BBC Radio adaptations of two historical crime novels by H. R. F. Keating, plus bonus extract from Bookshelf

British detective writer H. R. F. Keating was best known as the creator of Inspector Ghote of the Mumbai CID. He won two Crime Writers’ Association Gold Daggers, and in 1996 was awarded the Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement. Included here are dramatisations of two of his most popular murder mysteries, set in 1930s India and Victorian London, plus a short clip from Radio 4’s Bookshelf featuring the award-winning author.

The Murder of the Maharajah – His Highness the Maharajah of Bhopore delights in playing April Fool’s Day tricks on his guests – but the joke turns sour when one of his pranks inadvertently leads to his own murder. Five people apparently had the means and motive to kill him, but as District Superintendent of Police Howard investigates, he realises that the circle of suspects is wider than it seems. Zia Mohyeddin, Renu Setna and Sam Dastor star in this entertaining, Christie-esque drama, adapted from H. R. F. Keating’s Gold Dagger Award-winning novel.

The Governess – When Harriet Unwin is hired as a governess in a wealthy London household, it seems that luck is on her side. That is, until the master of the house, William Thackerton, is found stabbed to death – and all the evidence points to her. Desperate to prove her innocence, she turns detective, uncovering the dark secrets hidden behind the family’s respectable Victorian facade.... Based on H. R. F. Keating’s novel written under the pseudonym Evelyn Hervey, this atmospheric adaptation stars Angela Pleasance and James Bolam.

Bookshelf – Talking to fellow thriller writer Susan Hill, H. R. F. Keating holds up a magnifying glass to the art of crime fiction as he discusses his work and ideas.

Please note: this collection contains language that reflects the attitudes of the era
The Murder of the Maharajah text copyright © H. R. F. Keating 1980
The Governess text copyright © Evelyn Hervey 1983
Production credits
Written by H. R. F. Keating
The Murder of the Maharajah
Maharajah – Zia Mohyeddin
Dewan – Renu Setna
Porgy – Lyndam Gregory
D S P Howard – Sam Dastor
Ram Singh – Amerjit Deu
Sir Arthur – Philip Anthony
Michael – Luke Beeson
Schoolmaster – Bhasker
Dolly – Rachel Atkins
Judy – Oona Beeson
Elaine – Sheila Mitchell
Frere – Dominic Letts
Joe – Steve Hodson
Morton – Barry Gordon
The Governess
Harriet Unwin – Angela Pleasance
Sergeant Drewd – James Bolam
Pelham – James Holland
Mrs Arthur Thackerton – Susan Jameson
William Thackerton – Jack May
Arthur Thackerton – Tony Mathews
Joseph – Steve Hodson
Vilkins – Emily Richard
Grandmother Thackerton – Joan Matheson
Hopkinson – David Sinclair
Hannah – Victoria Carling
Mrs Breakspear – Eva Stuart
Newspaper voice – John Rye
Miss Bond – Marian Diamond
John – Stephen Tompkinson
PC Wilson – Anthony Jackson
Surgeon – Alan Dudley
Mr Brattle – Kim Wall
PC Smithers – Michael Troughton
Superintendent – Stephen Thorne