Keeping the Past alive, One Story at a Time
Forward Into the Past

Forward Into The Past: A Public Domain Stories Podcast

Join J.C. Rede as he travels back in time and brings to life the thrilling stories of adventure, mystery, sci-fi and fiction from the golden age of Dime Novels. These stories were originally published in various magazines and papers from the late 19th to the early 20th century, and they capture the imagination and spirit of a different era. Forward Into the Past is a podcast that celebrates the legacy and diversity of Dime Novels, from the early classics (1890-1930) to the later transformations (1930-1950). However, these stories are also products of their time and may reflect some outdated or offensive views and language. We ask you to listen with an open mind and appreciate these stories for what they are: a glimpse into the past through the lens of fiction.

Recent Episodes

May 5, 2024

The Suicide, Or Nick Carter and The Lost Head, Pt 3

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, Nick Carter continues his investigation into the mysterious death of Cyrus Darling. He visits Kate Crandall, a woman who was involved with Darling and claims to have been unaware of h…
May 2, 2024

The Suicide, or Nick Carter and The Lost Head, Pt 2

Send us a Text Message. Nick Carter investigates the mysterious suicide of Cyrus Darling, a man who recently sold his business and converted his assets into cash. As Nick delves deeper into the case, he uncovers evidence tha…
March 13, 2024

The Suicide; Or Nick Carter and the Lost Head, Pt. 1

Send us a Text Message. In this episode of "Forward Into The Past," host JC Rede introduces the iconic detective Nick Carter and his enduring legacy in American literature and culture. The episode then delves into the beginn…
Dec. 23, 2023

A Christmas Carol: Staves IV & V - The End of It

Send us a Text Message. JC Rede concludes the final episode of Forward into the Past for the year with a reading of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol: Staves IV & V." Scrooge encounters the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, …
Dec. 16, 2023

A Christmas Carol: Stave III - The Second of the Three Spirits

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, J.C. Rede dives back into Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, focusing on Stave 3: The Second of the Three Spirits. Scrooge awakens to meet the Ghost of Christmas Present, who takes h…
Dec. 2, 2023

A Christmas Carol: Stave II - The First of the Three Spirits

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, J. C. Rede introduces Stave II of Charles Dickens' classic tale, "A Christmas Carol." He discusses the immediate success and widespread popularity of the story, as well as Dickens' in…

Recent Blog Posts

The Woman in the Case: Unraveling the Mystery of The Suicide or Nick Carter and The Lost Head Pt 3

Key Takeaways: Nick Carter, the famous detective, is on a mission to uncover the truth behind the supposed suicide of Cyrus Darling. Kate Crandall, a woman who was involved with Darling, claims to have been deceived by him and had no knowledge o…

The Curious Case of Cyrus Darling: Unraveling the Mystery of "The Suicide, Or Nick Carter and the Lost Head, Pt 2"

Key Takeaways: Cyrus Darling's supposed suicide may not be what it seems, as evidence suggests foul play and a carefully orchestrated plan. The involvement of Kate Crandall, a woman with a questionable past, adds a layer of complexity to the cas…

The Suicide; Or Nick Carter and the Lost Head: Exploring the Enduring Legacy of a Fictional Detective

In the early 20th century, long before Batman and Sherlock Holmes captured the imaginations of readers, there was a fictional detective named Nick Carter who ruled the American literary and cultural landscape. Born in 1886 within the pages of dime n…