Curated by Costiuc

Nikita Costiuc
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Curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories, one story posted on the first Friday of every month. costiuc.substack.com

Episodes

  1. MAY 1

    The German in the Ditch

    Click here to see Arya resting on our new carpet. Click here to see Daria and me at the Polish festival. Story: The Lost Innocence of Ernesto Guillén Author: Tom Larsen Genre: Police Procedural Summary: Living in the United States (and other Western countries), we have a clear picture of what justice looks like. But today’s story takes place in rural Ecuador, where justice is a lot less official. A young detective investigates the murder of a foreign cyclist, and the whole town seems to know more than it’ll say. The rookie loses something of his own before the case is over. Time Stamps 0:00 - Opening 0:11- Introduction 1:14- Story 32:08 - Personal Updates Curated by Costiuc is a monthly podcast featuring curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories. “The Lost Innocence of Ernesto Guillén” is copyrighted © 2025 by Tom Larsen and is shared here with the author’s permission. Learn more about Tom Larsen here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit costiuc.substack.com

    33 min

  2. APR 3

    The Psychologist's Error

    Click here to see how Arya packed her toys. Click here to read Nikita's story "A Yellow Speck" (about a ten-minute read.) Story: Creativity Author: John M. Floyd Genre: Psychological Suspense Summary: You know the kind of people who act like they’re concerned when they're really after juicy details? That’s the person we meet in today’s story: a woman who asks too many questions and suffers the consequences. Where You’ll Find Nikita I’m getting settled in Phoenix, so there are no public events to share just yet. Time Stamps 0:00 - Opening 0:08- Introduction 1:10- Story 8:22 - Personal Updates Curated by Costiuc is a monthly podcast featuring curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories. “Creativity” is copyrighted © 2000 by John M. Floyd and is shared here with the author’s permission. Learn more about John M. Floyd at www.johnmfloyd.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit costiuc.substack.com

    10 min

  3. MAR 6

    Wintering with Liars

    Click here to see how Arya prioritizes a work-life balance. Story: Ice Sailor Author: Laird Long Genre: Historical Mystery Summary: Some people don’t keep secrets, they trade them. In today’s story, a crewman is found dead, and Henry Hudson has to figure out who’s actually on his side as his ship sits trapped in ice. Where You’ll Find Nikita 📝 “Drop In and Write” Writing Group Giving feedback, sharing my own work, and participating in great conversations Every Thursday, 5·30–7·00 PM Free admission 🍽️ Feast Kitchen – Volunteering Helping immigrant chefs serve delicious food • Wednesday, March 11th, 4·00–8·00 PM Menu items range from $15–$25 Time Stamps 0:00 - Opening 0:10 - Introduction 1:04 - Story 30:40 - Personal Updates Curated by Costiuc is a monthly podcast featuring curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories. “Ice Sailor” is copyrighted © 2006 by Laird Long and shared here with the author’s permission. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit costiuc.substack.com

    32 min

  4. FEB 6

    Long Way Out

    Click here to see Arya's new coat. Story: The Getaway Author: O. F. Lewis Genre: Psychological Suspense Summary: Sometimes when you try to escape a difficult situation, you end up someplace worse. In today’s story, two prisoners spend months digging a tunnel out of the yard, only to break through into a new kind of bad idea. Where You’ll Find Nikita 📝 “Drop In and Write” Writing Group Giving feedback, sharing my own work, and participating in great conversations Every Thursday, 5·30–7·00 PM Free admission 🍽️ Feast Kitchen – Volunteering Helping immigrant chefs serve delicious food • Saturday, February 7th, 3·30–7·30 PM • Saturday, February 14th, 10·30–2·00 PM Menu items range from $15–$25 Time Stamps 0:00 - Opening 0:10 - Introduction 1:02 - Story 16:43 - Personal Updates Curated by Costiuc is a monthly podcast featuring curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories. The original text of O. F. Lewis’s “The Getaway” is in the public domain. This adaptation, updated for modern readers, is copyrighted © 2026 by Nikita Costiuc. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit costiuc.substack.com

    18 min

  5. JAN 2

    Not Work. Not Murder. Just a $500,000 Problem.

    Click here to see Arya's new blanket. Story: $500,000 Reward Author: Melville Davisson Post Genre: Hardboiled Summary: How often do we get bamboozled by first impressions? More than we’d like. In today’s story, a law enforcement agent meets a homeless person and assumes he’s dealing with a harmless nobody. Then the homeless man opens his mouth and, well, let’s just say the agent learns something. Where You’ll Find Nikita 📝 “Drop In and Write” Writing Group Giving feedback, sharing my own work, and participating in great conversations Every Thursday, 5·30–7·00 PM Free admission 🍽️ Feast Kitchen – Volunteering Helping immigrant chefs serve delicious food • Saturday, January 10th, 3·30–7·30 PM • Saturday, January 31st, 3·30–7·30 PM Menu items range from $15–$25 Time Stamps 0:00 - Opening 0:10 - Introduction 1:07 - Story 22:22 - Personal Updates Curated by Costiuc is a monthly podcast featuring curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories. The original text of Melville Davisson Post’s “Five Thousand Dollar Reward” is in the public domain. This adaptation, updated for modern readers, is copyrighted © 2025 by Nikita Costiuc. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit costiuc.substack.com

    24 min

  6. 12/05/2025

    The Christmas Break-In

    Pupdate Story: My Christmas Burglary Author: Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch Genre: Psychological Suspense Summary: Does anyone actually want to “get what they deserve”? We all hope for more grace than we’ve earned, and we protest when the consequences feel too harsh. In today’s story, a burglar breaks into a collector’s home on Christmas night and gets something he couldn’t have imagined—or felt he deserved. Where You’ll Find Nikita 📝 “Drop In and Write” Writing Group Giving feedback, sharing my own work, and participating in great conversations Every Thursday, 5·30–7·00 PM Free admission 🍽️ Feast Kitchen – Volunteering Helping immigrant chefs serve delicious food • Saturday, December 13th, 3·30–7·30 PM • Saturday, December 20th, 3·30–7·30 PM Menu items range from $15–$25 Time Stamps 0:00 - Opening 0:10 - Introduction 1:10 - Story 20:05 - Personal Updates Curated by Costiuc is a monthly podcast featuring curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories. The original text of Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch’s “My Christmas Burglary” is in the public domain. This adaptation, updated for modern readers, is copyrighted © 2025 by Nikita Costiuc. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit costiuc.substack.com

    22 min

  7. 11/07/2025

    They Call Themselves Americans?

    Pupdate Story: What Do You Mean—Americans? Author: Wilbur Daniel Steele Genre: Literary Suspense Summary: Ever listen to old men grumbling about how the country’s going to hell, kids have no respect, and nothing’s like it used to be? Usually, it’s just confusion: they don’t get the clothes, slang, or music, so they assume the world is ending. But sometimes it’s deeper: a fear of anything unfamiliar. Today’s story starts with two old men complaining about the youth. But by night’s end, it’s clear the kids aren’t ruining the country. They’re as American as anyone. Where You’ll Find Nikita 📝 “Drop In and Write” Writing Group Giving feedback, sharing my own work, and participating in great conversations Every Thursday, 5·30–7·00 PM Free admission 🍽️ Feast Kitchen – Volunteering Helping immigrant chefs serve delicious food • Saturday, November 8th, 3·30–7·30 PM • Saturday, November 22nd, 3·30–7·30 PM Menu items range from $15–$25 🎤 Feast Kitchen Open Mic Reading one of my stories Friday, November 7th, 8·30–9·30 PM Free admission Time Stamps 0:00 - Opening 0:10 - Introduction 1:20 - Story 34:00 - Personal Updates Curated by Costiuc is a monthly podcast featuring curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories. The original text of Wilbur Daniel Steele’s “What Do You Mean—Americans?” is in the public domain. This adaptation, updated for modern readers, is copyrighted © 2025 by Nikita Costiuc. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit costiuc.substack.com

    36 min

  8. 10/22/2025

    The Actress, the Blackmailer, and the Perfect Performance

    Story: A Trap for the Unwary Author: Agatha Christie Genre: Crime Thriller Summary: Ever had someone drag you back to past? That’s Olga Stormer’s problem in one of Agatha Christie’s earliest stories. On stage, Olga is a star. Off stage, a blackmailer tries to make a buck off her past life. But Olga doesn’t blink: she protects herself with the performance of a lifetime. Where You’ll Find Nikita 📝 “Drop In and Write” Writing Group Giving feedback, sharing my own work, and participating in great conversations Every Thursday, 5·30–7·00 PM Free admission 🍽️ Feast Kitchen – Volunteering Helping immigrant chefs serve delicious food • Sunday, October 12th, 11·00–1·30 PM • Saturday, October 18th, 3·30–7·30 PM Menu items range from $15–$25 Time Stamps 0:00 - Opening 0:11 - Introduction 1:15 - Story 16:00 - Personal Updates Curated by Costiuc is a monthly podcast featuring curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories. The original text of Agatha Christie’s “A Trap for the Unwary” is in the public domain. This adaptation, updated for modern readers, is copyrighted © 2025 by Nikita Costiuc. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit costiuc.substack.com

    18 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

Curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories, one story posted on the first Friday of every month. costiuc.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Nikita Costiuc
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Nikita Costiuc
  • Show Website
    Curated by Costiuc