Status Updates From Il mistero di lord Listerda...

12. Swan Song ***. A famous opera diva agrees to perform Puccini’s Tosca at a luxurious estate with its own theatre. She requires that the performers all be those of her choosing. Just before the event, the Scarpia singer falls sick. Fortunately, in a nearby estate there is a retired opera singer who was known for his Scarpia performances. First published in The Grand Magazine Issue 259, September 1926.

11. The Rajah’s Emerald ***. James Bond (yes, really!) is on a holiday by the sea. He sneaks into a private beach hut to change into swimming wear. He returns after his swim and puts on one of the pair of pants hanging there. Shortly afterwards he discovers they are not his pants and the pocket contains a famous stolen emerald. First published in the fortnightly Red Magazine, Issue 420 on July 30, 1926.

10. The Golden Ball ***. George Dundas is fired from his job for taking a day off without notice. He meets socialite Mary Montresor and they drive off into the countryside. Stopping to inspect a house, they are invited inside but are then kidnapped. George fights off the kidnappers and a surprise reveal is the result. First published as Playing the Innocent in the Daily Mail on August 5, 1929.

9. Mr. Eastwood’s Adventure ***. An author is stuck with writer’s block when he receives a phone call from a mysterious woman in distress. He goes to the address regardless and meets the woman and tries to humour her. Two policemen arrive and accuse him of murder and take him into custody. First published as The Mystery of the Second Cucumber in issue 233 of The Novel Magazine, Issue 233, August 1924.

8. A Fruitful Sunday ***. A couple set out on a Sunday trip and they read about the theft of a jewel necklace. Stopping to buy a basket of fruit, they discover a very similar necklace at the bottom of the basket. They are mystified but then are stuck in a moral quandary of whether to turn in the necklace to the authorities or seek to profit from the incident. First published in the Daily Mail, August 11, 1929.

7. Jane in Search of a Job ***. Jane Cleveland answers an ad in the Agony Column and takes the position of a body double for a Grand Duchess who is a target for kidnapping. After a bazaar is opened by the Duchess, a jewelry theft occurs and Jane is left behind as the prime suspect. First published in The Grand Magazine, Issue 234 in August 1924.

6. Accident ***. A retired policeman recognizes an acquitted poisoner in the village that he has moved to. He suspects that yet another poisoning is imminent and takes steps to prevent it. A twist ending is the result. First published under the title “The Uncrossed Path” in The Sunday Dispatch, September 22, 1929.

5. The Manhood of Edward Robinson ***. A usually self-effacing young man named Edward Robinson wins a lottery pool and spends the money on a sports car. Suddenly his life becomes an adventure stpry. A simplistic fantasy, but still fun. First published in The Grand Magazine, Issue 238 in December 1924.

4. Sing a Song of Sixpence **. Retired criminal barrister agrees to help discover the murderer of a rich old maiden aunt. An otherwise straightforward story has a present day cringe / creep factor in that the client is a woman that the barrister seduced when she was much younger. First published in Holly Leaves, the annual Christmas special of the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, December 1929.

3. The Girl in the Train ****. Slacker George Rowland sets off on a train journey after being dismissed from his job. When a supposed foreign Grand Duchess asks for his help in avoiding pursuers he is swept up in an adventure. First published in The Grand Magazine, Issue 224 in February 1924.

2. Philomel Cottage ****. Alix Martin has married the well-off Gerald Martin on a whim, abandoning her first real love Dick Windyford. Dick warns her that Gerald seems suspicious and Alix begins to suspect that he is a “Bluebeard” who has murdered previous wives for their life insurance. Adapted for the stage as The Stranger. First published in The Grand Magazine, Issue 237 in November 1924.

1. The Listerdale Mystery ***. The widow St. Vincent and her two children move onto the Listerdale manor for only a nominal rental fee. Lord Listerdale is rumoured to be off in East Africa, but son Rupert St. Vincent suspects something that more sinister is behind the circumstances. Then he discovers why that is the case. First published in The Grand Magazine, Issue 250 in December 1925.