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 where money, menace, and family obedience coil tightly together. There is a dying warning that makes no sense, a bed fixed to the floor, and a bell-pull that rings nothing. Night falls; the air grows close; and in the hush between breaths, something answers the dark.

First published in The Strand Magazine, February 1892.

Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was a Scottish physician and writer, creator of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson.

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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, seemingly electrocuted. Chief Detective-Inspector Alleyn arrives to find more than just a tragic accident; he finds a family simmering with resentment, secrets festering beneath a veneer of festive cheer, and a tangled web of motives lurking within the unforgiving walls of their home. The precision of the crime contrasts with the messiness of the people who surrounded the unhappy patriarch. I invite you to listen as we untangle the threads of this domestic drama and unravel the truth behind "Death on the Air".

"Death on the Air" was initially published in 1936. It was subsequently included in the short story collection, Death on the Air and Other Stories, published by HarperCollins Publishers in Great Britain in 1995. The collection also features the Alleyn stories, "I Can Find My Way Out," and "Chapter and Verse: The Little Copplestone Mystery," along with two biographical essays by Marsh, "Roderick Alleyn" and "Portrait of Troy."

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A luxurious weekend at Brighton's Grand Metropolitan Hotel takes a dark turn when Mrs. Opalsen's prized pearl necklace vanishes! Hercule Poirot, enjoying a seaside escape with Hastings, finds his holiday interrupted by a perplexing jewel robbery. Suspicion falls on the staff, but the little Belgian detective suspects a far more intricate plot. Can Poirot unravel the truth amidst a maze of alibis, red herrings, and glittering distractions? Prepare for a classic Christie mystery where observation and deduction are the keys to unlocking a seemingly impossible crime.

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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 his bizarre task, Sherlock Holmes meticulously unravels a plot far more audacious than it seems. What is the motive behind this strange organisation? Join us as we investigate dark motives and cunning schemes in this classic Sherlock Holmes mystery.

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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 us by the accomplished Brendan Sullivan with his classic smooth voice!

I hope you enjoy the story and enjoy Brendan's narration.

Tony

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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 served. Or is it? In the fog-shrouded streets of Victorian London, a shocking story begins to unfold. A scandal, a disappearance, a ghostly visitation... prepare to be drawn into a web of intrigue and deceit, where nothing is as it seems.

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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 can't be crossed. Dive into a world where cops and criminals dance a dangerous tango, and a good deed might get you killed. Tune in.

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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 known for sleepwalking. She has no memory of the crime… but with no other tracks, who else could it have been?

The case seems clear. The evidence is certain. And yet… something is wrong.

This impossible crime is the work of John Dickson Carr, a master of the locked-room mystery and one of the greatest minds of Golden Age detective fiction. An American who lived in England for years, Carr crafted intricate puzzles that defied logic—until his brilliant detectives unravelled them.

Join me for The Footprint in the Sky, a story of silent proof, restless sleep, and a mystery only Colonel March can solve.

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"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 story, set against the backdrop of early 20th-century train travel, presents an engaging enigma wherein the limitations of space and time serve to deepen the intrigue. As suspicions mount and alibis clash, the truth remains elusive, testing the skills of investigators and leaving readers to ponder the intricate planning behind the crime and the complexities of human motivation.

Freeman Wills Crofts, the author behind this tantalising tale, was an Irish engineer turned masterful writer of detective fiction. Born in Dublin in 1879, Crofts initially pursued a career in civil engineering, an occupation that profoundly influenced his literary style. His meticulous attention to detail, logical plotting, and keen understanding of mechanics permeated his narratives, setting him apart as a distinctive voice during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. With a penchant for railway themes and intricate alibis, Crofts masterfully crafted mysteries that challenged both his sleuths and his readers, solidifying his legacy as a significant contributor to the genre.

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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 Bradley, a detective story author, struggles to meet his deadline in his quiet Devon cottage. His work is derailed by the arrival of two unexpected visitors who can't seem to remember his name.

As the interlopers make themselves at home and steadily deplete Bradley's alcohol supply, his patience wears thin. The visitors, oblivious to his growing irritation, continue to interrupt his work, believing writing to be an easy task.

Crispin deftly balances comedy and mounting tension as Bradley searches for a way to rid himself of his unwelcome guests. The story builds to a surprisingly dark conclusion, offering a wry commentary on the challenges of the writing life.

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