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

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