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- Title: Secret House
- Author: Edgar Wallace
- Narrator: Don W. Jenkins
- Length: 0.243055556
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01-Jan
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Suspense
- ISBN13: SABLIBX978422
It reminds me of a time when I was holed up in a tiny inn on the edge of the Andes, rain hammering down like a drumbeat, and I’d just plugged into an audiobook to drown out the storm. There’s something about a good mystery that pairs perfectly with the unknown, and Edgar Wallace’s *Secret House*, narrated by Don W. Jenkins, brought me right back to those moments of delicious uncertainty. Available as a free audiobook through LibriVox, this suspenseful tale of blackmail, hidden identities, and murder in early 20th-century London grabbed me by the collar and didn’t let go. As a travel writer who’s spent years chasing stories across continents, I found myself sinking into this audiobook experience like I was stepping into a shadowy alleyway, unsure of what—or who—was waiting around the corner.
### First Impressions: A Tale That Whispers Secrets
From the opening lines, *Secret House* unfurls like a fog rolling over the Thames. A veiled editor, a stranger with murky intentions, and a millionaire living suspiciously close to the head of the secret police—what’s not to love? Wallace, a master of his craft, sets the stage with a creeping sense of unease that feels like the literary equivalent of hearing footsteps behind you on a deserted street. Published in 1917, during the tense backdrop of World War I, the story captures the era’s paranoia and mistrust, where everyone might be hiding a secret sharper than a dagger. The audiobook format only heightens this tension; there’s something about hearing the words spoken aloud that makes the veiled editor’s enigma feel like a whisper in your ear.
### A Personal Connection: Shadows of Oaxaca
Listening to *Secret House* took me back to those evenings in Oaxaca, where I’d sit cross-legged on a woven rug, the air thick with the scent of mole negro, while the family’s grandmother spun tales of betrayal and hidden truths. Her voice had this way of dropping low at just the right moment, pulling you into the story like a conspirator. I found myself comparing Don W. Jenkins’ narration to those nights—there’s a similar intimacy, a sense that the story isn’t just being told but shared, as though you’re huddled around a fire. Wallace’s themes of deception and opportunism hit a nerve too; they reminded me of the masks people wear, whether in a Oaxacan mercado or a London drawing room, and how the best stories always peel those masks away, layer by layer.
### Digging into the Themes: Blackmail and Hidden Truths
Let’s talk about what makes *Secret House* tick. At its core, this is a story about blackmail and corruption—dirty little secrets that fester beneath polite society. Wallace doesn’t pull punches; his characters are opportunistic, calculating, and often downright ruthless. The veiled editor, a figure shrouded in literal and metaphorical mystery, sets the tone early: nothing is as it seems, and trust is a currency you can’t afford to spend. When two men turn up dead outside the home of Mr. Farrington, a millionaire with too many coincidences trailing him, the plot thickens like a stew left too long on the fire. Enter T.B. Smith, head of the secret police, whose methodical pursuit of justice feels like a lantern flickering in the dark.
What I appreciated most was how Wallace captures the cynicism of human nature—characters exploit every situation for personal gain, reflecting the wartime anxieties of betrayal and espionage that loomed over 1917 Britain. The narrative thrives on its twists and turns, keeping you guessing until the very end. It’s not a story heavy on character depth—Wallace leans more toward plot than introspection—but as a thriller, it delivers. Modern listeners might find the style a touch dated, with its straightforward prose and reliance on melodrama, but there’s a charm in that, a glimpse into a time when suspense was served raw and unpolished.
### The Narrator’s Voice: Don W. Jenkins’ Performance
Now, let’s talk about the audiobook experience itself. Don W. Jenkins’ narration is a steady hand guiding you through Wallace’s labyrinth. His voice has a gravitas that suits the story’s tone—deep, measured, like a seasoned storyteller recounting a tale by candlelight. There’s a warmth to his delivery that reminds me of the narrators I’ve loved most, the ones who make you feel like they’re speaking directly to you. Jenkins handles the dialogue well, giving each character a distinct edge without veering into caricature. The veiled editor’s cryptic exchanges, for instance, carry just the right amount of menace, while T.B. Smith’s clipped professionalism grounds the chaos.
That said, there were moments where I wished for a bit more dynamism. The pacing of the narration can feel overly deliberate at times, especially during the story’s more action-packed sequences, like the discovery of the bodies. A little more urgency might have matched the plot’s intensity. Audio quality-wise, the LibriVox production is solid for a free audiobook—clean, with no distracting background noise—but don’t expect the polish of a commercial recording. Still, Jenkins’ performance elevates the experience, making it a worthy companion for a rainy afternoon or a long drive.
### Strengths and Limitations: A Balanced View
*Secret House* shines as a pure suspense tale. Its strengths lie in its relentless pacing and knack for keeping you on edge. The audiobook free format from LibriVox is a boon, making this a no-risk dive into classic mystery-thriller territory. Wallace’s ability to weave a web of intrigue—complete with red herrings and shadowy motives—is undeniable, and Jenkins’ narration adds a layer of intimacy that suits the story’s conspiratorial vibe.
But it’s not without flaws. The characters, while engaging, lack the depth you might find in, say, an Agatha Christie novel, where even minor players feel fleshed out. Wallace prioritizes plot over personality, which works for this genre but can leave you wanting more emotional stakes. And while Jenkins does a commendable job, his steady pace occasionally dampens the story’s more frantic moments. Listeners looking for a modern, high-production audiobook might also find the LibriVox recording a bit bare-bones, though I’d argue that simplicity has its own gritty charm.
### Comparisons That Come to Mind
If you’ve enjoyed *Secret House*, you might find kinship with E. Phillips Oppenheim’s espionage thrillers, which share a similar knack for international intrigue and deceptive characters. John Buchan’s *The Thirty-Nine Steps* also comes to mind—another tale of suspense and shadowy agendas, though with more outdoor adventure than Wallace’s urban grit. Compared to Agatha Christie, Wallace’s work feels less polished in its puzzle-solving but leans harder into raw suspense, making it a different shade of mystery-thriller-horror.
### Who Should Listen?
I’d recommend this audiobook to anyone who loves a good mystery with a historical bent—think late-night listeners who savor the creak of suspense in every chapter. Fans of classic thrillers will appreciate Wallace’s unapologetic plotting, and travelers like me, who often listen while on the move, will find it a perfect companion for a foggy evening or a deserted train ride. If you’re new to audiobooks or looking for a free audiobook to test the waters, *Secret House* is an accessible entry point, especially since it won’t cost you a dime.
### A Final Reflection: The Echoes That Linger
As the final words of *Secret House* faded, I found myself staring out my window, half-expecting to see a veiled figure lurking in the shadows. That’s the magic of a good audiobook—it lingers, like the aftertaste of a strong mezcal sipped in Oaxaca. Wallace’s story, paired with Jenkins’ steady voice, reminded me why I love this format: it brings stories to life in a way that feels personal, immediate, like someone’s recounting a secret just for you. Sure, it’s not perfect, but its imperfections give it character, much like the weathered pages of a well-loved paperback.
Until the next story pulls us into its shadows,
Marcus Rivera
