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Nocturnal TalesMystery audiobooks for quiet evenings

The Palm Beach Tragedy

Original mysteryNo. 4552 minHercule Poirot

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Under the blazing Florida sun at a grand Palm Beach hotel, a glittering birthday party ends with an English investor found dead the next morning, and the Belgian Detective and his loyal companion step into a closed circle of elegant guests where jealousy, blackmail, and quiet bargains hide beneath champagne manners and tropical brightness; as women and men offer competing testimonies and the “net” tightens through timings, overheard promises, and one orchid-scented detail that refuses to fit, the investigation exposes how high society turns passion into motive and scandal into leverage; inspired by historical crime of its era while remaining entirely fictional, The Palm Beach Tragedy is an original Golden Age–style mystery about reputation, desire, and the danger of treating murder as a private inconvenience. FOR LISTENERS This is an original Golden Age–style mystery presented as a respectful homage to classic detective fiction. All characters and events in this story are fictional. No affiliation, endorsement, or official connection is implied. QUESTION FOR THE COMMENTS When everyone has something to lose, what reveals the truth first: the strongest motive, the weakest alibi, or the person trying hardest to look unbothered? SUPPORT & LISTENING OPTIONS Patreon (ad-free episodes, early access, bonus content – tiers from $2.99/month) Buy Me a Coffee (one-time support) PayPal (one-time tip) Spotify (follow the show) CHILDREN’S BOOK (Amazon) Sherlock Paws and the Diamond of the Nile CREDITS Written by Nocturnal Tales. Narrated by Nocturnal Tales. TAGS / KEYWORDS golden age mystery audiobook, palm beach mystery, florida hotel murder, gilded age scandal, birthday party death, blackmail and jealousy plot, high society intrigue, closed-circle suspects, orchid clue mystery, classic detective fiction audio, period crime investigation, reputation at risk theme, whodunit suspense audiobook, international mystery setting, full-length mystery audiobook

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