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...

Is patriotism worth the cost? In the volatile landscape of 1980s Britain, this question haunts every counter-terrorism operative.  Michael Gilbert's "The Killing of Michael Finnegan" draws you into a high-stakes game where loyalty is fleeting and deception is currency.  As seasoned agents Calder and Behrens race to thwart an IRA plot, they navigate a maze of half-truths and double-crosses. With each revelation, the line between ally and enemy blurs further. Gilbert's razor-sharp prose and...

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...

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'...

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...

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...

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....

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...

In a quiet university town, Sherlock Holmes confronts a crime that threatens to destroy more than just academic reputations. As he investigates the theft of crucial examination papers, Holmes uncovers a web of ambition, desperation, and long-buried secrets. With each clue—a scrap of clay, a peculiar pencil, a torn leather surface—the great detective inches closer to a truth that will challenge his notions of justice and redemption. In "The Adventure of the Three Students," Holmes must solve...

The final part of the serialization of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The. Murder or Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. The penultimate episode! Things are hotting up and you can almost guess whodunnit. Only Poirot knows! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Murder of Roger Acrkoyd, Chapters 14-18. A slightly longer one this week as I'm trying to finish the serialisation. Even so, I reckon we have 2 weeks left after this. In any case, Chapter 16 the Mah Jong game is one of Christie's finest - a tour de force of wit and comic characterisation. She really was great. But I'd listen to Chapter 1 first. Scroll back in the weeks to find it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the heart of the eerie moors, a sinister legend lurks, shrouded in mystery and fear. Join the brilliant Sherlock Holmes and his trusty companion Dr. Watson on a treacherous journey to unravel the chilling secrets of the cursed Baskerville family. Will they conquer the malevolent forces that haunt the night, or will they fall prey to the legendary hound? Find out in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's gripping tale of suspense and deduction, 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'. This is a corrected...

Our fourth installment of this very clever and witty story. Please listen to them in order if you want to hear it as Dame Agatha intended. But of course, the choice is yours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the third episode of our serialisation of the classic Agatha Christie story: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. I don't want to say too much about it, other than it will make more sense to listen to part 1 first, then part 2 and then this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part 2 of my audiobook narration of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, comprising chapters 5-7. More to come. Please listen to the first part (Chapters 1-4) first unless you're being deliberately unorthodox, in which case, I admire you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" is a classic detective story by Agatha Christie that will leave you on the edge of your seat as Hercule Poirot unravels a web of deception and intrigue surrounding the shocking murder of Roger Ackroyd. With twists and turns at every corner, this novel will keep you guessing until the very end. This is the first part: chapters 1-4 comprising the first hour of the book. I will release more each week as a serial until we are finished! Serialisation is a great remedy...

Prepare to be entangled in a web of mystery and deception with Stuart Palmer's "The Monkey Murder"! When Janet Wayland is found dead in a locked room, bizarrely bound by the tail of a monkey statue, even the seasoned Inspector Oscar Piper is left baffled. Enter the sharp-witted, no-nonsense schoolteacher Hildegarde Withers, whose keen eye for detail might just crack this seemingly impossible case. As she delves into the victim's past and the suspicious behavior of those around her, Withers...

Step into the world of razor-sharp deduction and ingenious crime-solving with the brilliant detective Thorndyke and his trusty companion Jardine. In this gripping tale of murder and mystery, nothing is as it seems. As the story unfolds, you'll be drawn into a web of intrigue where the killer remains elusive, defying the conventions of classic detective fiction. With each twist and turn, Thorndyke's genius shines brighter, leading to a climactic revelation that will leave you breathless....

Welcome to my narration of 'The House in Goblin Wood' by Carter Dickson (John Dickson Carr), where engaging characters and enigmatic disappearances unfold in a captivating tale. Join Sir Henry Merrivale and a cast of vibrant characters as they navigate a secluded house filled with faeries and secrets waiting to be unraveled. Prepare to be drawn into a world where logic is challenged, and mysteries abound, keeping listeners enthralled until the chilling conclusion." This story hovers between...

Imagine the chilling precision of a man who has successfully carried out two murders, now meticulously planning his third. In "Three is a Lucky Number" by Margery Allingham, step into the mind of Ronald Frederick Torbay as he targets his unsuspecting new wife, Edyth. With a plot that twists and turns, this suspenseful tale will keep you on the edge of your seat. Will Ronald's sinister plans succeed, or will fate take an unexpected turn? Tune in to my narration to experience the tension,...

In the bustling heart of Westminster, beneath the towering shadows of Parliament and the Abbey, a new and enigmatic symbol rises—a giant, golden eye, blazing from a modern skyscraper. This is the temple of the sun-worshipper Kalon, a charismatic prophet whose followers believe that true enlightenment comes from staring directly at the sun. But when a tragic and mysterious death occurs in this very building, it falls to the unassuming yet brilliant Father Brown to peel back the layers of...

In the dim heart of Lambeth, a man who might once have served the finest households sits sipping his morning coffee, unaware that this ordinary moment is the prelude to an extraordinary tale. In a world where aristocrats chase elusive game, one nobleman embarks on a perilous adventure that tests his cunning and courage. Disguises, secret meetings, and high-stakes intrigue unfold as he navigates the shadowy depths of a criminal underworld. Welcome to "The Adventurous Exploit of the Cave of Ali...

Step into the shadowy streets of 1940s New York City, where danger lurks at every corner and the line between hunter and hunted blurs. In "Candidate for a Coffin" by T.W. Ford, a seemingly ordinary subway platform becomes the stage for a chilling game of cat and mouse. With the clock ticking and the tension rising, one man's dark obsession unfolds in a tale of suspense and psychological intrigue. Prepare yourself for a thrilling ride into the mind of a killer, where every second counts and no...