In the beginning of his career, Michael Lanyard alias The Lone Wolf, the most talented thief of his day, made the acquaintance of the beautiful Princess Sofia, but he also made an enemy of her husband, Prince Victor. Years later, Lanyard's daughter gets into the crossfiere...
Red Masquerade is the third book in the Lone Wolf Series. (Summary by Carolin)
31 episodes
Max Carrados is a blind detective who has developed his own remaining senses to a superior level and who has enlisted the superior observations skills of his butler to fill in for any deficiency of his own. His visual deficiency is no obstacle to solving the most difficult cases. As with some better known sleuths, Mr. Carrados' feats amaze, entertain and satisfy. (Summary by Don Jenkins)
8 episodes
Those who have read "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" will recall references to several affairs in which the United States government found the investigator's unusual powers of inestimable service. In such matters, tremendous interests often stand dangerously balanced, and the most delicate touch is required if they are not to be sent toppling. As Ashton-Kirk has said: "When a crisis arises between two of the giant modern nations, with their vast armies, their swift fleets, their dreadful engines of war, the hands which control their affairs must be steady, secret, and sure. Otherwise an unthinkable horror might be brought about." It frequently happens that such a crisis arises, the issue is joined and fought out to the bitter end, and the watchful public press never gets even a hint of it. Indeed, if the secret archives of the nations were thrown open for inspection, a long series of appalling dangers would be shown to have been passed by each—dangers arising from small and apparently remote things, but capable of swift and deadly growth. Experience, steady courage, and sure talent are required in dealing with such things; and these qualities Ashton-Kirk possesses in abundance. To be sure, the departments of the government have the "Secret Service" at their hand; but the specialist is called in when the general practitioner is at a loss, and he is as much a part of the structure as his regularly employed colleague. The adventure of the present story is only one of many to be told of Ashton-Kirk. (Summary by John Thomas McIntyre)
28 episodes
Mr. Lester, a private investigator, and his friend Godfrey are caught up in a strange case that takes them to a large estate in the country where at midnight they witness a mysterious "falling star" that appears to burst into a shower of sparks over two white robed figures standing in the air. There is a young lady in a flowing white dress and many more twists and complications before the mystery is solved. (Summary by Don W. Jenkins)
27 episodes
CLARA VAUGHAN, the young heroine, narrator, and namesake for R. D. Blackmore’s early detective novel, is determined to solve the mystery of her father’s murder—a crime that occurred when she was only 10 years of age. The book gives an account of Clara’s adventures, romances, and encounters with many eccentric characters, when, years later, she devotes herself to unraveling the mystery. As Clara states at the beginning of Chapter II, “How that deed was done, I learned at once, and will tell. By whom and why it was done, I have given my life to learn.” R. D. Blackmore, undoubtedly better known for his later novel LORNA DOONE, published this book anonymously in 1864. (Summary by lubee930)
34 episodes
This is a collection of 14 of William le Queux' best mystery stories. (Summary by Carolin)
19 episodes
A man is found shot dead and the man to whom all evidence points insists he is innocent. (Summary by David Wales)
3 episodes
The second book in the Fantômas series by the prolific authors Marcel Allain and Pierre Souvestre (they published 32 Fantômas novels between 1911 and 1913.) Fantômas broke the mold of the Gentlemen burglars like Raffles and Arsene Lupin. He killed without compunction. His anarchic ruthlessness, especially as portrayed by silent film pioneer Louis Feuillade, made Fantômas the darling of the French avante garde, such as the artist René Magritte and novelist Robert Desnos. (Summary by Alan Winterrowd)
34 episodes
Six stories about Dr. John Silence if you want the shivers to run up your back, this is the right place to be (Summary by Fiddlesticks)
32 episodes
This is a great short chapter mystery book for girls. It is similar to Nancy Drew. Bobs is one of the four sisters whose parents die, leaving them with the responsibility of caring for themselves. They have to work together to be cheerful through the hard time and a long the way have many adventures! Let's start decoding the clues! (Summary by peppersnoodles93)
31 episodes
Arsène Lupin contre Herlock Sholmès » est un recueil de deux histoires paru en 1908, dans lequel Maurice Leblanc introduit le personnage, sorte de Sherlock Holmes un peu moins doué qui représente l’esprit britannique, calculateur, froid, un peu coincé face au caractère français, exubérant, chevaleresque, généreux, expansif, tel qu’exemplifié par Arsène Lupin. Dans le premier épisode, "La dame blonde", Arsène Lupin dérobe un secrétaire contenant un billet de loterie gagnant d’une valeur d’un million de francs. À la fin de cette aventure, le propriétaire et Lupin arrivent à une entente. Plus tard le Baron d'Hautrec est assasiné et un diamant bleu disparait. C'est alors qu'on fait appel à Herlock Sholmès. Les deux adversaires se font de nouveau face à face dans le deuxième épisode, dans lequel une lampe juive qui contient un bijou précieux est dérobée au baron d’Imblevalle (Résumé par Gilles)
16 episodes
Before he went to join the Armed Forces in World War I France, Anthony Trent had a successfull secret 'career' as a master criminal in the USA, never caught by the police (see 'Anthony Trent, Master Criminal'). The war has just ended - but now Anthony Trent seriously fears exposure. While in the trenches, an explosion buried him alive, along with an English soldier. Thinking they would never get out alive, Anthony revealed his identity to the other soldier - just before they were rescued and separated. After recovering from his injuries, all Anthony can think about is finding the English soldier - to thank him for saving his life, but also to know whether the man will betray his big secret. His search is full of adventures, including espionage, blackmail and love. (Summary by Anna Simon)
15 episodes
"The Adventure of the Red-Headed League" is one of the 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It first appeared in The Strand Magazine in August 1891. Conan Doyle ranked "The Red-Headed League" second in his list of his twelve favorite Holmes stories.
In this story, Holmes is presented with a perplexing mystery involving a league set up to aid and benefit men with especially vivid red hair who live in London. Is this a crime? Of course not, but even the brilliant Holmes needs 'three pipefulls' of meditation time to penetrate the nefarious plots hidden beneath this seemingly innocuous fraternal aid society. Listen and enjoy the beautiful way in which only the great Sherlock Holmes deals with the situation. (summary from Wikipedia and the reader)
3 episodes
Sherlock Holmes and Watson are awoken early by a distraught woman desperately seeking their aid. Something is terribly wrong and she fears for her life. Upon hearing her story, Sherlock agrees and springs into action to track down and deal with the sinister Speckled Band who have killed once already. Listen to another exciting adventure of the super sleuth as he uses his powers of observation and deduction to solve this perplexing case. Will he be in time to save the lady's life? Will his powers fail him this time? Listen and find out. (summary by Phil Chenevert )
2 episodes
John Mallathorpe, a wealthy Yorkshire industrialist and land owner dies in an accident, apparently without making a will. His estate goes to his wife and two children and they live the good life for a number of years. However, an old bookseller, whilst clearing some old books passed on from the Mallathorpe estate, finds a copy of Mallathorpe's will inside one of the books, and unfortunately for the family the will bequeaths the whole estate minus a small endowment for the family, to the city authorities. The bookseller takes the will to the local solicitor to seek advice, but unfortunately dies in the solicitor's office. The clerk on duty sees an opportunity to benefit himself from the knowledge of the existence of the will.
This is a gripping detective story, with many twists and turns, based in Edwardian England.
- Summary by Kevin Green
28 episodes
"The Murders in the Rue Morgue" is a story by Edgar Allan Poe published in Graham's Magazine in 1841. It has been recognized as the first detective story; Poe referred to it as one of his "tales of ratiocination".
C. Auguste Dupin is a man in Paris who solves the mystery of the brutal murder of two women. Numerous witnesses heard a suspect, though no one agrees on what language was spoken. At the murder scene, Dupin finds a hair that does not appear to be human.
Writing the first true detective in fiction, Poe's Dupin originated many literary conventions which would be used in future fictional detectives including Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Many later characters, for example, follow Poe's model of the brilliant detective, his personal friend who serves as narrator, and the final revelation being presented before the reasoning that leads up to it. Dupin himself reappears in "The Mystery of Marie Rogêt" and "The Purloined Letter". (summary from Wikipedia)
3 episodes
A man has been shot dead in his house. Ebenezer Gryce is on the case, but he has no leads, no witnesses, no evidence -- until he decides to talk to the neighbors of the victim, a blind doctor and his beautiful wife.. - Summary by Carolin
6 episodes
Believed to have been written by Chicago socialite, Emma Murdock Van Deventer, this detective story set at the World's Fair follows Carl Masters as he is in pursuit of international criminals Greenback Bob and Delbras. Conmen, lost handbags, jewel robberies, an adventuress... not to mention two missing young men and a murder, all come under the detective's eye. ( Lynne Thompson)
35 episodes
Written by Chicago socialite, Emma Murdock Van Deventer, under the nom de plume of Lawrence L. Lynch, this detective story opens with the mysterious disappearance of schoolmaster, Mr. Brierly. The under-teacher and students set about finding him, but when his body is found, the mystery only deepens. Was it murder? What was the motive? He appeared to have no enemies. - Summary by Lynne Thompson
25 episodes
Anna Katharine Green is best known as one of the first women detective writers, and The Sword of Damocles, first published in 1881, does indeed include several mysteries. There is a very brief appearance by her famous detective, Mr Gryce, but at the heart of the book, which is subtitled A Story of New York Life, are a number of very different love stories. (Summary by Mary Bard)
46 episodes
Dartmoor, England, Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts. Der alte Sir Charles Baskerville wird in der Allee vor seinem Landsitz in Dartmoor, wo er spät abends offensichtlich auf jemanden gewartet hat, mit einem von Entsetzen entstellten Gesicht tot aufgefunden. Die Umstände seines Todes erscheinen zunächst mysteriös, zumal am Tatort die Spuren eines ungeheuer großen Hundes gefunden werden. Sollte tatsächlich der dämonische "Hund der Baskervilles" für seinen Tod verantwortlich sein? Dieser treibt sich der Sage nach auf dem nahe gelegenen Moor herum, seit Sir Hugo Baskerville, ein Vorfahr des Sir Charles, vor über 100 Jahren betrunken ein Mädchen zu Tode hetzte, das ihm nicht zu Willen sein wollte, und danach von einem monströsen und geheimnisvollen Hund angefallen und getötet wurde. Dr. Mortimer, Landarzt und alter Freund der Familie, bittet Sherlock Holmes um seine Hilfe bei diesem außergewöhnlichen Fall.
Als dann der Erbe des Familienbesitzes, der in Kanada lebende junge Sir Henry Baskerville, auf dem Landsitz eintrifft, um sein Erbe anzutreten, erhält dieser einen anonymen Brief, der ihn eindringlich vor dem Moor warnt und zur sofortigen Abreise drängt. Wer will verhindern, dass Sir Henry seinen Wohnsitz auf Baskerville Hall nimmt? Was hat es mit dem entflohenen Sträfling auf sich, der sich angeblich im Moor versteckt hält? Und welche Rolle spielen der zwielichtige Naturforscher Stapleton und seine Schwester Beryl, in die sich Sir Henry verliebt? Sherlock Holmes und sein Freund Dr. Watson müssen ihren ganzen detektivischen Scharfsinn aufbieten, um hinter die Geheimnisse dieses rätselhaften Falles zu kommen. (Zusammenfassung von Karlsson)
14 episodes
An early example of the female private detective, Jennette Lee’s Millicent Newberry made her first appearance in The Green Jacket in 1917 and was also featured in two later books, The Mysterious Office in 1922 and Dead Right in 1925. Miss Newberry brings her own unique perspective to her cases, only accepting those where she has a say in what happens to the guilty party. She is rarely without her knitting, using it as a technique to put clients and suspects alike at ease, while also knitting her notes on the case into the pattern! In The Green Jacket, Millie goes undercover to solve a case involving a stolen emerald necklace that, despite the efforts of other detectives, including her former boss, Tom Corbett, has never been recovered. (Summary by J. M. Smallheer)
24 episodes
Guy Newell Boothby (1867 – 1905) was a prolific Australian writer. He moved to London in 1894 and became most well-known for his Dr.Nikola mysteries. This book is the first in a series of five and introduces the good doctor himself. Dr Nikola Is a criminal mastermind with an occult twist and like much fiction of that era this book and the following are more about how others fall under his spell and into his web. Here we have an adventure and love story that sweeps us from Australia, the South Seas, the Middle East and rural Hampshire with our lovestruck hero constantly battling against Dr Nikola and his cohorts. The sense of mystery and the exotic settings are exceptionally well portrayed and give the book a nostalgic appeal for the days of imperialists and hardened empire builders. - Summary by Peter Keeble
16 episodes
When Ken Holt's father, the famous newspaper writer, comes home for a Christmas visit, one of the gifts he brings is an antique iron box. Soon after he arrives a serious of unexplained events occur, including an attempted burglary. A hunch that the iron box is at the center of these occurrences sends Ken Holt and his friend Sandy Allen on an exciting adventure to solve the mystery!
Ken Holt was the central characters in a series of 18 mystery stories for boys written by Sam and Beryl Epstein under the pseudonym Bruce Campbell. (Summary by Maria Therese)
20 episodes
E. W. Hornung was an English author and poet best known for writing the A. J. Raffles series of stories about a gentleman thief in late 19th-century London. Some of Hornung's novels, including The Thousandth Woman, are notable for "portraying women in a rather modern, favorable light", according a critic. In The Thousandth Woman, the title character staunchly stands by the man she loves after he is accused of murder. This novel, published shortly before the outbreak of World War I, is one of Hornung’s final works of fiction. ( Lee Smalley)
15 episodes
The Adventures of the Eleven Cuff-Buttons: Being one of the Exciting Episodes in the Career of the Famous Detective Hemlock Holmes as Recorded by his Friend Dr. Watson is a parody of the Sherlock Holmes stories. "...there in the same old den, at 221-B Baker Street, in the city of London, we were domiciled on that eventful April morning in 1912 that saw us introduced to what turned out to be positively the dog-gonedest, most mixed-up, perplexing, and mysterious case we ever bumped up against in all our long and varied career in Arthur Conan Doyle's dream-pipe. It completely laid over "The Sign of the Four" and "The Study in Scarlet," and had "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" all beaten to a frazzle." That case is hereby related. - Summary by TriciaG & the author
18 episodes
An ancient English country house with a storied and bloody history is the setting for this intriguing mystery. It is the autumn of 1918. The War to End All Wars is still raging in Europe, but in this peaceful setting a bored young wife hosts a party for friends from London, including war workers, servicemen, and a famous explorer and expert on jewels. Hours later she is dead of a gunshot wound, an heirloom pearl necklace is missing, and Scotland Yard is homing in on possibly the wrong suspect. Can the famous private detective Mr. Colwyn bring the murderer to justice? - Summary by Jacquerie
28 episodes
The story of an exciting test of wits between world-class thief Arsène Lupin and master detective Herlock Sholmes. Translated from the French. - Summary by Andy Harrington
8 episodes
Esta es la primera historia del legendario detective Sherlock Holmes y de su amigo, el doctor Watson, un cirujano militar que regresa a Londres luego de su participación en la guerra de Afganistán. Watson y Holmes se mudan al famoso 221B Baker Street, donde Watson se enfrenta a las excentricidades de Holmes y a su mágica habilidad para la deducción. En esta oportunidad Holmes es llamado para resolver un extraño asesinato: una casa desierta, un cadáver sin heridas, una misteriosa frase escrita con sangre en la pared, dos oficiales de Scotland Yard que no tienen pistas... - Summary by Phileas Fogg
15 episodes
This book brings together eleven stories, each a case of intrigue where more is going on than seems at first. - Summary by A. Gramour
28 episodes
The diamonds are gone--vanished! But who could have taken them? And how? With each plot twist author Thomas E. Price (writing as Amos Chiptree) takes the reader (and the diamonds) off in a new direction. ( Tom Penn)
15 episodes
Hunted by the police ... framed for robbery and murder by the Eye, master fiend and vicious ruler of the underworld ... loathed by Barbara Sutton the girl who loves him ... the BLACK HOOD had to face the blazing purgatory of this murder master's guns to win back Barbara's love and clear himself of the framed charges
12 episodes
A collection of 20 short stories of the crime, detective, and thriller variety, sharing a common theme of .... you guessed it, revenge, and often with surprise conclusions. Elements of the style of Alfred Hitchcock may be found among many of the tales. Turn down the lights, let the imagination wander as it will, and perpare to expect the unexpected. (Roger Melin)
20 episodes
The Crimson Circle gang spreads fear by extortion and murder. Its members range from rich, powerful bankers to petty criminals, and none of them know each other. A beautiful young woman named Thalia Drummond appears to be involved in the gang too. But who is the leader of the gang, known only as The Crimson Circle? Chief Inspector Parr is on the case, as well as private detective Derrick Yale. - Summary by Anna Simon
18 episodes
The year 18-- was a momentous one in Great Britain. Not only did the nation receive most of the world's royalty for months on end, but the well-to-do gentleman, Simon Carne spent much of the social season in London. On friendly terms with royalty, sponsored into society by Lord Amberly, formerly viceroy of India, Carne's horse won the Derby and his Yacht the Queen's Cup. But at the same time, a serious of notorious swindles, thefts and other crimes plagued London and the surrounding environs. The mysterious detective Klimo, did a thriving business by attempting to resolve the crimes. Little did Londoners suspect that Klimo and Carne were one and the same, and the notorious activity remained unsolved until a confession was obtained by Lord Amberly, from the man who became known as A Prince of Swindlers. - Summary by Dr.PGould
14 episodes
Once Carolyn Wells began, or re-invented her writing career, 'The Clue' was her initial book which strayed from children's writings into mysteries and detective stories. It is also when we are introduced to her most famous of detectives, Fleming Stone.
On the eve of her wedding day, Madeleine Van Norman, a beautiful young lady who is soon to come into her family fortune is found dead, apparently stabbed with an ominous blood-stained letter opener found nearby. There is nobody within the household who is not considered a suspect by the police, but how could a killer have slipped through the doors of Madeleine’s locked bedroom? It must have been suicide, as a note was found lying on a table near her body. Or was it? An intriguing mystery ensues which hinges on the discovery of a single, all-important clue. - Summary by Roger Melin
24 episodes
A family celebrates Christmas and its flaws are gently exposed by the house guest Mrs. Parry. Giles is engaged to the wealthy Daisy, yet is clearly in love with the governess Anne Denham. Things come to a head when Daisy is murdered. Who would murder her? Perhaps the governess who told her she would kill her and made it clear she wanted to exchange places with her? After all the governess ran away with a mysterious man right after the murder and was not seen again. Or did someone frame the governess? Perhaps it is Mr. Morley, Daisy's guardian, who wanted her money? Or perhaps someone else? After all, Daisy was not popular in the village. Giles, bent on saving the woman he loves, and the detective Mr. Steel go to investigate. This is a detective story in the traditional sense, but it is a host of other things. It is a very strong love story, a story about class and how it influences people's choices, a story about greed, and much more. - Summary by Stav Nisser.
26 episodes
Is it true that people can literally be scared to death ? Is it possible to photograph astral projections ? What happens if you play with a pack of cards which belonged to a dead card-trickster ?
These and more questions are raised and answered in ''The Seen and the Unseen'' (first published in 1900), a collection of twelve short stories of a supernatural and uncanny nature by English author Richard Marsh (1857-1915), famous for such mystery/horror novels as ''The Beetle'' and ''The Goddess: A Demon''.
So if you feel you are ready for some goosebumps before bedtime, snuggle up and have a listen. - Summary by Sonia
28 episodes
A widow has been murdered in the home of a relative on a foggy night in London town when all residents were off on to the theatre, and one to run an errand involving the title bauble. Who done it? Old dark house mystery full of period cliches is pulp fun for the new year. - Summary by Matt Pierard
20 episodes
This is a 1913 collection of ten short detective stories by a not well known writer. Jack Lanagan is a police reporter for a daily newspaper in San Francisco, who has the confidence of the chief of police and access to all sorts of levels of city life. - Summary by David Wales
10 episodes
A bride-to-be vanishes and mystery is born. Before it is solved, its pursuers uncover madness, treachery, and a grave in a cellar. Summary by Jacquerie
15 episodes
"The Hemlock Avenue Mystery" is one of a series of mysteries written by Lily Augusta Long using the pseudonym Roman Doubleday. A lawyer is accused of killing a rival lawyer, both having battled in court on numerous occasions. A newspaper reporter following the case is bent on determining the facts behind the murder. As it happens, there are two women also suspected of participating in the crime, and a third who was apparently utterly unconscious of what had occurred. It's up to the reporter turned detective to unravel the clues, few as they are. - Summary by Roger Melin
24 episodes
La petición de una mujer a Sherlock Holmes para acompañarla a visitar a un hombre, y la muerte del hermano del mismo, lo lleva descubrir, junto al Dr. Watson, el secreto que hay tras un tesoro encontrado en la India. - Summary by Phileas Fogg
15 episodes
Miss Florence Cusack was featured as an amateur detective who assists in solving crimes in five short stories authored by L. T. Meade and Robert Eustace that appeared in Harmsworth/London Magazine.
Mr. Bovey's Unexpected Will, 1899
The Arrest of Capt. Vandeleur, 1899
A Terrible Railway Ride, 1900
The Outside Ledge, 1901
Mrs. Reid's Terror, 1901
This project includes all five stories read from their original sources. - Summary by J. M. Smallheer
5 episodes
A New York corporate lawyer falls eighteen stories from the Black Eagle Building. Suicide, cops say. That Hollings Harland was part of a black organization, cornering the market on copper, and about to be exposed to the world. He had just excused himself from an acrimonious meeting with the wealthy Johnston Barker, perhaps another agent of the organization. Could Harland have defected?
Spunky part-time snoop Molly Morgenthau Babbits thinks something fishy is going on. She's opening her own informal investigation into the facts with the help of a connection on the Black Eagle's staff and suspects the worst: murder most foul! - Summary by Mike Overby
21 episodes
The opening scene takes place in a hospital ward where two patients lie, apparently dying, when a man enters and offers a proposition to one of them. The story then shifts to another town where, years earlier, Polly Earle’s mother died of unknown causes and her father disappeared, leaving Polly, a small child, parentless and penniless. Raised by neighbors, Polly is now a beautiful young woman engaged to be married. A stranger arrives and makes an unsettling request of Polly. Doctor Izard, an intensely private person who had attended her mother, becomes involved. Anna Katherine Green, a prolific and popular mystery writer, was considered to be "The American Agatha Christie". (Lee Smalley)
20 episodes
Detective John Thorndyke never disappoints when solving crime in this collection of Freeman's works. - Summary by A. K. Morton
9 episodes
Vicki Barr is a popular mystery series for girls published by Grosset & Dunlap from 1947 to 1964. This book is volume 12 of The Vicki Barr Air Stewardess Series.
When a shipment of priceless gold doubloons being transported on her flight from New York to Tampa goes missing, Federal Airline's stewardess Vicki Barr is unwittingly dragged into a sinister conspiracy spanning two countries. Vicki faces a determined group of criminals willing to go to any lengths to stop her from discovering their secret. It is up to her to save the Gasperilla Pirate festival, rescue a trapped innocent old man and a young friend she helped in getting the very job that would risk his life and career. With the help of the FBI, Vicki takes on a ruthless gang of villains who have disappeared with the ancient gold and left no trace the police can find. (Summary by amitsharma)
15 episodes
While visiting their friend, Florence, at her home in Mexico, Jo Ann and Peggy noticed a barred window which has no opening into any of the rooms of an ancient adobe house. Curious to find out what it is, the girls tried to investigate but no one seems eager to help them. Undaunted, the girls made plans to get there only to encounter dangers and find a thrilling discovery. - Summary by Mary Escano
17 episodes
Judith Lee is a young woman with an unusual gift, she can read lips at a distance as well as she can hear the person next to her. Her skill leads her into a number of adventures. Written by Richard Marsh (The Beetle, Joss: the Reversion) and published in the Strand Magazine in 1911, Marsh creates a strong independent female detective.
5 episodes
