Ten full-cast vintage BBC Radio crime dramas featuring Michael Gilbert’s most enduring characters, including Mr Calder and Mr Behrens, Inspector Hazlerigg and Inspector Petrella

A treat for any fan of crime dramas, this collection stars legendary voices including Prunella Scales, Maurice Denham, Peter Gilmore, Carleton Hobbs and James Bolam.

Smallbone Deceased: When Marcus Smallbone, a trustee of a large trust fund, disappears, it at first causes irritation in that most eminent firm of solicitors, Horniman, Birley and Craine. When his body is discovered in one of the firm's deed-boxes, irritation turns to shock and shock to fear as one by one, the members of staff come under suspicion… Starring Hywel Bennett as Inspector Hazlerigg.

After the Fine Weather: In the tiny province of Lienz, a bishop is assassinated in the presence of his people. Laura Hart saw the crime, but she finds that in the tangled world of international frictions you might tell the truth but it's difficult to be believed – and dangerous when you are... Starring Prunella Scales.

Double Double: Mr. Behrens and Mr. Calder belong to a very secret organisation headed by Mr. Fortescue – an organisation even more secret, and apparently more deadly, than the celebrated M.I.5. In this story, a terrorist group is plotting to assassinate a visiting Sheikh. Starring Stephen Murray as Calder, Peter Howell as Behrens and Carleton Hobbs as Fortescue.

On Slay Down: Counter-intelligence agents Calder and Behrens are back, and this time the story begins with a tea-party. But the host and his guest come from the world of espionage... and there is work to be done. Read by Geoffrey Beevers.

The Last Chapter: A man is found dead in circumstances which point to suicide – but was it suicide? Starring Maurice Denham, James Bolam and Anna Cropper.

Flash Point: Will Dylan is an electoral favourite – intelligent, sharp and good-looking. Jonas Killey, a small-time lawyer, is hounding Dylan in the hope of bringing him into disrepute. But no government can afford bad press during a general election, and Jonas finds himself pursued by those who want to keep him quiet… Starring Brian Haines and Alan Rowe.

This gripping collection also presents five full-cast detective stories written for radio, starring Peter Gilmore as Inspector Petrella. A missing baby, a strange suicide, a mysterious arson, a protection racket run by an elusive master criminal, and a large cache of money discovered during an office block demolition all feature, and Detective Inspector Petrella is on the case…

Michael Gilbert was one of the most prolific writers of the 20th century. He published over 30 novels and 185 stories during his lifetime. His stories encompass police procedurals, spy novels, short stories, courtroom dramas, classical mysteries, adventure thrillers, and crime novels. He was called the ‘Grandmaster’ by the Mystery Writers of America and given the Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers' Association for lifetime achievement. This is an audio treat for anyone looking to listen to a thrilling full-cast production of classic crime drama.

Please note: several of the programmes in this collection are vintage radio recordings. Given the age of these productions, the sound quality may vary.

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