Episode Overview

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Ellery Queen's Minute Mysteries 009 "Bathtub Murder"
Date: January 22, 2026

This episode of Ellery Queen's Minute Mysteries takes listeners back to the golden age of radio with a classic short-form mystery. The episode follows detective Ellery Queen as he unravels the suspicious death of Chauncey Miles, found electrocuted in his bathtub. With trademark ingenuity, Ellery Queen quickly pinpoints subtle clues and exposes a cleverly staged crime.

Key Discussion Points & Mystery Breakdown

The Scene of the Crime

• Chauncey Miles, described as "popular and respected," is discovered dead by electrocution in his own bathtub. [00:04]
• The police enlist detective Ellery Queen to assist in the investigation.

The Butler's Account

• The household butler, Brady, claims Miles "must have electrocuted himself when he touched a radio by the bathtub." [00:18]
• Ellery Queen immediately questions this explanation, asking, "Did he always keep a portable radio by the tub?"
• The butler responds, "No... and that's why he's dead. Poor man." [00:24]

Clues & Deduction

• Ellery Queen examines the bathroom and notices "tiny scratches on a pipe near the tub," which he recognizes as highly significant. [00:28]
• Based on this detail, Queen decisively concludes, "I knew I had a murderer. The butler." [00:32]

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Ellery Queen (00:28): "When I found tiny scratches on a pipe near the tub, I knew I had a murderer. The butler."

  • This quote encapsulates the classic 'aha!' moment central to the Minute Mysteries series.

• Ellery Queen's Explanation (00:37):

  • "In the case of the Bathtub Murder, it's not possible to electrocute yourself in a tub with a portable radio. It's merely powered by batteries. The scratches I found on the pipe proved that the butler had wired the tub. Or murdered."
  • This pivotal moment lays out the logical solution and reveals the method of murder.

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:04 – Introduction of the crime and victim
• 00:18 – Butler's statement and the initial suspect's explanation
• 00:28 – Discovery of physical evidence (scratches on the pipe)
• 00:32 – Ellery Queen announces his conclusion
• 00:37 – Final solution and summary

Episode Tone & Style

True to the style of golden age radio, the episode is brisk, straightforward, and tightly focused on logical deduction. Ellery Queen acts with confidence and uses clear, concise language. The mystery’s resolution is rapid and satisfying, maintaining an air of classic detective intrigue and encouraging the audience to "listen again to Ellery Queen's Minute Mysteries."

Summary Conclusion

In this brief but engaging segment, Ellery Queen demonstrates classic detective acumen, using a simple detail—the presence of battery-powered radio and scratches on a pipe—to unravel what initially seems like an accidental death. The butler's guilt is revealed not just through circumstantial evidence but through logical deduction rooted in observation—a hallmark of the Minute Mysteries format. This episode is a quintessential example of fast-paced radio whodunits that continue to entertain with their clever constructions and satisfying resolutions.