the play eventually to be published as The Conscious Lovers. - Summary by G. A. Aitken. <BR><BR>Cast list:<BR> Sir John Bevil: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6754">ToddHW</a><br> Mr. Sealand: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/4705">Algy Pug</a><br> Bevil, Junior., in love with Indiana: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13577">Adrian Stephens</a><br> Myrtle, in love with Lucinda: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13830">Adam Bielka</a><br> Cimberton, a Coxcomb: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7170">alanmapstone</a><br> Humphry, an old Servant to Sir John: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8425">Larry Wilson</a><br> Tom, Servant to Bevil, Junior: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10789">Tomas Peter</a><br> Daniel, a Country Boy, Servant to Indiana: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13604">Arthur Nascimento</a><br> Mrs. Sealand, second Wife to Sealand: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10179">Sonia</a><br> Isabella, Sister to Sealand: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13497">Kathryn Phipps</a><br> Indiana, Sealand's Daughter, by his first Wife: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6924">Rapunzelina</a><br> Lucinda, Sealand's Daughter, by his second Wife: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11084">Devorah Allen</a><br> Phillis, Maid to Lucinda: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11790">TJ Burns</a><br> Servant: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10614">Leanne Yau</a><br> Stage Directions: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12075">MichaelMaggs</a><br> Edited by: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6754">ToddHW</a>

9Masterpieces of Mystery: Ghost Stories

By Algernon Blackwood, Ralph Adams Cram, W. F. Harvey, M. R. James, Guy de Maupassant, Pliny the Younger, Katherine Rickford, Wilbur Daniel Steele and Robert Louis Stevenson

'The Listener' First, it was a strange array of cats, then an increasingly mysterious, and then terrifying increase in...happenstances and...appearances... 'Number Thirteen' Unlucky for some this room is...on a visit to a Denmark with an ancient presence... 'The Horla' Yes, I believed, that an invisible being lived beneath my roof. How weak our head is, and how quickly it is terrified and goes astray, we immediately imagine terrible mysteries and supernatural powers. 'The Beast with Five Fingers' With murderous vengeance, the beast pursues the two friends. Will secrecy, intense surveillance and a marked attention to battening down save them? 'Sister Maddalena' Will a trapped and tragic woman finally find peace? 'Thrawn Janet' A lost soul wandering the Scottish moor. Is she misunderstood? Is she ill? Or is she in league with the devil himself? 'The Yellow Cat' A terrifying tale at sea! But what is it about the ship's cat? 'Letter to Sura' Who says ancient Rome can't have ghost stories? - Summary by The Reader