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  • Detective

  • The Complete BBC Radio 4 Crime Drama
  • By: Robert Barr
  • Narrated by: full cast, Ray Brooks
  • Length: 17 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (202 ratings)
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Detective cover art

Detective

By: Robert Barr
Narrated by: full cast, Ray Brooks
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Summary

All four radio series of Robert Barr’s gripping London-based police drama.

Originally broadcast as Detective: Stories of Crime and Detection in London, this BBC radio drama ran for four series between 1980 and 1985. Written by the award-winning creator of Z Cars and Softly Softly, Robert Barr, it comprised 39 thrilling stories set in London’s criminal underworld, all of which are collected here for the first time. 

DS Dave Brook is a long-serving, ducking-and-diving police officer who takes armed robberies and violent crime in his stride. But then he is teamed up with young 'grammar school boy' DC Blair Maxton from sleepy Epsom. How will Max cope with the mean streets of his new patch?

Among the thrilling cases in these four series, the detectives tackle an armed gang, confront a notorious crime family, search for a missing wife, investigate a gruesome ax murder and the death of a reclusive young woman, and assist ‘The Sweeney’ flying squad. It’s all in a day’s work for Brook and his team....

Ray Brooks stars as DS Brook, with Christopher Blake as DC Maxton, David Daker as Chief Inspector Roach, Peter Cleall as DC Harrison, Jacqueline Tong as Judy and Stephen Garlick as DC Tully.

Written by Robert Barr

Produced and directed by Martin Fisher

First broadcast 3 January-27 March 1980, BBC Radio 4 (Series 1), 16 March-18 May 1982, BBC Radio 4, (Series 2), 27 June-15 August 1984, BBC Radio 2 (Series 3), 24 June-12 August 1985, BBC Radio 2 (Series 4)

©2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

What listeners say about Detective

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

wish there were more.

thoroughly enjoyed this dramatisation. Ray Brooks excellent in title role. thoroughly recommend. wish there were more episodes.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Z cars and Sunhill rolled into one

A really good listen with a great cast. I enjoyed ever minute. None of the stories were written in such a way as to be horrifyingly gruesome or gut twisting, but nonetheless hard hitting. I felt as if I were eavesdropping in on an old fashioned police station, listening to a hard working team from a London Station CID department. I was following their every day lives whilst they carried out investigations of major and minor crimes. And just as in life - some they won and some they lost. A very satisfying listen

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Very Dated

Seems like there is more intro music and end credits than actual stories, and the actual plots and stories all seem to be cut short near the end to accommodate this-Needs a good editing!!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I tanked through it in no time.

Whilst paling in comparison to productions of the modern day, this must have been a marvel way back when. In fact, the first series is older than I am.

I mostly enjoyed it for its nostalgia - police officers drinking pints on a lunch break before the pub shut for the afternoon, and simplicity - not relying on DNA results coming back from the lab.

Each episode is under 30 minutes. One is a minute or two shorter than the others which leads me to think that an attitude of the era really has not aged well, and had to have a scene chopped out perhaps.

Saying that, as I have seen in another review, there are still some slightly uncomfortable moments which I think we have improved upon as a nation.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Evocative of an era

Thoroughly enjoyed this gentle detective series. Good performances and nice, easy stories that made listening a pleasure.

The background sound effects were good enough to make you believe you were listening to a TV programme and while the script irritated at times it was because the writer felt it important to ‘tell’ the action.

Solid performances from the cast and very evocative of the period it was made in.

If you like programs like good old British police shows like ‘Z Cars’ and ‘The Sweeney’, you will most likely enjoy this.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed It!!

I really enjoyed this set! a bit of old fashioned English Police Drama. Storyline s' and acting all really good and kept me listening. Going to look if there are more I can listen too!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

BBC at her best.

I really enjoyed listening to these. The BBC do these sorts of drama so well. Somewhat dated now of course but all the better for that!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good fun but a bit dated

Plots are interesting but probably a bit dated and simplistic now, but good listening for anyone without a modern police background or knowledge. I enjoyed them all. The actors are good.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

WONDERFUL DETECTIVE DRAMA

Good old fashioned detective stories from the 80’s and is why I enjoy it with the added bonus of actor Ray Brooks who brings his own down to earth charisma. I have listened many times. 17 hours and 21 minute's is excellent value for one credit. More like this one please.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A bit out dated but enjoyable

The series was a good listen overall even if a bit out dated in its view of women and gender stereotypes. It was also amusing listening to actors with strong RP playing cockney criminals. This did not takeaway for the overall well acted and well developed plots in this 1970’s ( I presume) cop drama. A great listen in the car!

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1 person found this helpful