Showing results by narrator "B. J. Harrison" in All Categories

When two friends reunite after a twenty-year absence, the limits of friendship become evident. Painting two distinct portraits of people who have grown apart, O. Henry explores themes of friendship, loyalty and trust. In Mammon and the Archer, the pursuit of love, and the love of money go head-to-head for dominance in a timely engagement. Famous for his unexpected plot twists, O. Henry was not only a master at the craft of writing the short story, but explored deep themes that still resonate today.

A stagecoach containing a microcosm of French society seek to escape to Le Havre during the Prussian war. Stopping at an inn along the way, they soon realize they have blundered into Prussian occupied territory. The travelers are not allowed to leave until one woman, a prostitute known as Boule de Suif, (literally suet dumpling, or ball of fat), sleeps with the commanding officer. This turn of events is met with universal indignation by the travelers. But as the days stretch out, everyone’s true colors are revealed.

Henry Pifield Rice is a detective, technically. He prides himself in his disguises, which are, in truth, pretty deplorable. So when he’s detailed to follow a touring theatrical romantic comedy, his life is absolutely transformed.

A couple looks for a new home in southern England—but it has to be haunted. They stay in the legendary house of Lyng, where it is said that the inhabitants don’t know that they’ve encountered the ghost until long afterward. Artfully crafted in five different parts, Wharton spins an ironic story of greed, guilt, and revenge.

Mother and Father are called away suddenly, because Grandma is “failin’ fast”. This leaves the oldest Bassett girls, Tillie and Prue, to oversee the cooking of the Thanksgiving feast. Soon all eight children pitch in, though the subtleties of plum pudding and stuffed turkey are completely unknown to them. The result is a whole bunch of old-fashioned fun in the comfortably familiar Louisa May Alcott tradition.

When he was seven, Davey Boyd asked Santa for just one Christmas present: “Please make me normal.” Because Davey had always believed—always known—Santa could do anything. Until Santa didn’t. Because even Santa couldn’t. Instead, Santa and Davey struck an agreement.

Immortal Red is the story of Turritopsis dohrnii, a dime-sized jellyfish with a bright red stomach and the gift of immortality. A marine biologist snorkeling off the coast of Cape Fear, North Carolina makes a chance discovery of this unusual creature. At the moment of death, due to old age or massive trauma, Turritopsis has the ability to fully rejuvenate and emerge as a young adult. After observing numerous repetitions of this phenomenon in her lab, the scientist nicknames the little invertebrate Immortal Red.

After battling the tempestuous sea, four men in a boat finally spy land. But will the process of getting to the land be their undoing? Based upon Crane’s experience of surviving a shipwreck when traveling to Cuba, The Open Boat is an excellent example of literary Naturalism. H.G. Wells considered it “the crown of all [Crane’s] work”.

Anthony Trollope was a British writer of the Victorian period. He was very prolific, writing 47 novels, 42 short stories and five travel books. He is primarily known for his “Chronicles of Barsetshire” series of novels, including the books “The Warden” and “Barchester Towers”. It is held that his satiric novel, “The Way We Live Now” is his masterpiece.

Sir Hugh takes his secret to the grave with a vicious grin on his lips–a devious grin that is somehow contagious.

G.K. Chesterton is most notable for his creation of Father Brown. This unlooked for, and often unwelcome, detective is actually not a detective. But rather, an individual self-trained to think as criminals think, for he has heard so many of their confessions. He knows how their minds work, and can piece together many things that others cannot.

Edith Nesbit wrote under the name E. Nesbit, and is most famous for her stories for children, and has influenced the likes of J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis and P.L. Travers. She wrote over 60 books, including The Railway Children, Five Children and It, and The Story of the Treasure Seekers. Her second, darker reputation was as a purveyor of horror stories, which are sublime in their elegance and simplicity.

George Roberts of Virginia is a captain without a ship. But when he meets his charismatic friend Ned Low, and they share a glass or two, he realizes the next day that he’s signed on as first mate for a voyage to retrieve a fortune in gold.

Jacques Futrelle created a sleuth named Professor Augustus S.F.X. Van Dusen, known as The Thinking Machine. He’s American, and has many similarities with Sherlock Holmes. For example, he isn’t a policeman, but he works with them on occasion, and he handily summarizes his deductions once the case is solved.

When young, penniless Bellarion finds himself thrust into a murderous intrigue, his sharp wit and scholarly background allow him to see things invisible to others. Set in 15th century Italy, and cast with a rogues’ gallery of colorful villains, Bellarion adroitly navigates the complicated world of dukes, counts, and countesses to rise to unusual prominence and serve a purpose all his own.

A seafaring stranger comes to the Admiral Benbow Inn, and young Jim Hawkins begins the journey of a lifetime. In this spirited production, veteran narrator BJ Harrison makes you feel as though you are sitting alongside Long John Silver and his pirate crew as they plot and scheme their way to treasure.

This book is a collection of short stories directly inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and his writing. Each new story is coupled with an original work that inspired or influenced it. These stories were written for those who have experienced tragedy, loss, love, and beauty. For those not appreciated in their lifetime. For those with an incomplete story in their heart. This is For Edgar.

Time is growing short for Kathleen Dal Sundi. Her title of Sunshine Bride means little if matrimony continues to elude her. If she is honest with herself, she is glad of not having a husband—at least not yet. Her Sīhalt Guardian has not deserted her. He is bold and brave and still holds a piece of her heart, even if he refuses to admit his true feelings. Kathleen relies on her betrothed, Prince Heathron, to help repel the Sulian pirates and protect her people. Is it too much to ask—given her wavering commitment?

Dr. Amir Hadad is being stalked. A stranger, hiding in the dark crevices of his home, whispers, “I can’t rest.” Alarmed and unwilling to risk his family’s safety, Amir contacts the police. Only there is no trace of an intruder, no marks of forced entry. If there is a prowler afoot, the police cannot find him. As the days wear on and Amir continues to hear the same disembodied voice speaking to him, he begins to worry about his health and sanity. The Irish lilt has escalated from pleas for help to threats against Amir’s family unless Amir does precisely as he says.

Looking Glass Friends is a story about finding your soul's reflection, the ideal person put on this earth just for you. But what if you are already married? What if you have kids? This quest for happiness lies at the heart of all our lives. Many of us face the choice that advances this story. Many of us know that our life will be utterly different in 20 years depending on the choice we make today. It is an intersection that changes everything forever.