The Continuation of The Adventures of Sigegard Ainsworth, a pastiche of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. An excerpt: “Our journey was slowed considerably by the thaws and storms of June. New grasses covered over many sinkholes in that vast, abandoned land, but by the grace of Sofia, we completed the trek in only a number […]

John David Duke Jr » Podcast

The Icon of St. Sofia, Chapter 5

The Continuation of The Adventures of Sigegard Ainsworth, a pastiche of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Chapter Four: In which the thief is revealed as a friend of Tsar Ivan, and the ruby reveals its power to heal. An Excerpt “With my eyes, I swear it,” said Fyodor. “Andrey Shemyaka appeared in the marketplace, and […]

The Icon of St. Sofia, Chapter 4

An excerpt: When it was reported to Simon that Ivan had set a watch, he nodded, but his ministers witnessed a twitch in his eyebrow, that they rose a bit in evidence of some minor alarm. He called for Pyotr, the chief minister, the man overseeing the guard. “Pyotr, my son,” Simon said, “The tsar […]

The Icon of St. Sofia, Chapter 3

The Continuation of The Adventures of Sigegard Ainsworth, a pastiche of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Chapter Two: In which Ivan argues with Simon concerning the provenance of the ruby, but despite his protestation, his wife Sofia dies and the pendant asserts its power. An Excerpt: The ministers saw that Ivan’s eyes now burned red, […]

The Icon of St. Sofia, Chapter 2

The Continuation of The Adventures of Sigegard Ainsworth, a pastiche of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Chapter One: In which Ivan the Great gives his wife a gift to acknowledge her sanctity and, more importantly, her power. An excerpt: With those words, he presented her with the pendant, opened, cradled in both his hands, not […]

The Icon of St. Sophia, Chapter 1

A mystery serial presented as a contemporary homage to Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Chapter Ten: In which we make our narrow escape from our prospective murderers. An excerpt: “Do you have your pistol, my dear John?” he asked, looking at me. I patted my right pocket. “Good man,” he said. I objected. “It is […]

Sigegard Ainsworth, Chapter 10

A mystery serial presented as a contemporary homage to Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Chapter Nine: In which we reason our way through our shock, finding truth in fiction, and also finding a sinister self-evident truth about the murderers of Mrs. Ciminelli. An excerpt: “Liars and thieves,” Sige said. “And now murderers. That world is […]

Sigegard Ainsworth, Chapter 9

A mystery serial presented as a contemporary homage to Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Chapter Eight: In which I inadvertently discover Sige’s conscience after Mrs. Ciminelli dies. An excerpt: “What are you talking about?” I said. “Your client is dead! I mean, now what?” “The doctor has also already vaporized.” “Vaporized?” I said. “How do […]

Sigegard Ainsworth, Chapter 8

A mystery serial presented as a contemporary homage to Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Chapter Seven: In which I encounter Johnny Law and we thereby learn that Sige has a formal relationship with state law enforcement. An excerpt: In a lovely baritone, and full of the plenipotentiary authority of the law itself, he intoned a […]

Sigegard Ainsworth, Chapter 7

A mystery serial presented as an homage to Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Chapter Five in which I commit myself to becoming Sige’s amanuensis and sidekick and we discover a shared loathing of craft beers. An excerpt: “By all means, eat,” he said. “It’s just that…” I hesitated. “It’s just that I’ve been eating a […]

Sigegard Ainsworth, Chapter 5

A mystery serial presented as an homage to Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Chapter Four: In which Sige relates the details of the case involving a late-middle aged woman who is more clever than her antagonists, and is even clever enough to know she needs the help of a singular private detective. An Excerpt: “I […]

Sigegard Ainsworth, Chapter 4

A mystery serial presented as an homage to Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Chapter Three: In which my friend explains to me how he took up his vocation and tells me his name. An Excerpt “So,” I said. “A private detective, but not a Seamus. Are you in the line of Sherlock Holmes?[1]” “Pff,” Sige […]

Sigegard Ainsworth, Chapter 3

A mystery serial presented as an homage to Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Chapter Two: In which we make the acquaintance of my friend Sige, who has taken up the vocation of private detective in the morose corner of the world known as Western New York. Excerpt I said. “Your hosts have good taste in […]

Sigegard Ainsworth, Chapter 2

A mystery serial presented as an homage to Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Chapter One: In which we meet my singular friend Sige who lives not too far from me, as I met him while introducing myself door-to-door. Excerpt: In my mind, it seems incumbent—I’m at a loss for any other way to express it—what […]

The Adventures of Sigegard Ainsworth, Chapter 1

An Excerpt: Sherri hung up the phone. “John Cyril is coming here!” “You don’t say…” said Tom. “Do you need to go home to change into your poodle skirt?” Sherri gave Tom another dirty look. “You’re just jealous he went to college and became a doctor.” “Shucks,” said Tom, “anybody can go to college. It […]

Grayson’s

John David Duke Jr presents his short stories and novels in audio format. Visit johndaviddukejr.wordpress.com for more.

hubhopper

John David Duke Jr » Podcast

hubhopper