The Man with the Watches (1898) by Arthur Conan Doyle

This is a popular short story by Arthur Conan Doyle, first published in July 1898 in The Strand magazine. The Man With The Watches begins with a passenger train leaving Euston station in London for Manchester on the evening of the 18th March 1892. The weather is singularly inclement, but it's a favourite among businessmen as it's quick, stopping only three times.

As the story unfolds we hear from a detective, who gives his opinion about this thorny case. Some consider this detective to be Sherlock Holmes himself and declare this story to be an extra-canonical tale featuring Conan Doyle's most celebrated character. I don't think so. Doesn't sound like him anyway ;-) What do you think?

It is read as usual, by me, Greg Wagland.

©Magpie Audio 2020

[debbiewilck]

I just want to assure the narrator and producers of these volumes that although I too use them to relax and fall asleep. I always back up later and finish the story. I play them while I work in the kitchen etc. But the best part of my day is when I can lie in bed, close my eyes and visualize everything in my mind. Thank you so much!

[thurayya]

Ingenious! Sir Arthur Conan Doyle thought up the most original situations and then presented them to us, inside out. Fun and refreshing to listen to. You never over dramatize or chew the scenery.

[taxidude]

Six times I had to wake up and go back to restart this! Cured my insomnia though and finally when I got to the end, a great story by my fellow countryman, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!

[sharongreen]

I unplugged tv in my bedroom 6 weeks ago as I felt it contributed to my chronic insomnia. Please don’t be offended but I’ve been listening to your channel since and I fall asleep fastest I’ve ever been able to in many many years. Thank you for this. I’m a big mystery buff. One of these nights I might be able to stay awake to the ending of these terrific tales. Gives new dimension to mystery....I really enjoy your bedtime story reading. Thanks again. 💚

[kaf]

I really cannot get enough of Mr. Wagland reading Conan Doyle. Good night.

[lianatheghost]

I’ve never read Conan Doyle’s stories in my life. I’m discovering them through your audio collection. What an excellent way to enjoy these brilliant stories. Thank you, kind stranger !

[Silveralchemy]

The great and powerful Greg Wagland. Always making my day fly in.

[melodypaz]

I love being read to, especially at night.
Listening to the narrators read these stories reminds me of my late father.
My late father read stories to my siblings and me until I was 13.
(He stopped due to a shift change.)
We progressed from reading his automotive repair manuals and Dr. Seuss when I was very young to the Walk West series by Peter Jenkins as I entered my teenage years.
Being read to made me feel loved and valued.

[homey]

Excellent little story, beautifully read!

[gregjones]

I've given this a thumbs up even before listening to it. I have absolute confidence that the combination of Greg's narration and Arthur Conan Doyle's storytelling will be sublime. These recordings have made sleepless nights a sheer delight.

[enthusiasticasian]

Lovely reading of the book, " The man with the watches ". I really enjoyed it.

[dandelionf.c]

Been looking forward to listening to this at bedtime all day...goodnight

[ndAveScents]

Sir Greg, I feel your contributions to the ACD audiobook collections deserves a knighthood. It really can’t get any better.

[frugtaylor]

I like your comments in the description Greg! I think you nailed it by applying one of your other "lesser detectives" voices to the theorist. It does seem like the sort of half baked surmisial that a "inspector Lestrade, or one of the many other detectives (perhaps even sherlocks sometime competitor, sometimes collaborator, amateur detective from that story where the client is the crook. Which i cant think of atm) Holmes would never have approached the problem that way, or deduced such a explanation. Ecspecially the part about the jewelry. So i was happy that it indeed DID NOT sound like him.... 😉in more ways than one. CHEERS, thanks as always for the great read!

[tiggywinkler]

Another inspired reading bringing all the characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's to life. Thank you so much.

[sierraseven]

It's been 20 below zero here for the past week. Even with a snug house and a sturdy furnace, it seems that the chill just seeps into my bones. I must be getting old; in my younger days, when I wore a uniform that declared that Uncle Sam Ain't Released Me Yet, I used to think nothing of trekking through the field training areas of Fort Richardson on snowshoes, sleeping in a tent or even a snow cave if the drifts were deep enough, for two weeks at a time at these same temperatures.
Now I'm as domesticated as my lazy cats, and we all pile onto the bed and pull up the extra quilts, and listen to your excellent stories at bedtime. I used to always read in bed, but as time goes by I find I have to have my reading specs on, and falling asleep with glasses on results in them winding up mashed and mangled, or poking me in my ear, or confiscated by the cats and stashed under the couch with the rest of their prized possessions.
Thank you so much for the stories.

[bodegabreath]

Wonderful. Thank you. ACD’s non-Holmes stories are a rarity and are very much appreciated.

[Scotticus]

Always such a joy to find a new adventure narrated by our favorite audiobook maestro. Thank you Mr. Wagland, much appreciated!

[annskinner]

Greg, thanks for this most unusual and fascinating story ❤️😊❤️

[trinaholman]

Another goodie! YAY! Read this one many, many years ago. Had forgotten it, and here it is to remind me of the long ago days of my youth spent with my nose in a book.

You, Sir, are very much appreciated.

Cheers from the arse end of Oz! =o)