Detective

The Complete BBC Radio 4 Crime Drama

By: Robert Barr

Narrated by: full cast, Ray Brooks

All four radio series of Robert Barr’s gripping London-based police drama.

Originally broadcast as Detective: Stories of Crime and Detection in London, this BBC radio drama ran for four series between 1980 and 1985. Written by the award-winning creator of Z Cars and Softly Softly, Robert Barr, it comprised 39 thrilling stories set in London’s criminal underworld, all of which are collected here for the first time.

DS Dave Brook is a long-serving, ducking-and-diving police officer who takes armed robberies and violent crime in his stride. But then he is teamed up with young 'grammar school boy' DC Blair Maxton from sleepy Epsom. How will Max cope with the mean streets of his new patch?

Among the thrilling cases in these four series, the detectives tackle an armed gang, confront a notorious crime family, search for a missing wife, investigate a gruesome ax murder and the death of a reclusive young woman, and assist ‘The Sweeney’ flying squad. It’s all in a day’s work for Brook and his team....

Ray Brooks stars as DS Brook, with Christopher Blake as DC Maxton, David Daker as Chief Inspector Roach, Peter Cleall as DC Harrison, Jacqueline Tong as Judy and Stephen Garlick as DC Tully.

Written by Robert Barr

Produced and directed by Martin Fisher

First broadcast 3 January-27 March 1980, BBC Radio 4 (Series 1), 16 March-18 May 1982, BBC Radio 4, (Series 2), 27 June-15 August 1984, BBC Radio 2 (Series 3), 24 June-12 August 1985, BBC Radio 2 (Series 4)

©2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

It was ok I guess.

I could do without the music and the “police radio” between each episode. I thought it was rather annoying. Some episodes were only a few short minutes long.

Detective: radio

I was very pleased with both the storyline and the performance of the series. The actors did a great job and their voice inflections and background sounds. Lots of interesting twist and quirks. The entire broadcast was a good lesson.

Excellent radio drama

A lovely taste of the 80’s in London.
Good story lines and characters classics police drama

Nothing but Love

How can i express the entertainment this is for me. I will be looking for more of Barr's Detective books. Very much enjoyed it.

Cheerful cop always one step ahead

I remember hearing a few of these high quality BBC Radio 4 dramatisations on the radio years ago and am thrilled to find them available - complete! - on Audible along with their distinctive theme tune. The scripts play it straight and the cops play it straighter but always stay one step ahead of the most serious crooks who seem unable to evade them for long.

The main character is a street smart and pretty cheerful detective sergeant with a talented but inexperienced young detective constable under his wing. As the senior officer explains what's happening to his junior, like Holmes to Watson, the audience get an explanation of the criminal's motive and means, helping us understand the story and direction. I don't mind this plotting device at all and find the stories entirely engaging without breaking the mould for solid police proceedural. I would definitely recommend them to fans of Sherlock, Poirot or Wimsey.

Old days

Reminds me of the days when there was only radios and the family sat around and listened as a family.

Wonderfully Unwoke

Read a reviewer who was bleating about sexism, racism, etc, in the story. Poppycock I say! This production is very entertaining and well acted. And unlike modern Police Procedurals these stories are from a time not burdened with public service announcements every five minutes trying to please all the woke Karens and Kens.

Also read a reviewer who didn't like the music but since I'm from the 70's and 80's I love this music. It reminds me of better times. Keep 'em coming!

Old time radio venue

Enjoyed the variety of the stories and characters. good old policing, snitches, lots of pints. enjoyable narration-came to know the main characters. listening to old time radio with sound effects. didn't like the volume with each episodes beginning and ending.

Dated

The radio productions are very good, but I found the POV to be very dated. After awhile, I found myself rooting for the criminals.

Dated, racially insensitive

I'm usually a fan of this genre, but the use of the word colored, darkie and nigger during a few of the stories put me off. Not to mention how the police profiled african American and ethnic "suspects". I can now officially say in the age of officer Chauvin there is no space for cop dramas like this.