The Murder of the Maharajah & The Governess

Synopsis

BBC Radio adaptations of two historical crime novels by H. R. F. Keating, plus bonus extract from BookshelfBritish 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 eraThe Murder of the Maharajah text copyright © H. R. F. Keating 1980The Governess text copyright © Evelyn Hervey 1983Production creditsWritten by H. R. F. KeatingThe Murder of the MaharajahMaharajah – Zia MohyeddinDewan – Renu SetnaPorgy – Lyndam GregoryD S P Howard – Sam DastorRam Singh – Amerjit DeuSir Arthur – Philip AnthonyMichael – Luke BeesonSchoolmaster – BhaskerDolly – Rachel AtkinsJudy – Oona BeesonElaine – Sheila MitchellFrere – Dominic LettsJoe – Steve HodsonMorton – Barry GordonThe GovernessHarriet Unwin – Angela PleasanceSergeant Drewd – James BolamPelham – James HollandMrs Arthur Thackerton – Susan JamesonWilliam Thackerton – Jack MayArthur Thackerton – Tony MathewsJoseph – Steve HodsonVilkins – Emily RichardGrandmother Thackerton – Joan MathesonHopkinson – David SinclairHannah – Victoria CarlingMrs Breakspear – Eva StuartNewspaper voice – John RyeMiss Bond – Marian DiamondJohn – Stephen TompkinsonPC Wilson – Anthony JacksonSurgeon – Alan DudleyMr Brattle – Kim WallPC Smithers – Michael TroughtonSuperintendent – Stephen Thorne© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd