Detective and Mystery – Retro Radio Podcast

Taking a well deserved rest, Holmes and Watson attended a Shakespearean festival. The beauty of the place is enough to make Holmes almost wish he was a man of wealth. The luxuriant peacefulness ends when a gunshot echoes near our detectives. Though hit in the shoulder, Holmes seems unhurt as he listens to the rabbit hunters. His collapse startles Watson, but Holmes later reveals he had a reason for feigning his collapse. Mrs Markham has crossed paths with Holmes in the past. Were there other accidental mishaps with firearms then too? Believing Sherlock to be laid up, Watson is invited to join the Markhams and actor friends, and admires hunting trophies. Concern that Mrs Markham might be planning to kill her husband is uncovered. Holmes reveals evidence about his shooting that escalates the possibility of danger. Back at the Markham home, Mr Markham accuses his wife of pushing him into the lake. A large life insurance policy, on top of a suspected affair with an actor seems to be more than enough motive. Holmes returns , and hasn’t been idle in investigating. What cards does he have up his sleeve? Not only does Sherlock have the matter figured out, he is able to prevent a murder, he resolves a few other loose ends.

A black Gladstone bag ties Dignam to a murder. He was a short man, with a short wife, but had a preference for tall women. The bag, and its bloody contents date back to 1924. The dapper, persuasive talker finds himself in Scotland Yard, after Mrs Digman suspected him of cheating on her. Are the contents, and the bag his own? They seem to be, but Dignam doesn’t have an explanation for the blood. Uncomfortable, long silence does wonders to get Dignam to make his statement. He describes the perfect little get away cottage, but was awakened by a tramp. After grappling with the larger man, who was killed, he panicked. Is he telling the tale truthfully? Evidence of another woman enters the picture. The owner of the rental cottage adds more pieces to the mystery, claiming Dignam was with his tall, blonde wife. No sign of any other men. Inspecting the crime scene, on the dismal little beach, the disheveled room is just as the statement described. But will the scene tell the exact same story? Is it possible to tell the difference between a male and female body if destroyed by fire? The technology of the day says, no. Matilda Manning enters the story, distraught that her daughter has been killed by Dignam. What makes her think that? More charges pile up against the little man for legal gambling. Forensics evidence still provides enough proof of a woman’s presence, and holes knocked into his story are more than enough to link him to murder.

A woman comes to Richard for protection. She secretly witnessed her husband plotting to kill her, but there’s more to it than that. When Dick goes to investigate, he gets a thump on the head, and wakes as the prime suspect in a murder. It seems he didn’t protect his client very well, but the cops let him go to help uncover the real killer. After surviving more thumps, and rough treatment, Dick gets away and turns to the night club scene. Will the torch singer in the club be able to help with answers? With the unintended help of a cute hat check girl, Dick puts an end to his bad guy. Note: Arthur Q Brian is the police investigator. William Conrad is the business partner of the gambler, Caspary.

Watson talks to announcer, Harry Bartell, about his Christmas plans, then relates a Christmas tale where he played Santa to impress the nieces of their housekeeper, Mrs Hudson. Taking the bag of presents to distribute, Holmes is asked to attend a party in disguise. Agreeing to go to Whitticomb’s party, Sherlock wears his own Santa suit. Distributing his gifts after a brush with the cult, Disciples of the Octagonal Square, Watson discovers a problem. Meanwhile, Holmes has his own difficulties with the mystery he has afoot. What does his have to do with the Disciples of the Octagonal Square? What kind of gifts are cuff links and jewelry for little kids? Pretty, but not too practical as toys. Santa Clauses seem to be running rampant, but mixed up presents may mean danger for an unwitting Watson if Holmes can’t get to him in time. Moriarty seldom leaves things to chance, and Holmes takes a choir of caroling cops to sing in the streets. Crossed up crooks are captured, jewels are swapped for toys, and all have a Merry and safe Christmas. Well… all but the crooks.

Watson talks to announcer, Harry Bartell, about his Christmas plans, then relates a Christmas tale where he played Santa to impress the nieces of their housekeeper, Mrs Hudson. Taking the bag of presents to distribute, Holmes is asked to attend a party in disguise. Agreeing to go to Whitticomb’s party, Sherlock wears his own Santa suit. Distributing his gifts after a brush with the cult, Disciples of the Octagonal Square, Watson discovers a problem. Meanwhile, Holmes has his own difficulties with the mystery he has afoot. What does his have to do with the Disciples of the Octagonal Square? What kind of gifts are cuff links and jewelry for little kids? Pretty, but not too practical as toys. Santa Clauses seem to be running rampant, but mixed up presents may mean danger for an unwitting Watson if Holmes can’t get to him in time. Moriarty seldom leaves things to chance, and Holmes takes a choir of caroling cops to sing in the streets. Crossed up crooks are captured, jewels are swapped for toys, and all have a Merry and safe Christmas. Well… all but the crooks.

Thomas Appleby was 70 when he married his 39 year old bride. When he died from a crushed skull at age 75, neighbors had only sympathy for his wife, until she confessed to the murder. Later, when thinking more sober thoughts, Mrs Appleby adjusts her story. Had her husband been struck before she found him? Who is young George, and what relation does he have to the Appleby’s? With a tearful, emotional goodbye, the 18 year old whimpered like a young puppy, when Alma Appleby is hauled away on her confession. Was the murder of the grumpy old man justifiable? Suicidal, but fearful of death, did the killer do him a favor? As vocal as she is over it, is Alma covering up for someone? The open and shut case bothers the inspectors of Scotland Yard. In what is clearly a matter of love, should they lay some blame at the foot of another man? Young George claims it wasn’t his aunt Alma, but does he really know who it may be? Is his confession just a cover up? Soon there are multiple confessions. will the truth be learned, or does it really matter?

Men of all walks of life are attracted to the Riviera. The gambling tables of the casino serve as the back drop to Holmes, Watson, and a mystery that is about to unfold. Two down on their luck gamblers have words, but the losing streak continues for Gilbert. A call for a doctor has Watson examining a dead Heinrich. Despite being an apparent suicide, Heinrich’s wife blames the casino and Gilbert for her loss. A puzzling factor is the large sum found in Heinrich’s possession. Back at the gambling tables, Holmes has a bit of advice to improve Watsons luck… be the owner of the table. Gilbert also has a plan to improve his luck, but his system for winning worries his wife. Has his joke cost him his life? Working with the local police, Holmes shares his observations of Gilberts joke, gone all wrong. Has one of the two widows of the dead gamblers done him in? Sherlock grills the psuspects, and turns up a twist, and a scandal for the motive to murder.

A couple of high dollar business rivals who are brothers hold a grudge against each other. When an offer comes to Richard Diamond, he smells a rat, and turns it down. No amount of money can buy his loyalties, but it’s a matter of justice and fair play that lures the reluctant Richard Diamond into the mikxWhen murder enters the picture. The trail of clues leads to a scantily clad dame, and a web of lies to sort out. You know that Dick is getting too close for comfort when shady characters are out gunning for him. The body count is on the rise, but will Richard be taking the fall? Fortunately, Dick is no fool, and is ready to confront the killer, but can he bring justice before there’s even more death in the picture?

On a rainy day in 1883, Watson had just finished his breakfast, when Holmes surprises him while in disguise. On the streets as a ragged begger, he has learned the honor of a duchess is at stake. Does it relate to a murder case the detectives worked on in the past? Holmes and Watson recount the case of poisoning, and risk of lost inheritance. Miss Stoner fears she’ll be murdered, just as her sister had been. What did her sister’s dying words mean about a speckled band? Will Holmes be able to protect her from her step father, Moran? Will the grumpy man be able to warn that insolent rascal Holmes off the matter? The brute strength Moran shows in bending a fireplace poker means nothing to Sherlock. Visiting Miss Stoners room, Holmes finds curiosities with bell ropes, vents, and strange music in the night. Holmes sees danger, and develops a plan to bring it to an end. The trap isn’t without danger to Watson on this night for a fowl business. As our sleuths sneak through the house at night, the planned murder is picked apart, and the mystery of it is unraveled as it backfires on a killer. Note: At first listen, I thought the story was a little contrived. Afterward, it dawned on me the story is from an actual Conan Doyle tale. I blame any appearance of being contrived on the nature of having to convert the story into a radio script that has to fit into a precise 30 minute format. A film was made with the same name, and is freely available on Archive.org, but it pre-dates the team of Rathbone and Bruce as the famous detectives, so if you check it out, get ready for a slightly different feel to the movie.

Watson recounts the history of Guy Fox Day, and the celebrations enjoyed by children in the streets to commemorate the demise of the would be assassin of yore. A man enters in fear of his life, thinking he may be dead in a matter of hours. With help from the medicine bag of Watson, the man calms down enough to tell his story. The alleged murder attempt parallels that of Guy Fox, and the use of explosives. The idea amuses Holmes, but he digs for more details. Hitting the streets, the detectives find clues, but is it the kind of thing to do the explosive harm their client thinks? With his weak heart, it wouldn’t take much. With all the clues he needs, Holmes returns to Baker Street to take the case to the next level, and prepare for a face-off with the bad guys. With all the role playing, and names tied to Guy Fox Day, Sherlock brings the deadly game to an end. Is it a conspiracy, or a prank that went all wrong?

A man makes a New Year Resolution to leave the mob. But will the mob resolve to let him go? The guy is just a truck driver, and only on the fringes of the mobs criminal activity. With pressure from his girlfriend, he promises to leave the mob after this latest job,and as his New Years Resolution. The mobster doesn’t want to lose a good man, and now thinks the girlfriend is both an influence to take him away, and might know too much about the gang activities. Meanwhile, Van’s mom goes to Steve Wilson with her concerns. She’s a cleaning lady at the news paper. She shares her hopes that her son will go straight. Suddenly, the girlfriend, Vicky phones mom at work to tell about the crime that just went wrong, and the worry that Van may be the driver of the truck. There was a shoot out and a murder, so now Van will be in big trouble. Steve is on the move, and acting swiftly. Steve goes to talk to Vicky to both get information from her, and make her aware of the danger she may be in if the mobster finds out that she knows what she knows. Too late,he already figures her out and sends a car for her. Acting as bait, Steve tails her to the hide out. He sends his friend, Harry the Hack, a cab driver, to get reinforcements from the cops, but Steve plans on rushing in like gangbusters if he has to. The mobster goes into damage control to ditch the truck, and truck driver. It takes pressure of threatening Vicky, and even knocking off his own girlfriend. Where is Steve Wilson? Don’t worry, when he see’s his chance, he steps in to the rescue. He talks a good talk, and is brave in the face of the mobsters gun, but all he can really do is delay until the cops get on the scene. Still, can Steve talk his way clear, and do his thing to disarm the thug? The exciting climax is yet to come, so listen in and see how Steve saves the day. Will he even need the cops? Will the truck driver get off the hook? With Steve to vouch for him, he stands a decent chance.

An installment of the Mystery Playhouse, and introduced by Peter Lorre. A respected plantation owner, Jeff Hammond, is found murdered and now his trusted employee Robert is in the limelight with the cops. Was it self defense? There might be a chance to get off the hook, if only his wife can verify his story. In flashback we learn that Jeff tried to come on to Robert’s wife. In a heated moment to defend herself, gunshots ring out as she empties the pistol into the man. The police inspectors think the story is a little too simple. Can they tear it apart to find a deeper truth to the matter? Clues include a letter that might blow apart the whole alibi and murder motive. Will an emotional appeal help the investigation? What about a bribe? In the meantime before the trial, Leslie is held in jail. Though the prosecution seems certain, Robert still tries to sway witnesses with bribes. What does the letter say? Can it be intercepted? Though she gets off the charges, secrets play a reversal as the truth about an affair are exposed. Turmoil explodes as new tensions arise. Though Leslie is set free, will she remain a prisoner of her own guilt and memories?

Simon dresses up as Santa for a charitable cause, but he needs a little help in filling out hiw suit, and his ho ho ho. A dame, claiming to be Sally, barges in with a gun, but doesn\t have the heart to use it. When more visitors come, Sally flees the scene. Then Mr Hudsondemands the same kind of package as Sally, though its a matter that Simon knos nothing about. Was it Sally’s gunshot from the kitchen that frightened away the insistent Hudson? Checking up on Sally’s workplace, the santa suited Simon finds a wisecracking butler, and missing jewels from the swanky high rise penthouse. Joined by his cabbie friend Louie, Simon chases the trail to another apartment on the low rent side of town, and the body of the missing santa. Putting the squeeze on their man, Simon begins to unravel a tangled mess of a love triangle. Now it\s a matter of following their noses to a killer. Danger awaits before the crime is solved, but will Simon ever make it to the job he originally took on to dress as santa? Bonus Tracks * Keith reviews the show, then a few facts that listeners, and visitors to the site did to make the podcast great this year. * Hungry for Music – Christmas In Jail

Sailing across the Indian Ocean, Holmes has uncovered a mystery onboard the ship. Taking on assumed identities, Holmes and Watson squeeze out the information they were looking for. Crewmen reveal the secret of the highly positioned passenger. Soon, Holmes and Watson are summoned to the presence of royalty. With a cockney, former entertainer, and fortune teller in the company of the high nobleman, a matter of poison, and food tasters emerges. In the five years of her service, there haven’t been any instances of poisoning. Then why is Sherlock pondering the need for antidotes? A cry of alarm goes out, but the dead man is the ships doctor. Sherlock is on the alert for suspicious attacks on the royal passenger. Subtle hints keep him clued in. Will he be able to avert further danger? Justice has its way of ensuring the evildoers get what’s coming to them.

Though always an energetic lad, Sherlock’s older brother Mycroft had always been plump and slow. We find Mycroft dealing with word of a spy, in his characteristic laid back way, and planning to solve this mystery without leaving London. Traverse reports on the happenings of the lady spy at the theater. Following his own trail, Sherlock finds his way to the theater with Watson at his side. The stage magician, the Great Gandolfo, carries out an impressive disappearing trick, complete with a disappearing spy as his assistant. Sherlock thinks he has the trick figured out, and demonstrates to Watson after the fact. At a later show, Holmes and Watson watch the stage activities closely, but somethings wrong. The spy has been murdered. Now the police join the observations of the stage, and a race is on to see whether they’ll solve the case before Holmes does. Given the nature of the trick, a twin sister is in grave danger. Will all the loose ends be tied up, or should the aging Sherlock just return to his beekeeping? Has Mycroft figured out the mystery?