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The Martin Beck Stories  By  cover art

The Martin Beck Stories

By: Per Wahlöö,Maj Sjöwall
Narrated by: Neil Pearson,full cast,Steven Mackintosh
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Publisher's summary

The Martin Beck books are widely acknowledged as some of the most influential detective novels ever written. Written by Swedish husband and wife team Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö between 1965 and 1975, the 10-book series set a gold standard for all subsequent Scandinavian crime fiction. Long before Kurt Wallander or Harry Hole, Beck was the original flawed policeman, working with a motley collection of colleagues to uncover the cruelty and injustice lurking beneath the surface of Sweden's seemingly liberal, democratic society.

This complete collection includes:

  • Roseanna (1965) - translated by Lois Roth and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth.
  • The Man Who Went Up in Smoke (1966) - translated by Joan Tate and dramatised by Katie Hims.
  • The Man on the Balcony (1967) - translated by Alan Blair and dramatised by Katie Hims.
  • The Laughing Policeman (1968) - translated by Alan Blair and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth.
  • The Fire Engine That Disappeared (1969) - translated by Joan Tate and dramatised by Katie Hims.
  • Murder at the Savoy (1970) - translated by Amy and Ken Knoespel and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth.
  • The Abominable Man (1971) - translated by Thomas Teal and dramatised by Katie Hims.
  • The Locked Room (1972) - translated by Alan Blair and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth.
  • Cop Killer (1974) - translated by Thomas Teal and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth.
  • The Terrorists (1975) - translated by Joan Tate and dramatised by Katie Hims.

©2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

What listeners say about The Martin Beck Stories

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Outstanding

This is good story telling in a play format. The adaptation is excellent, the acting is 'spot on'.
While reading each of the 10 novels in turn could be a rewarding experience, this 10 hour plus audio. presents the scope of Per Wahloo and Maj Sjowall's project so very well.

I understood Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö wanted to show the underbelly of their society in fiction form and their books do present social comment using a wide range of criminal offenses in a policing format.The police are human characters with individual personalities.

These stories capture a period in history for us now in 2017, looking back to the 1960's and 1970's.

The BBC Radio 4. with this superb production, and these talented writers and performers get a standing ovation and a few 'bravo' from my living room.

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20 people found this helpful

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One of the best narrations

I can see why this is such a popular series of books, the storylines and characters are excellent. This recording has a full cast and wow they are excellent! I felt like I was in the room with them. The attention to detail with background noises was just brilliant. Loved it.

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10 people found this helpful

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Fantastic stories. I hope this whetted your appetite for the actual books!

These are great stories and a time capsule of a period of time. The authors were genius using these stories to illustrate their society. BUT, did we have to listen to people eating. Aren’t Swedish folks taught not to talk with their mouths full? This is minor but is in every story .

I urge you to invest in the actual books. They are marvelous.

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6 people found this helpful

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  • 09-29-18

Highly Recommended. Compelling stories

Superb cast and orchestration of these compelling stories. Seeking out more of Maj Sjowall and Petr Wahloo! Wonderful works.

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5 people found this helpful

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Reminiscent

Be clear that these are short adaptations of short novels. I read the books many years ago as they came out in English. I loved them and was primed for dozens more from Scandinavia. These abbreviated radio adaptations do not permit full development of all characters or the interplay of culture, politics, and individual personality. However, the dramatizations offer strong flavors of these facets of the originals, and they are lovely procedurals as they stand. If you like old-fashioned radio dramas you will be pleased to experience these excellent productions, beautifully enacted.

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4 people found this helpful

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Enjoyable easy-listening for Beck fans

These are short full cast productions of Wahlöö and Sjöwall’s more gritty novels. Once I grew accustomed to various UK accents in place of Swedish, the listening is easy and enjoyable. Sometimes I listen at night after I’ve read too many current events :)

If you have not read the original novels, and you might, read the novels first.

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4 people found this helpful

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Martin Beck. How could I not known of this character.

Totally engrossed. No gardening got done and I have company arriving tomorrow! An intricate and charming combination of crime and relationship. Rang so true, how an investigation unfolds by focus, persistence and finally luck and intuition. Much like a relationship fails or succeeds. The performances, all but especially Steven Mackintosh, were perfect. I will surely listen again.

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4 people found this helpful

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the grandparents of the swedish murder mystery

very enjoyable! flashes of humor and cynicism. my favorite character was Larsson, played by Ralph Inerson. this was my first foray into BBC radio plays, and I'm definitely going to listen to many more!

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4 people found this helpful

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Very good radio drama

The reality of this drama is very good. But 11 stories are bit too long. Maybe three to five episode is good enough for my concentration.

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3 people found this helpful

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Brilliant stories, compelling performances.

This is such a great work of fiction, interesting, characters who are utterly believable . The dialogue is perfectly judged and the plots twist and turn with a steady, relentless realism peppered with moments of sheer genius.

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3 people found this helpful