May 24, 2024

“Homicide at Heavensgate” by Sentinel Studios

“Homicide at Heavensgate” by Sentinel Studios

When a mysterious guest is found dead during the grand opening of a new lunar resort, two detectives are sent to investigate. What they find is a rich assortment of potential suspects, and the emergence of a mystery that goes deeper than they imagined. Former cop turned private detective Bianca Buchannan gets an unexpected phone call, takes a new case, and finds all is not well in the gates of heaven. Homicide at Heavensgate stars Marta da Silva as Bianca Buchanan, Lofty Fulton as Cole Duncan, and features the voice talent of David Ault — June Yoon — Joanna Tope — Antonio King — Sasha Masakowski — Ethan Carlson — Andy Harvey — Daniel Cross — Hesham Elshazly — A. G. Willoughby — Joseph Narducci — Nato Jacobson — Joseph Narducci — Laura Richcreek —…

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April 12, 2024

“Throwing Shade” by Eclectic Full Contact Theater

“Throwing Shade” by Eclectic Full Contact Theater

Chicago, 1934 In a city rife with crime and corruption, a hero emerges. The Shade, who rushes in where fools fear to tread…with predictable results. Luckily for Chicago, there’s the Vamp, female crimefighter replete with all the skill and talent the Shade lacks. Can the Shade save Chicago from crime? Can the Vamp save The Shade from himself? Eclectic Full Contact Theatre presents Throwing Shade, the 1930’s radio satire you’ve been dying for. Uploading every Wednesday on all your favorite podcast sites! Throwing Shade—the hero this city….never really asked for… Mayor Crane’s Secretary, Misty LeBlanc, has been abducted. Can the Shade and the Vamp rescue her? The Shade and the Vamp tangle with the Tallys. Can they prevail? Professor Edison Tesla discovers a new fuel source. What could go wrong? The Shade and the Vamp…

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February 9, 2024

Steve Schleicher: A Remembrance

Steve Schleicher: A Remembrance

One of the saddest things about someone you know dying is thinking about all the “coulda shoulda” things you wish you had said and which now must remain unspoken, unshared. This is sad when you’ve only spoken with this person on the phone, yet always really liked him. This is especially sad when the person dies unexpectedly, as did FC’s Audio Arts actor Steve Schleicher.  All we’re left with is the memories of the relationship we had with the person who has passed. In the case of those creative people —artists, short story and novel writers, poets who have graced our pages at The Fictional Café—we come to realize we only get to know certain aspects of them. Indeed, often it is a rich aspect, but that loss only means we carry a heavier one….

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June 23, 2023

“The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio”

“The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio”

Are you ready for a mystery? Get ready to unleash your inner sleuth. Every day Monday-Saturday, Host Adam Graham will feature a different detective audio drama from the Golden Age of Radio. Our current mystery-solving line-up of radio detectives includes Sam Spade, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar, Dangerous Assignment, Philo Vance, and Tales of the Texas Rangers. Whether you’re wanting to listen to a mystery before going to sleep or enjoy some drama while driving, or just feel nostalgia for old-school radio fiction, we have you covered with six audio dramas every week. First up, “The Man Called X: Operation Cabal” Ken goes to a country in the southern hemisphere to prevent a revolution. Original Air Date: May 27, 1952 Next up, “Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Cut Bono Matter” Johnny continues his investigation into the…

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February 10, 2023

“The Man Who Was Thursday” by G.K. Chesterton

“The Man Who Was Thursday” by G.K. Chesterton

“The Man Who Was Thursday” is a 1906 detective thriller masterpiece by G.K. Chesterton is brought to life in this fully dramatized radio play adaptation. Poet Gabriel Syme goes undercover in the nightmare world of terrorist anarchists set to destroy humanity. He must infiltrate and dismantle the dreadful Council of Days led by the all-powerful President Sunday. Gabriel Syme confronts anarchist Lucien Gregory giving a speech. After an argument, Gregory tempts Gabriel to join him in an underground meeting of anarchists and the election to select a new Thursday on the council of Days. Our detective goes undercover as Thursday in the anarchist Council of Days. He is introduced to their leader, the powerful and frightening President Sunday. Barely escaping the council meeting unscathed, Gabriel is followed through the streets of London by a decrepit…

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January 27, 2023

“Oz 9” by Shannon Perry

“Oz 9” by Shannon Perry

Welcome back Fictional Cafe Listeners, up next we have “Oz 9” by Shannon Perry. On an otherwise unexceptional Tuesday in 2042, Gated Galaxies fired off 400 of its Oz 8000™ ships, each with 50,000 “resting guests” tucked into stasis pods, plus a skeleton crew of up to half-a-dozen total no-hopers. It was a win-win for G2, as they’re known, as the Oz 8000 model was about to be declared “unfit for journeying to the nearest 7-Eleven, much less interstellar space” and recalled. G2 had a very large fleet of the 8000s, and a slight head start on the recall, as they’d paid off the head inspector to delay her report by promising the ships would be stripped and sold for parts. Instead, the ships were spit-shined, outfitted with some black market YugoPods™, and space aboard quietly…

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January 13, 2023

“Crogan’s Adventures” by Chris Schweizer

“Crogan’s Adventures” by Chris Schweizer

Happy 2023 Fictional Cafe Listeners! In honor of the New Year, I thought we’d start the year with a bang. “Crogan’s Adventures” by Chris Schweizer. From the pages of the award-winning graphic novel series comes Chris Schweizer’s The Crogan Adventures! Join us as we follow a line of heroes, villains, grifters and rogues – one extraordinary family’s journey through history! This episode, gunfighter Pyjama Ben Crogan has stared down death and danger with a quick draw and a fine moustache… but he has never faced an opponent quite like The Heart of Mabel Cottonshot! Starring Christopher MottAndrea LyonsGregg Taylor Amidst the spoils of battle, privateer Catfoot Crogan discovers something that will thrust him and his crew headfirst into the clutches of his most dangerous adversary! StarringScott Moyle as Catfoot CroganGregg Taylor as Admiral MonteroChristopher Mott as Tom DanderSloane Woodside as TheresaKevin Robinson as CarlosAndrea…

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December 23, 2022

“A Holiday Visit” and “Christmas Holiday”

“A Holiday Visit” and “Christmas Holiday”

In celebration of the holidays, (and because I’m a sucker for a good story in front of a crackling fire), here are two vintage classics: “A Holiday Visit” and “Christmas Holiday,” performed by Chesterton Radio. There is a reason why the Golden Age of Radio is still the epitome of storytelling. There was a time when storytelling was a family event, when everyone would gather around the radio to hear the newest audio adventure, the sweet ending to a romantic tale. In times of hardship, radio brought a brief reprieve, in times of joy, additional cheer. So in honor of those long-gone days, please enjoy a few vintages voices from the past. A couple is in an accident on their way to visit her parents for Christmas. As they travel on foot through the snow…

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October 28, 2022

Wilhelm Presents: Frightening Tales

Wilhelm Presents: Frightening Tales

Welcome back to the second installment of our spooky October Audio Adventures! Here for your enjoyment are Frightening Tales! Welcome brave listeners to my collection of frightening tales, scary stories and ghostly yarns. Each season runs from May till the finale on All Hallows Eve. I‘ll post a new story for my listeners each Friday till then. So, make yourself comfortable and settle in for a spooky time, if you’re brave enough. Humanity has often defiantly mimicked things that were dangerous, who would have thought that unofficially something as innocent as hide and seek started more malevolently? Learning the in’s and outs of the family business can often dig up the ghosts of our family history revealing the true sacrifices a family does for one another. In this tale a man is faced with the…

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July 22, 2022

“Poirot Investigates”by Sleep Cove

“Poirot Investigates”by Sleep Cove

Good Evening, Fictional Cafe Listeners, In an effort to find stories to help me fall asleep, I ran into “Poirot Investigates” by Sleep Cove. I have always been a huge fan of Agatha Christie, while the soothing music and voice of the narrator, Christopher Fitton, is very helpful for slipping into the arms of Morpheus. (Not the guy from The Matrix, the god of Sleep.) Warning: Please make sure you are comfortably seated or lying down before you listen! First Up, is Poirot and the Adventure of the Flat. Hastings is at a friend’s house with several other people when the talk turns to flats and houses. Mrs Robinson tells the party how she and her husband have managed to obtain a flat in Knightsbridge for a very attractive price. Poirot is interested and decides to investigate. …

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