Episodes

  • A Dangerous Thing by H R F Keating

    A Dangerous Thing by H R F Keating
    Nov 23 2024
    In the hushed halls of the British Library Reading Room, a sanctuary of knowledge hides a chilling secret. When an elderly professor is found murdered amidst at his desk, the scholarly calm of the Reading Room is shattered. Enter Mrs. Craggs, a humble charwoman with a sharp eye and a knack for uncovering truths others overlook. Overlooked herself by a world of scholars and "whizzers," she carries a quiet determination that surprises everyone—even herself. When Mrs. Craggs stumbles upon the crime, she finds herself drawn into a labyrinth of smooth-talking ambition and deceit. With the authorities sceptical and the suspect eager to cast blame elsewhere, can the stakes grow higher? Can Mrs. Craggs, armed with little more than her mp and her working-class common sense, expose the murderer before the wrong person is condemned? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Hunted Down by Charles Dickens

    Hunted Down by Charles Dickens
    Nov 9 2024
    Can perfect manners mask a murderer? In Victorian London, Charles Dickens crafted a tale of calculated evil lurking behind a respectable smile. A gentleman whose perfectly groomed appearance and cultured conversation conceal something far more sinister. In the gaslit streets and elegant drawing rooms, a deadly game unfolds. Someone watches from the shadows - but nothing is quite what it seems. Dickens knew the dark corners of London, walked with real detectives, studied the faces of criminals. In "Hunted Down," he reveals what he learned about evil wearing a gentleman's mask. Join me for Dickens's only pure detective story, where appearances can be fatally deceptive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • A Trap to Catch a Cracksman by E. W. Hornung

    A Trap to Catch a Cracksman by E. W. Hornung
    Nov 2 2024
    In the glittering world of Edwardian London, where wealth flaunts itself shamelessly, a brash American boxer throws down an irresistible gauntlet. Barney Maguire, flush with prize money and sporting gaudy trophies, boasts of an unbeatable trap for thieves in his opulent Half-moon Street residence. Enter A.J. Raffles, gentleman thief extraordinaire, whose code of honor is matched only by his appetite for challenge. When Maguire's ostentatious display of riches collides with Raffles' unquenchable thirst for adventure, the stage is set for a battle of wits that will test the limits of cunning and audacity. ⭐ Join my Patreon ⭐ https://patreon.com/barcud Go here for a library of ad-free stories, a monthly members only story and early access to the regular stories I put out. You can choose to have ghost stories only, or detective stories or classic literature, or all of them for either $5 or $10 a month. Many hundreds of hours of stories. Who needs Audible? Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • The Case of the Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe

    The Case of the Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe
    Oct 26 2024
    In the dark streets of 1840s Paris C. Auguste Dupin confronts his most perplexing case yet: a missing letter, a cunning thief, and a hidden agenda that could shake the very foundations of the French elite. The stakes? The stability of the government and the honour of a desperate royal. As alliances shift and secrets emerge, Dupin must use his prowess to recover the purloined letter and outsmart an adversary who always seems two steps ahead. Can you predict the twist before Dupin reveals it all? Published in 1845, the authorized version of "The Purloined Letter" appeared in "The Gift," an annual literary anthology, offering readers Poe's expanded and refined vision of his groundbreaking detective story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • The Mystery at Number Seven by Mrs Henry Wood

    The Mystery at Number Seven by Mrs Henry Wood
    Oct 19 2024
    In "The Mystery at Number Seven," the tranquil facade of a Victorian seaside town conceals a web of dark secrets. When an unexplained death occurs in a seemingly ordinary household, suspicion falls on various characters, each harbouring their own hidden passions and motives. Through the eyes of Johnny Ludlow, we witness amateur sleuths unravel a tale filled with unexpected twists and moral dilemmas. As the investigation deepens, questions of love, betrayal, and the price of hidden sins emerge, exposing the shadowy undercurrents of polite society. Mrs. Henry Wood's masterful storytelling keeps readers guessing until the very end, reminding us that in this world of intrigue and deception, nothing is as it first appears. This is our 50th Episode! ⭐ Join my Patreon ⭐ https://patreon.com/barcud Go here for a library of ad-free stories, a monthly members only story and early access to the regular stories I put out. You can choose to have ghost stories only, or detective stories or classic literature, or all of them for either $5 or $10 a month. Many hundreds of hours of stories. Who needs Audible? Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 8 mins
  • The Final Problem by Arthur Conan Doyle

    The Final Problem by Arthur Conan Doyle
    Oct 12 2024
    Thank you to Gavin Critchley for sponsoring this episode. In the shadowy streets of Victorian London, Sherlock Holmes faces his greatest challenge yet. As the detective's brilliant career reaches its zenith, a sinister presence emerges from the criminal underworld—Professor James Moriarty, the Napoleon of Crime. With the stakes higher than ever before, Holmes and Watson embark on a perilous journey across Europe, leading to a fateful confrontation at the edge of the Reichenbach Falls. Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Final Problem" pits the world's foremost detective against his intellectual equal in a battle of wits that will test the limits of reason, loyalty, and sacrifice. This is Holmes as you've never heard him before—vulnerable, hunted, and all too human. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Murder! by Arnold Bennett - 1927

    Murder! by Arnold Bennett - 1927
    Oct 12 2024
    Arnold Bennett's "Murder!" is a thought-provoking subversion of the classic detective story. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Britain, this tale delves into the murky waters of morality and justice, challenging readers to question their preconceptions about right and wrong. Bennett skilfully weaves a narrative that goes beyond the simple question of 'whodunit', instead inviting us to grapple with the ethical implications of actions taken in the name of protection. As the story unfolds, we are confronted with the limitations of conventional justice and the complexities of human nature. With its nuanced exploration of moral ambiguity, "Murder!" remains as relevant and engaging today as it was upon its publication in 1927, offering a reading experience that lingers long after the final page is turned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 8 mins