Murder in the Title

Charles Paris: BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisations

by Jeremy Front (Adapter), Simon Brett, Bill Nighy (Narrator)

Charles Paris is his own worst enemy, a louche lush who can resist anything except temptation – especially in the form of women and alcohol. He’s been out of work so long now he feels he may never get a job and he’s driving Frances, his semi-ex-wife, mad. So when he’s offered a small role in a play, she nearly pushes him out of the door. But it seems that The Message is Murder is such a terrible production that someone wants to kill off the cast. First there is a series of nasty accidents, then someone attempts to stab Charles. Can he find the murderer before they strike again? Bill Nighy stars as Charles Paris in this entertaining dramatisation by Jeremy Front. It was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 29 January 2010.

2 CDs. 1 hr 50 mins.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Humor, British Literature

2 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"French Windows and polyester costumes."
Simon Brett's amusing tales of the (usually out of work) actor, Charles Paris, and the often murderous discoveries which seem to dog his dramatic opportunities have long been favourites of this reader, but even more pleasurable are the adaptations by Jeremy Front for broadcast as drama by B.B.C. Radio 4. With a full cast and Bill Nighy magnificent in the title role as the aging, over drinking lothario with heart, in this story Charles Paris secures a minor role with a rep.company in a failing small town theatre. Unsurprisingly, a couple of accidents make him suspect that something is not right.
The plot line might be fairly conventional but the production is excellent, great acting interspersed with snippets of late 60s, early 70s pop music from, amongst others, Bob Dylan, Velvet Underground, The Doors, and Cream, and classics such as Je t'aime and We've Gotta Get Out of this Place. Nice little touches, too, with the cell phone ringtones: Paris' agent's being the Death March.

Not high drama but a superb piece of fun. Just hearing Bill Nighy's warmly delicious tones as dog house husband and thwarted thespian is, alone, enough to bring forth a smile.
Always recommended.

December, 2024
With so little daylight naturally occurring, it's so nice to curl up with a book which radiates smiles. Any of the BBC adaptations of any of the Charles Paris stories will help bring in the light.

[Anton Segers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eens te meer hogelijk amusant entertainment van niveau, én een trefzekere satire op theater en theatermensen. Ook interessant om na al het geruzie tussen Charles Paris en zijn vrouw Frances eindelijk eens hun wederzijdse band te kunnen voelen.

[Adrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have taken to listening to an audio book or radio play adaptation whilst working from home and I remembered today of my enjoyment of the previous BBC Radio 4 dramatizations of the Simon Brett Charles Paris novels. They are wonderfully fun and Bill Nighy plays the aging actor, with a penchant for women and drink, so very well.

In this story, Charles finds himself cast in a production out in the provinces in a failing theatre where a series of accidents lead to a number of close calls. Can Charles get to the bottom of these seemingly random events before someone gets more than hurt or will there be another murder to solve!?

I have been listening to these radio plays out of order compared to the original books and this instalment appears to before Charles discovers he's a grandfather. However, it doesn't impact the story or the enjoyment at all and there are no spoilers to previous books/adaptations. 3.5 stars.

[Kaz Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this i will definitely listen to more books by Simon Brett

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would have been loads better without the music. Was it there just to change scenes? It was so loud and garish. Otherwise it would have been a five. I loved the story!

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Just a relaxing, fun story which Bill Nighy makes great!

[Amina (ⴰⵎⵉⵏⴰ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Watch out for those who do you favours peeps!

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to in audio format.

This is a radio adaptation of Simon Brett's Murder In the Title starring Bill Nighy.

I love the Charles Paris radio adaptations. There are funny and easy to listen to.

Charles gets a role in a provincial theatre in Rugland Spa. It is the perfect job, his corpse is found in a cupboard which leaves him 45 minutes to go to the pub before he is needed again. One night Charles is hiding behind a curtain waiting to go on stage when a knife goes through the curtain and nearly stabs him. When a fellow actor is nearly hung on stage he starts to investigate. Meanwhile Charles wife Frances has taken in a lodger called Fabio. Charles is jealous which leads to a funny scene when Charles cooks them dinner.

These stories are great if you fancy a light hearted murder mystery.

[JZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Bill Nighy. I'll listen or watch anything he's in.

And Simon Brett worked on Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The greatest radio show the BBC ever produced.

Need I say more? There's a better review than mine here. Read Norma's comments:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Nuff said.

[One Sentence Audio Critic · Rating 5 out of 5]

May 25, 2024