The Mandarin's Fan

On a sultry July evening, two men sit on the terrace of the venerable Royabay mansion, sipping port and smoking cigars amid roses and ancient pines. Major Tidman, a world‑weary soldier of fortune, relaxes while his host, Ainsleigh, shifts restlessly, his mind clearly elsewhere. The house, with its Tudor battlements, ivy‑clad walls and the crumbling abbey stones that built it, provides a picturesque backdrop for a story that soon turns from comfort to curiosity.

When a striking Chinese fan—rumored to carry a secret from a distant empire—appears in their midst, the tranquil gathering gives way to whispered speculation and hidden motives. As old loyalties clash with new ambitions, the characters are drawn into a web of deception that threatens to unravel the very foundations of Royabay. Listeners will be carried through a series of clever puzzles and unexpected encounters, all while the mystery of the fan unfolds with the measured pace of a classic detective tale.