John Davies

The Reward of Delay Podcast

History EN ↓ 53 episodes

The Reward of Delay by John Davies. Historical detective fiction set in 1789 serialised in short episodes. Ambition thwarted, reputation wrecked, marriage in tatters. Down at heel thief-taker Samuel Kinsman is dying for a fresh start. Be careful what you wish for. The mutilated body of respected local lawyer Thomas Newton is found in Lichfield’s ancient cathedral. Samuel Kinsman’s strong-minded wife Susannah urges him to improve his fortunes by investigating the crime, not least because she is pregnant. Kinsman tries to uphold his principles of detection, but he doesn’t bargain for gun-runners...

Author

John Davies

Episodes

The Reward of Delay Chapter 62 23.05.2026 4:58

Samuel Kinsman completes the deposition for High Constable Rigby and makes his own demands. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 61 16.05.2026 10:08

Thieftaker Samuel Kinman finally meets up with Potts in The King’s Head and questions him about his involvement with Monique Vesqeau. Kinsman discovers a new strand in his investigation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 60 09.05.2026 9:32

Samuel meets up with his Watchman, Dudley Netherford and his Researcher, Frank Barber to discuss their investigation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 59 02.05.2026 5:01

Unable to sleep, Frank walks the cathedral grounds at night, prey to Major Morgan’s stories about Lichfield’s pagan past – and his own nightmares and fancies. Then he hears two men in discussion, in French. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 58 25.04.2026 6:19

The children find a dead dog at Swan Moggs and come home to Susannah bedraggled and muddy. Samuel meets up with Dudley to plan his visit to Birmingham. On his return home Susannah tells him about the children’s discovery and he goes to investigate. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.c...

The Reward of Delay Chapter 57 13.04.2026 8:48

Susannah discovers the shortage in her housekeeping money and confronts her husband. Tristram Brougham encourages the other children to see his discovery by a stream. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 56 21.03.2026 9:25

Samuel discusses his research with Dudley, Susannah is observed, and Frank visits Anna Seward. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 55 14.03.2026 12:57

Frank visits Major Morgan This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 54 07.03.2026 5:19

A piece of burnt wood and a message from Rigby This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 53 02.03.2026 6:39

Thief-taker Samuel Kinsman and Deakin, thge locksmith, gain access to Jeb Brougham’s premises. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 52 21.02.2026 3:46

Frank Barber returns home to find his daughter in tears after she has witnessed an appalling scene when out walking with her young brother. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 51 14.02.2026 5:13

Samuel Kinsman meets the locksmith John Deakin to access the premises of the Midland Carrier Company. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 50 07.02.2026 3:30

An unexpected meeting after Monique Vesqueau’s interment. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 49 31.01.2026 6:03

Samuel visits Frank to make a payment and attends the burial of Monique Vesqueau This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 48 24.01.2026 4:50

Samuel, Frank and Dudley wait in the churchyard and make an unexpected discovery. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 47 17.01.2026 8:01

Thomas Newton is taken to be buried at St Michael’s church at Greenhill. Samuel and Susannah, Dudley Netherford and Frank Barber attend. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 46 12.01.2026 11:18

Samuel Kinsman visits the printer Major Morgan to find out more about Thomas Newton’s membership of a masonic lodge. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 45 21.12.2025 13:05

Thank you for reading and/or listening to this serialisation of my historical detective story The Reward of Delay. At some point in the new year, this serial will go behind the paywall and require a fully paid subscription. But when the paywall does go up, anyone who has already signed up to receive the serial posts for free, will still be able to continue as a free subscriber and have free access...

The Reward of Delay Chapter 44 13.12.2025 8:10

Kinsman investigates the stone found with Newton’s body with Mr Umber, the sexton. After next week’s episode, Chapter 45, The Reward of Delay will be taking a Christmas break from December 21st to January 4th 2026. The first episode in the New Year will drop on Saturday 10th January 2026. Wishing you all a very happy holiday time. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with ot...

The Reward of Delay Chapter 43 06.12.2025 11:43

The Reward of Delay Chapter 43. Constable Kinsman visits John Forge in Lichfield’s city gaol. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 42 29.11.2025 5:14

Frank completes his research on the documents from Netwon’s offices. Samuel lies in wait for Canon Mainstay. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapters 40 & 41 24.11.2025 7:07

The Reward of Delay Chapters 40 and 41 - released a day or so later than usual This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 39 15.11.2025 5:09

Discouraged, Samuel returns home where Susannah speaks her mind. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 38 08.11.2025 5:06

The jury deliver their verdicts in the Coroner’s court. Rigby wants Samuel to give him Newton’s papers. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com

The Reward of Delay Chapter 37 01.11.2025 11:55

The Coroner’s Court considers the deaths of Thomas Newton and Monique Vesqueau. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lichfieldmysteries.substack.com