Audiobooks by Simon Brett

Charles Paris, middle-aged actor turned amateur sleuth, is vacationing at a small English seaside town. Irresistibly drawn to anything theatrical, Charles seeks entertainment at the local music hall and endures a series of not-so-wonderful vaudeville acts in the hope that the man given star billing will be worth watching. But when Bill Peaky comes on stage with his electric guitar and grasps the microphone, he instantly drops dead, apparently due to faulty wiring of the stage equipment. It looks like an accident, but Charles is not so sure, and starts to find out more about the people in the other acts on the bill: Janine, the pretty dancer who disappears; Chox Morton, seedy and unduly nervous; and Lennie Barber, a one-time star comedian trying to make a comeback. The more Charles investigates, the more suspects turn up. "Typical Brett: Well-realized characters and urbane dialogue...[with] a pronounced touch of irony."-New York Times Book Review

Simon Brett (Author), Frederick Davidson (Narrator)

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A Deadly Habit

Having landed a small part in a new West End play, The Habit of Faith, Charles Paris is dismayed to discover that his good fortune has been orchestrated by his bête noire, the now-famous screen actor Justin Grover. But why has Grover become involved in this relatively obscure production - and why has he roped in Charles to star? From the outset the production is fraught with difficulties - and matters become even more complicated when a body is discovered at the foot of the dressing room stairs. Did they fall - or were they pushed? As one of the last people to have seen the victim alive, Charles Paris is drawn into the ensuing investigation.

Simon Brett (Author), Simon Brett (Narrator)

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A Decent Interval

After a long period of 'resting', life is looking up for Charles Paris, who has been cast in a new production of Hamlet. But rehearsals are fraught. Ophelia is played by Katrina Selsey, who won the role through a television talent show. Hamlet himself is also played by a reality TV contestant, Jared Root. But when the company reaches the first staging post of their tour, matters get more serious, with one member of the company seriously injured in what appears to be an accident, and another dead. Once again, Charles Paris is forced to don the mantle of amateur detective to get to the bottom of the mystery. Starred review. "Brett's insight into play production, personalities and culture makes this latest Paris most worthwhile, frequently amusing, always informative, also poignant. Michael Page's British accented fully-voiced, well-paced reading enhances Brett's characters, realistic dialog, and vivid descriptions of stagecraft." - SoundCommentary

Simon Brett (Author), Michael Page (Narrator)

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A Series Of Murders: A Charles Paris Mystery

Charles Paris is thrilled he's landed a nice juicy part playing Sergeant Collins in the TV detective series, 'The Stanislaus Braid Mysteries', and his estranged wife Frances seems to be on the brink of taking him back. But filming turns out to be a tortuous process, with pompous star Russell Bentley demanding numerous retakes and irascible author Winifred Railton constantly interrupting. To cap it all, nubile actress Lisa Stokes is crushed to death on set and Charles finds her body. It seems like a straightforward accident, but Charles can't shake the suspicion that she was murdered. Can he find the killer, stay away from the booze and the women, and win back his wife?

Jeremy Front, Simon Brett (Author), , Bill Nighy, Suzanne Burden (Narrator)

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After Henry: The Complete BBC Radio Series 1-4

All four series of the hugely popular BBC radio sitcom – plus two Christmas specials After the death of her GP husband, widow Sarah is battling to bring up her strong-willed 18-year-old daughter Clare, hindered by her meddling mother Eleanor. Living on the middle floor of the family home, with Clare downstairs and Eleanor upstairs, Sarah finds herself besieged from above and below as she tries to cope with the demands of both her mum and her daughter. Luckily, she finds solace at work, where her best friend and boss at Bygone Books, Russell, provides a sympathetic ear. In these four series, Sarah dips a tentative toe into the dating scene, daughter Clare has boyfriend troubles, and Eleanor takes a keen interest in both their love lives – sharing all the gossip with her pensioner friends, the ‘geriatric Mafia’. Holidays, house tidiness and hospital visits all cause problems for Sarah, and there are disagreements over everything from hiring a builder to the correct way to prepare Sunday lunch... Also included are two special seasonal episodes, in which the three women bicker over the festive planning and Eleanor’s strict Christmas Day timetable. Created by award-winning detective novelist and sitcom writer Simon Brett, this much-loved generation gap comedy ran for four years on radio between 1985 and 1989. It was adapted for ITV by Thames Television and was extremely successful, attracting 14 million viewers. Prunella Scales stars as Sarah, with Joan Sanderson as Eleanor and Gerry Cowper as Clare. Cast Sarah – Prunella Scales Eleanor – Joan Sanderson Clare – Gerry Cowper Russell – Benjamin Whitrow Nick – James Griffiths Janie – Marion Bailey Terry – Leo Dolan Clifford – Richard Davies Gwen – Ellen McIntosh Vicar – John Nettleton David – Nigel Williams Chris – Mark Kingston Alison – Mary Maddox Miles – David Quilter Quizmaster – Graham Blockey Customer – Alan Thompson Aubrey – Lockwood West Delivery boy – David Learner Doctor – Peter Howell Sister – Deborah Findlay Policeman – Michael Hadley Percy Bradshaw/The television – Simon Brett James – Edward de Souza Valuer – Nicholas Le Provost Neville – Ian Thompson Julian – Jasper Jacob The doctor – Julie Berry Tom Wilkinson – Peter Rod – Paul Sirr Lady Newby – Fabia Drake Vernon – Frederick Treves Gary – Ian Michie Auntie Lilian – Jean Anderson Production credits Written by Simon Brett Produced by Pete Atkin

Simon Brett (Author), Benjamin Whitrow, Gerry Cowper, Joan Sanderson, Prunella Scales (Narrator)

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Cast In Order Of Disappearance: A Charles Paris Mystery

Charles finds himself uncharacteristically employed in a film, having landed the part of Szabec, a middle management vampire in The Wreathing. His co-star is swimwear model turned actress Jodie Ricks and before long, Jodie is using Charles as a confidant. Poor Jodie is in terrible trouble - not only is she being blackmailed over some compromising photos, but she is also carrying the baby of the film's producer, Elliot Roth, who now wants nothing to do with her. Then things take an even nastier turn when it appears that someone is trying to kill Jodie. Always keen to help a damsel in distress, Charles sets about trying to solve the mystery... Starring Bill Nighy and Martine McCutcheon and dramatised by Jeremy Front.

Jeremy Front, Simon Brett (Author), , Bill Nighy, Martine Mccutcheon, Suzanne Burden (Narrator)

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Charles Paris: A Deadly Habit: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

Actor and sleuth Charles Paris is back in this full-cast BBC radio dramatisation of Simon Brett's novel, starring Bill Nighy Locked down with his semi-detached wife Frances, Charles has thrown himself into a new career as a handyman, becoming quite the DIY expert. He's developed muscles, stopped smoking and even cut back on the booze. Then his agent, Maurice, offers him the chance to get back on stage - and in a West End play, no less. The star, Justin Grover, asked for him specifically: but Charles has reservations. Grover was cocky enough when they were both young hopefuls; now he's the star of a massive TV fantasy series, and the play - a verbatim piece set in a monastery - is dire. So why has Justin signed up for it? He certainly doesn't need the money, unlike Charles. The cast is drearily male, and before long Charles is hitting the Scotch again. When he drunkenly stumbles over the corpse of a fellow actor, Charles panics, leaving the body to be discovered by someone else. But he soon regrets lying to the police, and driven by guilt and self-preservation, he resolves to find the murderer... This sparkling adaptation by Jeremy Front stars Bill Nighy (Emma, Love Actually) as Charles Paris, with Suzanne Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice. Credits Written by Simon Brett Adapted by Jeremy Front Directed by Sally Avens Cast Charles Paris........................Bill Nighy Frances........................Suzanne Burden Maurice........................Jon Glover Justin ........................Tony Turner Lydia ........................Ria Marshall Kit ........................Joseph Ayre Brendan ........................Jonathan Kydd Nina ........................Marilyn Nnadebe D.S. Dalby ........................Stewart Campbell Alice/Peaches ........................Elinor Coleman Kelly/Dervla ........................Jane Slavin Bethan ........................Christine Kavanagh Neil ........................Simon Ludders First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 3-24 September 2021 © 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Jeremy Front, Simon Brett (Author), Bill Nighy, Jon Glover, Suzanne Burden (Narrator)

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Charles Paris: A Decent Interval: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Simon Brett's entertaining crime novel, starring Bill Nighy. Charles Paris has been 'resting' for quite a while, so he's relieved when he is cast as the Ghost of Hamlet's Father and First Gravedigger in a touring production of Hamlet. But rehearsals are a little tense the lead roles of Hamlet and Ophelia are played by a reality TV contestant and TV talent show winner respectively, and their opinions on celebrity and the theatre differ somewhat from those of the more experienced members of the cast. The show is barely on the road before tragedy strikes just before opening night, part of the set collapses, seriously injuring one of the actors. Then anothermember of the cast is found dead. It's up to Charles Paris to turn detective and investigate the mystery: but with almost everyone having a motive for murder, will he ever track down the real killer? Bill Nighy stars as Charles Paris, with Suzanne Burden as Frances, in this dramatisation by Jeremy Front.Duration: 2 hours.

Jeremy Front, Simon Brett (Author), , Bill Nighy, Suzanne Burden (Narrator)

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Charles Paris: A Doubtful Death: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

Bill Nighy returns as the loveably louche actor-cum-amateur detective Charles Paris Charles Paris is in Oxford, appearing in a re-imagining of Hamlet by a high-concept drama company. No fan of immersive theatre, he’s unimpressed with the director’s vision and less than thrilled to be rehearsing alongside puppeteers and mime artists. But he soon finds himself back on familiar territory when the actress playing Ophelia goes missing, only to turn up dead. Did she take her own life, or was there foul play? As he amasses a list of suspects who might have wished her harm, Charles takes on the mantle of detective once more to decide if this is to be or not to be a murder case… Scripted for radio by Jeremy Front from a story by Simon Brett, A Doubtful Death stars Bill Nighy (Emma, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) as Charles Paris, with Suzanne Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice. Also included is an exclusive 18-minute afterword in which Jeremy Front discusses his experience of adapting an unproduced screenplay, reveals what it’s like to work with recurring characters and actors, and explains the mechanics of recording for radio. Simon Brett OBE has written 19 Charles Paris novels as well as many other detective novels. Jeremy Front is a dramatist and comedic writer; he has won awards for his adaptation of Sword of Honour and co-writes and stars in the series Incredible Women with his sister, Rebecca. Credits Written by Jeremy Front From a story by Simon Brett Produced and directed by Sally Avens Production Coordinator: Cynthia Fagan Studio Managers: Anne Bunting, Keith Graham and Jenni Burnett Interview produced by Ania Duggan and Roshni Radia First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 22 May-12 June 2020

Jeremy Front, Simon Brett (Author), Bill Nighy, Jonathan Glover, Suzanne Burden (Narrator)

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Charles Paris: A Reconstructed Corpse: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

Bill Nighy returns as Charles Paris: unsuccessful actor, bad husband and dipsomaniac. Desperately in need of work, having been kicked out of the marital home, Charles jumps at playing a missing property developer in a crime reconstruction programme. But the missing person case soon turns to murder when severed body parts begin to appear. Television ratings soar as the public tune in to discover every gory detail of the case. The raging egos and jealous manoeuvrings of the producers, presenters and the police provide a long list of suspects for Charles as he pieces together a macabre jigsaw puzzle of murder. Bill Nighy, Suzanne Burden and Jon Glover are among the star cast in this enjoyable mystery, dramatised by Jeremy Front. Written by Jeremy Front, based on the novel by Simon Brett.

Jeremy Front, Simon Brett (Author), Bill Nighy, Suzanne Burden (Narrator)

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Charles Paris: An Amateur Corpse: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

Charles is out of work again, and to make matters worse his mother has come to stay and he's no way of escaping her. So when he's offered some voiceover work by old friend, Hugo, he's delighted to get out of the house. But Hugo's marriage is in trouble: his much younger wife, Ellie, spends all her time at her Amateur Dramatic Group, and Hugo is drinking too much. When Ellie is found drowned in their swimming pool, it seems Hugo is guilty of murder. It's up to Charles to prove his friend's innocence... Bill Nighy, Suzanne Burden and Geraldine McEwan are among the star cast in this entertaining mystery, dramatised by Jeremy Front. Written by Jeremy Front, based on the novel by Simon Brett.

Jeremy Front, Simon Brett (Author), , Bill Nighy, Geraldine Mcewan, Suzanne Burden (Narrator)

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Charles Paris: Corporate Bodies: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast adaptation of Simon Brett's comic murder mystery, starring Bill Nighy as the irrepressible Charles Paris. Charles Paris (unsuccessful actor, bad husband, dipsomaniac) is currently appearing as a fork lift operator in a corporate video. It's not prime-time television or a major film, but it seems like easy money - until the fork lift is used to commit a murder. When Charles himself comes under suspicion, he decides to find out for himself who the murderer is. Meanwhile, as ever with Charles, life on the domestic front is not plain sailing. After inflicting damage upon his ex-wife's house, he finds himself offering her a berth on the houseboat he's currently sitting for a friend. However, life on the water proves as tricky as life at work. Suzanne Burden, Tim McInnery and Jon Glover are also among the cast in this dramatisation by Jeremy Front.

Jeremy Front, Simon Brett (Author), , Bill Nighy, Suzanne Burden (Narrator)

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