Audiobooks narrated by Neil Pearson

Francis Durbridge Investigates: Three unabridged novels

"Three unabridged readings of original novels from the creator of Paul Temple. In The Desperate People, read by Neil Pearson, Philip Holt is determined to uncover the truth about the death of his brother, Rex, and those who were responsible for it. In Dead to the World, also read by Neil Pearson, Philip Holt's skills are again in demand after he meets Robert Scranton, a wealthy American, on a plane returning to England from the USA. In My Wife Melissa, read by Greg Wise, the wife of a journalist is found strangled, and all the evidence points to her husband as the culprit. It is up to Guy Foster himself to uncover the truth about his own wife and then find her killer. © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Francis Durbridge (Author), Greg Wise, Neil Pearson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Decameron: A BBC Radio drama adaptation of the Renaissance classic

"Terry Jones introduces ten dramatisations of choice Florentine Fancies, adapted from Giovanni Boccaccio's classic human comedy by the BBC Monty Python star and medieval historian Terry Jones presents ten BBC Radio dramatisations of tales from Giovanni Boccaccio's humane and comic masterpiece. Composed in the early 1350s, in the wake of the Black Death, The Decameron comprises 100 short stories from all over the world, reset by Boccaccio among the flourishing merchant classes of Renaissance Italy. Their universal themes - love, sex, religion, fate, morality - resonate with us to this day, and their witty, satirical, bawdy voice sounds utterly modern. Beautifully realised in vivid, vernacular prose, they have become a bedrock of our storytelling tradition, mined ever since by authors from Chaucer to Shakespeare, Keats, Molière and Thomas Mann. The scene is the onset of the Black Death, Italy and a group of seven young women and three young men escape to the countryside to shelter in a secluded villa just outside of Florence in order to escape the Plague. There, they tell each other tales from all over the world. These ten radio retellings are performed by a stellar cast, including John Finnemore, Ingrid Oliver, Geoffrey Streatfeild, Lydia Leonard, Tim McInnerny, Samuel Barnett, Neil Pearson, Louise Brealey, and Tameka Empson. Cast and credits Saint Ciappelletto Ciappelletto - Colin McFarlane Musciatto - Sam Dale Holy Friar - Michael Bertenshaw The Burgundians - Monty d'Inverno & Paul Heath Doctor - Ian Conningham Federigo and His Falcon Federigo degli Alberighi - John Finnemore Monna - Ingrid Oliver Elena - Carrie Quinlan Beppo - Shaun Mason Niccolo - Adam Thomas Wright How Elena Blew Hot and Cold Elena - Lydia Leonard Violante - Elaine Claxton Rinieri - Cyril Nri Pyrrhus - Paul Heath How to Get It Off Your Chest Zeppa - Ian Conningham Mrs Zeppa - Hannah Genesius Spinelloccio - Shaun Mason Mrs Spinelloccio - Bettrys Jones Narrator - Jude Akuwudike Kind Hearts and Bayonets Mithridanes - Samuel Barnett Nathan - Sam Dale Beggarmaid - Bettrys Jones The Sweetest Young Man in Perugia Pietro - Tim McInnerny Madam - Hannah Genesius Pandara - Jane Slavin Masetto - Monty d'Inverno Ercolano - David Acton The Wager Musciatto - Michael Bertenshaw Ambrogiuolo - Geoffrey Streatfeild Bernabo - Paul Ritter Zinevra - Louise Brealey Sultan - Jude Akuwudike Captain - Shaun Mason A Job for the Boys Masetto - Neil Pearson Sister Donna - Tameka Empson Sister Lisa - Rhiannon Neads Hildegard - Jane Slavin Nuto - Sam Dale Steward - Michael Bertenshaw Love Lies Sleeping Silvestra - Laura Molyneux Beppo - Rudi Dharmalingam Giovanni - Joseph Drake Mother - Jane Slavin Rinaldo - David Acton A Quiet Night in Naples Andreuccio - Gunnar Cauthery Filomena - Roslyn Hill Scarabone - Shaun Mason Neighbour - David Acton Ludo - Paul Heath Bruno - Ian Conningham Sister Lisa - Elaine Claxton Sister Donna - Hannah Genesius First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 1-12 December 2014 Written by Giovanni Boccaccio Adapted by Robin Brooks Music arranged and performed by Robert Hollingworth and Paula Chateauneuf Translations by Silvia Reseghetti Script consultant: Guyda Armstrong Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Giovanni Boccaccio (Author), Colin Mcfarlane, Full Cast, John Finnemore, Louise Brealey, Neil Pearson, Paul Ritter, Samuel Barnett, Tameka Empson, Terry Jones, Tim Mcinnerny (Narrator)

Audiobook

Vent: A Comedy on Life-Support: The Complete BBC Radio Comedy Series 1-3

"All three series of the BBC Radio 4 sitcom, plus the hour-long special Locked In ‘Bold, beautiful, daring radio’ The Telegraph Vent charts coma patient Ben’s journey from the depths of unconsciousness, where he travels through the distinctly odd landscape of his own mind, to recovery and his attempts to readjust to the real world. In Series 1 and 2, as his mum and wife Mary sit round his bedside and wonder how to wake him up, Ben’s mind is busy elsewhere. In his imagination, he lives with his 2-year-old daughter Blitz (now miraculously grown up), encounters celebrities such as Sue Lawley, Elvis Presley and Tom Paulin, relives memories from his past and gets into a compromising situation with a fellow inmate at a strangely familiar Torquay hotel. Meanwhile, an imaginary sitcom written by him, about coma patients in a hospital, plays in the background. Locked In, first broadcast as a Friday Play in 2009, sees Ben free of his coma, but suffering from locked-in syndrome. Unable to engage with the world around him, he takes refuge once more in the safety of his unconscious – while the hospital debate whether to send him to a rehab unit or a care home. Series 3 finds Ben taking the ambulance home to begin life in a wheelchair. But life outside hospital is a little fraught. Fortunately, he can still escape into his fantasy world, where he meets Buzz Aldrin, invents a panel game and gets some relationship advice from Lord Byron. Based on writer Nigel Smith’s own experience of being hospitalised with a brain lesion, this moving, darkly funny sitcom stars Neil Pearson as Ben, with Fiona Allen as Mary, Josie Lawrence as Mum and Leslie Ash as Blitz. Guest stars include David Mitchell, Robert Webb and Jeremy Paxman."

Nigel Smith (Author), Fiona Allen, Full Cast, Josie Lawrence, Leslie Ash, Neil Pearson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Trevor's World of Sport: The Complete Series 1-3

"Neil Pearson stars in Andy Hamilton’s BBC Radio 4 comedy series about a sports agent with a conscience One of the main movers and shakers at TS Sports Stars agency, Trevor Heslop is honest, decent and sensitive. Unfortunately, he works in a world of cut-throats and corruption, with nightmare clients and a rapacious partner with the morals of a barracuda. Add to that his dysfunctional family – estranged wife Meryl and teenage son Toby – and it’s a miracle he manages to stay afloat in the shark tank that is his life. In these eighteen episodes, he grapples with a Buddhist (and a specially trained bear), tackles a footballer who’s just issued his seventeenth public apology, ends up in court as a witness while trying hard not to lie and proposes taking on the firm’s first Muslim client – but do his colleagues think this is a good idea? As he copes with the ultimate client from hell, Ralph, struggles to keep his dignity and his staff, and tries to save his reputation from being destroyed by a ruthless tennis star, can Trevor retain his decency in an increasingly indecent world? Written by Andy Hamilton, whose radio credits include the Sony Award-winning Old Harry’s Game, this funny, fast-moving comedy stars Neil Pearson as Trevor, Paul Reynolds as Sammy and Michael Fenton Stevens as Ralph, with guest appearances from Kevin R. McNally, Doon Mackichan and Kayvan Novak."

Andy Hamilton (Author), Claire Skinner, Full Cast, Neil Pearson, Paul Reynolds (Narrator)

Audiobook

Brian Gulliver's Travels: The Complete Series 1-2

"The complete BBC Radio 4 satirical comedy series about a seasoned presenter of travel documentaries, Brian Gulliver, who finds himself in a hospital's secure unit after claiming to have experienced a succession of bizarre adventures. In series 1 we hear about Brian's travels in Gelbetia, a country run by doctors; Juradia, where every other person is a lawyer; Osminia, a land where marriage is outlawed; Sham, a country where alternative therapies abound; Erosia, which has a very different view of sexual politics; and Jampoa, where fame definitely equals fortune. In series 2 we hear about Brian's travels in Chamanoa, where genetics is pitted against education; Lessington, where ignorance reigns; Gravinia and Plumpf, a land where the military are revered above everything; Anidara, where he finds himself put out to stud; Hermicia, where charity is strangely in abundance; and Kognitia, where selective memory is taken to a new extreme Starring Neil Pearson as Brian Gulliver, the cast also includes Duncan Wisby, Vicki Pepperdine, Lisa Dillon, Colin Hoult, Toby Longworth, Adrian Scarborough, Dan Tetsell, Barunka O'Shaughnessy, Debra Stephenson, Colin Hoult, Nina Conti, Jo Bobin and Marcus Brigstocke. Produced by Steven Canny"

Bill Dare (Author), Debra Stephenson, Duncan Wisbey, Full Cast, Mariah Gale, Neil Pearson (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Martin Beck Stories: 10 BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations

"The Martin Beck books are widely acknowledged as some of the most influential detective novels ever written. Written by Swedish husband and wife team Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö between 1965-1975, the ten-book series set a gold standard for all subsequent Scandanavian crime fiction. Long before Kurt Wallander or Harry Hole, Beck was the original flawed policeman, working with a motley collection of colleagues to uncover the cruelty and injustice lurking beneath the surface of Sweden's seemingly liberal, democratic society. This complete collection includes: Roseanna (1965) - translated by Lois Roth and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth The Man Who Went Up in Smoke (1966) - translated by Joan Tate and dramatised by Katie Hims The Man on the Balcony (1967) - translated by Alan Blair and dramatised by Katie Hims The Laughing Policeman (1968) - translated by Alan Blair and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth The Fire Engine That Disappeared (1969) - translated by Joan Tate and dramatised by Katie Hims Murder at the Savoy (1970) - translated by Amy and Ken Knoespel and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth The Abominable Man (1971) - translated by Thomas Teal and dramatised by Katie Hims The Locked Room (1972) - translated by Alan Blair and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth Cop Killer (1974) - translated by Thomas Teal and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth The Terrorists (1975) - translated by Joan Tate and dramatised by Katie Hims"

Maj Sjöwall, Per Wahlöö (Author), Full Cast, Neil Pearson, Steven Mackintosh (Narrator)

Audiobook

So You Want To Disappear: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

"A BBC Radio 4 drama by Mark Wheatley, originally broadcast as the ‘Afternoon Play’ on 13 May 2010. Fraser once tracked clients who jumped bail. Then he added a little twist to the business by helping people disappear instead, which is why Kathryn gives him a call. Starring Lia Williams as Kathryn and Neil Pearson as Fraser. Also includes Tessa Nicholson, Michael Shelford and Miche Doherty in the cast. Produced by Eoin O'Callaghan."

Mark Wheatley (Author), Michael Shelford, Miche Doherty, Neil Pearson, Tessa Nicholson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Dead Man's Footsteps

"The discovery of a woman's body and a link to the events of 9/11 takes Detective Superintendent Roy Grace around the world in Dead Man's Footsteps, by award winning crime author Peter James, read by actor Neil Perason. Amid the tragic mayhem of the morning of 9/11, failed Brighton businessman and ne'er-do-well Ronnie Wilson sees the chance of a lifeline: to shed his debts, disappear and reinvent himself in another country. Six years later the discovery of the skeletal remains of a woman's body in a storm drain in Brighton leads Roy Grace on an enquiry spanning the globe, and into a desperate race against time to save the life of a woman being hunted down like an animal in the streets and alleys of Brighton. Although the Roy Grace novels can be listened to in any order, Dead Man's Footsteps is the fourth gripping title in the bestselling series. Enjoy more of the Brighton detective’s investigations with Dead Tomorrow and Dead Like You. Now a major ITV series, Grace, starring John Simm."

Peter James (Author), Neil Pearson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Not Dead Enough

"Detective Superintendent Roy Grace thinks he's found a serial killer, but not everything is as it seems in Not Dead Enough, by award winning crime author Peter James, read by actor Neil Pearson. A beautiful socialite is dead. Roy Grace’s leading suspect, her husband, was sixty miles away when she died, but all other evidence points to him. Has someone stolen his identity or is he simply a very clever liar? Grace’s investigation and his budding new relationship are derailed after a reported sighting of his wife, Sandy, who has been missing for nine years. Grace desperately tries to cast light on the truth in both cases as his emotional turmoil – and the body count – grows . . . Although the Roy Grace novels can be listened to in any order, Not Dead Enough is the third thrilling title in the bestselling series. Enjoy more of the Brighton detective’s investigations with Dead Man's Footsteps and Dead Tomorrow. Now a major ITV series, Grace, starring John Simm."

Peter James (Author), Neil Pearson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Strange Affair

"Strange Affair is the fifteenth novel in Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks series, following on from Playing With Fire. When Alan Banks receives a disturbing message from his brother, Roy, he abandons the peaceful Yorkshire Dales for the bright lights of London, to seek him out. But Roy seems to have vanished into thin air. Meanwhile, DI Annie Cabbot is called to a quiet stretch of road just outside Eastvale, where a young woman has been found dead in her car. In the victim's pocket, scribbled on a slip of paper, police discover Banks' name and address. Living in Roy's empty South Kensington house, Banks finds himself digging into the life of the brother he never really knew, nor even liked. And as he begins to uncover a few troubling surprises, the two cases become sinisterly entwined . . . 'The Banks novels are, simply put, the best series now on the market' Stephen King"

Peter Robinson (Author), Neil Pearson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Looking Good Dead

"Detective Superintendent Roy Grace has to solve a disturbing murder whilst protecting an innocent eye witness in Looking Good Dead, by award winning crime author Peter James. When a young woman’s body is found butchered in Brighton, Roy Grace cannot help but think of his own missing wife and her unsolved fate. Elsewhere in the city, when Tom Bryce finds a disc left on a train, he simply tries to do the right thing – return it to its owner. But this attempted act of kindness makes him the sole witness to that same vicious murder. Learning that Tom has made a statement to Grace’s team, the killers have to act. But when they plan the murder of the Bryce family, it’s not just revenge – it’s entertainment. Although the Roy Grace novels can be listened to in any order, Looking Good Dead is the second gripping title in the bestselling series. Enjoy more of the Brighton detective’s investigations with Not Dead Enough and Dead Man's Footsteps. Now a major ITV series, Grace, starring John Simm."

Peter James (Author), Neil Pearson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Neil Pearson