Podcast Summary: Sherlock Holmes – "Accidental Murderess" (Rathbone & Bruce)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Episode: Sherlock Holmes: Accidental Murderess (11/26/1945)
Date: January 9, 2026

Main Theme/Purpose

This episode centers on "The Accidental Murderess," a Sherlock Holmes mystery set in the English countryside. Dr. Watson recounts a seemingly innocent holiday that escalates into a web of suspicion, accidental shootings, potential marital murder, and dramatic revelations. The story showcases Holmes’ ingenuity as he and Watson unravel a complex case involving secrets, jealousy, and a long trail of suspicious deaths, with the tone mixing suspense, wit, and Golden Age radio drama banter.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Idyllic Beginnings and a Sudden Crime Attempt

• Holmes and Watson vacation in Stratford-on-Avon after a strenuous case (02:30). Holmes muses on retiring (03:46), and shares Shakespearean verse (04:26).
• The peaceful walk is shattered when Holmes is shot (05:18). The Markhams, a husband and wife, claim it was a rabbit hunting accident (06:10).
• Holmes is superficially wounded, faints (or pretends to – later revealed), and all go to the hospital (07:15-07:49).

2. Holmes’ Suspicion and Mrs. Markham’s Hidden Past

• In private, Holmes reveals to Watson his collapse was faked (08:00), as he recognized Mrs. Markham as the notorious Mrs. Dangerfield, once acquitted of poisoning her husband (08:18-08:32).
• Holmes suspects the shot was no accident; Mrs. Markham has a shadowy history including another suspicious ‘accident’ (09:13).

3. Undercover Investigations: Lunch and Tensions

• Holmes tasks Watson with shadowing the Markhams while he remains "out of action" in hospital (09:36).
• At the Markhams’ home, Watson meets Dennis Romney, an actor, and observes tensions: Alice (Mrs. Markham) flirts with Dennis, Geoffrey (her husband) is suspicious and irritable (09:44-13:17).
• Geoffrey shows Watson his butterfly collection and is defensive when Watson mentions arsenic, revealing he uses cyanide for butterflies (13:37-15:03).

4. Marital Discord and Suspicions of Murder

• Geoffrey overhears his wife and Romney speaking intimately, making dark hints about his wife’s intentions (15:24-15:42).
• Watson believes Alice is plotting to kill Geoffrey, possibly using the dilapidated balcony railing (16:18-16:34).

5. Clue: The Two Bullets

• Holmes reveals he was struck by a different bullet than the one found in the tree, suggesting two rifles were fired (17:10-17:30): "Therefore two bullets were fired." (17:27, Holmes)

6. Escalation: A Near-Accident on the River

• During a boating trip, Geoffrey falls into the river at the deepest, reed-thick point (18:31-19:16). He accuses Alice and Dennis of trying to kill him.
• The Markhams' insurance policies on each other are revealed (20:12-20:33), deepening suspicion.

7. The Dramatic Denouement

• Holmes appears at the Markham home, despite supposed convalescence, confronting Alice about her identity (21:00-22:24).
• Geoffrey and Alice go upstairs; Holmes, Watson, and Dennis watch from below as Geoffrey appears to try to push Alice through the weak banister (24:12).
• Holmes reveals he repaired the banister earlier, thwarting the planned "accident" (24:32).
• Holmes accuses Geoffrey of previous murders (uncle and first husband of Alice) using butterfly poison as a cover (24:51-25:15).

8. Final Revelation and Justice

• Holmes explains the two gunshots: Alice's was deflected; Geoffrey simultaneously tried to shoot Holmes (25:41).
• Geoffrey confesses to trying to hide his wife’s supposed crimes but is revealed as the actual killer. Holmes refers to the “slow but sure” British justice – Geoffrey will face the gallows (26:12).

9. Epilogue

• Watson reveals Geoffrey was indeed hanged and that Mrs. Markham married Dennis Romney. Light banter about acting ensues and Dr. Watson critiques the host's Shakespeare recitation (27:02).

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Holmes, on the English countryside:
  “The beauty of this place, old fellow. I’m perfectly certain I’d be happy in retirement here.” (03:50)

• Holmes reciting Shakespeare:
  “Sweet are the uses of adversity, which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head…” (04:26)

• On the accident:
  “I can’t imagine someone mistaking me for a rabbit, Watson.” (05:46, Holmes)

• Key investigation insight:
  "In that case I can stop behaving as if I were at death’s door… I recognized this Mrs. Markham and I think she recognized me." (08:02, Holmes)

• Holmes, on the Markhams' history:
  "Prior to her husband’s death there was an episode in which her uncle was killed in a shooting accident..." (09:07, Holmes)

• Dramatic revelation:
  "Therefore two bullets were fired." (17:27, Holmes)

• Alice, expressing guilt:
  "Yes, but I might so easily have killed him." (10:39, Alice Markham)

• Geoffrey, hinting at marital discord:
  "Sometimes I wonder if my wife wouldn’t like me out of the way." (15:42, Geoffrey Markham)

• Holmes, directly confronting Alice:
  "I know that you were once Mrs. Dangerfield, and you know that I know it. Why keep up the pretense any longer?" (22:24, Holmes)

• Holmes, revealing the true villain:
  "It was he [Geoffrey] who accidentally gave your first husband an overdose of arsenic...It was he who tried to send you to your death by pushing you through those railings." (25:08, Holmes)

• Holmes, on justice:
  "British justice may be slow, as indeed it was in the Dangerfield case, but in the long run it is sure. You’ll find that out, Mr. Markham, on the gallows." (26:12, Holmes)

• Watson, on the story’s aftermath:
  "Mr. Markham finally ended on the gallows…Mrs. Markham and Dennis Romney were married." (26:38, Dr. Watson)

Noteworthy Characters

• Sherlock Holmes: Cool under fire, master of deduction, uses showmanship (faking collapse) for investigative advantage.
• Dr. Watson: Loyal, slightly bumbling observer, acts as Holmes’ proxy investigator.
• Alice Markham/Mrs. Dangerfield: Femme fatale, wrongly suspected, object of jealousy and victim of her husband’s plot.
• Geoffrey Markham: The real murderer, obsessed with control and prone to violence beneath polite veneer.
• Dennis Romney: Aspiring actor, Alice’s confidant and eventual romantic partner.
• Key Minor: Various humorous side remarks and “bickering” over acting skill and Shakespeare.

Timeline of Important Segments

• 03:46: Holmes expresses desire to retire in the countryside.
• 05:18: Holmes is shot; Markhams claim accident.
• 08:00: Holmes reveals to Watson he faked fainting—suspects Mrs. Markham.
• 09:44–13:17: Watson observes household dynamics and hints at deeper secrets.
• 17:10–17:30: Holmes presents the two-bullet clue.
• 18:31–19:16: Near-drowning incident with Geoffrey in the river.
• 20:12–20:33: Life insurance policies revealed.
• 21:00–22:24: Holmes reveals he knows Alice’s past.
• 24:12–24:32: The "banister accident" is foiled; Holmes surprises all.
• 25:08–25:15: Holmes exposes Geoffrey as the culprit.
• 26:12: Holmes predicts British justice for Geoffrey.

Overall Tone and Style

• Classic radio drama: Rich with period detail, literary references, and heightened dialogue.
• Character-driven: Focuses on relationships, suspicions, and reversals of fortune.
• Dialogues are witty: Frequent friendly banter (especially Holmes and Watson), some comic relief.
• Atmosphere: A mix of cozy English countryside serenity and underlying menace.

Conclusion

“The Accidental Murderess” delivers a quintessential Sherlock Holmes mystery — a blend of country charm and dark secrets, with a strong buildup of suspense, a web of red herrings, and a dramatic climax. The episode’s clever misdirection keeps listeners guessing until Holmes reveals the surprisingly twisted truth — that the prime suspect was actually the intended victim, and her manipulative husband was the true villain all along.

The episode is a fine showcase of period radio drama, Holmesian deduction, and satisfying plot twists, wrapped up with vintage charm and panache.