Lady Audley's Secret


Read by Elizabeth Klett

(4.6 stars; 1399 reviews)

Mary Elizabeth Braddon's first novel, Lady Audley's Secret, was one of the most popular English novels of its day. Published serially in 1862, it tells the story of the lovely Lucy Graham, who becomes Lady Audley at the beginning of the novel, and who conceals a scandalous secret from her new husband and his family. The plot, which includes madness, bigamy, attempted murder, and seduction, made this a shocking but highly successful story for Victorian audiences. It remains one of the best examples of 19th century sensational fiction, and is a wonderfully absorbing book. (Summary written by gloriana). (14 hr 16 min)

Chapters

01 – Lucy 28:55 Read by Elizabeth Klett
02 – On Board the Argus 26:02 Read by Elizabeth Klett
03 – Hidden Relics 16:13 Read by Elizabeth Klett
04 – In the First Page of ‘The Times’ 11:20 Read by Elizabeth Klett
05 – The Headstone at Ventnor 12:23 Read by Elizabeth Klett
06 – Anywhere, Anywhere Out of the World 11:21 Read by Elizabeth Klett
07 – After a Year 24:33 Read by Elizabeth Klett
08 – Before the Storm 24:37 Read by Elizabeth Klett
09 – After the Storm 14:34 Read by Elizabeth Klett
10 – Missing 8:22 Read by Elizabeth Klett
11 – The Mark Upon My Lady’s Wrist 11:36 Read by Elizabeth Klett
12 – Still Missing 10:26 Read by Elizabeth Klett
13 – Troubled Dreams 14:51 Read by Elizabeth Klett
14 – Phoebe’s Suitor 16:44 Read by Elizabeth Klett
15 – On the Watch 23:15 Read by Elizabeth Klett
16 – Robert Audley Gets His Conge 18:10 Read by Elizabeth Klett
17 – At the Castle Inn 12:01 Read by Elizabeth Klett
18 – Robert Receives a Visitor Whom He Had Scarcely Expected 12:20 Read by Elizabeth Klett
19 – The Writing in the Book 25:45 Read by Elizabeth Klett
20 – Mrs. Plowson 16:20 Read by Elizabeth Klett
21 – Little Georgey Leaves His Old Home 26:20 Read by Elizabeth Klett
22 – Coming to a Standstill 28:30 Read by Elizabeth Klett
23 – Clara 17:05 Read by Elizabeth Klett
24 – George’s Letters 15:48 Read by Elizabeth Klett
25 – Retrograde Investigation 31:53 Read by Elizabeth Klett
26 – So Far and No Farther 24:47 Read by Elizabeth Klett
27 – Beginning at the Other End 23:14 Read by Elizabeth Klett
28 – Hidden in the Grave 19:29 Read by Elizabeth Klett
29 – In the Lime-Walk 35:26 Read by Elizabeth Klett
30 – Preparing the Ground 23:12 Read by Elizabeth Klett
31 – Phoebe’s Petition 28:39 Read by Elizabeth Klett
32 – The Red Light in the Sky 36:14 Read by Elizabeth Klett
33 – The Bearer of the Tidings 30:02 Read by Elizabeth Klett
34 – My Lady Tells the Truth 32:45 Read by Elizabeth Klett
35 – The Hush That Succeeds the Tempest 23:26 Read by Elizabeth Klett
36 – Doctor Mosgrave’s Advice 17:18 Read by Elizabeth Klett
37 – Buried Alive 22:03 Read by Elizabeth Klett
38 – Ghost-Haunted 58:12 Read by Elizabeth Klett
39 – Restored 17:55 Read by Elizabeth Klett
40 – At Peace 4:39 Read by Elizabeth Klett

Reviews

Engaging story, well narrated


(5 stars)

I love 19th century English literature but was unfamiliar with this author. This was part drama, part mystery, with some understated love story thrown in. The story was well written, engaging, and provided a good ending. I really enjoy Elizabeth Klett as a narrator. She doesn’t do distinct voices for characters but her inflection and tone are enjoyable and I have sought out multiple books read by her. Thank you LibriVox and Elizabeth Klett. You provide a wonderful and greatly appreciated service.

Fantastic!


(5 stars)

I am a seamstress and listened to LAS while I sewed face masks during the month of April 2020 while staying home safely amongst Covid-19. This excellent book kept my mind engaged while I worked. It was very well balanced and had just the right mix of elements. I found the reader most skilled in her vocal personalities!

Perfect!


(5 stars)

I read and enjoyed the book years ago but thought I'd listen to it anyway. So glad I did! There are many details I'd forgotten, and the story is so much more developed than I'd remembered. It reminds me in a way of Daphne DuMaurier's Rebecca, which is powerful & understated. Naturally Ms. Klett's reading is perfect.

A very good "read"


(5 stars)

Elizabeth Klett is an excellent reader. The book is very good. I won't repeat what others have said. I didn't find any parts dry. Don't let the fact that the story lets you know where it is going stop you from listening to it. I am really glad I didn't. The difficulty isn't so much with the, who done it, but more with the how to deal with the mess.


(5 stars)

SO well read. An intriguing story, and fun to listen to. Yes, I had it figured out about half way through, but I think the author meant for you to figure it out. Regardless, it kept me on the edge of my seat to see how it all unfolded. I think that was more of the point. Good, fun, and very well read. Highly recommend!


(3 stars)

The recording of this book that I listened to was superb. The narrator was a true master of her craft. The book is classified as sensational fiction and is written in the style very similar to that of Jane Austen. If the reader enjoys this style of prose then this book will bring many houses of joyous reading. As for the detective part of the book it is in the style of Columbo - the tv series with Peter Falk. The rhythm is slow for the first half of the book then it steadily increases in the two thirds of the second half and then it slows down considerably toward the end. All main characters are well developed. This is the main strength of this novel - characters development. It is done superbly. As for the plot, that’s where in my opinion the book falls short of expectations. The plot becomes predictable. Yes, there is mystery and suspense at the beginning but then it all slowly fizzles out. Still, this book is worth reading.

Interesting


(5 stars)

Librivox has introduced me to many authors that I had not discovered. Some, like Melville; were more enjoyable read aloud, some, like Trollope, I had dismissed as not being my cup of tea because he is SO amazingly prolific, and the 1st I encountered was not up to his usual standard, and some were unknown to me, like Frederick Marryat, Jerome K. Jerome or George Groosmith. I listen to Librivox when falling asleep and when awakened throughout the night due to insomnia, which almost turns insomnia into an asset. Elizabeth Klett, the narrator, is very good. Some of the Librivox narrators are SO wonderful, like Adrian Praetzellis, Jonh Greenman, Ms. Klett, and others adding immeasurably to my listening pleasure. Thanks, Librivox.


(3.5 stars)

Elizabeth Klett does a fantastic job reading as usual. The story is interesting, but not enough to prevent me from wanting to quit a few times in the middle. Some of the characters and their rants and musings come off as pretty melodramatic. The "mystery" is somewhat easy for the listener to solve in the first few chapters, which I found disappointing. There are a few plot twists that are worth staying around for. I recently listened to Behind a Mask by Louisa May Alcott and definitely prefer that book and it's mystery compared to this one.