The Highgate Vampire 

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.

The story after was just as good!

Thanks!

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Excellent story, love the whole 1970s vibe!!

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

“She wore the shadows like a cloak” - absolutely beautiful.

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.

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.

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 🧛‍♂️

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.

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.

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 🙃

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

Amazing narration xox

These books should be made into a movie

What an awesome ghost story! I really enjoyed it.

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

Wonderful entertaining story, many thanks for your commentary.

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.

Very much enjoyed! (Edit) would love to have this tale extended. Who is Leonard? Did she kill Smiler or did he also rise as a Vampire? This would make an interesting novel, and id buy it.

That was pretty darn cool 🥰👏👍♥️❤️

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

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.

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

Great little vampire story!

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.

Been saving this one for abad night. Loving it so far

Nonsensical comment to poke the algorithm.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Brilliant

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

Good job man.

🖤

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

This tale is very well written , it has everything it should . You were so creative to write into the storyline an actual Albino you once knew .. Stellar work Sir . I have only heard documentaries on the Highgate Vampire . This is actually the first story , although fictional , I have heard about the Highgate Vampire proper . I liked and subscribed ,, I will now go to the homepage and play catchup on your work ... I have found this day an incredible channel , I am pleased .

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

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

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

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!

I remember the investigation in the 70s

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.

EXCELLENT. A1*.

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

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 ?

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

Love it. also this time around--only 2 years? Feels like 200. Love seeing you as well. Would you reconsider using the camera?

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.... 🤭🤫😄

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

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

I like ghost stories but I love vampire stories.❤

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

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

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

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

I really enjoyed this one.

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

That was chillingly good!! Subscribing right now

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

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

Excellent ❤

Scary! Well done!

Led Zep 3

Great story!

Thanks

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.

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

good one!

Wow awesome

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. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ptN8LbaMwao.html

Excellent💀!

Ab Fab!!

Thank you for this!

What happened to smiler