Death on the Air by Ngaio Marsh

From Classic Detective Stories by John Anthony Walker

April 12, 2025 · 1h 34m

About this episode

The episode explores the mysterious death of Septimus Tonks, raising questions of accident versus murder amidst family tensions.

Was it accident, or murder? On a frosty Christmas morning, the household of Septimus Tonks awakens to a grim discovery: their patriarch lies lifeless beside his wireless set, seemingly electrocuted. Chief Detective-Inspector Alleyn arrives to find more than just a tragic accident; he finds a family simmering with resentment, secrets festering beneath a veneer of festive cheer, and a tangled web of motives lurking within the unforgiving walls of their home. The precision of the crime contrasts with the messiness of the people who surrounded the unhappy patriarch. I invite you to listen as we untangle the threads of this domestic drama and unravel the truth behind "Death on the Air". "Death on the Air" was initially published in 1936. It was subsequently included in the short story collection, Death on the Air and Other Stories, published by HarperCollins Publishers in Great Britain in 1995. The collection also features the Alleyn stories, "I Can Find My Way Out," and "Chapter and Verse: The Little Copplestone Mystery," along with two biographical essays by Marsh, "Roderick Alleyn" and "Portrait of Troy." ⭐ Join my Patreon ⭐ https://patreon.com/barcud Go here for a library of…

People in this episode

Host: John Anthony Walker

Topics covered

murder mystery
detective fiction
family drama
secrets
Christmas

Keywords

murder
detective
Christmas
Ngaio Marsh
family secrets
electrocution
crime

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: HarperCollins Publishers

Books & works: Death on the Air, Death on the Air and Other Stories