Audiobooks narrated by Barry Foster

Murder is My Subject & other thrillers: 15 Full-Cast Vintage BBC Radio Dramas

"A collection of intriguing thrillers by Philip Levene Philip Levene was a prolific radio dramatist who also penned 19 episodes of ITV’s The Avengers, which won him a Writers’ Guild Award. While many of his works have unfortunately been lost, this collection of surviving recordings showcases his exceptional talent. Produced between 1957 and 1973 and arranged in chronological order, they range from murder mysteries to psychological dramas with unexpected twists and turns, and feature full casts including Rolf Levebvre, Timothy West, Joan Sanderson, Frederick Treves, Betty Huntley-Wright, Margot Boyd and Eileen Derbyshire. Suspicious Mind centres on a thriller-loving old lady with a vivid imagination; while in Torment, a troubled young student claims to have committed a murder. Did it really happen, or is he just fantasising? In False Witness, a chip-shop owner finds that a murder case hangs on his identification of the perpetrator, and in Trump Card, an unhappy husband becomes infatuated with the maid and decides to take action. Murder in Mind finds beekeeper Herbert determined to stop his wife from selling their house, The Nightwatchman revolves around a mystery man admitted to hospital following an accident at a frozen food company, and The Ears of Dr Jeremy features a sharp-eared doctor who becomes concerned about the strange sounds emanating from a patient. A sensitive composer is forced to commit a terrible act in The Invader, and in Cold Storage, a man is accidentally locked in a cold store – and finds his imagination running wild. Obsessed with his prize-winning lawn, a retired stockbroker’s pride turns to paranoia in The Velvet Carpet, and in The Birthday Present, an antique paperweight sparks disturbing thoughts in the mind of a psychologist. A lecturer is murdered at a police training college in Murder is My Subject. All the witnesses are professionals – but so are all the suspects… Question of Guilt finds Peter Harris in prison for killing his landlady, but he swears he’s innocent. If he didn’t do it, who did? Three people whose close relatives had met with accidental death attend a séance in Murder Beyond. When a murder occurs, suspicion falls on each of them. And in Guardian Angel, ex-prisoner Ernie applies for a job as a security guard. Will it be his lucky day? With thanks to Keith Wickham of the Radio Circle for supplying the audio recordings. © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Philip Levene (Author), Barry Foster, Betty Huntley-Wright, Eileen Derbyshire, Fraser Kerr, Frederick Treves, Full Cast, James Thomason, Joan Sanderson, Margot Boyd, Mary O’Farrell, Nigel Graham, Rolf Lefebvre, Timothy West (Narrator)

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Occupation: Spy: Eight Full-Cast BBC Radio Spy Thrillers

"A collection of full-cast dramatisations and original radio plays from master storyteller Ted Allbeury – plus bonus programmes Described by Len Deighton as ‘a classic writer of espionage fiction’, Ted Allbeury based his many acclaimed spy novels on his own real-life experiences. In World War II, he served as an intelligence officer with Special Operations Executive, and subsequently ran agents across the border between East and West Germany during the Cold War. He began writing in his fifties, and went on to pen over 40 bestselling books, five of which are dramatised here alongside three plays specially written for BBC Radio and two bonus documentaries. The Lonely Margins tells the story of James Harmer, parachuted into France in 1944 on a secret mission. Christian Rodska and Kim Thomson star in this tense tale of danger and deceit. Inspired by actual events, The Other Side of Silence sees MI6 agent John Powell tasked with finding out why notorious traitor Kim Philby wants to return to England from Russia. James Bolam stars as Powell, with Nigel Hawthorne as Philby. In Long Ago and Far Away, starring David McAlister and Kate Binchy, two ex-SOE operatives find the past returning to haunt them when a voice on the radio brings back memories best left dormant. In Pay Any Price, a Presidential assassination sparks trouble for the CIA and SIS, as they deal with the consequences of a sinister programme known as MKUltra… Starring Barry Foster, Robert Beatty, Susannah Fellows and Michael J. Shannon. The Way We Live finds Andrew Collins discovering the unexpected repercussions of being ‘positively vetted’ by the Security Service, starring John Forbes-Robertson. Time Spent in Reconnaissance sees Peter Harvey finding out how an old military adage applies to his professional and private lives. This thrilling radio play stars Michael Cochrane. No Place to Hide centres around John Rennie (James Kerry), a secret agent whose loyalty is tested when he is ordered to do something he considers abhorrent. Meanwhile, in Deep Purple, starring Michael Melia, Louise Germain and Steve Hodson, the fates of a Secret Intelligence Service officer, a Russian defector and a prostitute are inextricably linked. We conclude with the fascinating two-parter Occupation: Spy, in which Ted Allbeury gives us his unique perspective on the shadowy world of spies and spying. NB: The language in these programmes reflects the era in which they were first broadcast Due to the age of these archive recordings, the sound quality may vary Text copyright © Ted Allbeury 1981 (The Lonely Margins, The Other Side of Silence), 1982 (Long Ago and Far Away), 1983 (Pay Any Price, The Way We Live, Time Spent in Reconnaissance), 1984 (No Place to Hide), 1989 (Deep Purple) 'If you like spy stories rooted in the Second World War madness and Cold War paranoia, and appreciate quality radio drama, then ‘Occupation: Spy' will continue to delight for almost eighteen hours' - Greg Jameson © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (p)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Ted Allbeury (Author), Barry Foster, Christian Rodska, David Mcalister, Full Cast, James Bolam, James Kerry, John Forbes-Robertson, Kate Binchy, Kim Thomson, Louise Germain, Margaret Robertson, Michael Cochrane, Michael J. Shannon, Michael Melia, Nigel Hawthorne, Robert Beatty, Steve Hodson, Susannah Fellows (Narrator)

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Sergeant Cribb: Five BBC Radio Full-Cast Dramatisations

"Full-cast adaptations of five of Peter Lovesey's acclaimed novels featuring Victorian detective Sergeant Cribb and his assistant Constable Thackeray Tough, shrewd and determined, Sergeant Cribb is a stalwart of Scotland Yard's newly formed Criminal Investigation Department. Aided and abetted by the loyal, stolid Constable Thackeray, he pounds the fog-shrouded streets of Victorian London, tracking down murderers and bringing them to justice. Waxwork - 1888. Sentenced to death for murder, Miriam Cromer awaits her fate in Newgate Prison. She has confessed that blackmail drove her to kill, but a photograph sent anonymously to the Home Office reveals new evidence and Sgt Cribb must investigate. Starring Brian Cox as Sergeant Cribb and John Cater as Thackeray. Swing, Swing Together - 1889, and Jerome K Jerome's bestselling novel Three Men in a Boat has sparked a craze for rowing on the River Thames. Out for a midnight swim, Harriet Shaw notices an unlikely boating threesome - and when a body is discovered, the trio become murder suspects, and Harriet the key witness... Barry Foster stars as Sergeant Cribb, with John Cater as Thackeray. A Case of Spirits - Spiritualism is all the rage among well-to-do Victorian Londoners, but when thefts follow two séances, Cribb is called in. He suspects the young medium, Peter Brand, but Brand's mysterious death means he must look further afield. Starring Barry Foster as Sergeant Cribb and John Cater as Thackeray. Wobble to Death - During a six-day speed-walking race, one of the pedestrian competitors is found dead, poisoned by strychnine. Enter Cribb and Thackeray, who discover murder is afoot. Timothy Bateson stars as Sergeant Cribb, with William Eedle as Thackeray. Abracadaver - Investigating a series of 'accidents' in the Victorian music-halls, the indomitable detective duo uncover the dark side of these popular entertainment palaces when a murder takes place. Starring Frank Windsor as Cribb and John Hollis as Thackeray. Due to the different ages of the recordings in this collection, the sound quality may vary. Text copyright © Peter Lovesey 1970 (Wobble to Death), 1972 (Abracadaver), 1975 (A Case of Spirits), 1976 (Swing, Swing Together), 1978 (Waxwork) All rights reserved © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Peter Lovesey (Author), Barry Foster, Brian Cox, Frank Windsor, Full Cast, John Cater, John Hollis, Timothy Bateson, William Eedle (Narrator)

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Alexander: The Story of A Legendary Leader: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

"A thrilling six-part serial on the life of Alexander the Great Alexander of Macedon was one of history's greatest ever military commanders. By the time of his death, aged just 32, he had conquered the entire Persian Empire, and was ruler of a vast territory stretching from Greece to the borders of India. These six episodes tell his extraordinary life story, as reimagined by acclaimed dramatist David Wade. The King's Son - 356 BC. Outside the city of Pella in Macedonia, the spirits of Achilles and Patroclus are eagerly awaiting a royal birth. But Alexander's arrival creates friction between King Philip and his Queen, Olympias. I Am Also Alexander - The young Prince is used as a pawn in the war between his parents, and becomes a student of the great philosopher Aristotle. Preparation of the Sacrifice - Alexander goes into battle to prove his manhood. Meanwhile, King Philip's remarriage plans cause tension. The Road to Gordium - Warrior Alexander becomes King of Macedonia and sets out to conquer the world... The Hunt of the God King - Alexander pursues Darius, King of Persia, conquers Egypt - and falls in love with the beautiful Barsine. Great Son of Ammon - The King confronts treachery, invades India and faces the end of the span of years allotted by the Fates... This compelling serial stars Michael Maloney as Alexander, with an incredible cast including Brian Cox, Geraldine James, Alex Jennings and Julian Rhind-Tutt. Also included is a bonus episode of In Our Time, in which Melvyn Bragg and guests explore Alexander's life, legend and legacy. ©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

David Wade (Author), Alex Jennings, Barry Foster, Brian Cox, Geraldine James, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Michael Maloney, Simon Ward (Narrator)

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George Cragge: In the Red & other mysteries: Four BBC Radio 4 dramas

"A collection of four blackly humorous crime mysteries featuring the fictional BBC Radio crime correspondent, George Cragge. Adapted from the novel by Mark Tavener, In the Red sees the anarchic George Cragge investigate a spree of bizarre murders in the world of City finance, a small political party contesting a by-election, and a plan to overthrow the Director-General of the BBC. The sequel, In the Balance, features George Cragge kicking off a murder trail during the FIFA World Cup at Wembley Stadium. And with Europe becoming a hot potato, can the Prime Minister hold onto his job? In the Chair follows the maverick hack as he looks into a series of murders of dentists linked to New Labour policy. The final drama, In the End, sees George Cragge investigating a series of murders of journalists. These four comedy thrillers star Michael Williams as George Cragge with Barry Foster as Police Supertintendant Frank Jefferson. The star casts also include Stephen Fry, John Bird, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Peter Serafinowicz, Hugh Laurie, Rebecca Front and Richard Griffiths."

Mark Tavener (Author), Barry Foster, Full Cast, Hugh Laurie, John Bird, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Michael Williams, Peter Serafinowicz, Rebecca Front, Richard Griffiths, Stephen Fry (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Barry Foster