The Cinderella Killer

Charles Paris: BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisations

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

Bill Nighy returns as Charles Paris in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatization of a novel by Simon Brett, adapted by Jeremy Front and first broadcast from 2 to 23 December 2016.

Landing a minor part in the Empire Theatre Eastbourne’s Christmas production of Cinderella, Charles Paris soon discovers that his main role is to gently introduce the show’s baffled American star, Kenny Polizzi, to the bizarre customs of English pantomime.

During their sessions in the local pub, Charles finds himself increasingly caught up in Polizzi’s tangled affairs. But Charles is about to be far more involved than he might wish when he stumbles across a body beneath Eastbourne Pier. As the world’s press descends, the pantomime rehearsals slip into chaos. It’s up to Charles to put his renowned sleuthing skills to the test to find out who really killed his fellow cast member - and why.

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery, Fiction

2 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable as all the Charles Paris mysteries are. This had the added advantage that I didn't guess the murderer, which I generally do but since these are "cozy" mysteries I don't mind. I'm there for Bill Nighy and for the general story.

[Amina (ⴰⵎⵉⵏⴰ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

How didn't Charles see that coming!
Great plot and great performance by Bill Nighy and the rest of the crew!

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Oh yes he did' Charles Paris is starring in a panto production of Cinderella. The star of the show American sitcom star Kenny Polizzi has had quite the checked life, with a documented history of affairs, alcoholism and drug abuse.

But Kenny has brought his problems with him from over the pond. His soon to be ex wife comes to Eastbourne to finalise the terms of their divorce, and a English girl he had an affair with in LA is also starring in Cinderella.

Then Charles receives a phone call from a drunk Kenny in the middle of the night asking him to meet in on the beach. When Charles arrives he finds Kenny dead from a gunshot wound to his head.

On the home front Frances is upset because Juliet and their Granddaughter will be away at Christmas. To console herself Frances invites her friend for Christmas lunch which rapidly turns into a huge party.

I highly recommend this BBC radio adaptation, they never disappoint me. I hope the BBC adapt all 19 Charles Paris books.

[Anton Segers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geestig radio drama van een whodunit die, een beetje zoals bij Robert Galbraith, evenveel een satire is als een detective. Heeft wat zwaktes onderweg, maar ook wel een eindverrassing. En Bill Nighy is zoals altijd goud waard.

[Simon]

3.5 stars. Glad to see they cut down on the slapstick which have kind of hurt these radio adaptations. Solid story.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have taken to listening to an audio book or radio play adaptation whilst working from home and today it's back to the BBC Radio 4 dramatisations 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, as Christmas looms, Charles finds himself resorting to pantomime during a particularly sparse period of employment. The show has the usual B-list celebs but there is one glaring anomaly in the form of an American Hollywood star who is looking to boost his career. However when Charles stumbles across his body, he is thrown into a deadly game of cat and mouse. Once again, it's left to Charles to piece together the clues which the police seem happy to ignore.

I have been listening to these radio plays out of order compared to the original books. However, it doesn't impact the story or the enjoyment at all and there are no spoilers to previous books/adaptations. 4 stars.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"The Angel of death"

Charles Paris, frequently out of work, heavy drinking and remarkably sociable actor lands a role in a panto in Margate. As usual, his talent for discovering dead bodies accompanies him. Always good fun, these excellent comedy dramas produced by the BBC are headed by Bill Nighy as Charles, supported by an excellent cast. Always recommended.

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

After getting nits, a rash from the beard, and being wee-ed on twice (once by a kid) Charles refuses to keep doing the Santa job his agent got him.
He gets shifted across to panto. One of the other stars, American Ken, is escaping recent tabloid disasters, so they send him out to do the promos, but he gets sidelined into raving about the 2nd amendment and his gun collection, which is just not done in Britain. His performance is not really panto, more of a new age mumbler but rehearsals stumble on.
Ken’s #1 fan, Gloria, is stalking him, and his attempting-to-be-an-ex wife shows up, too.
She quips:

“I didn’t realise Notting Hill was a documentary.”

Bwahaha.
When Ken phones Charles at 2am Charles knows he’s been drinking so he goes to help but then finds him shot dead on the beach. Charles talks himself out of being prime suspect.
But he gets a promotion out of this to play Baron Hardup and then gets a message with emojis - red angry face, thumb down, gun. What could it mean? And another of the cast is missing; a young girl Josie. But she seemed to know the dead man.
Ken’s American PA Larry takes him to lunch, eager to make sure Charles didn’t tell the cop about the ‘parcels’ he obtained for him.
4 stars

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good dramatization. I enjoy all the Charles Paris audio books with Bill Nighy as Charles Paris.

[Jill]

Audiobook