I'd never heard about real-life Victorian policeman and author Inspector McLevy before spotting The Inspector McLevy Mysteries at my local library -- let alone that there were plays about him. Still, I like historical mysteries and BBC radio dramas on CD, so I decided to give it a try. The two dramas here are from the first series. (There are at least ten.)

'The Second Shadow': there's a counterfeiter at work in Edinburg. McLevy and Constable Mulholland must catch the wily man in charge. He thinks he's much smarter than the police, but he doesn't know McLevy well enough.

'The Burning Question': McLevy and Mulholland's search for a murderer in hiding is hampered by a vigilante group. Their founder is a pastor, so it should be no surprise that the group is also against prostitutes. McLevy tries to warn madam Jean Brash that she and her brothel, 'The Happy Land,' are in danger. She's not listening. The pastor preaches non-violent solutions, but will that keep his vigilantes from turning into a mob? (If the title makes you expect torches, feel free to expect -- but I'm not going to reveal whether there will be any pitchforks involved.)

I enjoyed the cast and the cases. The second one also pleased me by giving me the tune to a song I'd only read about: 'Charlie is my Darling'. ( )