Tea in the Sahara
Kev: Critic & Podcaster
In the UK, two things are certain: we measure real inflation by the price of a Freddo bar, and we all love a murder mystery with the drama of a Shakespearean tragedy. This week we dive into “The Lucan Obsession” podcast for BBC Radio 4.
In this ten-episode podcast, Historian Alex Von Tunzelmann revisits a 1974 murder, aiming to shed fresh light on a fifty-year-old unsolved case and finally uncover the truth. But can reexamining a cold case reveal new insights, or has this mystery simply soured with time, like milk left in a hot car?
Episode one elegantly sets the scene for anyone living under a rock for the last fifty years on the events leading to Lucan’s disappearance.
If you’re not engaged by this stroll through the past, you’ll miss out on one of the 20th century’s most captivating mysteries. This podcast has the vibe of blending Anthony Horowitz’s intriguing essence with Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic touch for all those crime fiction readers.
Alex therefore takes the listener on a journey of discovery via a blend of eyewitness and archival accounts including, dramatic never-heard recordings that drag you into a world of high society, gambling, and intrigue, leaving you eager for more. The series presents the events without glorifying them, maintaining sympathy for both the murder of Lord Lucan’s former nanny, Sandra Rivett and the supposed attempted murder of his wife, Lady Lucan.
In the non-digital 1974 world, theories flourish easily since many accounts don’t align neatly. That’s why Lord Lucan will always remain a topic of public fascination. Much like the Jack the Ripper case a century earlier, we constantly seek a definitive answer that satisfies our 21st-century curiosity. That’s what makes this podcast unique.
As a Brit, I’m all too familiar with the UK’s fascination with Lord Lucan’s infamous disappearance and the alleged murders surrounding it. Lately, I’ve been addicted to investigative journalism podcasts, and “The Lucan Obsession” scratches that itch perfectly. With a fresh 2024 perspective, it brings together reporters from the time, modern crime writers, and a touch of classic mystery, making each 13-minute episode worthy of anyone’s time.
Final thoughts before scores! Listening to this podcast made me curious and throw up my own question: Did this story make waves anywhere outside of the UK? Or was it purely a UK obsession…share your thoughts below I’d love to know!
Scores “The Lucan Obsession” 9/10
Podcast submissions and press kits to – tinthesahara@gmail.com
Cheers, Kev.
Tea in the sahara 