Audiobooks narrated by Steve Hodson

The Inter-City Contract & more: Seven Full-Cast BBC Radio Crime Dramas

"A collection of seven ingenious full-cast thrillers and crime dramas by Rod Beacham Actor, dramatist and founding member of Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre, Rod Beacham wrote over 15 plays for BBC Radio. This collection comprises seven crime dramas first broadcast on Radio 4’s ‘Saturday Night Theatre’ strand between 1980 and 1987, ranging in tone from tense whodunnits to light-hearted comedy thrillers. The Inter-City Contract – A chess-playing Hungarian, a concert harpist and a septuagenarian lady mountaineer are just some of the passengers on the overnight express to Edinburgh. Lurking amongst them is a hired assassin and his intended victim… Michael Maloney, Melinda Walker and Steve Hodson star in this gripping mystery set on a sleeper train. The Gortys Triangle – Crete is the setting for this suspenseful drama, which revolves around a young man’s death by drowning. Attempting to uncover the truth, his archaeologist cousin navigates the world of the super-rich and meets the mysterious Candy, who appears to be the key to it all. Starring Patrick Mower and David March. Thanks for Looking After Jeannie – When Dicky Doyle drops dead in Wormwood Scrubs, he takes the hiding place of some stolen jewels to his grave. Or does he? Criminal mastermind Jack Prince thinks otherwise – and this spells trouble... Peter Vaughan stars in this entertaining comedy thriller. Prince of Thieves – This sequel to the previous play finds arch-villain Jack Prince planning a gold bullion heist. But it’s not until he meets nutty computer expert Mad Doc Pargeter that he sees a way to break through the vault’s electronic doors… Starring Peter Vaughan, Bryan Pringle and June Tobin. Go Down in Darkness– Susan Penreith walked out of university in her second year, and has since vanished. She was always convinced that something terrible would happen to her when she was 25 – but what was she so afraid of, and why is her ex-boyfriend Matt suddenly having terrifying dreams about her? Steve Hodson, Frances Jeater and Glynis Brooks star in this eerie thriller. Disconnection – Peter Taylor has worked hard all his life for achievement and success, and now it finally seems within his grasp. Only then he makes a phone call – and the voice on the other end fills him with apprehension and terror… Starring David Daker. The Hubris File – Senior civil servant Pargeter is missing, and the only clues to the mystery lie in his diary. It reveals that he was under increasing strain – and that he was on the trail of a traitor within the ranks of the Intelligence Department. Could this double agent be responsible for his disappearance? Geoffrey Collins stars in this absorbing tale. © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Rod Beacham (Author), Alan Thompson, Bryan Pringle, David Daker, David March, Frances Jeater, Full cast, Geoffrey Collins, Glynis Brooks, Melinda Walker, Michael Maloney, Peter Vaughan, Robin Summers, Steve Hodson, Trevor Nichols (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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Broken Wings and Bright Stars & other stories: Five BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramas

"A collection of dramas set in South and Central America by acclaimed dramatist Mike Walker An award-winning dramatist, author and feature writer, Mike Walker has written numerous original dramas for BBC Radio 4, including his epic chronicles Tsar, Caesar!, The Stuarts and Castle of the Hawk. Collected here are five of his gripping dramas from the 1980s and '90s, set around the Amazon rainforest and Nicaragua. Broken Wings and Bright Stars - Life in Tomas's small Brazilian fishing village hasn't changed for generations. But the old ways are dying, and few men now venture out to sea. For young Tomas, the future lies with the developers and their promise of jobs and money - so when his grandfather asks for his help building a boat, he is faced with a dilemma... Gary Cady stars as Tomas, with Michael Spice as Jose, in this first play in the Broken Wings and Bright Stars trilogy. Dull Sun, Polished Moon - American filmmaker Bill Krause leads a crew into the Amazon jungle to make a documentary about tribal life, accompanied by his friend Father Alvarro, Tomas and Javari, a Brazilian Indian. They want to record the truth - but the truth is complicated, and difficult to reconcile. This second drama in the Broken Wings and Bright Stars trilogy stars Gary Cady, Ronald Herdman, Crawford Logan and Steve Hodson. Fallen Leaves, Dead City - In this final part of the Broken Wings and Bright Stars trilogy, Tomas, desperate to make a difference, has embarked on a dangerous venture. Forced to confront the consequences of his actions, he must put aside idealism and face some harsh realities. Starring Gary Cady, Frances Jeater, Richard Pascoe and Crawford Logan. Staying Still - When Jack Lowell is not organising survival courses for unfit executives on a remote Scottish island, he is living with an indigenous tribe in the Brazilian rainforest. Then tragedy occurs and his two worlds collide. Unhinged by grief, he seeks to extract payment for his losses... Nigel Anthony and Hilary MacLean star in this haunting tale of ritual, remorse and revenge. Compañeros - Four strangers meet and decide to make a journey into the heart of Nicaragua, but when they happen upon a group of trigger-happy Contras, their nightmare begins... Starring Derek Newark, Angharad Rees, Trevor Nichols and Colin Stinton. Production credits Written by Mike Walker Broken Wings and Bright Stars Cast Gary Cady, Michael Spice, Steve Hodson, Eric Lander, Pauline Letts, Martyn Read, Anton Phillips, Crawford Logan, John Webb, Jill Lidstone, Ronald Herdman, Patience Tomlinson Directed by Christopher Venning. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 October 1981 Dull Sun, Polished Moon Cast Gary Cady, Ronald Herdman, Steve Hodson, Frank Ellis, Crawford Logan, John Livesey, Stephen Thorne, Hugh Dickson Directed by Christopher Venning. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 April 1982 Fallen Leaves, Dead City Cast, Richard Pascoe, Gary Cady, Frances Jeater, Beth Porter, Aaron Swartz, Ronald Herdman, Nick Reding, James Bryce, Crawford Logan, Alex Jennings, Stuart Organ, Henry Stamper, Michael Spice, John Livesey Directed by Christopher Venning. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3 February 1983 Staying Still Cast Nigel Anthony, Hilary MacLean, Bob Docherty, David Bannerman, Pavel Douglas, Patricia Gallimore, Deborah Berlin, Cornelius Garrett, Tina Gray, Richard Fleming, Aled Jones, Rachel Oldfield, Anna Rose Directed by Shaun MacLoughlin. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 October 1994 Compañeros Cast Derek Newark, Angharad Rees, Trevor Nichols, Colin Stinton, Stuart Milligan, Arturo Venegas, Francisco Morales, Alan Dudley, Michael Deacon Directed by Peter King. First broadcast BBC Radio 4,11 January 1988 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Mike Walker (Author), Aled Jones, Colin Stinton, Crawford Logan, Frances Jeater, Full Cast, Gary Cady, Hilary Maclean, John Livesey, Nigel Anthony, Ronald Herdman, Steve Hodson, Trevor Nichols (Narrator)

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After Eden: A BBC Radio 4 comedy

"Alison Leonard's warm-hearted gentle comedy about the life and trials of a woman priest in a small Welsh town When the Reverend Elaine Metcalfe is inducted as the vicar of Pontvale, she hopes the job will have more to it than lending out spare sets of keys. She soon discovers there's plenty of challenges in her new home - not least the daily needs of her parishioners, which range from community theatre productions, arranging a wedding and a funeral for the same day, and local scandal over the vicar's culottes. On top of that, the Rev Metcalfe is also dealing with a local man who may be hearing angels, her ex-husband's opinions of the vicar's green activism, and church superiors watching her every move. Moving, warm and full of characters, this sweet series is perfect for fans of The Vicar of Dibley. Cast Christine Pritchard - Rev Elaine Metcalfe Sue Jones Davies - Sian Hywel Morgan - Phil Steve Hodson - Mr Hudson Simon Harris - Gareth Michael Povey - Rev Melvyn Johns Jilly Bond - Christina Manon Edwards - Gwen Kristin Milward - Sheila Clare Isaac - Tash Rhodri Hugh - Bryn Simon Ludders - Adam Nia Davies - Puck Dafydd Wyn Roberts - Ellis Marilyn Le Conte - Josie Sharon Morgan - Freda Oliver Senton - Sergei / Colin / Tom Originally broadcast on Radio 4: 23 February - 30 March 1995 Production credits Written by Alison Leonard Produced by Alison Hindell ©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Alison Leonard (Author), Christine Pritchard, Full Cast, Marilyn Le Conte, Michael Povey, Oliver Senton, Sharon Morgan, Simon Ludders, Steve Hodson (Narrator)

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The Secret of Headlam Height: A Max Carrados Mystery. Full-Cast BBC Radio Drama.

"Set during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, where every story promises a 'Thousand Thrills!', with ingenious plots, full of twists and surprises, driven along with exciting action and tongue in cheek humour. As the First world War rapidly approaches, we arrive in a sleepy south coast town where Max Carrados, the celebrated blind detective, is soon investigating the sudden death of the local museum curator. All is not as it seems, as our blind hero finds himself on the cliff top in a duel to the death with the ruthless German spymaster who is the one who knows The Secret of Headlam Height. “Good News... Simon Callow stars as the blind detective, Max Carrados, Lionel Jeffries as his servant and ‘eyes’, Parkinson.” Sunday Times – Gillian Reynolds Choice “Atmospheric and Great Fun.” Daily Express Also available as part of the THRILLER PLAYHOUSE BOX SET, eight episodes featuring Max Carrados, Norman Conquest and Ben from the popular BBC Drama series. Cast Simon Callow as Max Carrados Lionel Jeffries as Parkinson Charles Simpson as van der Burgh Brett Usher as Linmarsh Steve Hodson as Biles Kathryn Pogson as Miss Baker Paul Panting as Ferris Brian Orrell as Publican & full supporting cast. © & ℗ 2022 Mr Punch Audiobooks Ltd"

Mr Punch (Author), & Full Supporting Cast, Brett Usher, Brian Orrell, Charles Simpson, Kathryn Pogson, Lionel Jeffries, Paul Panting, Simon Callow, Steve Hodson (Narrator)

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Conquest Marches On: A Norman Conquest Thriller. A Full-Cast BBC Radio Drama

"Set during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, where every story promises a 'Thousand Thrills!', with ingenious plots, full of twists and surprises, driven along with exciting action and tongue in cheek humour. Norman Conquest is off to the theatre, when our fast talking, hard hitting adventurer finds himself accused of assaulting a pretty young lady on the underground. It’s only when our hero “1066” discovers that the young lady is the victim of a mysterious blackmailer known as “The Voice”, that he marches into yet another hell-for-leather action packed adventure in search of the baddies. “It is pure 1930s, when the hero did say to the villain: "Good grief! You're a cold blooded killer!" and the heroine did affectionately call her hero "a cockeyed chump!" To all concerned “Jolly good show, chaps.” The Times “Christopher Cazenove seems to relish his role as Norman Conquest, a hero about who dashing is the least that could be said! Atmospheric and great fun for those who prefer older-style detectives.” Daily Express Also available as part of the THRILLER PLAYHOUSE BOX SET, eight episodes featuring Max Carrados, Norman Conquest and Ben from the popular BBC Drama series. Cast Christopher Cazenove as Norman Conquest Bonnie Langford as Pixie Richard Davies as Chief Inspector Williams Colin Spaull as Mandeville Livingstone Jack Klaff as “The Voice” Hetty Baynes as Mary Langford Gavin Muir as Mr Chester Steve Hodson as Walt Richard Tate as Beetle & full supporting cast. Based on a story by Berkeley Gray. Dramatisation: Guy Fithen Music: Robert Rigby Director: Adrian Bean Producer: Stewart Richards & Michael Cameron © & ℗ 2022 Mr Punch Audiobooks Ltd"

Mr Punch (Author), & Full Supporting Cast, Bill Nighy, Bonnie Langford, Christopher Cazenove, Colin Spaull, Gavin Muir, Hetty Baynes, Jack Klaff, Richard Davies, Richard Tate, Steve Hodson (Narrator)

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Mutiny on the Bounty: An epic award-winning full-cast dramatisation. BBC Radio Drama

"Mutiny on the Bounty is a gripping adventure of the high seas and a story of treachery and betrayal. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, this epic three-part serial tells the true story of Fletcher Christian’s dramatic mutiny against his tyrannical Captain and how Lieutenant Bligh when cast adrift in an open rowing boat with 18 loyal men makes an incredible voyage across 3,600 miles of hostile and uncharted seas to the Dutch East Indies, while Fletcher Christian and his fellow mutineers fight for survival on the battered and wind-swept island of Pitcairn. “Television would give an eyetooth for the cast of Mutiny on the Bounty. What is more, they are all very good. Mutiny on the Bounty is Outstanding.” Daily Telegraph “It’s an altogether stunning cast which serves the intelligent, historically aware script splendidly.” Daily Mail “It is a very good production.” The Times “Mutiny on the Bounty is a wonderful dramatisation and has a cast which includes Oliver Reed in splendid form as Captain Bligh.” Daily Express “An atmospheric saga of mutiny on the high seas.” The Observer Cast Oliver Reed as William Bligh Linus Roach as Fletcher Christian Roger Daltrey as Thomas Burkett Lionel Jeffries as Alexander Smith David Healey as Captain Folger with Lynhdam Gregory Mamta Kaash Steve Hodson Andrew Schofield Vincent Friel Joe Dunlop Charles Simpson David Roper Richard Pearce Russell Floyd Clive Hill Jonathan Keeble Ali Hames & full supporting cast Based on the trilogy of books by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall Dramatisation: Bert Coules Music: Robert Rigby Director: Adrian Bean Producer: Stewart Richards & Michael Cameron © & ℗ 2022 Mr Punch Audiobooks Ltd"

Mr Punch (Author), & Full Supporting Cast, Andrew Schofield, David Healey, Linus Roach, Lionel Jeffries, Lynhdam Gregory, Mamta Kaash, Oliver Reed, Roger Daltrey, Steve Hodson (Narrator)

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Spook's: The Dark Army

"The second terrifying tale in the Spook's spin-off series from bestselling author Joseph Delaney. Thomas Ward was working as the new County Spook, fighting the Dark with his own apprentice. But a new enemy stirred in the north, and Tom’s calling required him to leave his home and lead an uprising against a legion of beasts: creatures of the dark intent on locking the whole earth in a never-ending winter. Then something went horribly wrong, and now Tom lies cold in a grave, while those who remain are in despair. Who can now take up the battle? And how much time remains before the dark army brings the fight back to the County, and the world is changed for ever?"

Joseph Delaney (Author), Clare Corbett, Gabrielle Glaister, Steve Hodson, Thomas Judd (Narrator)

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Narrow Dog to Wigan Pier

"At seventy-five, Terry and Monica Darlington had done everything they could think of doing, including starting a business and becoming athletes and running a literary society.Lately they had become boating adventurers and Terry a bestselling writer. But in their Midlands canal town in November, life was looking dull and short on surprises. Then their famous canal boat was destroyed by fire. Within a few days they had bought a new one and soon headed north in the Phyllis May 2 – to Liverpool, Lancaster, the Pennines and Wigan Pier. Terry recorded the journey, and alongside it the story of his life and his marriage and his dog Jim, with his broken ear like a flat cap, and Monica’s dog Jess, known with heartbreaking reason as the Flying Catastrophe. Funny, affecting and beautifully told, this is a story that brims with incident and excitement, and is full of the famous and fascinating people the Darlingtons have met. And there is sadness too of course – it is the true story of an adventurous life well lived."

Terry Darlington (Author), Steve Hodson (Narrator)

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Hard Times

"In the polluted and poverty-ridden Coketown, Louisa and Tom Gradgrind endure a cold and loveless childhood at the hands of their self-satisfied and unimaginative father Thomas. Starved of affection, Louisa is forced into a miserable marriage with the self-made industrialist Josiah Bounderby, thirty years her senior, whilst Tom descends into a secret life of theft. Into such squalor and misery comes Sissy Jupe, a child of the circus whose ailing father Sleary has deserted her. When she is adopted by Tom Gradgrind, the generous hearts of Sissy and her circus colleagues help combat the pervading gloom and offer the hope of redemption and eventual happiness. This full-cast BBC Radio dramatisation stars John Woodvine, Tom Baker and Anna Massey."

Charles Dickens (Author), Anna Massey, Full Cast, Steve Hodson, Tom Baker (Narrator)

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Manhattan in Reverse: The Complete Collection

"Across seven original tales from master of science fiction Peter F. Hamilton, Manhattan in Reverse offers captivating glimpses into incredible worlds - with characters old and new. 'Each short story has enough ideas for a whole novel' - Ken Follett, author of The Pillars of the Earth Following the events of Judas Unchained, Paula Myo returns. In the title story Manhattan in Reverse, the detective is on the case of a species believed to be without sentience - until it attacks the human colonisers. And, in The Demon Trap, Paula is dispatched to investigate a terrorist attack - and a motive that will be hard to unravel. Elsewhere, Watching Trees Grow tells of a murder in an alternative 1800s Oxford, and The Forever Kitten raises questions of eternal youth - and the sacrifices required to pursue it. With all his usual brilliantly conceived storytelling, Peter F. Hamilton's talents are on full display in Manhattan in Reverse."

Peter F. Hamilton (Author), Camilla Mathias, Damian Lynch, Sean Barrett, Steve Hodson (Narrator)

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Much Ado about Nothing

"Young Claudio has fallen for the lovely heiress Hero, who also loves him. Their path to the altar looks smooth, until the evil Don John intervenes. All ends happily, thanks to his incompetent assassins and the lucky discoveries of the bungling constable Dogberry. Central to the play, one of Shakespeare's best-loved comedies, are Beatrice and Benedick, masters of wit and sworn foes to marriage—until a plot is hatched to bring them together. Beatrice is played by Saskia Reeves, while Samuel West plays Benedick. Paul Jesson is Don Pedro, Jason O'Mara is Claudio, and Abigail Docherty is Hero. Dogberry is played by Bryan Pringle."

William Shakespeare (Author), Abigail Docherty, Amanda Root, Bryan Pringle, David Bradley, Jason O'Mara, Paul Jesson, Samuel West, Saskia Reeves, Steve Hodson, a full cast (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Steve Hodson

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