Spicy Tea and Sympathy! New Brenda and Effie Mysteries episode coming soon

By John Freeman on April 10, 2015

Anne Reid as Brenda, the delightful creation of author Paul Magrs.

Anne Reid (Last Tango in Halifax, Dinnerladies) stars in Episode Three of The Brenda and Effie Mysteries, audio stories based on the characters created by author Paul Magrs, available soon from Bafflegab Productions, who also produce The Scarifyers.

Brenda and Effie are drawn to a new tearoom in the park. It is owned by the dashing Professor Marius Keyes, who has stuffed the place with Egyptian Antiquities of all kinds. But why does his odd-tasting tea send both women a bit woozy? And why’s he got actual bandaged revenants hiding in his room at the Hotel Miramar and giving massages in his tearoom basement?

It’s all enough to give Brenda shocking flashbacks to the 1930s, when she was housemaid in the home of a certain Reginald Tyler and, together with Henry Cleavis, they fought forces of darkness and diabolism as the Smudgelings, an undercover monster-fighting team. Back then they uncovered a scheme to do with exotic tea leaves and vital life essences and a certain dessicated princess from ancient times.

In the present day the same awful dangers rear their bandaged heads, and it isn’t just Professor Marius Keyes who has mummy issues…

• The Brenda and Effie Mysteries are written by Paul Magrs, directed by Simon Barnard, with sound design by Simon Robinson and music by Edwin Sykes. Artwork by Stuart Manning.

• The Brenda and Effie Mysteries Episode Three will be released on 17th April 2015, starring Anne Reid, with Dan Starkey and Chris Stephen Critchlow. Check out and subscribe to The Brenda and Effie Mysteries here | View all Bafflegab Productions shows here

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.