Not Work. Not Murder. Just a $500,000 Problem.

The German in the Ditch

Click here to see Arya resting on our new carpet. [https://costiuc.substack.com/i/178834686/pupdate] Click here to see Daria and me at the Polish festival. Story: The Lost Innocence of Ernesto Guillén Author: Tom Larsen Genre: Police Procedural Summary: Living in the United States (and other Western countries), we have a clear picture of what justice looks like. But today’s story takes place in rural Ecuador, where justice is a lot less official. A young detective investigates the murder of a foreign cyclist, and the whole town seems to know more than it’ll say. The rookie loses something of his own before the case is over. Time Stamps 0:00 - Opening 0:11- Introduction 1:14- Story 32:08 - Personal Updates Curated by Costiuc is a monthly podcast featuring curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories. “The Lost Innocence of Ernesto Guillén” is copyrighted © 2025 by Tom Larsen and is shared here with the author’s permission. Learn more about Tom Larsen here [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00N00JLZM?ccs_id=4ae970ec-0c18-4801-9406-f5606935b906]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit costiuc.substack.com [https://costiuc.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Psychologist's Error

Click here to see how Arya packed her toys. [https://costiuc.substack.com/i/178834686/pupdate] Click here to read Nikita's story "A Yellow Speck" (about a ten-minute read.) [https://www.moonlitgetaway.com/new-fiction/a-yellow-speck] Story: Creativity Author: John M. Floyd Genre: Psychological Suspense Summary: You know the kind of people who act like they’re concerned when they're really after juicy details? That’s the person we meet in today’s story: a woman who asks too many questions and suffers the consequences. Where You’ll Find Nikita I’m getting settled in Phoenix, so there are no public events to share just yet. Time Stamps 0:00 - Opening 0:08- Introduction 1:10- Story 8:22 - Personal Updates Curated by Costiuc is a monthly podcast featuring curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories. “Creativity” is copyrighted © 2000 by John M. Floyd and is shared here with the author’s permission. Learn more about John M. Floyd at www.johnmfloyd.com [http://www.johnmfloyd.com/]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit costiuc.substack.com [https://costiuc.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Wintering with Liars

Click here to see how Arya prioritizes a work-life balance. [https://costiuc.substack.com/i/178834686/pupdate] Story: Ice Sailor Author: Laird Long Genre: Historical Mystery Summary: Some people don’t keep secrets, they trade them. In today’s story, a crewman is found dead, and Henry Hudson has to figure out who’s actually on his side as his ship sits trapped in ice. Where You’ll Find Nikita 📝 “Drop In and Write” Writing Group [https://spark-central.org/events/jaa79emft57bwa7-4dsgj-x7lxk-8d998-mejdc-wxxbp] Giving feedback, sharing my own work, and participating in great conversations Every Thursday, 5·30–7·00 PM Free admission 🍽️ Feast Kitchen – Volunteering [https://www.feastworldkitchen.org/] Helping immigrant chefs serve delicious food • Wednesday, March 11th, 4·00–8·00 PM Menu items range from $15–$25 Time Stamps 0:00 - Opening 0:10 - Introduction 1:04 - Story 30:40 - Personal Updates Curated by Costiuc is a monthly podcast featuring curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories. “Ice Sailor” is copyrighted © 2006 by Laird Long and shared here with the author’s permission. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit costiuc.substack.com [https://costiuc.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Long Way Out

Click here to see Arya's new coat. [https://costiuc.substack.com/i/177392737/pupdate] Story: The Getaway Author: O. F. Lewis Genre: Psychological Suspense Summary: Sometimes when you try to escape a difficult situation, you end up someplace worse. In today’s story, two prisoners spend months digging a tunnel out of the yard, only to break through into a new kind of bad idea. Where You’ll Find Nikita 📝 “Drop In and Write” Writing Group [https://spark-central.org/events/jaa79emft57bwa7-4dsgj-x7lxk-8d998-mejdc-wxxbp] Giving feedback, sharing my own work, and participating in great conversations Every Thursday, 5·30–7·00 PM Free admission 🍽️ Feast Kitchen – Volunteering [https://www.feastworldkitchen.org/] Helping immigrant chefs serve delicious food • Saturday, February 7th, 3·30–7·30 PM • Saturday, February 14th, 10·30–2·00 PM Menu items range from $15–$25 Time Stamps 0:00 - Opening 0:10 - Introduction 1:02 - Story 16:43 - Personal Updates Curated by Costiuc is a monthly podcast featuring curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories. The original text of O. F. Lewis’s “The Getaway” is in the public domain. This adaptation, updated for modern readers, is copyrighted © 2026 by Nikita Costiuc. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit costiuc.substack.com [https://costiuc.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Not Work. Not Murder. Just a $500,000 Problem.

Click here to see Arya's new blanket. [https://costiuc.substack.com/i/177054584/pupdate] Story: $500,000 Reward Author: Melville Davisson Post Genre: Hardboiled Summary: How often do we get bamboozled by first impressions? More than we’d like. In today’s story, a law enforcement agent meets a homeless person and assumes he’s dealing with a harmless nobody. Then the homeless man opens his mouth and, well, let’s just say the agent learns something. Where You’ll Find Nikita 📝 “Drop In and Write” Writing Group [https://spark-central.org/events/jaa79emft57bwa7-4dsgj-x7lxk-8d998-mejdc-wxxbp] Giving feedback, sharing my own work, and participating in great conversations Every Thursday, 5·30–7·00 PM Free admission 🍽️ Feast Kitchen – Volunteering [https://www.feastworldkitchen.org/] Helping immigrant chefs serve delicious food • Saturday, January 10th, 3·30–7·30 PM • Saturday, January 31st, 3·30–7·30 PM Menu items range from $15–$25 Time Stamps 0:00 - Opening 0:10 - Introduction 1:07 - Story 22:22 - Personal Updates Curated by Costiuc is a monthly podcast featuring curated mystery, thriller, and suspense stories. The original text of Melville Davisson Post’s “Five Thousand Dollar Reward” is in the public domain. This adaptation, updated for modern readers, is copyrighted © 2025 by Nikita Costiuc. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit costiuc.substack.com [https://costiuc.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]