Poison with a Past: Nick Carter, Master Detective (March 4, 1945)

“Poison with a Past” is an episode of Nick Carter, Master Detective, the old-time radio show, first broadcast March 4, 1945. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Nick Carter investigates the mysterious death of a man named Shelby, who dies in agony at Professor Travers's apartment during a gathering of Vedanta Society members. The victim shows signs of poisoning, but laboratory analysis of cigarettes and ash found at the scene reveals nothing unusual, leaving Nick to uncover what poison was used and who administered it.

Professor Travers's apartment and Nick Carter's office

Characters: Nick Carter, Patsy, Riley, Professor Alexander Travers, Mary Devine, Dr. Starr, Shelby

Listen for: The mysterious poison that kills Shelby and Nick's investigation into the Vedanta Society members present at the scene

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.