Thackeray

Synopsis

Michael Cochrane stars as a green-fingered private sleuth in a series of murder mysteriesA perfect listen for any fans of cosy crime, this series is packed with four brilliant stories to enjoy. Meet Jim Thackeray, a renowned landscape gardener who also happens to be a first-class private detective. As you will discover, this is very handy when murders happen to take place in gardens…In Green Fingered Thackeray’s Shakespearean-themed gardens are the scene of a murder. The victim is the ex-wife of a Turkish multi-millionaire and it’s not long before fingers start being pointed and both elements of Jim’s life are brought together with dramatic consequences. Can he solve the crime and save his reputation?In Battle Cry, someone is "accidentally" killed re-enacting a medieval battle. Jim is pulled in to investigate and finds his horticultural expertise can once again help the police solve the seemingly unsolvable.Thackeray's opportunity to redesign an Italian garden in This Blessed Plot is thwarted by the disappearance of his employer. Luckily for the local residents, Jim’s on hand to investigate the mystery.In Death and the Ice Maiden Thackeray's daughter Gail asks her dad to look into the strange deathbed confession of a friend's grandmother. Secrets are revealed and questions asked…Performed by a full-cast, this vintage bundle of cosy crime is a treat not-to-be-missed. Michael Cochrane is a star of TV, stage and screen but is perhaps best-known as the voice of Oliver Sterling in the long-running BBC Radio 4 drama series, The Archers.Note: This is a collection of a single story ('Green Fingered') plus a 3-part series.Cast and creditsWritten by Olwen Wymark and Barbara CleggProduced by Glyn Dearman and Alison HindellJim Thackeray - Michael CochraneGeorge Field - John Moffatt / John HartleyShirley Field - Rosemary Leach / Doreen MantleMiss Birch - Irene Sutcliffe / Margaret JohnDave - Todd Boyce / Richard LomasGail - Charlotte BirdBryony - Melanie WaltersFurther parts played by Mary Wimbush, Nigel Anthony, David March, Giselle Wolf, Sean Barrett, Michael Tudor-Barnes, John Rye, Richard Pearce, Jane Whittenshaw, Simon Eastwood, James Greene, Howell Evans, Terry Dauncey, Gwyn Vaughan Jones, Carl Forgione, Vanessa Roper-Evans, Robert Rietti, Frank Rozelaar-Green, Rachel Atkins, Tonya Smith, Ruth Lloyd, and Simon LuddersFirst Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14th Dec 1995, 27th Aug – 10th Sep 1997©2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd