Detective cover art

Detective

The Complete BBC Radio 4 Crime Drama

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Detective

By: Robert Barr
Narrated by: full cast, Ray Brooks
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About this listen

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
Mystery Exciting Funny British Detective Mysteries British Crime
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What listeners say about Detective

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Easy Listening

Enjoyed the whole series - Ray Brooks is ideal as the Detective and the supporting cast all great too.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A quite realistic detective programme

I really enjoyed this programme. Are there any more? I would love to hear another one!!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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So much better than expected

Nice short stories - BBC series never disappoints, wish there were more. There were some atleast one unfinished story I thought they will come back to. Still satisfying and a light listening for my long train journeys

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Enjoyable Listen

An unsuspected and enjoyable joy to listen too, and was left wanting and wishing for more

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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brilliant

absolutely loved it reminded me of my twenties great time wish there was more of this

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

Absolutely lovely one of the best I've listened too. Mr brooks has such a nice voice really good listen highly recommend

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A bit out dated but enjoyable

The series was a good listen overall even if a bit out dated in its view of women and gender stereotypes. It was also amusing listening to actors with strong RP playing cockney criminals. This did not takeaway for the overall well acted and well developed plots in this 1970’s ( I presume) cop drama. A great listen in the car!

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Impressed

Didn’t expect much from this but really enjoyed it. Brooks is great and the stories are pretty good

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I tanked through it in no time.

Whilst paling in comparison to productions of the modern day, this must have been a marvel way back when. In fact, the first series is older than I am.

I mostly enjoyed it for its nostalgia - police officers drinking pints on a lunch break before the pub shut for the afternoon, and simplicity - not relying on DNA results coming back from the lab.

Each episode is under 30 minutes. One is a minute or two shorter than the others which leads me to think that an attitude of the era really has not aged well, and had to have a scene chopped out perhaps.

Saying that, as I have seen in another review, there are still some slightly uncomfortable moments which I think we have improved upon as a nation.

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3 people found this helpful

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BBC at her best.

I really enjoyed listening to these. The BBC do these sorts of drama so well. Somewhat dated now of course but all the better for that!

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2 people found this helpful