Showing results by author "Baroness Orczy" in All Categories

In a thrilling tale of espionage and intrigue, a group of Russian anarchists kidnaps a prince in Vienna, setting off a series of unexpected consequences. As the Cardinal dOrsay prepares to transport hollow candlesticks from the Emperor to Princess Marionoff in St. Petersburg, two spies seize the opportunity to use them as secret message carriers into Russia. One is a passionate young idealist entangled in the conspiracy against the prince, while the other is the captivating Madame Demidoff, a cunning agent of the Tsar. When the candlesticks mysteriously vanish at the border, a race ensues for ...

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.

Paris, 1792 and the French Revolution. The guillotine claims lives each day. But working in ever-changing disguise is the Scarlet Pimpernel and his band of meddlesome Englishmen.

Set during the Reign of Terror following the start of the French Revolution... The title character represents the original "hero with a secret identity" that inspired subsequent literary creations such as Don Diego de la Vega (El Zorro) and Bruce Wayne (the Batman). The popularity of the novel encouraged Orczy to write a number of sequels for her "reckless daredevil" over the next 35 years. The original play was performed to great acclaim in France, Italy, Germany, and Spain, while the novel was translated into 16 languages.

Step into the intriguing world of Baroness Emma Orczy, a British novelist of Hungarian descent, renowned for her captivating tales, particularly the Scarlet Pimpernel series. Castles in the Air, published in 1921, offers a delightful glimpse into the life of a French rogue navigating early 19th-century Paris. This work can be seen as a collection of short stories, woven together by the charismatic and unscrupulous Ratichon, whose audacious exploits reveal a man of vanity and cunning. As Orczy writes in the foreword, he is an unblushing liar, thief, a forger—anything you will, yet he ...

From its opening amid the horrors of the French Revolution, to its unexpected ending on the shores of the English Channel, The Scarlet Pimpernel fizzes with excitement and wit. Dominating the action is the apparently limp-wristed fop, Sir Percy Blakeney, the most unlikely, though the most gentlemanly of heroes. With a happy countenance Sir Percy outwits all the machinations of Chauvelin, the zealous Revolutionary official, to help nobles escape.

Welcome to the French Revolution, where a dashing English aristocrat risks his life to enter France and save innocents from the guillotine.

The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel is a secret society of English aristocrats who are determined to rescue their French counterparts from execution. Their leader is the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel, whose name comes from the drawing of a red flower he uses to sign his messages.

Here are six The Old Man in the Corner mysteries that don't seem to appear in other collections. This book includes "The Mystery of the Russian Prince", "The Mystery of Dog’s Tooth Cliff", "The Mystery of the Pearl Necklace", "The Mystery of the Tragedy in Bishop’s Road", "The Mystery of Brudenell Court", and "The Tytherton Case".

The mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel's daring rescues of French nobility from the threat of the guillotine and the evil Chauvelin's efforts to track him down are all part of the intrigue in this swashbuckling adventure.

An original and entertaining selection of crime stories all committed on the railways. Authors include Baroness Orczy (most famous for The Scarlet Pimpernel) and Maurice Leblanc (most famous for Arsene Lupin.)

Set against the backdrop of the late 1500s during Spanish rule in the Netherlands, Leatherface weaves a captivating tale of romance and political intrigue in the city of Ghent. As an unwavering Orangist, Leatherface rises to rally the citizens in their quest for freedom, igniting a rebellion that will alter the course of their lives forever.

Step into the early 1700s of England with Beau Brocade, a captivating historical fiction that follows the daring adventures of Beau, a notorious highwayman. With a heart for the downtrodden, he robs the wealthy to uplift the impoverished. Join him on his thrilling escapades as he navigates the fine line between hero and outlaw. - Summary by Deon Gines

In Bronze Eagle, a captivating romantic historical novel, we find ourselves swept away during the tumultuous period of Napoleons return and his desperate bid to reclaim his Empire. The story follows a wealthy English businessman who becomes entangled in a passionate romance with an aristocratic young woman, navigating a landscape filled with intrigue, obstacles, and unexpected challenges. - Summary by deongines

This short story features Baroness Orczy’s most intriguing sleuth, 'The Old Man in the Corner', as he explains how he solved a high-profile case: the theft of an actress' pearls.

First published in 1924 the Baroness was very popular as a crime writer and she certainly was very successful and her writing is excellent. She wrote The Scarlett Pimpernell and The Old Man in the Corner and her female detective Molly is a precursor for many a modern 20th century detective. This is a continuation of a previous group of mysteries and I notice no one has narrated them yet so I thought, they're good, and they show life in the early 20th century with all its flaws. The use of the English language is interesting too. My how we've changed!

A short story from the British Library Crime Classic collection The Edinburgh Mystery. Whilst best known for her dashing historical romances, Baroness Orczy also created a number of detective characters, including ‘The Old Man in the Corner’ who features in this Edinburgh-set mystery. The unnamed armchair sleuth must uncover who killed and robbed poor Lady Donaldson in Charlotte Square in this story.

At the height of the Reign of Terror, executions were a daily occurrence. Any members of the French aristocracy merely suspected of treason could be sentenced to death by the tribunal. There was no hope of justice or mercy, or even a fair trial. Only the Scarlet Pimpernel could rescue them from their fate and bring them to safety at the coast of England. With each rescue, the public prosecutor would find a paper with the image of a little red flower, a scarlet pimpernel.

The classic story of Sir Percy Blakeney and his alter ego, the Scarlet Pimpernel. A great adventure, set during the French Revolution.View our entire collection of podcasts at www.solgood.orgAll Librivox recordings are in the public domain

The Porte Montmartre is under citizen Bibot’s command and he is determined not to let anybody escape. When he finds out that Scarlet Pimpernel is planning his next rescue mission, he is ready to do whatever it takes to stop the commander of "The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel". Will he manage to do so or will Pimpernel outwit him? Will the Duc and Duchesse de Montreux be saved by Pimpernel or will this mission fail? Find out the answers in the second of eleven short stories, combined in "The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel" from 1919.

The "League of the Scarlet Pimpernel" is a secret society made up of twenty English aristocrats. The commander is the so-called "Scarlet Pimpernel" but almost nobody knows his real identity. The society aims to defy the French revolutionaries. The main goal is to rescue innocents from the deadly guillotine.