Audiobooks narrated by Tim Pigott-Smith

1347 is a year of war and unrest. England's army is fighting in France, encouraging the Scots to invade their old enemy. Thomas of Hookton, send back to England to follow an ancient trail which suggests his family once owned the Holy Grail, instead becomes embroiled in the savage fight when the Scots come to Durham. Out of the horror he finds a new companion for the quest, but also discovers a new enemy in a Dominican Inquisitor. All Europe want the grail. Many may doubt it exists, but no one would willingly allow an enemy to find Christendom's most precious relic, and Thomas finds himself in a murderous race with the Inquisitor and with Guy de Vexille, the mysterious black rider who murdered Thomas' father. Thomas' father bequeathed him a mysterious notebook which confirms the grail's existence and offers clues to where it might be hidden. But his rival have the advantage of the torture chamber of the Inquisition. Thomas, seeking help to decipher the book's cryptic pages, is delivered instead to his worst enemies. He finds refuge in Brittany with the Countess of Armorica, but fate will not let him rest. He is thrust into one of the most desperate fights of the Hundred Years' War, the battle of la Roche-Derrien and, amidst the flames, arrows and butchery of that night he faces his enemies again. Performed by Tim Pigott-Smith.

Bernard Cornwell (Author), Tim Pigott-Smith (Narrator)

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Vagabond

The second installment in the Grail Quest series, from one of our bestselling authors.In Harlequin, Thomas of Hookton travelled to France as an archer and there discovered a shadowy destiny, which linked him to a family of heretical French lords who sought Christendom's greatest relic: the Holy Grail.Vagabond continues the story of a search that Thomas is reluctant to pursue. He doubts the grail's existence, and he has other promises to keep, promises that take him back to Brittany where a vicious civil war is about to reach its climax. But other folk, far more powerful than Thomas and his friends, fear the rumour of the grail's existence and force Thomas to pursue the relic, while his enemies, faceless and ruthless, fear Thomas's destiny and determine to destroy him. Thomas's allies are few and weak: a hedge priest, a renegade French knight, a Jewish adventurer and a crippled English soldier - but now they must unite and find greater strengths to pierce the mysteries of Christendom.

Bernard Cornwell (Author), Tim Pigott-Smith (Narrator)

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Unmade Movies: Arthur Miller's The Hook: A BBC Radio 4 adaptation of the unproduced screenplay

Arthur Miller's unproduced screenplay about a 1950s Brooklyn dock worker who takes a stand against corruption, directed by Adrian Noble The annals of movie history are full of lost treasures - spectacular scripts from world-renowned writers that could have been classics, had they only been made. Now, for the first time, some of these forgotten gems have been brought to life, fully realised as vivid, cinematic radio productions. Scripted by major 20th Century writers, including Harold Pinter, Arthur Miller, Alfred Hitchcock and Dennis Potter, they star a host of A-list actors and feature richly evocative, atmospheric soundtracks. The Hook, one of seven 'unmade movies' available on audio, is set in New York's docks in 1951, where hundreds of longshoremen queue up at dawn hoping to be given a counter and a place in the day's gang. It's hard, dangerous work, but in a world ruled by corrupt union bosses on the take, they have no choice but to accept it. Then a tragedy occurs, and one man, Marty Ferrara, decides to fight back... Arthur Miller was America's leading post-war playwright, but his credits also include several successful movie scripts, among them the 1961 classic The Misfits. Developed with Elia Kazan, The Hook was shelved when Miller refused to comply with Columbia Pictures' demands that he make the corrupt union bosses Communists. However, it went on to inspire both Kazan's On the Waterfront and Miller's A View from the Bridge. This dazzling production marks director Adrian Noble's radio debut, and stars Elliot Cowan (Lost in Austen) as Marty, with Tim Pigott-Smith (The Jewel in the Crown) as Farragut. It is narrated by David Suchet, who flawlessly reads Miller's directions, describing the action we can't see. Gritty, powerful and resonant, this rediscovered masterpiece will have you hooked from beginning to end. Production credits Written by Arthur Miller Adapted for radio by Laurence Bowen Directed by Adrian Noble Produced by Laurence Bowen Sound Design: Wilfredo Acosta A Feelgood Fiction production for BBC Radio 4 Cast Narrator - David Suchet Marty - Elliot Cowan Louis - Nigel Lindsay Rocky - Michael Feast Farragut - Tim Pigott-Smith Piggy - Nathan Wiley Enzo - Jonathan Guy Lewis Sleeper - Kerry Shale Therese - Joanne Pearce Old Dominic - Vincent Riotta Mama - Lorelei King Irene - Hollie Burgess Pete - Leo Heller First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17 October 2015 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Arthur Miller (Author), David Suchet, Elliot Cowan, Full Cast, Tim Pigott-Smith (Narrator)

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Treason's Harbour

The 9th installment in the Aubrey/Maturin series All of Patrick O'Brian's strengths are on parade in this novel of action and intrigue, set partly in Malta, partly in the treacherous, pirate-infested waters of the Red Sea. While Captain Aubrey worries about repairs to his ship, Stephen Maturin assumes the center stage; for the dockyards and saloons of Malta are alive with Napoleon's agents, and the admiralty's intelligence network is compromised. Maturin's cunning is the sole bulwark against sabotage of Aubrey's daring mission.

Patrick O'Brian (Author), Tim Pigott-Smith (Narrator)

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Together We Stand

The birth of an alliance that changed the course of history.From the bestselling author of Fortress Malta this is the second book in the Mediterranean war trilogy. This audiobook looks afresh at the conflict in Northern Africa, focusing for the first time on the involvement of the US and the way this early collaboration to defeat Rommel shaped the whole Anglo-American axis for the rest of the war in Europe.By June 1942, Britain had reached her lowest ebb. Her military command was in tatters, her armies beaten, and in the Middle East it seemed all might be lost. Her new ally, America, had only fledgling armed forces and was severely under-trained, yet it was this alliance of the weary combatant and naïve newcomer, coming together for the first time in North Africa, that would eventually bring about the defeat of Nazi Germany.This crucial period - from defeat at Gazala through to the victories of Alamein and ultimately in Tunisia - was a time of learning for the Allies, yet by the end Britain and America had finally gained material and certain tactical advantages over Germany, particularly in the air warfare. As this book shows, the development of a tactical air force - principles that are still used to this day - were founded over the skies of North Africa.When the Axis forces were finally driven from North Africa in May 1943, over 250,000 Axis troops were taken prisoner, more than had surrendered to the Russians at Stalingrad. It was a major victory and a crucial steppingstone to the future invasion of Italy and France.In this new reappraisal, James Holland also interweaves the personal stories of the men - and women - who made up these polyglot Allied forces: British and American, Nepalese and Punjabi, South African and Australian, Maori and Zulu, from all ranks and all services. From the heat and dust of the Western Desert to the mud and mountains of Northern Tunisia, this book charts the extraordinary first days of an Alliance that has worked together ever since.

James Holland (Author), Tim Pigott-Smith (Narrator)

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Titanic, The Voices From The BBC Archive

The RMS Titanic sailed from Southampton en route for New York on her maiden voyage with 2228 passengers and crew on board. On the 14th April at twenty minutes before midnight, sailing at almost full speed, she struck an iceberg and sank in just two and a half hours. Over 1500 lives were lost. This is the story of a great tragedy described by the surviving passengers, officers and crew who were on board that night. Firsthand accounts help to explain why so few of the passengers took to the lifeboats and later describe the miraculous survival of those forced to jump into the icy waters of the North Atlantic. The story of the Titanic is ultimately one of simple human loss and these laconic Edwardian voices bring it vividly to life. The hold that these events have on our imagination is as strong now as it ever has been in the 100 years since the great ship went down.

Mark Jones (Author), Tim Pigott-Smith (Narrator)

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The Winter King

The exciting beginning for Cornwell's epic Arthurian trilogy. 'Once upon a time, in a land that was called Britain, these things happened'and I was there, and this is how it was.' The Winter King, like the rest of the trilogy, is narrated by Derfel (which is pronounced Dervel), one of Arthur's warriors. This first book tells how after the death of Uther, High King of Britain, the country falls into chaos. Uther's heir is a child, Mordred, and Arthur, his uncle, is named one of the boy's guardians. Arthur has to fight other British kingdoms and the dreadful 'Sais' 'the Saxons'who are invading Britain. Arthur is supposed to marry Ceinwyn, a princess of Powys, but falls disastrously in love with Guinevere' 'There have been many more beautiful women, and thousands who were better, but since the world was weaned I doubt there have been many so unforgettable as Guinevere'and it would have been better, Merlin always said, had she been drowned at birth.' Individual images (Sword, Armored Gloves) Shutterstock, Digital Illustration ' HarperCollins. Digital artist Greg Whyte.

Bernard Cornwell (Author), Tim Pigott-Smith (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Winter King

Uther, the High King of Britain, has died, leaving the infant Mordred as his only heir. His uncle, the loyal and gifted warlord Arthur, now rules as caretaker for a country which has fallen into chaos - threats emerge from within the British kingdoms while vicious Saxon armies stand ready to invade. Uther, the High King of Britain, has died, leaving the infant Mordred as his only heir. His uncle, the loyal and gifted warlord Arthur, now rules as caretaker for a country which has fallen into chaos - threats emerge from within the British kingdoms while vicious Saxon armies stand ready to invade. As he struggles to unite Britain and hold back the Saxon enemy, Arthur is embroiled in a doomed romance with beautiful Guinevere.

Bernard Cornwell (Author), Tim Pigott-Smith (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Wine-Dark Sea

In their 16th outing, Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin pursue a prize into the Great Southern Ocean. The story takes Maturin to South America. Caught up in a failed coup, he flees across the Andes. Aubrey makes a desperate voyage in a open boat, but both survive and are reunited. 'The best chapter yet in the continuing saga of life in Nelson's navy.' (Publishers Weekly) From the Compact Disc edition.

Patrick O'brian, Patrick O’Brian (Author), Tim Pigott-Smith (Narrator)

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The Truelove

The 15th installment in the Aubrey/Maturin series. This splendid installment in Patrick O'Brian's widely acclaimed series of Aubrey/Maturin novels is in equal parts mystery, adventure, and psychological drama. A British whaler has been captured by an ambitious chief in the Friendly Isles (Tonga) at French instigation, and Captain Aubrey, R.N., is dispatched with the Surprise to restore order. But stowed away in the cabletier is an escaped female convict. To the officers, Clarissa Harvill is an object of awkward courtliness and dangerous jealousies. Aubrey himself is won over and indeed strongly attracted to this woman who will not speak of her past. But only Aubrey's friend, Dr. Stephen Maturin, can fathom Clarissa's secrets: her crime, her personality, and a clue identifying a hightly placed English spy in the pay of Napoleon's intelligence service. In a thrilling finale, Patrick O'Brian delivers all the excitement his many readers expect: Aubrey and the crew of the Surprise impose a brutal pax Britannica on the islanders in a pitched battle against a band of headhunting cannibals

Patrick O'brian, Patrick O’Brian (Author), Tim Pigott-Smith (Narrator)

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The Thirteen Gun Salute

The 13th installment in the Aubrey/Maturin series. Captain Jack Aubrey sets sail for the South China Sea with a new lease on life. Following his dismissal from the Royal Navy (on a false accusation), he has earned reinstatement through his daring exploits as a privateer, brilliantly chronicled in The Letter of Marque. Now he is to shepherd Stephen Maturin-his friend, ship's surgeon and sometimes intelligence agent-on a diplomatic mission to prevent between Bonaparte and the Malay princes which would put English merchant shipping at risk. The journey of the Diane encompasses a great and satisfying diversity of adventures. Maturin climbs the Thousand Steps of the sacred crater of the orangutans; a killer typhoon catches Aubrey and his crew trying to work the Diane off a reef; and in the barbaric court of Pulo Prabang a classic duel of intelligence agents unfolds: the French envoys, well entrenched in the Sultan's good graces, against the savage cunning of Stephen Maturin. "O'Brian infuses his novels with so much energy, texture and drollery that it's easy to be swept along for the voyage. Add to this the superb reading of actor Tim Pigott-Smith and you have something approaching audiobook heaven." ---The Express-Times

Patrick O'Brian (Author), Tim Pigott-Smith (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Surgeon's Mate

Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are ordered home to bring news of their latest victory. But Maturin is a marked man for the havoc he caused to the French intelligence network in the New World and the British packet carrying them is shadowed by two American privateers. The chase that follows through the fogs and shallows of the Grand Banks is as tense, and as unexpected in its culmination of this seventh Aubrey/Maturin adventure, as anything Patrick O'Brian has ever written. 'Vividly detailed 19th-century settings and dramatic tension punctuated with flashes of wry humor make O'Brian's nautical adventure a splendid treat.' (Publishers Weekly) From the Cassette edition.

Patrick O'Brian (Author), Tim Pigott-Smith (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Tim Pigott-Smith