-
A Warning to the Curious
- Narrated by: David Suchet
- Length: 45 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $1.02
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Casting the Runes
- By: M. R. James
- Narrated by: David Suchet
- Length: 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The tale of a man who unwittingly angers a sorcerer, who is assumed by some Monty scholars to be based on the self-styled 'Great Beast,' occultist Aleister Crowley. Montague Rhodes James was a noted British mediaeval scholar and provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–1918) and of Eton College (1918–1936). He is best remembered for his ghost stories which are widely regarded as among the finest in English literature.
-
-
Supernatural fun
- By Vivian Gosey on 03-30-16
By: M. R. James
-
The Ash-tree
- By: Montague Rhodes James
- Narrated by: David Collings
- Length: 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is the unabridged audio recording of M R James' excellent ghost story "The Ash-tree". Read by David Collings, this is sure to scare and delight in equal measure.
-
-
spooky a f
- By Burley Brent Thomas on 07-30-17
-
Ghost Stories, Volume One
- By: M. R. James
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sir Derek Jacobi reads a collection of tales from the master of ghost stories, M. R. James, whose stories have for many years inspired the BBC's A Ghost Story for Christmas TV adaptations. M. R. James was described as "a man who, in company with Sheridan le Fanu, is the best ghost-story writer England has ever produced".
-
-
Incredible Narration for M.R. James Classics!
- By Robert on 10-26-12
By: M. R. James
-
Ghost Stories of an Antiquary
- By: M. R. James
- Narrated by: David Timson, Stephen Critchlow
- Length: 4 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The powerful sense of evil – darkness, creepy hairy presences, cloaks, hoods, talons and tentacles – pervades these classic ghost stories by M.R. James. A Cambridge scholar himself, James explored what happens when academics dabble in things they don’t understand and unleash forces of which they know nothing.
-
-
Great performances of the classic
- By Adeliese Baumann on 06-25-11
By: M. R. James
-
The M. R. James BBC Radio Collection
- By: M. R. James
- Narrated by: Mark Gatiss, James D'Arcy, Anton Lesser, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
M. R. James was the master of the uncanny. His classic supernatural stories have haunted readers and listeners for over a century and been adapted countless times for radio, TV and film. This collection features dramatisations of 12 of his most popular stories: The Mezzotint, Casting the Runes, The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, A Warning to the Curious, Rats, Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come To You, My Lad, The Tractate Middoth, Lost Hearts, The Rose Garden, Number 13, Martin’s Close and Count Magnus.
-
-
Disappointing Package, Should’ve Been Longer
- By Admiralu on 03-14-20
By: M. R. James
-
The Woman in Black
- By: Susan Hill
- Narrated by: Paul Ansdell
- Length: 4 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eel Marsh house stands alone, surveying the windswept salt marshes beyond Nine Lives Causeway. Once, Mrs Alice Drablow lived here as a recluse. Now, Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor with a London firm, is summoned to attend her funeral, unaware of the tragic and terrible secrets which lie behind the house's shuttered windows.
-
-
Eerily facinating!
- By Alycee on 01-13-12
By: Susan Hill
-
Casting the Runes
- By: M. R. James
- Narrated by: David Suchet
- Length: 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The tale of a man who unwittingly angers a sorcerer, who is assumed by some Monty scholars to be based on the self-styled 'Great Beast,' occultist Aleister Crowley. Montague Rhodes James was a noted British mediaeval scholar and provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–1918) and of Eton College (1918–1936). He is best remembered for his ghost stories which are widely regarded as among the finest in English literature.
-
-
Supernatural fun
- By Vivian Gosey on 03-30-16
By: M. R. James
-
The Ash-tree
- By: Montague Rhodes James
- Narrated by: David Collings
- Length: 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is the unabridged audio recording of M R James' excellent ghost story "The Ash-tree". Read by David Collings, this is sure to scare and delight in equal measure.
-
-
spooky a f
- By Burley Brent Thomas on 07-30-17
-
Ghost Stories, Volume One
- By: M. R. James
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sir Derek Jacobi reads a collection of tales from the master of ghost stories, M. R. James, whose stories have for many years inspired the BBC's A Ghost Story for Christmas TV adaptations. M. R. James was described as "a man who, in company with Sheridan le Fanu, is the best ghost-story writer England has ever produced".
-
-
Incredible Narration for M.R. James Classics!
- By Robert on 10-26-12
By: M. R. James
-
Ghost Stories of an Antiquary
- By: M. R. James
- Narrated by: David Timson, Stephen Critchlow
- Length: 4 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The powerful sense of evil – darkness, creepy hairy presences, cloaks, hoods, talons and tentacles – pervades these classic ghost stories by M.R. James. A Cambridge scholar himself, James explored what happens when academics dabble in things they don’t understand and unleash forces of which they know nothing.
-
-
Great performances of the classic
- By Adeliese Baumann on 06-25-11
By: M. R. James
-
The M. R. James BBC Radio Collection
- By: M. R. James
- Narrated by: Mark Gatiss, James D'Arcy, Anton Lesser, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
M. R. James was the master of the uncanny. His classic supernatural stories have haunted readers and listeners for over a century and been adapted countless times for radio, TV and film. This collection features dramatisations of 12 of his most popular stories: The Mezzotint, Casting the Runes, The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, A Warning to the Curious, Rats, Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come To You, My Lad, The Tractate Middoth, Lost Hearts, The Rose Garden, Number 13, Martin’s Close and Count Magnus.
-
-
Disappointing Package, Should’ve Been Longer
- By Admiralu on 03-14-20
By: M. R. James
-
The Woman in Black
- By: Susan Hill
- Narrated by: Paul Ansdell
- Length: 4 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eel Marsh house stands alone, surveying the windswept salt marshes beyond Nine Lives Causeway. Once, Mrs Alice Drablow lived here as a recluse. Now, Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor with a London firm, is summoned to attend her funeral, unaware of the tragic and terrible secrets which lie behind the house's shuttered windows.
-
-
Eerily facinating!
- By Alycee on 01-13-12
By: Susan Hill
-
Heathcliff Lennox - France 1918
- By: Karen Baugh Menuhin
- Narrated by: Sam Dewhurst -Phillips
- Length: 1 hr
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Spring, 1918. The Great War is at a crucial stage, the Germans are making one last push into France, and the Allies are struggling to hold them back. Battle lines are shifting, and men, and their machines, are being sent up and down the front to shore up defenses. Major Heathcliff Lennox, and his batman Greggs, are told to report to their new HQ. They set off on a sunlit day to fly the distance, but the enemy is never far away, and disaster strikes. They're sent crashing to the ground behind enemy lines, where life, death, and love await.
-
-
Another great Heathcliff Lennox
- By Katydid65 on 06-04-21
-
E.F. Benson's Ghost Stories
- read by Mark Gatiss
- By: E. F. Benson
- Narrated by: Mark Gatiss
- Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mark Gatiss ( Sherlock, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones) reads chilling tales by the unsung master of the classic ghost story: E. F. Benson. There's nothing sinister about a London bus. Nothing supernatural could occur on a busy train platform. There's nothing terrifying about a little caterpillar. And a telephone, what could be scary about that? Don't be frightened of the dark corners of your room. Don't be alarmed by a sudden inexplicable chill.
-
-
E.F. Benson Classics Excellently Read by Gatiss
- By Robert on 10-28-17
By: E. F. Benson
-
The Tell-Tale Heart
- By: Edgar Allan Poe
- Narrated by: Ruth Wilson
- Length: 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
First published in 1843, 'The Tell-Tale Heart' is one of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous short stories. It is relayed by an unnamed narrator who endeavours to convince the listener of his sanity while simultaneously describing a murder they committed. Performed by Ruth Wilson (The Affair, Luther), be lured into Edgar Allan Poe's dark, beautiful world.
-
-
Beautiful presentation
- By Jamshed on 11-14-20
By: Edgar Allan Poe
-
Near Dead
- By: Stephen R. George
- Narrated by: Rebecca Ehrenpreis
- Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Taylor Holdman was having a bad day. His wife, Rhonda, brutally murdered with their daughter three years ago, had suddenly appeared to him at an important business meeting. From beyond the grave, she sought his aid. And Taylor soon found that to help, he'd have to cross into her world.... Marilyn Briggs, a professional medium, was desperately needed. A little dead girl kept appearing to her, pleading to her - a little girl who wanted her murderer stopped...and wanted her daddy to help.
-
-
Creepy
- By Audrey E Adamson on 09-24-20
-
Spring Magic
- By: D. E. Stevenson
- Narrated by: Lesley Mackie
- Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Young Frances Field arrives in a scenic coastal village in Scotland, having escaped her dreary life as an orphan, treated as little more than a servant by an uncle and aunt. Once there, she encounters an array of eccentric locals, the occasional roar of enemy planes overhead and three army wives - Elise, Tommy and Tillie - who become fast friends. Elise warns Frances of the discomforts of military life, but she’s inclined to disregard the advice when she meets the dashing and charming Captain Guy Tarlatan.
-
-
WWII Home Front
- By Jerri C on 06-05-19
By: D. E. Stevenson
-
1922
- By: Stephen King
- Narrated by: Craig Wasson
- Length: 5 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The chilling novella featured in Stephen King's New York Times best-selling short story collection Full Dark, No Stars - soon to be a Netflix original film starring Thomas Jane and Molly Parker. A violence awakens inside a man when his wife proposes selling off the family homestead, setting in motion a grisly train of murder and madness.
-
-
King writes again ....
- By Ellen on 11-14-18
By: Stephen King
-
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
- By: Washington Irving
- Narrated by: Tom Mison
- Length: 1 hr and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the secluded Dutch territory of Sleepy Hollow, nebbish schoolmaster Ichabod Crane competes with the town hero for the hand of Katrina Van Tassel, the 18-year-old daughter and sole child of a wealthy farmer. As Crane leaves a party at the Van Tassel's farm one autumn evening, he is pursued by the Headless Horseman, an apparition said to be the ghost of a Hessian trooper snuffed out by a stray cannonball.
-
-
Treasures Of Jolly Autumn
- By Sara on 10-31-14
-
Montgomery House
- By: Katharine E Hamilton
- Narrated by: Karen Commins
- Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Elizabeth Montgomery wishes to honor her grandfather’s memory by moving back to her hometown of Quinton, Georgia, to take care of her grandmother and to remodel their family home. Unfortunately, rumors spread of mysterious happenings haunting the property, and the only contractor willing to take on the project is Jackson Dean, the long lost nephew of her grandmother’s chief enemy.
-
-
Boring
- By Anonymous User on 08-13-21
-
Something's Fishy (A Quirky, Comical Adventure)
- An Aggie Underhill Mystery, Book 1
- By: Michelle Ann Hollstein
- Narrated by: Trish Elliott
- Length: 4 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Join Aggie as she flies with her best friend Betty to Palm Springs where a $200,000 fish is stolen, an actress is kidnapped, and a man is murdered. Naturally curious, Aggie can’t help getting involved. Despite numerous warnings from her daughter to mind her own business, Aggie takes matters into her own hands.
-
-
Something’s Fishy
- By blue_river @AudiobookObsession on 11-06-20
-
Mr Campion's Farewell
- By: Mike Ripley
- Narrated by: David Thorpe
- Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Strange things happen in the picture-postcard English village of Lindsay Carfax. When a young man falls into a quarry, it takes nine days to find the body. When rowdy hippies descend on the village, they're given nine days to leave. When an outspoken schoolmaster is kidnapped for nine days, he stays eerily quiet after his release. Now Albert Campion has come to town - and he means to investigate all this strangeness. But whoever is behind the unusual goings - on quickly makes it very clear that his nosing around is not welcome.
-
-
I loved this book
- By D. Gredler on 11-20-19
By: Mike Ripley
-
The Conception of Terror: Tales Inspired by M. R. James - Volume 1
- An Audible Original Drama
- By: M. R. James, Stephen Gallagher, A. K. Benedict, and others
- Narrated by: Robert Bathurst, Tom Burke, Rosa Coduri, and others
- Length: 4 hrs and 13 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A collection of four ghostly tales inspired by M. R. James: Casting the Runes, Lost Hearts, The Treasure of Abbott-Thomas and A View from the Hill.
-
-
Background noise definitely irritating
- By danielle wolf on 08-07-19
By: M. R. James, and others
-
Ghost Stories, Volume 2
- By: M. R. James
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A second collection of tales from the master of ghost stories, M. R. James, whose stories have for many years inspired the BBC's A Ghost Story for Christmas TV adaptations. This volume includes 'A Warning to the Curious', 'The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral', 'The Mezzotint', and 'A Neighbour's Landmark'.
-
-
Jacobi brings these wonderful old tales to life!
- By Kit on 11-07-11
By: M. R. James
Publisher's Summary
The story of Paxton, an antiquarian and archaeologist who holidays in "Seaburgh" and inadvertently stumbles across one of the lost crowns of Anglia, which legendarily protect the country from invasion.
Montague Rhodes James was a noted British mediaeval scholar and provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–1918) and of Eton College (1918–1936). He is best remembered for his ghost stories which are widely regarded as among the finest in English literature.
One of James's most important achievements was to redefine the ghost story for the new century by dispensing with many of the formal Gothic trappings of his predecessors, and replacing them with more realistic contemporary settings.
'Montague Rhodes James has an intelligent and scientific knowledge of human nerves and feelings; and knows just how to apportion statement, imagery, and subtle suggestions in order to secure the best results with his readers.' HP Lovecraft.
Actor David Suchet is best known for his definitive portrayal of Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective created by the legendary mystery author Agatha Christie, in a number of international television productions. He narrates his story in Poirot and Me.
What listeners say about A Warning to the Curious
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Firstsnow
- 11-05-20
Outstanding story, outstanding performance!
This story is smart, concise and fast-paced. Perfect for a creepy Fall evening listen if you only have a short time to enjoy. The atmosphere is dark and ominous. The crown artifact feels evil from the beginning, no good can come of it. The treks of the three men to return the crown are tense and disturbing. One of the best M.R. James stories I've heard and the narration is excellent, a perfect match!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Groominn
- 11-16-20
Entertaining
Well done. Entertaining-but lowlife have liked an ending that brought some closure. Still... for such a short story- nicely done
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Eric K Doepel
- 09-08-20
Wonderful! I loved it!
I didn't know this story existed and I played a PC Game called The Lost Crown.
It involves the mystery of the crown, ghost hunting, and the Agers!
If you liked this story, I suggest playing that game!
Also, David Suchet could read the phone book and I'd listen.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kindle Customer
- 05-03-22
Amazing performance
Good story too, but the performance was just superb! short story, haunting, downright chilling. will have to check out others read by suchet.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Phyllis Lowe
- 03-14-22
Love this Narration
I love David Suchet's acting, though it's hard to get British theater filming's where I live. He can express such a sense of gentleness and kindness that is so perfect for the tragedy of this story. It's a sad and spooky story that has James' typical understanding and affection for humanity while still being clear on its foibles. Excellent audiobook.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 03-07-22
Short Spooky Story
First story I listened to (Audible editio ) by this author. Tense and spooky. Not graphic or gory. David Suchet was, of course, fantastic.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Barbara Ball
- 01-23-22
No story could be better
M. R. James is the best horror story writer ever and David Suchet is the best story teller with the most beautiful voice. I enjoyed this story very much. I am on to the next M. R. James story hopefully narrated by David Suchet.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nicole B.
- 09-13-21
Excellent
Sir Suchet was perfection (per usual) reading the chilling work of M.R. James.
I only hope that if there are further recordings with the wonderful
pairing of David Suchet and M.R. James that they are permanently available.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 06-13-21
Captivating
I have been a fan of M.R. James since I first heard Casting the Runes over 20 years ago. Listening to the audiobooks brought back memories of hiding under the blankets with a flashlight read his stories.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- AnnCat2
- 03-09-21
Spooky!
Loved it!! Enjoy! David Suchet did a fabulous job with the story and am looking for more to get chills with.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 01-17-14
Fabulous
What did you like most about A Warning to the Curious?
As I love David Suchet, I just admired his perfect diction and his dramatic presentation of the story.
Who was your favorite character and why?
I just felt sorry for the poor curious man.
Have you listened to any of David Suchet’s other performances? How does this one compare?
It is close to impossible to say that David Suchet would ever cease to be perfect in any of his performances. This was as good as all of them.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Definitely.
Any additional comments?
I have other James' books by David Suchet on my list and cannot wait to listen to them.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- BennySaysRelax
- 03-25-16
Narrated beautifully
Good story delivered by a magnificent actor. What a fantastic price to pay as well.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Highlight
- 01-29-15
Excellent & Fantastic David Suchet ❤️
David Suchet does it again. That perfect deep voice can keep me happy for hours & hours & hours. You will enjoy this one as David transforms this excellent M.R.James story as it was meant to be put over. A good & clear interpretation taking you into the depths of Spooky spooks. I love it & you may love it - hope you do. This is Literature at its best.❤️Fantastic
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Paul D
- 01-16-14
Typical short ghost story
What did you like most about A Warning to the Curious?
Good length, good reading.
What was one of the most memorable moments of A Warning to the Curious?
None. This is a short traditional ghost story - a whole unit. No surprises here and perhaps predictable, it is the style and the reading that make it enjoyable.
What about David Suchet’s performance did you like?
Unobtrusive clear reading.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Nope, no laughing, no crying, no trembling with fear,
Any additional comments?
There is nothing new, surprising or shocking in this very tradittionally told tail. Nevertheless it is well written and beautifully read making it a good listen when you have a little time to kill
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kaggy
- 05-17-14
A chilling tale from The Master
As a child the highlight of my Christmas television viewing was the M R James ghost story. It is hard to imagine anything more perfect than his tales of musty old academics having chilling encounters with 'the other side'. M R James used to tell his stories at Christmas gatherings in Cambridge university. If you close your eyes and listen to David Suchet relate this chilling tale you can almost imagine being part of the Cambridge set.
This is the one with the three crowns and the track of a foot.....one that showed more bones than flesh. Brrrr....
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Dave
- 09-07-16
Very entertaining. Well read by David Suchet.
Story set in East Anglia where I live which peaked my interest. Good short. David Suchet has a mesmerising voice.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- harrier626
- 08-21-16
Chilling.
A wonderful classic beautifully read by David Suchet. Never fails to raise the hairs on the back of my neck.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall

- georgie good
- 05-08-16
a warning to the curious
Great short story. To short .look forward to hearing more stories.
Mr james is a great writer.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Suzy
- 04-13-16
Simple tale
This is a run of the mill ghost story. Nicely read although please don't use an East Anglian accent if you can't get it right.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Carol B
- 02-24-22
Short & Sweet
Only 45mins but pleasant enough not really scary good narration by David Suchet, the story was roughly about 3 crowns that were buried to keep the land safe from invaders 2 had been taken care of and the 3rd was about to be found.