Tonight, for our monthly Snoozecast+ Deluxe bonus episode, we’ll read the opening of “The Girl from Scotland Yard”, written by Edgar Wallace and published in 1932. To listen to this full episode and unlock access to our catalog ad-free, go to snoozecast.com/plus. Plus is spelled P-L-U-S.

Edgar Wallace, one of the most prolific crime and thriller writers of the early 20th century, was known for fast-paced plots and sharply drawn characters. His work often blended the intrigue of international conspiracies with the immediacy of street-level crime, creating a style that would help shape the modern detective novel.

In our story, Lady Raytham receives an unexpected visit from Miss Leslie Maughan—an unusually young and poised detective from Scotland Yard—who arrives with questions about a large, recent withdrawal from the lady’s bank account. This meeting sets in motion a chain of encounters involving Peter Dawlish, a man freshly released from prison, and a shadowy web of danger that seems to close in from every side.

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Tonight, we’ll read the second half of “The Story of the Herons,” from a collection titled Moonshine and Clover written by Laurence Housman and published in 1922. The first half aired last week.

In the previous episode, a princess was placed under a peculiar curse—destined to fall in love at first sight with whatever creature she saw. To protect her, her parents kept her hidden from the world, allowing only carefully supervised walks in the forest while wearing a blindfold. But a spiteful fairy intervened, and when the blindfold was removed, the princess’s eyes fell upon a solitary heron fishing in a stream. Overcome by enchantment, she loved him instantly.

Moved by their daughter’s longing, the king and queen consented to have her transformed into a heron so she could be with her chosen mate. A kindly fairy offered a small hope: if the heron could love her with the depth and devotion of a human heart, they could both regain human form. But as the story left off, news arrived that the princess had laid two eggs in her nest—an event that may bring the tale to a very different ending than anyone expected.

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Tonight, we’ll read the first half to “The Story of the Herons,” from a collection titled Moonshine and Clover written by Laurence Housman and published in 1922. The second half will air in our next episode.

In addition to his fiction and poetry, Housman was a committed activist, championing both women’s suffrage and the acceptance of gay people in society. His work often blended lyrical language with a touch of moral allegory, reflecting his interest in social progress.

Herons, the birds at the center of tonight’s tale, are found on every continent except Antarctica. They are long-legged, long-necked, long-billed freshwater and coastal birds, and include egrets—distinguished mainly by their characteristic white plumage. While they bear a passing resemblance to storks and cranes, herons are easily recognized in flight by the way they tuck their necks back in an elegant S-curve rather than extending them straight out.

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Tonight, we’ll read the next chapter of “Good Wives” written by Louisa May Alcott titled “My Lord and Lady”. This is also known as the second half of the “Little Women” novel and is considered the 45th chapter as part of that work as a whole.

In our last chapter, Laurie visits the March home with Amy, and the newlyweds share lighthearted banter with Jo and Mrs. March. Laurie reveals his plans to work seriously in business to please his grandfather, while Amy speaks of creating a warm home before stepping into society. Later, at home, they discuss Jo’s possible marriage to Professor Bhaer, with Laurie assuring Amy he would be happy for them. The couple then talk warmly about their shared desire to use their wealth to discreetly help those in need, particularly struggling artists, ambitious young women, and “poor gentlefolk” who cannot ask for aid. They pledge to make generosity a joyful part of their life together, seeing it as a way to strengthen their own marriage while brightening the lives of others.

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Tonight, we’ll read  “Pop Corn Recipes” by Mary Hamilton Talbott, published in 1916. 

Corn was domesticated about 10,000 years ago, in what is now Mexico. Archaeologists discovered that people have known about popcorn for thousands of years. Fossil evidence from Peru suggests that corn was popped as early as 4,700 BC.

Through the 19th century, popping of the kernels was achieved by hand, on stove tops.

During the Great Depression, popcorn was fairly inexpensive at 5–10 cents a bag and became popular. Thus, while other businesses failed, the popcorn business thrived and became a source of income for many struggling farmers, including the Redenbacher family. The snack was popular at theaters, much to the initial displeasure of many of the theater owners, who thought it distracted from the films. Their minds eventually changed, however, and Popcorn became more profitable than theater tickets.

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Tonight, we’ll read the opening fairy tale from The Descent of the Sun: A Cycle of Birth published in 1903. This book was purportedly translated from unidentified Sanskrit manuscripts by F. W. Bain. More likely, the stories were only inspired by ancient Hindu myths.

Bain, a British academic and translator, presented his works as delicate artifacts from the East, complete with ornate introductions describing his supposed discoveries. At the time, readers were fascinated by such “found” works, and many took them at face value, seeing them as glimpses into an exoticized vision of Indian literature. Only later did scholars conclude that Bain had likely authored the stories himself, drawing loosely on Hindu philosophy and mythological themes.

Whether authentic translation or original invention, The Descent of the Sun blends the cadence of classical myth with the romantic imagination of turn-of-the-century fantasy. The tales explore creation and rebirth, the intertwining of fate and desire, and the enduring victory of love over hardship—framed in the lyrical, almost musical prose that Bain favored.

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Tonight, we shall read the next part to “Persuasion”, the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen, and published in 1817. The story concerns Anne Elliot, an Englishwoman whose family moves in order to lower their expenses, by renting their home to an Admiral and his wife. 

In the last episode, Anne navigates Bath’s tightly woven social circuits—frequenting parties and strolling the streets—she continues to hope for a meaningful conversation with Wentworth, while contending with Lady Russell’s lingering disapproval and Mr. Elliot’s calculated charm. When a concert presents itself as a likely opportunity, Anne sets aside a visit to her friend Mrs. Smith in hopes of finally seeing Wentworth again—and possibly learning the truth of his feelings once and for all.

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Tonight, we’ll read from Elements of Arithmetic, written by Augustus De Morgan and first published in 1846.

De Morgan was a pioneering British mathematician and logician, remembered not only for his clear explanations but also for his sharp wit. He introduced the world to what we now call De Morgan’s Laws in logic, and was the first to formally define and use the term “mathematical induction.” Because he was a Unitarian and refused to subscribe to the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Anglican Church, he was denied a fellowship at Oxford and Cambridge. This principled stance however did not hinder his influence: he went on to become the first professor of mathematics at the newly founded University College London. His legacy is honored not only in mathematics but on the Moon itself, where a crater bears his name.

Elements of Arithmetic was one of his most widely read works, offering both beginners and more advanced students a foundation in the science of numbers. Arithmetic — the study of numbers, their properties, and their relationships — forms the bedrock of mathematics, bridging the practical art of calculation with the deeper theories that underpin algebra and number theory.

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Tonight, we’ll read about selecting wood from “Violin Making” written by Walter H. Mayson and published in 1909.

The modern violin first appeared in 16th-century Italy, evolving from earlier bowed string instruments like the medieval rebec and Renaissance viol. Over time, it became both a tool of virtuosity and an object of cultural symbolism, equally at home in a grand concert hall or a lively village square. While the word “fiddle” is often used interchangeably with “violin,” its music spans a surprisingly wide range—from Western classical to folk, country, jazz, and even many non-Western traditions.

For centuries, violinists and collectors have prized instruments made by legendary families such as Amati, Guarneri, and Stradivari. These instruments inspire almost mythic reverence for their tone and craftsmanship, with qualities that have resisted precise scientific explanation. While modern luthiers continue to challenge the old masters, a Stradivari remains a benchmark of beauty and rarity—one selling for £9.8 million (about $15.9 million US) in 2011 still holds the record.

Walter H. Mayson, the author of tonight’s text, was an English violin maker who entered the craft relatively late in life, beginning at the age of 39. His book, published after his death, distills a lifetime’s devotion to the art, offering practical instruction and insights into the materials and methods behind the making of fine violins. In this excerpt, he turns his attention to one of the most crucial stages of the process—choosing the wood itself.

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Tonight, we’ll continue the 1928 children's book by A. A. Milne “The House at Pooh Corner” with the second-to-last chapter, titled “In Which Eeyore Finds the Wolery and Owl Moves Into It.”

In the last episode, Pooh and Piglet set out on a blustery autumn day to visit friends, deciding they would wish everyone a “Very Happy Thursday.” After stopping at several homes, they fought through the strong wind to Owl’s house. While they were visiting, the wind toppled Owl’s tree, sending the house tilting sideways and blocking the door.

Pooh, Piglet, and Owl found themselves trapped inside. Owl dismissed Pooh’s first ideas for escape, but eventually Pooh suggested a plan: tie a string to Piglet, hoist him up to Owl’s ceiling letter-box, and have him squeeze through to get outside for help. Though nervous, Piglet bravely agreed. With Pooh and Owl pulling, Piglet was lifted up, squeezed out through the letter-box, and escaped.

Once outside, Piglet called back that Owl’s tree had fallen and he would fetch Christopher Robin to help clear the doorway and bring a rope for Pooh. Piglet ran off on his errand, leaving Pooh and Owl to wait—while Owl resumed telling a long story about his Uncle Robert. Piglet’s quick action and courage had saved the day, making him the hero of the moment.

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