Classic Detective Stories
Episodes
Dancing Dan's Christmas by Damon Runyon
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle by Arthur Conan Doyle
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Ho...
Rear WIndow by Cornell Woolrich
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Read by Brendan Sullivan A man, stuck inside with time on his hands, watches the small theatre of neighbouring lives through a single window. Pattern...
The Inoffensive Captain by E C Bentley
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A dangerous prisoner has escaped from Dartmoor, and the police are certain he will return—drawn back by a stolen jewel whose whereabouts remain madd...
The Mystery of the Child's Toy by Leslie Charteris
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 n...
The Adventure of the Speckled Band by Arthur Conan Doyle
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Death on the Air by Ngaio Marsh
12 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Was it accident, or murder? On a frosty Christmas morning, the household of Septimus Tonks awakens to a grim discovery: their patriarch lies lifeless ...
The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan by Agatha Christie
05 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A luxurious weekend at Brighton's Grand Metropolitan Hotel takes a dark turn when Mrs. Opalsen's prized pearl necklace vanishes! Hercule Poirot, enjoy...
The Red-Headed League by Arthur Conan Doyle
29 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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....
Abraham Lincoln's Clue by Ellery Queen
22 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 detec...
Cheating the Gallows by Israel Zwangill
15 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Wrong Pigeon by Raymond Chandler
08 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 m...
The Footprint in the Sky by John Dickson Carr (1940)
01 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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. ...
The Mystery of the Sleeping-Car Express by Freeman Wills Crofts
22 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"The Mystery of the Sleeping Car Express" plunges readers into an intricate railway puzzle where a seemingly impossible crime unfolds within the confi...
We Know You're Busy Writing... by Edmund Crispin
15 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Scandal in Bohemia by Arthur Conan Doyle
08 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the shadowy streets of Victorian London, Sherlock Holmes faces a challenge unlike any other. A monarch's past threatens to shatter the delicate bal...
The Affair at the Victory Ball by Agatha Christie
01 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At a glittering Victory Ball, where revelers don the masks of the Commedia dell'arte, gaiety turns to horror as Lord Cronshaw is found stabbed through...
Light Fingers by Francis Durbridge
25 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, bene...
Rumpole and The Hanging Judge by John Mortimer
18 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In "Rumpole and the Hanging Judge," the echoes of an unresolved past reverberate as Horace Rumpole meets Lord Justice Truscott, a formidable hanging j...
The Woman In The Big Hat (1910) by Baroness Orczy
11 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 fine...
The Boscombe Valley Mystery by Arthur Conan Doyle
04 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the tranquil countryside of Boscombe Valley, a shocking murder shatters the peace, and all evidence points to an obvious suspect. But Sherlock Holm...
The Necklace of Pearls by Dorothy L Sayers
21 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Tinsel, trinkets, and... treachery? At Sir Septimus Shale's grand country house, where Christmas cheer blankets every nook and cranny, a string of pr...
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie
14 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What sinister secret lies in the Christmas pudding? The perfect setting for an old-fashioned English Christmas - a cosy manor, falling snow, and famil...
Murder at Pentecost by Dorothy L Sayers
07 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whose hand strikes the fatal blow? Within the ancient walls of Pentecost College a murder shatters the scholarly peace. Montague Egg, a sharp-eyed win...
The Oxford Way of Death by Robert Barnard
30 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 du...
A Dangerous Thing by H R F Keating
23 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Killing of Michael Finnegan
16 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is patriotism worth the cost? In the volatile landscape of 1980s Britain, this question haunts every counter-terrorism operative. Michael Gilbert's ...
Hunted Down by Charles Dickens
09 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can perfect manners mask a murderer? In Victorian London, Charles Dickens crafted a tale of calculated evil lurking behind a respectable smile. A gent...
A Trap to Catch a Cracksman by E. W. Hornung
02 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the glittering world of Edwardian London, where wealth flaunts itself shamelessly, a brash American boxer throws down an irresistible gauntlet. Bar...
The Case of the Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe
26 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Mystery at Number Seven by Mrs Henry Wood
19 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Final Problem by Arthur Conan Doyle
12 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you to Gavin Critchley for sponsoring this episode. In the shadowy streets of Victorian London, Sherlock Holmes faces his greatest challenge ye...
Murder! by Arnold Bennett - 1927
12 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Arnold Bennett's "Murder!" is a thought-provoking subversion of the classic detective story. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Britain, t...
The Adventure of the Three Students by Arthur Conan Doyle
05 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a quiet university town, Sherlock Holmes confronts a crime that threatens to destroy more than just academic reputations. As he investigates the th...
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie Chapters 23-27
28 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 of Roger Ackroyd Chapters 19-22
21 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The. Murder or Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. The penultimate episode! Things are hotting up and you can almost guess whodunnit. Only Poirot knows!...
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Chap 14-18)
14 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 we...
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie Chapters 11-13
07 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 cour...
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd Chapters 8-10
31 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 i...
The Murder or Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie - Chapters 5-7
24 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 (Chapt...
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (Chapters 1-4)
17 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"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 ...
The Monkey Murder by Stuart Palmer
10 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
The Mysterious Visitor by R. Austin Freeman
03 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Step into the world of razor-sharp deduction and ingenious crime-solving with the brilliant detective Thorndyke and his trusty companion Jardine. In t...
The House in Gobiin Wood by Carter Dickson
27 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to my narration of 'The House in Goblin Wood' by Carter Dickson (John Dickson Carr), where engaging characters and enigmatic disappearances un...
Three Is A Lucky Number by Margery Allingham
20 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Eye of Apollo by G. K Chesteron
13 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Adventurous Exploit of the Cave of Ali Baba by Dorothy L. Sayers
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Candidate for a Coffin by T W Ford
29 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
The Nine Mile Walk by Harry Kemelman
22 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In "The Nine Mile Walk," a seemingly casual breakfast conversation between a newly elected County Attorney and a sharp-witted English professor takes ...
Stan The Killer by Georges Simenon
15 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Crooked Souls by Dashiell Hammett
08 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Crooked Souls" is an early short story by Dashiell Hammett, the master of hard-boiled detective fiction. First published in 1923 under the title "T...
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs by Arthur Conan Doyle
01 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A Sherlock Holmes mystery. When an eccentric collector named Nathan Garrideb is entangled in a curious challenge involving an alleged inheritance, She...
The Case Of The Perfect Maid by Agatha Christie
25 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the serene village of St. Mary Mead, Miss Marple is presented with a curious case of domestic disturbance. Her maid's cousin, Gladys, is accused of...
Goldfish by Raymond Chandler
18 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dive into the murky depths of Los Angeles in Raymond Chandler's classic noir tale, "Goldfish." Originally penned for *Black Mask* magazine in 1936, th...
The Footsteps That Ran by Dorothy L. Sayers
11 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie
04 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Agatha Christie, born in 1890 in Torquay, Devon, England, was a pioneering and prolific writer who revolutionized the crime fiction genre. Best known ...
The Adventure of the Emperor's Dice by Ellery Queen
27 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Sing a Song of Sixpence by Agatha Christie
20 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Agatha Christie (1890-1976) was an English crime novelist, short story writer, and playwright. She is best known for her 66 detective novels and 14 sh...
Dead Man by James M. Cain
13 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Guest Narrator: Michael Rutland, Austin, Tx. James M. Cain (1892-1977) was an American novelist, journalist, and screenwriter best known for his hardb...
The Magic Casket by R. Austin Freeman
06 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
R. Austin Freeman (1862-1943) was a British writer best known for his detective fiction featuring the medico-legal forensic investigator Dr. Thorndyke...
Beware of The Trains by Edmund Crispin
30 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 rise...
The Hanover Court Murder by Sir Basil Thomson
23 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Basil Thomson (1861–1939) was a British colonial administrator and prison governor, born in Oxford. He hailed from an esteemed background, with ...
Belgrade 1926 by Eric Ambler
16 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Eric Ambler (1909-1998) was a distinguished English writer renowned for his gripping spy and thriller novels. Born on June 28, 1909, in London, Englan...
The Story of The Spaniards, Hammersmith by E and H Heron
09 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"The Story of the Spaniards, Hammersmith," published in 1898, marked the debut of Flaxman Low, the pioneering psychic detective of fiction. This story...
Sweating It Out With Dover by Joyce Porter
02 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joyce Porter was a British mystery author known for her witty and engaging crime novels. Born on February 17, 1924, in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, Englan...
The Riddle of the Yellow Canary by Stuart Palmer
24 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stuart Palmer (1905–1968) was an accomplished American mystery novelist and screenwriter, best known for his creation of the beloved character Hilde...
I'll Be Waiting by Raymond Chandler
17 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Guest narrator is Brendan Sullivan Brendan is an illustrator, artist, and graphic designer from Florida who dabbles in audio storytelling. He’s work...
The False Burton Combs by Caroll John Daly
10 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Guest narrator: Caspar Stockhuyzen. Caspar says: Casper Stokhuyzen (pronunciation at your discretion) and link to the audio drama I am currently starr...
The Invisible Man by G. K. Chesterton
27 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"With a fierce exclamation and a French gesture..." I'm very curious about both the exclamation and the gesture. This classic detective story was narr...
Night Shots by Dashiell Hammett
20 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Murders in The Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe
13 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Who Killed Bob Teal? by Dashiell Hammett
06 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 i...
Ask Me Another by Frank Gruber
30 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Little Restaurant Near Place Des Ternes by Georges Simenon
24 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Christmas Re-Union by Andrew Caldecott
16 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Andrew Caldecott (1884-1951), a distinguished British civil servant born in Boxley, Kent, ventured into the realm of fiction following his retirem...
Secrets in The Snow by J. Jefferson Farjeon
09 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"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 Sto...
The Stolen Rubens by Jacques Futrelle
02 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jacques Heath Futrelle, born on April 9, 1875, in Pike County, Georgia, was a distinguished American journalist and mystery writer whose legacy became...
The Blue Geranium by Agatha Christie
26 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, born on September 15, 1890, in Torquay, Devon, England, was a highly acclaimed British author known for her prolif...
The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire by Arthur Conan Doyle
26 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"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 Sh...