Classic Detective Stories John Anthony Walker

 "Crooked Souls" is an early short story by Dashiell Hammett, the master of hard-boiled detective fiction. First published in 1923 under the title "The Gatewood Caper," this tale introduces us to the unnamed Continental Op as he investigates a seemingly straightforward kidnapping case that quickly unravels into a web of family secrets, deceit, and twisted motives.
Set against the backdrop of a prosperous lumber company and featuring a cast of morally complex characters, "Crooked Souls" showcases Hammett's signature style: gritty realism, sharp dialogue, and a keen eye for the darker side of human nature.
The Narrator
This week's guest narrator is MIchael Rutland. Michael was a professional journalist and photographer for several years, before earning a CELTA and moving to China to teach. He did so for nearly a decade before moving home to Austin, Texas, to earn a master's degree from Harvard and focus on his writing. He has recently registered with ACX for recording audiobooks, and has won several contracts to produce both fiction and non-fiction. He can be reached at oldsoulexplorer@gmail.com.
The Author
Born Samuel Dashiell Hammett in 1894, this American author rose to fame as a pioneer of hard-boiled detective fiction. After leaving school at fourteen and working various jobs, he became a Pinkerton detective, an experience that would deeply inform his writing. Hammett's gritty realism and unflinching portrayal of violence and corruption revolutionized the genre, establishing him as a literary icon. His most famous works include The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man, featuring iconic characters like Sam Spade and Nick and Nora Charles. Despite his success, Hammett's writing career was relatively short, and he spent his later years embroiled in political controversy and facing health issues. However, his legacy as a master of crime fiction remains undisputed.
 
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A Sherlock Holmes mystery. When an eccentric collector named Nathan Garrideb is entangled in a curious challenge involving an alleged inheritance, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are swept into a deceptive whirlwind in early 20th-century London. Nathan is promised a part of a grand estate, but only if he can find others with his rare surname to claim his share. As Holmes delves deeper, the deceit unfolds, leading to perilous implications.
John Garrideb, an American lawyer with a questionable narrative and a mysterious background, pushes Holmes's legendary deductive abilities to their limits. With Watson loyally at his side, Holmes exposes the dark underpinnings of a seemingly innocuous quest. The investigation escalates into a tense standoff that challenges their wit and bravery.
Crafted with Arthur Conan Doyle's masterful touch, "The Adventure of the Three Garridebs" is a quintessential Sherlock Holmes tale brimming with twists and intellectual intrigue. When loyalty becomes a weapon and trust a trap, Holmes and Watson must navigate through visible and hidden dangers. Their journey not only uncovers the depths of deception but also the unshakeable bond that defines their iconic partnership. Join literature's most renowned detective duo in a mystery where the past intertwines with the present, and where friendship proves to be the most profound enigma.
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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 stealing a valuable brooch, prompting Miss Marple to investigate what appears to be a simple misunderstanding. However, the situation with the Skinner sisters, both beset by their own troubles, complicates matters as they replace Gladys with a new maid who is absolutely perfect.
Full of wit and keen observation of human frailties, Miss Marple's inquiry into the matter slowly peels back layers of deception, testing her understanding of justice and human nature. This story, first appearing in the 1940s in publications like *Strand Magazine* and *Chicago Sunday Tribune*, showcases Agatha Christie's skill at crafting engaging mysteries. 
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Dive into the murky depths of Los Angeles in Raymond Chandler's classic noir tale, "Goldfish." Originally penned for *Black Mask* magazine in 1936, this gripping short story introduces a detective as cunning and charismatic as Chandler's legendary Philip Marlowe. Tasked by the enigmatic Kathy Horne—a woman as alluring as she is mysterious—the detective is plunged into a shadowy chase for the legendary Leander pearls, jewels whose allure is matched only by the danger they bring. When a key informant is found dead, the search becomes a perilous maze of deceit and greed. With Chandler's masterful prose and sharp wit, "Goldfish" ensnares you in a world where everyone has a secret and no one can be trusted. Will our detective untangle the web of lies before the truth slips through his fingers like smoke? Step into the seedy underbelly of classic noir and discover why Raymond Chandler remains a titan of the genre.
Guest narrator is Brendan Sullivan. Brendan is an illustrator, artist, and graphic designer from Florida who dabbles in audio storytelling. He’s worked across several industries, from themed attractions to product lines to architecture, and he has a love for using creative color palettes, interesting compositions, and whimsical shapes. He’s admittedly rather fond of oddities and monsters, and will gladly take a detour to study history’s more strange and intriguing paths.
He has a a website where people can see work and get in touch, which is sullivanartco.com.
He is on Instagram as @sullivanartco.
Music is The Black Cat by Aaron Kenny
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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 tale follows the discerning detective Lord Peter Wimsey as he grapples with a puzzling mystery. The echoing footsteps from the room above become a perplexing clue in this riveting narrative, guiding Wimsey along a path fraught with suspense and intrigue. With Sayers' masterful storytelling and keen eye for detail, listeners are in for a captivating journey filled with twists and turns. Experience the thrill of discovery as you join Lord Peter Wimsey on his quest to unravel the secrets hidden within "The Footsteps That Ran."
The story ends and the commentary begins at 38:24
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Agatha Christie, born in 1890 in Torquay, Devon, England, was a pioneering and prolific writer who revolutionized the crime fiction genre. Best known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections featuring iconic characters like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, Christie became one of the most influential authors of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. Her personal life was marked by a mysterious 11-day disappearance in 1926 and two marriages, including a long and happy union with archaeologist Max Mallowan. Appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1971, Christie remains the best-selling fiction writer of all time, with over two billion copies of her books sold worldwide.
Christie's innovative writing style, characterized by clever plots, intricate mysteries, and surprising twists, set her apart from other authors in the genre. She masterfully employed techniques such as the unreliable narrator and sudden plot twists, which challenged readers' assumptions and kept them engaged until the very end. By constantly pushing the boundaries of the genre, Christie established herself as the undisputed Queen of Crime.
John Truby, in his book "The Anatomy of Genres," distinguishes the Detective Genre from the closely related Crime and Gangster Genres. He argues that detective novels focus more on the investigation itself, delving into the criminal's identity and motivations, rather than solely on the punishment of wrongdoing and the maintenance of social order. This emphasis on understanding the "why" behind the crime adds psychological depth to detective stories, as exemplified in Christie's "The Witness for the Prosecution."
Truby also notes that in the Gangster Genre, the criminal is often portrayed as the hero, a departure from traditional roles in detective and crime fiction. While "The Witness for the Prosecution" does not strictly fall into this category, it presents a morally ambiguous situation where readers' sympathies may be divided, highlighting Christie's skill in crafting multifaceted characters and thought-provoking narratives.
"The Witness for the Prosecution" showcases the vulnerabilities of the legal system and explores the ethical quandaries faced by solicitors as they balance their professional obligations with their own moral principles. Christie's manipulation of societal expectations surrounding gender roles in 1920s Britain adds an extra layer of complexity to the story, subverting traditional portrayals of women as passive and submissive in the face of male authority.
Christie's gender role reversal serves as a powerful narrative device, compelling readers to reassess their assumptions about characters and their motivations. Her skillful use of societal expectations adds depth to the story's twists, making them all the more impactful and thought-provoking without relying on conventional tropes.
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