Manic Mysteries
Manic Mysteries is a comedic detective series set in Freedom City, an urban metropolis blending film noir, steampunk, and a touch of fantasy. The stories follow the case files of the Dick and Jane Detective Agency with the gruff and no-nonsense Robert Stone and his eccentric partner Styx. Together, these two detectives-for-hire unravel unusual mysteries of murder, magic, and mayhem.
Manic Mysteries Ep. 1
Manic Mysteries Ep. 2
Manic Mysteries Ep. 3
Manic Mysteries Ep. 4
Latest Episode
Episode 6
The Troll of Wallstreet
Manic Mysteries is available on Spotify, Youtube, and most podcast services.
Spotify
Manic Mysteries Ep. 5
Manic Mysteries Ep. 6
Manic Mysteries Ep. 7
About the Show
Development
The World
Manic Mysteries Season 2. Ep. 8
Shaun Cashman is the creator of Manic Mysteries. I am an accomplished author of several gaming and academic texts and I made this series for fun. I write, direct, and edit all of the individual episodes. I have planned twelve episodes for this series. The goal is to release a new episode each month. There are several inspirations for this series. In particular, I draw heavily from the gritty crime dramas of the 1940s and 1950s and from classic film noir. I have tried to draw from the style of Dashiell Hammett, author of The Maltese Falcon and the The Thin Man. I'm also a big fan of fantasy and some of the conceptual designs of steampunk so I've tried to weave those elements into the stories. I've enjoyed writing these and I hope others enjoy listening to them.
Manic Mysteries is set in the fictional urban metropolis called "Freedom City." It's an urban jungle in a perpetual haze of smoke thanks to the Steamcars and Steamtrains used by the humans, trolls, goblins, and other assorted citizens. There's great wealth and great poverty. There are villains, heroes, and just regular people trying to get by. Most of the stories take place in the town, which is as much a character as the people who live there. The town is much like our own world if you added ice elemental units instead of AC and demon summoning as part of accounting. Wait that part isn't too terribly different. Nevermind. Most of the stories take place at the "Dick and Jane Detective Agency" so named after a pair of accountants who used to rent the office space.
Major Characters
Robert Stone - A gruff and irritable detective, Robert Stone lives alone and spends a lot of time stewing in his own dark thoughts. This actually helps him puzzle out complicated problems. He has sad history that he doesn't like to talk about. Instead, he buries his emotions with alcohol and a tough and stern facade. He's observant and shrewd and doesn't trust people. However, he has a noble heart and tries to do some good in the world. He co-owns the "Dick and Jane Detective Agency" and makes a meager living doing private investigative jobs along with some freelance work for the police. He's always ready with a sarcastic remark or a biting observation.
Styx - Styx is a jack-of-all-trades. He knows a little bit about everything. He has a lot of geeky hobbies from comics to role-playing games. He likes to look at the positive side of life and laugh at it. This tendency to make light of things and people has gotten him trouble from time to time. He's a master chemist and lockpick and uses those skills to help solve crimes. He also co-owns the "Dick and Jane Detective Agency." His family comes from money so he doesn't worry much about it. Actually, Styx doesn't worry much about anything. He obsesses over Valerie Moon.
Chief Buggins - The chief of police, Chief Buggins is no-nonsense and very down to earth. He periodically hires Styx and Stone to find things and people for him as they are really good at it.
Valerie Moon - Valerie Moon is an expert curse-breaker and alchemist who also moonlights as an exorcist. She's tempermental and enjoys quiet work. Our detectives refer to her when they encounter something dangerous and supernatural.
Jason Allen - Robert Stone
Styx - Corey Teitsma
Chief Buggins - Jonathan Hutchinson
Valerie Moon - Melissa Baldwin
Assorted Side Characters - Kevin Mease
Assorted Side Characters - Shaun Cashman
Guest Actors - Jennifer Baldwin, Sarah Cashman, Logan Cashman, Ted Royston, and Wendy Teitsma.