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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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 single photograph holds the power to ruin reputations and topple a throne. At the centre of this intrigue stands the enigmatic Irene Adler, a woman whose wit and resolve may rival Holmes's own. As the great detective delves into the case, he finds himself drawn into a world of high-stakes deception and unexpected twists. With time running out and the fate of a kingdom hanging in the balance, Holmes must navigate a labyrinth of clues and misdirections. Will his legendary skills be enough to unravel this most delicate of puzzles?

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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 the heart. As the music fades and the champagne goes flat, another body is discovered - the beautiful Coco Courtenay, victim of a fatal overdose. Enter Hercule Poirot, summoned to unravel a mystery where nothing is as it seems. With each tick of the clock, the Belgian detective peels away layers of deception, exposing the dark truths hidden behind jovial facades. In a world where Harlequin and Pierrot play deadly games, can Poirot unmask the killer before the final curtain falls?

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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 night, a hidden pursuit beckons—more than just a collision on a lonely road. When an old acquaintance in uniform appears, revealing the chase for the assailant is well underway, Temple feels the familiar pull of intrigue. His mind sharpens, and an investigation begins. A tale of clues, deception, and the obscured paths of truth unfolds, inviting you to wander deeper into the enigma alongside Temple. Join as pieces of the mystery align, and see if you, too, can unravel the threads within this puzzling escapade.

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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 more, reigniting old tensions and stirring memories of a case that haunts Rumpole deeply. Truscott, now at the twilight of his career, seeks Rumpole’s company for lunch, exuding an unsettling confidence that reveals layers of complexity beneath his authoritative exterior.

With a veneer of geniality, he shares personal reflections, yet his past decisions loom large in the conversation, creating a charged atmosphere rife with unspoken truths. As Rumpole navigates this peculiar reunion, the themes of justice, guilt, and the burden of choice take centre stage.

It is one of the otherwise unpublished stories but David McKinley has collected these and produced a pdf which you can get here https://www.davidmckinlay.com/rumpole/uncollected.html

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Go here for a library of ad-free stories, a monthly members only story and early access to the regular stories I put out. 

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Many hundreds of hours of stories. Who needs Audible?

Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work

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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 mystery, Lady Molly Robertson-Kirk steps forward. With her keen eye for fashion and uncanny ability to see what others miss, she delves into a world where appearances deceive and class tensions simmer. But even Lady Molly may find herself outmatched as she pursues a killer who wields fashion as deftly as any weapon. Will her vaunted intuition be enough to unmask the murderer, or will the woman in the big hat elude justice? Join us for a tale of intrigue, where every sip of tea may be laced with danger, and every polite conversation might conceal a deadly secret.

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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 brilliant mind, senses a deeper mystery lurking beneath the surface. As he delves into the case, Holmes uncovers a web of long-buried secrets and hidden motives that challenge everything Scotland Yard believes. With each step, the great detective draws closer to a truth that will test not only his deductive skills but also his understanding of justice itself. Watch as Holmes navigates through a maze of misleading clues and conflicting testimonies, proving once again why he is London's most celebrated consulting detective. Join us for "The Boscombe Valley Mystery," a tale that showcases Holmes at his most perceptive and morally complex.

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