McLevy: The Collected Editions: Series 7 & 8

McLevy: The Collected Editions #4

by David Ashton, Brian Cox (Narrator), Siobhán Redmond (Narrator)

Eight episodes of the BBC Radio 4 detective series set in Victorian Edinburgh, starring Brian Cox. Inspired by the real-life memoirs of one of Scotland’s first policemen, James McLevy prowls the dark streets of 1860s Edinburgh bringing criminals to justice, with the assistance of Constable Mulholland. In The Firebrand, a women's rights campaigner is kidnapped, and it's up to McLevy to investigate. In Dead Reckoning, a strange case of grave robbing has McLevy puzzled. In Prince of Darkness, one of Jean Brash's old lovers is back from the dead—and out for revenge. In A Distant Death, McLevy's nightmares of death by drowning seem about to come true . . . In The Blue Gown, with the help of Jean Brash, McLevy investigates the death of a seamstress. In Flesh and Blood, a student is accused when a tavern brawl ends in murder. In A Fine Deception, suspicion falls on a stage magician after a jewel robbery at Edinburgh Castle. Finally, in The Last Illusion, McLevy must proves his theory that a celebrated conjurer is a thief. Brian Cox stars as Inspector McLevy, with Siobhán Redmond as Jean Brash and Michael Perceval-Maxwell as Constable Mulholland.Duration: 6.45 hours approx.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Crime

7 pages, Audio CD

First published April 7, 2016

About the author

David Ashton (born 10 November 1941 in Greenock) is a Scottish actor and writer. Trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, 1964–67, he has acted in a wide variety of film, television, theatre and radio roles. He has also developed a parallel career as a writer of fiction, film and television screenplays and plays for theatre and radio. His radio play The Old Ladies at the Zoo, which starred Peggy Mount and Liz Smith, won the Radio Times Drama Award in 1985.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I have meet Brian Cox, I will go full McLevy fangirl on him. I love this series. Part of the love is the characters - Jean Brash, the world's best bawdy house keeper; Muholland, world's best sidekick and beekeeper; Roach, who has transcended sterotype; and of course, McLevy, the detective/thief taker who isn't as smart as he thinks he is.

And Hannah, can't forget Hannah.

There are developments in the Brash/McLevy pairing. As per usual each season has an overall arc as well as separate mysteries. A pleasure to listen to as always.

[Andrew Peel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without doubt McLevy on BBC Radio is my favourite audio drama. It transcends normal crime and historical drama. Brian Cox and Siobhan Redmond are excellent as hero and protagonist who both love one another yet Cox’s character won’t admit it. If you’re going to listen to it start Series 1 and work through.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good plots again in these radio plays. Enjoyable listening.