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Detectives on the Air

The Cronin Matter Ep 2

Posted August 12, 2026 · 15 min

About this episode

Originally Aired: December 6, 1955 Johnny Dollar #277, "The Cronin Matter Ep 2," Johnny continues his investigation into protecting the priceless Circle of Fire necklace for former Broadway star Dolly McLean Cronin's Roaring Twenties party in the Adirondacks. Jason Prell, Mrs. Cronin's longtime business manager and trust fund administrator, urgently warns Johnny not to retrieve the half-million-dollar necklace from the bank, expressing deep concern about Mrs. Cronin's mental state. Prell reveals that the aging Dancing Darling lives in a fragile dream world where she believes all her old friends are loyal, when in reality most were opportunists who would do anything for money. Despite Prell's warnings that someone will surely try to steal the necklace and shatter Mrs. Cronin's illusions, Johnny has already collected it. As the chartered train departs for the Adirondacks, only six guests board out of the hundreds of friends from Mrs. Cronin's glory days. Among them are magazine writer Sylvia Blake and the mysterious, overly enthusiastic Laura Dean. Johnny begins to wonder about the true motives of each passenger on this isolated journey with a fortune in jewels. Become a supporter of this podcast

From Detectives on the Air by OTR.FM Network. Visit the show’s website.

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