Step into the shadows with Tony Walker in the captivating podcast, "Classic Detective Stories." From the intricate puzzles of the Golden Age to the gritty streets of the Hardboiled era, this podcast traverses the thrilling landscape of crime fiction. Each week, delve into timeless tales penned by masters like Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, Raymond Chandler, Edgar Allan Poe, and Dashiell Hammett.Starting from Edgar Allan Poe’s groundbreaking "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," the series spans decades up to the 1950s, exploring the rich heritage of detective literature. Alongside a host of guest narrators, and occasional visits from th...
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Sep 29, 2026 · 1:19:38
Miss Violet Hunter has been offered a post as governess at a salary so far above the ordinary. The conditions attached are small, and each on its own might be put down to an…
Sep 22, 2026 · 1:10:47
On a bitter winter morning in London, a respected banker arrives at Baker Street half‑mad with terror. In his keeping was one of the most precious ornaments of the British…
Sep 15, 2026 · 1:05:27
A bride vanishes from her own wedding breakfast. Her clothes are found floating in the Serpentine. A jealous woman is taken away by the police. Every sign points toward something…
Sep 10, 2026 · 1:10:43
A young hydraulic engineer is offered an unusually generous fee for a small, secret piece of work. The commission requires absolute discretion; the journey must be made at night;…
Sep 1, 2026 · 1:21:43
In a reeking opium den on the riverside, Dr Watson is looking for a lost soul when he stumbles on something stranger than any drugged vision: an old man who isn’t what he seems,…
Aug 30, 2026 · 1:14:16
Five dried orange pips, sent through the post with no letter, no explanation, only three initials scrawled beneath them. Twice before, the same type of letter arrived at an…
Aug 11, 2026 · 1:01:50
A woman comes to Baker Street with a hundred pounds a year, a typewriter, and a fiancé who has vanished into thin air as if he had never existed at all. Sherlock Holmes never…
Dec 25, 2025 · 54:26
On Christmas Eve during Prohibition, a burglar named Dancing Dan drinks hot Tom and Jerrys at Good Time Charley's speakeasy with the narrator and the proprietor. Dan has been…
Dec 19, 2025 · 1:08:41
A battered hat. A Christmas goose. A puzzle that begins in jest. On a winter evening in Baker Street, what starts as idle curiosity leads Sherlock Holmes into the heart of…
Dec 11, 2025 · 1:37:21
Read by Brendan Sullivan A man, stuck inside with time on his hands, watches the small theatre of neighbouring lives through a single window. Patterns harden into questions;…
Dec 3, 2025 · 1:12:49
A dangerous prisoner has escaped from Dartmoor, and the police are certain he will return to where he stashed the stolen jewels whose whereabouts remain maddeningly obscure. When…
Nov 27, 2025 · 1:07:14
wo men are out late for dinner in a swanky hotel: one is a detective, the other writes detective stories. They notice three Wall Street tycoons at a nearby table. Before the…
Nov 5, 2025 · 1:04:32
A young woman arrives at Baker Street with a story of barred shutters, a locked room, and a low whistle in the small hours. Holmes and Watson travel to a crumbling country house…
Apr 12, 2025 · 1:33:56
Was it accident, or murder? On a frosty Christmas morning, the household of Septimus Tonks awakens to a grim discovery: their patriarch lies lifeless beside his wireless set,…
Mar 29, 2025 · 1:18:20
Can a hair colour be sinister, Holmes? A London pawnbroker, lured by the absurd Red-Headed League, unwittingly becomes a pawn in a far grander scheme. As Jabez Wilson carries out…
Mar 22, 2025 · 59:09
This story by two American cousins, Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee, writing under the name Ellery Queen, is a classic of Golden Age American detective fiction, narrated for…
Mar 15, 2025 · 50:59
Two men share a room, yet live separate lives. One vanishes with a fortune, the other consoles the abandoned bride. But the evidence stacks up, a man is condemned, justice is…
Mar 8, 2025 · 1:40:34
How far does corruption reach? A single pencil, sharpened to a point, sends a shiver down Marlowe's spine. The message is clear: stay out. But for a man with a code, some lines…
Mar 1, 2025 · 56:43
A woman is found beaten, her home ransacked. Outside, the fresh snow holds only one set of footprints—leading straight to the scene and back again. They belong to a young woman…
Feb 22, 2025 · 1:17:53
"The Mystery of the Sleeping Car Express" plunges readers into an intricate railway puzzle where a seemingly impossible crime unfolds within the confines of a sleeping car. The…
Feb 15, 2025 · 46:33
In "We Know You're Busy Writing, But We Thought You Wouldn't Mind If We Just Dropped in for a Minute", Edmund Crispin crafts a darkly humorous tale of a writer's frustration. Mr…
Feb 8, 2025 · 1:08:50
In the shadowy streets of Victorian London, Sherlock Holmes faces a challenge unlike any other. A monarch's past threatens to shatter the delicate balance of European politics. A…
Jan 25, 2025 · 30:13
A quiet New Year's drive takes an unexpected turn for Paul Temple, when a speeding car nearly tosses him and his wife, Steve, into darkness. Yet, beneath the chill of the winter…
Jan 18, 2025 · 56:46
In "Rumpole and the Hanging Judge," the echoes of an unresolved past reverberate as Horace Rumpole meets Lord Justice Truscott, a formidable hanging judge. Their paths cross once…
Jan 11, 2025 · 1:11:08
In a Regent Street tea room in the heart of Edwardian London, a man lies dead. The only clue: a woman wearing an enormous hat. As Scotland Yard's finest struggle to unravel the…
Jan 4, 2025 · 1:18:49
In the tranquil countryside of Boscombe Valley, a shocking murder shatters the peace, and all evidence points to an obvious suspect. But Sherlock Holmes, with his keen eye and…
Dec 21, 2024 · 41:22
"Tinsel, trinkets, and... treachery? At Sir Septimus Shale's grand country house, where Christmas cheer blankets every nook and cranny, a string of precious pearls has vanished…
Dec 7, 2024 · 43:22
Whose hand strikes the fatal blow? Within the ancient walls of Pentecost College a murder shatters the scholarly peace. Montague Egg, a sharp-eyed wine salesman, steps into a web…
Nov 30, 2024 · 48:45
Would you kill for a glass of port? Join us in The Oxford Way of Death, where the hallowed halls of St. Pothinus’s are alive with more than just dusty books. The Fellows,…
Nov 23, 2024 · 1:02:32
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…
Nov 16, 2024 · 59:58
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…
Nov 9, 2024 · 1:16:35
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…
Nov 2, 2024 · 56:11
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…
Oct 26, 2024 · 1:01:49
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…
Oct 19, 2024 · 2:07:57
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…
Oct 12, 2024 · 1:12:52
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…
Oct 12, 2024 · 1:07:47
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…
Oct 5, 2024 · 1:20:03
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…
Sep 21, 2024 · 1:04:51
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…
Sep 14, 2024 · 1:32:14
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…
Sep 10, 2024 · 5:42:36
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…
Aug 31, 2024 · 1:01:55
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…
Aug 10, 2024 · 52:53
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…
Aug 3, 2024 · 1:05:53
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…
Jul 27, 2024 · 1:07:25
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.…
Jul 20, 2024 · 41:25
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…
Jul 13, 2024 · 58:51
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…
Jul 5, 2024 · 1:16:13
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…
Jun 29, 2024 · 1:26:28
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…
Jun 22, 2024 · 39:01
In "The Nine Mile Walk," a seemingly casual breakfast conversation between a newly elected County Attorney and a sharp-witted English professor takes an unexpected turn. What…
Jun 15, 2024 · 1:17:23
In the shadowed corners of Paris, Inspector Jules Maigret is on the hunt for a merciless gang led by the elusive Stan the Killer. The stakes are high as Maigret and his team…
Jun 8, 2024 · 45:05
"Crooked Souls" is an early short story by Dashiell Hammett, the master of hard-boiled detective fiction. First published in 1923 under the title "The Gatewood Caper," this tale…
Jun 1, 2024 · 55:38
A Sherlock Holmes mystery. When an eccentric collector named Nathan Garrideb is entangled in a curious challenge involving an alleged inheritance, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson…
May 18, 2024 · 1:42:25
Dive into the murky depths of Los Angeles in Raymond Chandler's classic noir tale, "Goldfish." Originally penned for *Black Mask* magazine in 1936, this gripping short story…
May 11, 2024 · 52:03
Step into the intriguing world of Dorothy L. Sayers' "The Footsteps That Ran." Set within the confines of 24 Great James Street, London, this gripping tale follows the discerning…
Apr 27, 2024 · 45:18
Ellery Queen is a pseudonym created in 1928 by the American detective fiction writers Frederic Dannay and Manfred Bennington Lee. It is also the name of their main fictional…
Apr 13, 2024 · 41:45
Guest Narrator: Michael Rutland, Austin, Tx. James M. Cain (1892-1977) was an American novelist, journalist, and screenwriter best known for his hardboiled crime fiction. Born in…
Apr 6, 2024 · 1:14:48
R. Austin Freeman (1862-1943) was a British writer best known for his detective fiction featuring the medico-legal forensic investigator Dr. Thorndyke. Born in London, Freeman…
Mar 30, 2024 · 37:45
Guest Narrator: Matthew Jones My name is Matthew Jones, I used to have a channel 'MJam from London' which sadly got taken down. Ah, well... I've risen from the ashes with the…
Mar 23, 2024 · 57:46
Sir Basil Thomson (1861–1939) was a British colonial administrator and prison governor, born in Oxford. He hailed from an esteemed background, with his father, William Thomson,…
Mar 16, 2024 · 1:06:23
Eric Ambler (1909-1998) was a distinguished English writer renowned for his gripping spy and thriller novels. Born on June 28, 1909, in London, England, Ambler hailed from a…
Mar 9, 2024 · 49:18
"The Story of the Spaniards, Hammersmith," published in 1898, marked the debut of Flaxman Low, the pioneering psychic detective of fiction. This story, written by the joint…
Mar 2, 2024 · 46:26
Joyce Porter was a British mystery author known for her witty and engaging crime novels. Born on February 17, 1924, in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England, Porter's literary career…
Feb 24, 2024 · 1:06:38
Stuart Palmer (1905–1968) was an accomplished American mystery novelist and screenwriter, best known for his creation of the beloved character Hildegarde Withers. Born on June…
Feb 17, 2024 · 55:09
Guest narrator is Brendan Sullivan Brendan is an illustrator, artist, and graphic designer from Florida who dabbles in audio storytelling. He’s worked across several industries,…
Feb 10, 2024 · 1:20:39
Guest narrator: Caspar Stockhuyzen. Caspar says: Casper Stokhuyzen (pronunciation at your discretion) and link to the audio drama I am currently starring in (Leaving Corvat).…
Jan 27, 2024 · 45:36
"With a fierce exclamation and a French gesture..." I'm very curious about both the exclamation and the gesture. This classic detective story was narrated by Ben Brinicombe, this…
Jan 20, 2024 · 50:04
Narrated by Jeff Ronan http://www.jeffronan.com/ Catch him on Instagram at @jeff.ronan "Night Shots" - Hammett's Noir Intricacy: In Dashiell Hammett's story "Night Shots," the…
Jan 13, 2024 · 1:37:18
Edgar Allan Poe's "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" is a captivating and seminal work that holds a significant place in the history of detective fiction and particularly the locked…
Jan 6, 2024 · 51:31
Narrated by Richard S. Rose. Richard S. Rose can also be heard, among other places, as the voice of Jarno in “Visionaries”, and the voice of Mac in “Mac (and Bonnie's)”…
Dec 30, 2023 · 46:47
Frank Gruber was a prolific American author born on February 2, 1904, and he passed away on December 9, 1969. Best known for his contributions to the detective and Western…
Dec 24, 2023 · 53:00
Georges Joseph Christian Simenon, born on 12/13 February 1903 in Liège, Belgium, and passing away on 4 September 1989, was a prolific Belgian writer renowned for creating the…
Dec 16, 2023 · 29:15
Sir Andrew Caldecott (1884-1951), a distinguished British civil servant born in Boxley, Kent, ventured into the realm of fiction following his retirement from the colonial…
Dec 9, 2023 · 46:08
"Secrets in the Snow" is one of many mystery stories written by J. Jefferson Farjeon (1883-1955), this one first appearing in the collection "Best Stories of the Underworld"…
Dec 2, 2023 · 29:29
Jacques Heath Futrelle, born on April 9, 1875, in Pike County, Georgia, was a distinguished American journalist and mystery writer whose legacy became synonymous with the Golden…
Nov 26, 2023 · 43:31
"The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire" is one of twelve Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and collected in "The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes" between 1921…
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