Carlton E. Morse was a unique figure in the world of old-time radio—a writer, director, and producer who managed to navigate the often opposing worlds of popular success and critical accolade while creating works of enduring dramatic depth on the one hand and blood-and-thunder adventure on the other. Like Steven Spielberg in more recent times, Morse was one of those very few creators of popular entertainment whose name above the title was as instantly recognizable as any leading actor or famous character. His principal creations, One Man's Family ("radio's preeminent serial," according to historian Gerald Nachman) and I Love a Mystery ("the most respected show of its type") spanned the entire heyday of radio drama; crossed over into the media of film, television, and comics; and helped establish genre conventions in all these forms which would continue to delight contemporary audiences...