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Explore West Virginia's imaginary landscape through the lens of genre fiction and folklore.
Episodes
Thursday Aug 25, 2022
Thursday Aug 25, 2022
When a once-promising young writer agrees to ghostwrite a famous physicist’s memoir, his livelihood is already in jeopardy: Plagued by debt, he’s grown distant from his wife, and is haunted by an overwhelming sense of dread he describes as “The Mist.” Then, things get worse: The physicist vanishes, leaving everything in limbo, including our narrator’s sanity.
Author and poet William Brewer joins us for an in-person reading and discussion of his new novel, "The Red Arrow," available now from Knopf/Penguin Random House. Recorded live at Taylor Books in Charleston, West Virginia, in August 2022. For more on William Brewer and "The Red Arrow," visit williambrewer.net or the publisher's page here. Join us again soon for the four-part conclusion to Mysterious Mountains' Uncle Abner-themed first season!
This audio recording contains adult language, references to mental health issues, depression, and psychiatric treatment. Listener discretion is advised.
Friday Feb 18, 2022
Friday Feb 18, 2022
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.
This audio production contains the full text of Melville Davisson Post's story, "Naboth's Vineyard," from the collection Uncle Abner: Master of Mysteries. A copy of the book can be obtained from West Virginia University Press.
Friday Sep 17, 2021
Friday Sep 17, 2021
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 Twilight Adventure" from the collection Uncle Abner: Master of Mysteries. A copy of the book can be obtained from West Virginia University Press.
Thursday Aug 05, 2021
Thursday Aug 05, 2021
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.
This audio production contains the full text of Melville Davisson Post's story, "A Twilight Adventure" from the collection Uncle Abner: Master of Mysteries. A copy of the book can be obtained from West Virginia University Press.
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Friday Apr 02, 2021
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 Davisson Post's story, "The Concealed Path" from the collection Uncle Abner: Master of Mysteries. A copy of the book can be obtained from West Virginia University Press.
Friday Mar 05, 2021
Friday Mar 05, 2021
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 University Press.
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Monday Feb 01, 2021
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.
This audio production contains the full text of Melville Davisson Post's story, "The Angel of the Lord" from the collection Uncle Abner: Master of Mysteries. A copy of the book can be obtained from West Virginia University Press.
Sunday Jan 31, 2021
Sunday Jan 31, 2021
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 God" from the collection Uncle Abner: Master of Mysteries. A copy of the book can be obtained from West Virginia University Press.
Sunday Jan 31, 2021
Sunday Jan 31, 2021
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 Mysteries. A copy of the book can be obtained from West Virginia University Press.