A short tale of mystery and suspense, involving murder, forgery and insurance fraud, from the pen of one of the greatest of all nineteenth century English novelists, Charles Dickens (1812–1870) – but very much in the vein of his friend and contemporary Wilkie Collins, author of The Moonstone and The Woman in White.

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:

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00:00:00 Introduction and background notes, written and read by Simon Stanhope
00:02:03 The Story begins
01:05:45 Credits and thanks

Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812–1870), one of the most famous and celebrated novelists of the Victorian era, created some of the most memorable characters in world literature. He completed 14 full-length novels, including 'Oliver Twist', 'Great Expectations', 'Bleak House', 'Little Dorrit' and the semi-autobiographical 'David Copperfield', five novellas (including 'A Christmas Carol') and hundreds of short stories and essays. Much of his work is notable for biting social commentary on the plight of the poor, and sharp satire lampooning the rich and powerful.

Hunted Down was commissioned by, and first appeared in, The New York Ledger, in three instalments between August and September 1859. Dickens subsequently reprinted it in his own periodical, All the Year Round, in 1860.

The story may have been inspired by the real-life case of Thomas Griffiths Wainewright, artist, author and alleged serial killer; Dickens had visited Wainewright in Newgate prison in 1837. It also finds echoes in the story of Dr. William Palmer, "The Rugely Poisoner", another mid-Victorian sensation.

Recording © Bitesized Audio 2019-22.