The Face And The Mask
Barr, Robert
"Whoever sees only the smiling side of life sees only part of life."
Step into the dualities of the human soul with Robert Barr’s 1894 masterpiece, a collection of twenty-four stories that bridge the gap between Victorian morality and modern cynicism. In The Face and the Mask, the "face" society demands rarely matches the "mask" that reality forces us to wear.
From the fog-choked streets of London to the anarchist cells of Paris, these narratives explore the anxieties of a world on the brink of a new century:
The Great Pegram Mystery: A brilliant, sharp-witted satire of the Sherlock Holmes phenomenon, featuring the deductive antics of Sherlaw Kombs.
The Doom of London: A haunting precursor to ecological science fiction, predicting a suffocating catastrophe in the heart of the British Empire.
The Chemistry of Anarchy: A high-stakes exploration of technological ethics, explosives, and political extremism.
The Gambling Underworld: Gritty, proto-noir tales of risk and ruin featuring recurring characters Pony Rowell and the empathetic Mellish.
About the Author & Work
Barr, a contemporary and close friend of Arthur Conan Doyle and co-founder of The Idler with Jerome K. Jerome, delivers a masterclass in the "ironic twist."
Whether you are seeking a character-driven mystery for a rainy weekend or a deep dive into the historical anxieties of the industrial age, this anthology remains a vital artifact of the late 19th-century literary landscape.
Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries and early speculative thrillers.
Rediscover a forgotten master of suspense today.
Duration - 7h 1m.
Author - Barr, Robert.
Narrator - Sarah Hazin.
Published Date - Tuesday, 13 January 2026.
Location:
United States
Description:
"Whoever sees only the smiling side of life sees only part of life." Step into the dualities of the human soul with Robert Barr’s 1894 masterpiece, a collection of twenty-four stories that bridge the gap between Victorian morality and modern cynicism. In The Face and the Mask, the "face" society demands rarely matches the "mask" that reality forces us to wear. From the fog-choked streets of London to the anarchist cells of Paris, these narratives explore the anxieties of a world on the brink of a new century: The Great Pegram Mystery: A brilliant, sharp-witted satire of the Sherlock Holmes phenomenon, featuring the deductive antics of Sherlaw Kombs. The Doom of London: A haunting precursor to ecological science fiction, predicting a suffocating catastrophe in the heart of the British Empire. The Chemistry of Anarchy: A high-stakes exploration of technological ethics, explosives, and political extremism. The Gambling Underworld: Gritty, proto-noir tales of risk and ruin featuring recurring characters Pony Rowell and the empathetic Mellish. About the Author & Work Barr, a contemporary and close friend of Arthur Conan Doyle and co-founder of The Idler with Jerome K. Jerome, delivers a masterclass in the "ironic twist." Whether you are seeking a character-driven mystery for a rainy weekend or a deep dive into the historical anxieties of the industrial age, this anthology remains a vital artifact of the late 19th-century literary landscape. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries and early speculative thrillers. Rediscover a forgotten master of suspense today. Duration - 7h 1m. Author - Barr, Robert. Narrator - Sarah Hazin. Published Date - Tuesday, 13 January 2026.
Language:
English
Opening Credits
Duration:00:00:32
Chapter 1 - The Woman of Stone
Duration:00:14:44
Chapter 2 - The Chemistry of Anarchy
Duration:00:26:28
Chapter 3 - The Fear Of It
Duration:00:14:26
Chapter 4 - The Metamorphoses Of Johnson
Duration:00:13:24
Chapter 5 - The Reclamation of Joe Hollends
Duration:00:20:33
Chapter 6 - The Type Written Letter
Duration:00:17:23
Chapter 7 - The Doom Of London The Self Conceit Of The 20th Ce
Duration:00:03:15
Chapter 8 - Why London Warned Was Unprepared
Duration:00:02:15
Chapter 9 - The Coincidence That Came At Last
Duration:00:01:57
Chapter 10 - The American Who Wanted To Sell
Duration:00:03:32
Chapter 11 - The American Sees Sir John
Duration:00:03:14
Chapter 12 - How The Smoke Held Down The Fog
Duration:00:05:03
Chapter 13 - The Train With Its Trail of the Dead
Duration:00:04:58
Chapter 14 - The Predicament Of De Plonville
Duration:00:33:45
Chapter 15 - A New Explosive
Duration:00:22:01
Chapter 16 - The Great Pegram Mystery
Duration:00:22:31
Chapter 17 - Death Cometh Soon Or Late
Duration:00:12:52
Chapter 18 - High Stakes
Duration:00:19:06
Chapter 19 - Where Ignorance Is Bliss
Duration:00:16:53
Chapter 20 - The Departure of Cub Mclean
Duration:00:12:47
Chapter 21 - Old Number Eighty Six
Duration:00:13:54
Chapter 22 - Playing With Marked Cards
Duration:00:15:09
Chapter 23 - The Bruisers Courtship
Duration:00:17:42
Chapter 24 - The Raid On Mellish
Duration:00:18:46
Chapter 25 - Striking Back
Duration:00:13:47
Chapter 26 - Crandalls Choice
Duration:00:09:26
Chapter 27 - The Failure Of Bradley
Duration:00:11:01
Chapter 28 - Ringamys Convert
Duration:00:09:56
Chapter 29 - A Slippery Customer
Duration:00:25:47
Chapter 30 - The Sixth Bench
Duration:00:13:31
Ending Credits
Duration:00:00:28