P. D. James BBC Radio Drama Collection

Seven Full-Cast Dramatisations

By: P. D. James

Narrated by: Greta Scacchi, Hugh Grant, full cast, Judi Bowker, Philip Franks, Robin Ellis, Siân Phillips, Richard Derrington

Length: 16 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Seven BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations of P. D. James' acclaimed mysteries, plus P. D. James in Her Own Words.

This collection includes:

Cover Her Face

P. D. James' debut novel, introducing her famous detective Adam Dalgliesh. Starring Robin Ellis as Dalgliesh.

A Taste for Death

Dalgliesh investigates when two bodies are found murdered a London church. Starring Richard Derrington as Dalgliesh.

Devices and Desires

Dalgliesh hunts a serial killer in desolate Norfolk. Starring Robin Ellis as Dalgliesh.

A Certain Justice

Dalgliesh probes the murder of a brilliant criminal lawyer. Starring Philip Franks as Dalgliesh.

The Private Patient

Dalgliesh investigates a high-profile murder at an exclusive cosmetic surgery clinic. Starring Richard Derrington as Dalgliesh.

An Unsuitable Job for a Woman

An eminent scientist hires Detective Cordelia Gray to discover why his son committed suicide. Starring Judi Bowker as Cordelia Gray.

The Skull Beneath the Skin

With her life in danger, actress Clarissa Lisle turns to private detective Cordelia Gray. Starring Greta Scacchi as Cordelia Gray.

Among the supporting cast in these classic dramas are Siân Phillips, Hugh Grant, Anna Massey and Geraldine James.

Also included is a bonus audio documentary, P. D. James in Her Own Words, in which the author discusses her professional career and private life.

©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Excellent murder mystery

My first PD James book, and at first I found the stories a little hard to follow, she uses a lot of characters. She does an excellent job of defining the characters as the story develops.

Performances wonderful, adaptations well done

The adaptations of each well performed novel were excellent.. I had read the novels each years ago, remembered the plot lines and characters but never felt the condensing of story affected the overall plot or ending…I also enjoyed the excerpted interviews with James from different times especially late in-life. Reallywell done.

Great dramatization

Good radio plays of James work plus good cast including the surprise of Hugh Grant

Absolutely engrossing performances

I love the complexity of the plots and PD James’ empathetic insight, which is used imaginatively in the creation of the mystery. Great performances, you can easily visualize the scenes behind the words.

P. D. Jame’s stories done well by BBC Radio.

Phyllis Dorothy James’s work dramatized by BBC is a good listen! Highly edited for radio, the stories are clear and well acted. After program, several interviews with author are included, which are hugely informative. Historic, literary and personal perspectives are discussed.

Classy

These are classy, full-on adaptations of several PD James novels: mostly Dalgliesh stories, but there are two Cordelia Greys here as well. The collection includes the story I think of as James’s masterpiece, A Taste For Death. The adaptations follow the plots of the originals closely, though POV is often changed to better meet the requirements of the medium. (Most commonly, third-person narration is changed to first-person.)

I really have only one complaint: as with many recent BBC omnibus collections, there is no index of tracks, nor is there a comprehensive list of cast members. There really should be a PDF with this information.

full cast

If you could sum up P. D. James BBC Radio Drama Collection in three words, what would they be?

I love the full cast performances having read all her books

What other book might you compare P. D. James BBC Radio Drama Collection to and why?

Can't say enough about full cast dramas and mysteries

Love the live action!!!

This is the first time I have ever listened to a dramatization. It was an amazing experience. Highly recommend it.

Sooo Boring!

When there was a story being told, it held my interest. But most of this type of writing is questioning by the detective which drones on and on like the buzzing of bees. Buzz,buzz for hours. It was so dull I couldn’t even fall asleep because I was too annoyed. I returned it and will
wait for the new Oscar Wilde collection.

Great dramatised abridgements

The writers and producers have done a great job of condensing James’ best mystery novels into 2-hour radio plays performed by really excellent casts. If you want to immerse yourself into James’ admirable, but sometimes dense, prose, this is not for you, but if you want a page turner, as it were, you’ll like this.