A Princess's Vengeance | Catherine Louisa Pirkis | A Bitesized Audiobook
39,471
Published 2023-09-29
Narrated/performed by Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me (and get access to exclusive content):
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:18 A Princess's Vengeance
00:51:10 Credits, thanks and further listening
Catherine Louisa Pirkis (1839–1910), often credited as C. L. Pirkis, was born Catherine Louisa Lyne to a middle class family in London. She became a prominent author of detective and mystery fiction in the last quarter of the 19th century, publishing 14 novels between 1877 and 1894, after which she gave up writing in order to focus on campaigning for animal rights. She co-founded, with her husband Frederick Edward Pirkis and some like-minded friends, the British National Canine Defence League, which still exists today under the name 'The Dogs Trust'. As a writer she is best remembered for her last published work, 'The Experiences of Loveday Brooke, Lady Detective', a short series of adventures featuring the eponymous sleuth, almost certainly the first female detective in fiction, and the first to be created by a female author. An insight into contemporary attitudes to the revolutionary nature of the character may be seen in an 1893 review in the Glasgow Herald, which, after praising Loveday Brooke's insights and detective skill, added "We are just afraid Miss Brooke is too clever in catching criminals ever to catch a husband." Almost inevitably "Miss Brooke" became known as "The female Sherlock Holmes"; she certainly shared Holmes' eye for detail and ability to see past the obvious solution to find the truth behind the crime.
Catherine Louisa Pirkis died after a long illness in October 1910, just two days before her husband also died; they were survived by their two children.
'A Princess's Vengeance' first appeared in May 1893 as part of 'The Experiences of Loveday Brooke, Lady Detective', the fourth instalment of a six-part series of stories printed in the Ludgate Monthly magazine between February and July 1893; the series was subsequently published in book form by Hutchinson in 1894.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2023
All Comments (21)
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This story is one of a short series featuring Loveday Brooke, one of several "rivals to Sherlock Holmes" who featured in British periodicals in the 1890s and early 1900s. She is almost certainly the first professional female detective in English fiction, and the first to be created by a female author. You may like to hear some of Loveday Brooke's other adventures available on this channel: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi95qAoufCZKziCYPPNgXcx… Or for more Victorian and Edwardian detective adventures, you may enjoy my "Rivals of Sherlock Holmes" playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi95qAoufCZL5tiXECltwXU… Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:18 The Story begins 00:51:10 Credits, thanks and further listening
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Thank you Simon for still managing to get an upload for us all to enjoy. I hope all is going well with your current theatre roles 😊
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So glad you could squeeze us in. Hope the theatre work is fulfilling your hopes and advancing your career.
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When I receive your notification, I automatically click "like". All your work is great. Thank you, Simon.
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Huzzah! More Loveday! I've been looking forward to this after listening to the previous ones earlier this week. Piriks really is criminally under appresciated as a writer.
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You are part of my life!!! THANK YOU!!!
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Love when you get in that little soundproof studio and do a recording, JUST FOR US, your loyal fans! I remember some of your other C.L.P. recordings and I'm sure I'll love this one just as much! Great way to start the weekend! Thanks, Simon!!
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What fun! I was so excited to see a new story from you that I couldn't make myself wait until bedtime to listen. Excellent as usual!!! Thank you. 👏👏👏
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Superb! I do so enjoy the Loveday Brooke stories. Thank you so much for bringing them to such vibrant life for us, Simon.
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A classy mystery for a rainy evening. Can’t wait to see what chilling tales you have for us in Oct my good man. Enjoy your weekend :)
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Great bedtime stories. Than you..
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You're my favourite - and it doesn't get much better than Loveday Brooke. Always a winning combination. ❤
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Spot on, as ever. Rather a charming little comedy of manners as much as a mystery 😀♥️
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I know all will understand here, but I literally burst into tears 😭 seeing a new story today! Very grateful Simon 🙏🏽 hope your acting 🎭 gigs are progressing apace !
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Excellent ! Another Loveday Brooke story !
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Glad to hear your theatrical adventures are going well. Also glad you are finding time to present us with your narrative work which we appreciate no end! 😊
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Another exquisite performance! Thank you, Mr. Stanhope👏🎉
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Another great reading! Thank you@
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Thanks so much Simon, I can never thank you enough for all the joy you have brought into my life. You are such a blessing to all of us who enjoy your work.
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I thnk pirkis is one of the greatest writers in your retinue...hope for more.
