This has become one of my favorite new channels. I love your stories, and your voice is liquid silk. The commentary just tears it. Adore. Many thanks.

Ive always been fascinated by the Highgate Vampire story. When we were kids we could gain access to the East cemetery via a hole in the fence in the basement car park of an adjacent council estate. It was creepy but fun. More recently I went on a tour of the West cemetery. It’s a fantastic thing to do and the guides are very knowledgeable and full of great information on the history of the cemetery and those buried there. On one tour I did actually ask the guide about the Vampire legend, surprisingly she actually showed us a tomb and said that it was the place rumoured to be the place the Vampire resided. If you haven’t been on the tour then you must go. Great story, very well told. Listening at 1am and feel the urge to drive past the cemetery and take a peak through the gate.

Mate that was fantastic. You really captured the feel of spooky forested Highgate. I really love your descriptive writing.

How interesting! My mother refused to read Agatha Christie because that author had fooled her readers with exactly the "character knows more than the reader" trick! Tony, you're the first person to corroborate what Mom observed. Meanwhile, a Walker classic to make my day.

What a fun, creepy tale and what a treat to actually see our dear Mr. Walker discuss it at the end! Very cool and unexpected 🧛‍♂️

Gorgeous! I love the way you use all five senses to envelop us in a mood. Masterfully done, sir

I KNEW it! Good story, very enjoyable! I'm going to go look for your other vampire tales! Thank you!

My grandmother told me about who was buried in Highgate Cemetery. Your description of Elizabeth reminded me of a gorgeous lady I knew a long time ago. I still listen to Hawkwind. Your tale brought to mind a few Hammer horrors. Thank you Tony Walker.

Marvelous!!! Ah--The 70's. the commune. Led Z--Beans on soggy, burned toast, laid-back,work-shy hippies, colorful scarves, beads. Ah--memories. The 70's--may they rest in peace--You tell a great tale,Tony--making us laugh as you spook us, twisting us at the end. Thank you.! Also for the interesting commentary and the video. Great end for a hectic day.Please continue what you do.

I enjoy your commentary nearly as much as the story. Thanks for sharing.

Great story, Tony: very well-executed. 🙂👍 N.B. The thing you remember from your Highgate tour about the Boston girl wanting graveyard dirt: She would almost certainly have been wanting it for a Hoodoo ritual. Graveyard dirt is one of the ingredients used extensively in Hoodoo magic.

Excellent story, love the whole 1970s vibe!!

I took a tour of Highgate, would rather have had your voice and anecdotes but...How imposing, Gothic Revival! Having always had a love of cemeteries ( my very normal British gran, she loved all the flowers, no creepy side to her persona! and she liked to make rubbings occasionally but the coolest part as I later in life discovered doing a fascinating anthropology essay on a region in my dreary city, she read the info...) once again, Across The Pond, we must go! All my life I've longed to visit Paris and Pere LA Chaise, Heloise and Abelard are united there, I am a sucker for a really unusual, torrid love story and their's was that. I watch Zeferelli's, Romeo and Juliet at least once a year. Highgate is the equal to Pere La Chaise if it's architecture you seek. Tony, you've most likely been to Pere La Chaise...? How do they compare? When I am doing my house work, getting a wee bit of arthritis from 2 nasty falls, no hippie jokes, I just remembered a bunch of possible oddballs called Yippies, must Google them- when I am cleaning I fantasize about travel and writing, always trying to think of a story, a good yarn, and my mind is drawn to Pere La Chaise, Oscar Wilde, and those dear ladies somewhere on You Tube who lovingly tend the graves. Now with Highgate, new very Victorian time trip- even on a screen it calls out. Your story set at night made me leave my house and do that Astral travel thing my long ago boyfriend was reading about. I could well imagine bumping into Elizabeth Siddall! She knows I had a huge crush on her "wayward" husband, Dante G. Rossetti! The bracken snaps and the scent of mimosa- "do you have my book?" she asks. Appreciate your gifts Tony next time you get stuck momentarily- artists are to be envied and if paid more attention too, the Humanities in general, the world would be a better place. Off to Uriah Heep- do you remember Blodwyn Pig? I am just now saving pennies up for Bert Jansch of Pentangle...I don't listen to some of the really commercial, one hit wonders from back then but like you mentioned we tend to listen to what we loved when young, music helped and educated me. Namaste. Z.

LOVE IT!!!! I love a good vampire story.

Tony, this one was superb. The way you described Elizabeth, I think I could have easily become her next victim. Easily. Lol

I've missed you, Tony. Its Friday night and I'm listening before bedtime. What a treat!

I think your scenes are beautifully laid, and characters interesting and real. Your voice is so well suited for these stories, and, knowing more than Smiler made it a bit flat fo me. I love a good twist at the end-one that fits all the facts but is still a surprise. What if somehow Smiler turns out to be the vampire, and they need to lure him back to the crypt to exorcise him? Anyway thanks for your stories and the history behind them!

Great story.

I've listened twice to this excellent tale. The third time's a charm. I've been busy doing some brainstorming for a short story. Your story ("The Highgate Vampire") has provided me with a few kernels of inspiration. I also found the aforementioned story to be very eerie -- the desired effect. Many thanks Tony.

The story after was just as good!

Loved the way this tale creeps.... gets under your skin. Brilliant!

Always fun spending time with you, Tony..thank you.

I wish it was a cold, dark & stormy night instead of a hot, sunny mid morning 😁. Oh well, I filed it away in my Playlist to listen again 🙃

Deep Purple 🎸🎶Smooooke on the waaaterrrrr and fire in the sky🎶

Very interesting presentation of a simple tale + great re-creation of the early 1970's, 'my' time too. Abit of a shock to see you on the video, you know you have a very youthful voice. Keep writing man.

Great story and narration, Tony! Excellent. The plot is fantastic! As soon as you described Elizabeth....... I really like this one Great job, and I look forward to the next one.

What an awesome ghost story! I really enjoyed it.

To me, Smiler has always been that character in Last of the Summer Wine, who is afraid of everything. LOL. What I've seen and read about Highgate Cemetery adds up to it being the epitome of spooky to me. I love it. Enjoyed your comments at the end. Good story. Thanks.

You read this one just brilliantly. Your voice is incredible. All the characters and nuances. Kudos

Wonderful entertaining story, many thanks for your commentary.

You, Sir, are a great storyteller. Your sense of place and character puts me inside your stories. Thank you for sharing!

Loved it Tony! Listening in the dark is the best....

This is a good story. It's the best recording out there. Thanks Great Job!!

Brilliant, loved it, been to Highgate cemetery a good few times , strange place

A different take on a vampire story, loved it. Great character, Smiler. He had impeccable taste in music 😉 I need to finish Carmilla as it's a personal fave.

I really enjoyed listening whilst tyding up.I knew Sean Manchester+he pursued me as a vampiress.Love Highgate+Pere La chaise-long live our undead. Lavina Morticia Kymille,former ballerina+1986 only legal self estranged wife of Sebastian Bach@Skid Row.x

Great final line, great reading, love this story. Thank you.

Excellent! I really enjoyed it, thank you so much👍

Hello Tony, I just love the story and I love the talk afterwards,Highgate Cemetery is truly a beautiful place❤🖤❤🖤

Highgate was my childhood place to play with my friends ...it was very spooky and beautiful.. hi guys.. if your listening out there some were

I like the little tapping or crackling sound at the beginning and end. Don't know if it's intentional, but it has a great ASMR effect.

Great story, made more chilling because I think we all knew what was going to happen to poor old Smiler, even though he didn’t!

Great little vampire story!

Very nice story. I have been interested in the Highgate Vampire for years. I was able to visit the cemetery back in 1995. We were allowed in the catacombs on our tour, very atmospheric. Our tour guide was relaxed and pleasant. There was no mention of ghosts or the vampire incident other than to say that the cemetery was unkempt and vandalized often in the 60's and 70's.

Nice story. I am an American that lived in Muswell Hill in the late 80s. I was obsessed with Highgate Cemetery. By chance went on a tour that included the circle. I remember volunteers showing us special markers under overgrown weeds. Purposely hidden to thwart vandals.

Absolutely LOVED this!!!!!!👍💕 I think was seventeen at the same time as you!🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

Wonderfully done!

I see your point about the reader knowing the outcome. I certainly did. But I empathized with the struggle of the protagonist and saw myself facing the vampire. So I kept pleading that I would awaken for a nightmare.

Amazing narration xox

Very much enjoyed!

That was chillingly good!! Subscribing right now

Great one , Tony ! Thanks ! Also a fan of classic rock , it doesn't get any better . 💀🎱💀

New subscriber from Sweden. Been benching your channel. This was awesome! Would have loved a sequel…

Scary! Well done!

My grandparents are buried in Highgate Cemetery not far from Karl Marks grave. I went there when I was a child. My uncle was with the family and he was scared.

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying your stories. Thank you again for sharing your talents with us. I'm home from work today,( we got a bit of snow here in Loveland Colorado) So, I'll be going through the whole collection...lol

Lovely story. Used to know a stoner just like Smiley who was known by the same name. Always enjoy your explanation at the end too. Great writing tips. Thank you.

Great story!

Good job man.

That was pretty darn cool 🥰👏👍♥️❤️

Wonderful. Great descriptions. All the senses involved. I was right there.

Loved the story. I collect graveyard dirt but only from the sides not from people's graves

I really enjoyed this one.

Thank you for this!

It's so true. never mention the vampire on the Highgate tour.. lol the guides get that vinegar look across their faces 🤣

it most be sad being a vampire in london with loads of people saying can you spare some change

Just dealing with a biblical hangover from a Guinness session last night, this is making it a bit cosier at least. Cheers Tony!

Excellent💀!

I miss your intro!!!! I wasn't sure this was the same channel,

Oooh this was brilliant! Loved everything about it..the 70's etc! Poor old Smiler..went like a lamb to slaughter! 🤣 I do wish I'd visited Highgate when I lived in London. Never go that far south anymore. I do enjoy a graveyard wander though. I can recommend the Rock Cemetary in Nottingham, that's pretty cool..I actually got locked in there once! Me and some friends went to do a Dakini ceremony.... 🤭🤫😄

I remember the investigation in the 70s

Beautiful reading tony. So seductive. Love the accent used for smiley. So relaxed . Feel sorry for him ,lamb being led to the slaughter. Lovely description of the Highgate cemetery. Words used already hinting of what is going to happen. Love the words used. Black like a Bible.

Brilliant

There's just something downright scary about a feminine killer. I'm sure there's a psychological explanation for it, a false sense of security or something of the sort. I genuinely thought it would be Leonard the whole time.

SMILER ! TRUST WHAT YOUR GUT TELLING YOU 💯, wow what a brilliant story, 3 times I listened to it, 2nd time I commeted on here,

good one!

Wow awesome

You have a great singing voice! Thanks for the spooky story! Why the name smiler?

Thanks

Thanks!

The name you were looking for is Ackroyd...Rodgers Ackroyd. Fun story.... Thanks

I think I’d like a non-scary SET of short stories w/ Smiler- maybe set from age 8, then 12, then 18...you know really give a sort of substance to that great INNOCENT character, in a way that would juxtapose the innocence of those mid 20th century times & then have this be the last of the series...I think that would make it a TRAGIC-COMEDY. I mean Smiler deserves better, right? Anyway, just a listener’s pondering over your great narrative skills! I really enjoy your work. It sometimes feels like the current HORROR genre has to be as descriptive of blood, guts, & falsely scaled FEAR-POWER power dynamic that the HUMANness of the characters gets LOST (maybe that’s the MOST current-cult-ur-al narrative that rings out & resonates within) the SHALLOW-SADO -SHADOW focus within the narrative; I find this makes for a genre filled with a bundle of GORE, but no substance which makes the plot structure almost irrelevant when the foundations are all regurgitated muck. Or maybe it’s an AMERICAN cult-ur-al narrative weakness & ill character building education- who knows? HOWEVER, that said, I LOVE YOUR writing AND your GIFT of STORYTELLING! My country, t’is of ID we...and our storied plots have been hi jacked by “reality show”/HOLLYWOOD box office vulgarity & war mongering imbalance- our scales are tipped by gold and a LACK of knowledgeable, integrated sensitive/sensual beings. It’s more pop-u-la[i]r to be SEXY & “get-off” rather than lead the reader/audience down a beautifully justified narrative of plot & structure, thus creating a mood, tempo & “reality” that invites one to go through doors of perception one might not otherwise be exposed to, like in your work. Which all is a wordy way of saying, I REALLY ENJOY ALL of your writing. Thank you. I’d love to buy you your own coffee shop! 💷For now I can only give you words of gratitude & praise. Cheers! Élan☸️✝️☯️🆔💟⚛️☮️🕉💜🖤🖋🔮🗝🚪🕳🐇🍄🐚🎁📯🎎🎏🎊🎉📖📘📚❣️

Ackroyd. 😊 I'm sure someone has mentioned it already, but it's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Love Agatha Christie.

🖤

EXCELLENT. A1*.

Roger Ackroyd....I think that was the Agatha Christie title.

Frank Zappa and The Mothers were at the best place around When some stupid with a flare gun burned the place to the ground

I loved Agatha Christie; but, at the same time, I would be very irritated at her for not telling us things. If I had known that, I would have known who the murderer was.

I must have been in my 40s before I knew what beans on toast was. Even then, I could hardly believe it. Americans and Canadians just don't eat it.

TF!!! At first I thought it was Tom Hiddleston!!!

Thank God. I don't deny it's a classic but if I hear Led Zeppelin ll one more time my skull might fracture. Led Zeppelin lll - well that's a whole different story. Anyway my mind wandered. Is Highgate near what was once called Bluebell Fields in London ?

Ab Fab!!

I bet he's a pain in the neck.

What happened to smiler

Is that a Scouse accent I detect?

Nonsensical comment to poke the algorithm.

I like the Boomer young adult horror. All the people who left home and were never seen again did not all OD, but what might have happened has just been touched on. The PTB took 6k geniuses a year down in the tunnel labs and kept them. Ted K Ivy League wuderkid tried to warn us what drove him off the edge but we were to naive to understand, too driven to succeed above our Parents, we let them take our Kids futures and now they are currently killing our Grandkids. If we cannot see the evil among us and choose the wrong morality, these tales are but nursery rhymes. Black is White, Racism is Equality, Medicine is Death.

Your voice is a bit vampiric sounding.. no offense, reminds me of an English actor who actually voiced a vampire doctor in a video game. I think it's the air of intelligence they need to have.

Just to correct Tony Walker, I was not "ordained in an obscure Gnostic church." That is borderline defamatory and definitely misleading. In fact, I was ordained and episcopally consecrated in a traditional wing of the Old Catholic Church, which is neither "Gnostic" or "obscure." Its holy orders and sacraments are recognised by the Vatican as being valid, but irregular. The irregularity comes about because Old Catholics do not accept the universal jurisdiction of the pope. However, why listen to fiction when the facts are so more interesting. Tony Walker latches onto the name Elizabeth and a stammering character, "Dave," who apparently lusts after her in his story. These names occur, of course, in the non-fiction account of The Highgate Vampire. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ptp-a6-TxrPbkaM.html

Marx, eh? Maybe we oughtta dig HIM up and stake HIM.