The Lodger

By: Marie Belloc Lowndes Peter

Narrated by: Peter Newcombe Joyce

Inspired by the Ripper murders of 25 years before, Belloc Lowndes wrote this story in 1913, a gripping claustrophobic tale describing the impact on an impecunious ageing couple, the Buntings, when an eccentric stranger comes to stay as lodger.

Mr Sleuth is a good guest, pays handsomely and in advance, needs very little looking after and seems to be a harmless gentleman. But when the murderous exploits of a serial killer known only as 'The Avenger' start occurring closer to home, Mrs Bunting begins to worry about her guest, his curious experiments and nocturnal habits.

The tension is held throughout and the real identity of the culprit is not fully exposed until the close of an excellent psychological thriller packed with horror and suspense.

©2017 Marie Belloc Lowndes (P)2017 Assembled Stories

Unsung narrator

The book is fantastic. Ernest Hemingway was right to praise it so highly. Peter Joyce is one of the best, most underrated narrators. I wish I could find out more about him, and at least thank him for his work.

What a Fun, Enjoyable Read!

I really enjoyed this book. Misty, spooky, foggy Victorian London with all the strange, intriguing case details of a Sherlock Holmes story, plus the cast of characters reminiscent of Charles Dickens himself, bits of tongue-in-cheek humor thrown in here and there. Really enjoyed this tale, well worth the listen!