Mysterious Mountains

When a wealthy landowner is murdered, all the evidence points to one of his hired hands—but to Abner, the pieces don't all fit together. Can he expose the true killer in the courtroom?

Joining us this episode, Judge Jim Douglas of West Virginia's Kanawha County 11th Family Court Circuit weighs in on courtrooms, trials, lawyers, judges, and how they're all inextricably linked with American democratic process.

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A rich cattleman's hidden fortune may never be found when he is brutally murdered in his own house. Can Abner and Martin crack the case in an abandoned mansion in the woods?

We talk to Dr. Lynn Linder of West Virginia Wesleyan College about the origins of detective fiction, and why the gothic and detective literary genres go so well together.

This audio production contains the full text of Melville Davisson Post's story, "A Twi...

Abner and his nephew Martin encounter a group of armed vigilantes in the woods. Can Abner prevent them from lynching a pair of innocent men?

Leighann Davidson, chair of the Criminal Justice department at West Virginia State University, joins us to discuss the complex and diverse criminal justice field—and how vigilante "justice" is a little more complicated than what movies and comic books might have us believe.

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Abner visits a musty old manor house deep in the hills, where a family of exiled Scottish nobility prepares to marry their young daughter to someone who might have less than noble intentions. 

Stan Bumgardner, editor of West Virginia’s Goldenseal Magazine, the official state folklife publication, dives into Scots-Irish immigration to West Virginia in the 1700s and 1800s.

This audio production contains the full text of Melville Davi...

Abner suspects foul play in the death of a wicked hunchback’s brother.

Guest Crystal Wimer, director of the Harrison County Historical Society, shares the fascinating interplay of religion and culture in early Harrison County.

This audio production contains the full text of Melville Davisson Post's story, "The Wrong Hand" from the collection Uncle Abner: Master of Mysteries. A copy of the book can be obtained from West Virginia Uni...

 In the first Uncle Abner story ever published, young nephew Martin is alone on a dangerous mission to deliver a huge bundle of cash for his father’s cattle transactions—and someone else might know he has the money.

Dr. Suzanne Bray, professor of British literature and culture at Lille Catholic University in France, talks about how Uncle Abner might be modeled on the Old Testament prophets of the Bible.

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When a disreputable trader is killed in broad daylight at the county fair, it is quickly declared an accident—but Abner knows something more lies beneath.

After the story, distinguished Romani scholar Dr. Ian Hancock, shines a light on “Gypsy” stereotypes in literature and film, and talks about the realities of Romani cultural experience.

This audio production contains the full text of Melville Davisson Post's story, "An Act of Go...

Abner and his nephew Martin are tending to their cattle, when they notice tracks that lead to a bigger mystery.

Council Program Officer Kyle Warmack shares biographical information on the elusive Melville Davisson Post and his most successful literary creation, Uncle Abner.

This audio production contains the full text of Melville Davisson Post's story, "The House of the Dead Man" from the collection Uncle Abner: Master of Mysterie...