We come tonight to the conclusion of our Christmas Tale for Our Time: Mystery in White by Jefferson Farjeon.
No doubt about it, but reactions to Mr Farjeon's "Christmas crime story" run the gamut. On the one hand, Leo, an Ontario Steyn Clubber and globetrotting Mark Steyn Cruiser:
We have treated this TFOT as appointment listening every evening. So many twists and turns. Maltby doing his best Sherlock and Miss Marple imitations. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole presentation by our favorite voice thespian. Thanks, Mark. There is still the loose end of Mr. Smith, so I hope we see that done up in a bow, perhaps as the hand of providence
Thanks, Mark, and merry Christmas to you and yours.
On the other, Vance, an Ohioan Steyn Clubber, despaired after last night's episode:
Mark, I'm sorry. I loved the first twenty episodes of this, but it's really turned into a ridiculous s**tshow. Oh well, you're still tops. YOU didn't write it after all.
As far as you know, Vance. But maybe that'll be the surprise ending revealed tonight. Our final episode begins with the English plods trying to work out an official version of what's happened:
"Well, boy, this is the ruddiest Christmas morning I've ever spent!" exclaimed the inspector, shoving his notebook aside. "Four murders in a dozen hours! I reckon I've earned my bit of turkey."
"Three murders, begging your pardon," replied the sergeant. "If I hadn't sent him over the edge he'd have knifed me."
"Well, we won't hang you for yours," grinned the inspector. "Just the same, I wish we'd got our man alive—he deserved the rope, if ever any one did!"
Members of The Mark Steyn Club can hear me read the conclusion of Mystery in White simply by clicking here and logging-in. Earlier episodes can be found here.
Just in case you incline Vancewards on Mr Farjeon, a word on our other Tales: some like the ripping yarns for boys, some the more genteel social comedy for girls, and some of you even enjoy our ventures into summer whimsy from yours truly. But of the tales in totality all seem to be in favour.
If you've yet to hear any of our Tales, you can enjoy seven-and-a-half years' worth of audio adventures - by Conan Doyle, Kafka, Conrad, Gogol, Dickens, Baroness Orczy, P G Wodehouse, Jane Austen, George Orwell, Robert Louis Stevenson and more - by joining The Mark Steyn Club. For details on membership, see here - and, if you're seeking the perfect gift for a fan of classic fiction, don't forget our Steyn Club Gift Membership. Sign up that special someone today - and they'll be all set on Christmas morning!
See you tomorrow for another seasonal (and far too topical) Tale for Our Time - and also for another edition of our Serenade Radio Song of the Week.