Listen free for 30 days
-
A Decent Interval
- Narrated by: Simon Brett
- Series: Charles Paris, Book 18
- Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £13.69
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Cinderella Killer
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Simon Brett
- Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Landing a minor part in the Empire Theatre Eastbourne’s Christmas production of Cinderella, Charles Paris soon discovers that his main role is to gently introduce the show’s baffled American star, Kenny Polizzi, to the bizarre customs of English pantomime. During their sessions in the local pub, Charles finds himself increasingly caught up in Polizzi’s tangled affairs. But Charles is about to be far more involved than he might wish when he stumbles across a body beneath Eastbourne Pier.
-
-
Who Shot JR, Simon Brett Style...
- By SnapWriter on 08-11-14
-
Charles Paris: Dead Room Farce
- A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation
- By: Simon Brett, Jeremy Front
- Narrated by: Bill Nighy, full cast, Suzanne Burden
- Length: 1 hr and 51 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A three-month run of a new farce is not to be sniffed at by a jobbing actor. Especially when there's the distinct possibility of a West End run. Which is why Charles Paris is standing on stage. However, by the time the troupe reaches Bath a darker mood has set in and Charles' old friend Mark has a drink problem that amounts to a death wish. But it's not the drink that kills Mark - it's somebody in the cast who has a secret that Mark must not be allowed to reveal....
-
-
Bill Nighy well what can you say..
- By Steve Blay on 27-05-18
-
The Clutter Corpse
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Simon Brett
- Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ellen Curtis runs her own business helping people who are running out of space. As a declutterer, she is used to encountering all sorts of weird and wonderful objects in the course of her work. What she has never before encountered is a dead body. When Ellen stumbles across the body of a young woman in an over-cluttered flat, suspicion immediately falls on the deceased homeowner's son. No doubt Nate Ogden is guilty of many things - but is he really the killer? Discovering a link between the victim and her own past, Ellen sets out to uncover the truth.
-
-
A disappointment from one of my favourite authors!
- By Anna on 03-06-20
-
Guilt at the Garage
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Simon Brett
- Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Carole Seddon's trusty Renault is one of her most treasured possessions. So when it is vandalised, there's only one person she will entrust with its repair: Bill Shefford has been servicing the vehicles of the good citizens of Fethering for many years. But how could something like this happen in Fethering of all places? Then the note is shoved under Carole's kitchen door: Watch out. The car window was just the start. She has been deliberately targeted. But by whom and why?
-
-
The Jude and Carol team
- By Caroline Adams on 07-01-21
-
Mrs Pargeter's Principle
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Simon Brett
- Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For Mrs Pargeter, it is a matter of principle that she should complete any of her late husband's unfinished business. Amongst his many bequests, perhaps the most valuable is his little black book, in which he listed all the people who ever worked for him, with details of their particular skill sets. This means that whenever Mrs P has a crime to solve, she can readily contact someone with the relevant expertise.
-
-
Please make more available!
- By Bookshake on 28-09-16
-
The Penultimate Chance Saloon
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Simon Brett
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Soul searching was an unfamiliar exercise to Bill Stratton, and he found it intriguing as well as painful. He hadn't had much occasion for it in his life, given that he was fairly shallow, but then, on the verge of his 60th birthday, his wife told him she was leaving him for another man.
-
-
Sex in the over sixties!
- By Kirstine on 24-05-10
-
The Cinderella Killer
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Simon Brett
- Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Landing a minor part in the Empire Theatre Eastbourne’s Christmas production of Cinderella, Charles Paris soon discovers that his main role is to gently introduce the show’s baffled American star, Kenny Polizzi, to the bizarre customs of English pantomime. During their sessions in the local pub, Charles finds himself increasingly caught up in Polizzi’s tangled affairs. But Charles is about to be far more involved than he might wish when he stumbles across a body beneath Eastbourne Pier.
-
-
Who Shot JR, Simon Brett Style...
- By SnapWriter on 08-11-14
-
Charles Paris: Dead Room Farce
- A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation
- By: Simon Brett, Jeremy Front
- Narrated by: Bill Nighy, full cast, Suzanne Burden
- Length: 1 hr and 51 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A three-month run of a new farce is not to be sniffed at by a jobbing actor. Especially when there's the distinct possibility of a West End run. Which is why Charles Paris is standing on stage. However, by the time the troupe reaches Bath a darker mood has set in and Charles' old friend Mark has a drink problem that amounts to a death wish. But it's not the drink that kills Mark - it's somebody in the cast who has a secret that Mark must not be allowed to reveal....
-
-
Bill Nighy well what can you say..
- By Steve Blay on 27-05-18
-
The Clutter Corpse
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Simon Brett
- Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ellen Curtis runs her own business helping people who are running out of space. As a declutterer, she is used to encountering all sorts of weird and wonderful objects in the course of her work. What she has never before encountered is a dead body. When Ellen stumbles across the body of a young woman in an over-cluttered flat, suspicion immediately falls on the deceased homeowner's son. No doubt Nate Ogden is guilty of many things - but is he really the killer? Discovering a link between the victim and her own past, Ellen sets out to uncover the truth.
-
-
A disappointment from one of my favourite authors!
- By Anna on 03-06-20
-
Guilt at the Garage
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Simon Brett
- Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Carole Seddon's trusty Renault is one of her most treasured possessions. So when it is vandalised, there's only one person she will entrust with its repair: Bill Shefford has been servicing the vehicles of the good citizens of Fethering for many years. But how could something like this happen in Fethering of all places? Then the note is shoved under Carole's kitchen door: Watch out. The car window was just the start. She has been deliberately targeted. But by whom and why?
-
-
The Jude and Carol team
- By Caroline Adams on 07-01-21
-
Mrs Pargeter's Principle
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Simon Brett
- Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For Mrs Pargeter, it is a matter of principle that she should complete any of her late husband's unfinished business. Amongst his many bequests, perhaps the most valuable is his little black book, in which he listed all the people who ever worked for him, with details of their particular skill sets. This means that whenever Mrs P has a crime to solve, she can readily contact someone with the relevant expertise.
-
-
Please make more available!
- By Bookshake on 28-09-16
-
The Penultimate Chance Saloon
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Simon Brett
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Soul searching was an unfamiliar exercise to Bill Stratton, and he found it intriguing as well as painful. He hadn't had much occasion for it in his life, given that he was fairly shallow, but then, on the verge of his 60th birthday, his wife told him she was leaving him for another man.
-
-
Sex in the over sixties!
- By Kirstine on 24-05-10
-
Corporate Bodies
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Simon Jones
- Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Charles Paris, an out-of-work actor, takes a star gig is as a forklift driver in a Delmoleen Company corporate video. Something about Delmoleen is deeply troubling to Charles. That "happy family" facade may be just that. Mockery, jealousy, lust, envy, they all seem to be pervasive. Still, the work is easy and the money is good; it's even fun learning to manipulate a forklift. But it's a responsibility too, as Charles soon discovers: a forklift can be made into a potent murder weapon
-
Father Paolo Baldi Mysteries
- The Complete BBC Radio Crime Series
- By: Simon Brett, Bill Murphy, Andrew Martin, and others
- Narrated by: David Threlfall, Tina Kellegher, Martin Clunes, and others
- Length: 20 hrs and 22 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The complete series 1-5 of the thrilling mystery series. On sabbatical from the Franciscan order, Father Paolo Baldi is working as a philosophy lecturer in Dublin when his life takes an unexpected turn and he finds himself helping the police to solve crimes. Along with Tina, Paolo uncovers the truth behind the killings of several rockabilly band members and a high-profile case of a police officer’s murder as well as delving into the highly competitive world of celebrity chefs.
-
-
Love these dramas.
- By MagpieSeven on 19-12-19
-
Smelling of Roses: The Complete Series 1-4
- A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Annette Badland, Arabella Weir, Duncan Preston, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Events manager Rosie Burns is used to coping with the unexpected, at work and at home. When her daughter, Kate, accidentally became a teenage mum, Rosie stepped in, raising her granddaughter, Jo, so that Kate could pursue her career in international banking. Now Jo works in the family firm alongside accountant Bob (who's nursing an unrequited love for Rosie) and Tess (whose love life never ceases to amaze). Things are ticking along nicely, until Rosie gets a phone call out of the blue - after 15 years working abroad, Kate's lost her job and is coming home....
-
-
Great, easy listening Radio play
- By Ian on 01-03-21
-
No Commitments: Series 1-5
- The BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama
- By: Simon Brett
- Narrated by: Rosemary Leach, Celia Imrie, Josie Lawrence, and others
- Length: 13 hrs and 57 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After years of looking after her elderly parents, Anna finds herself able, for the first time, to live her own life. She's enjoying simply being herself, with no responsibilities and no obligations. But her two younger sisters, Victoria and Charlotte, are concerned about her. Surely poor, unfulfilled Anna can't be happy without a partner or a family around? Determined to make an effort, they decide to draw her into their lives - and Anna's peaceful, commitment-free lifestyle soon disappears.
-
-
Misophonia sufferers, beware
- By Danuta Reah on 17-02-21
-
The Devil's Bargain
- By: Stella Rimington
- Narrated by: Penelope Rawlins
- Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1988, Harry made one mistake: he took a bribe, letting a man he knew as Igor into Britain - and he’s regretted it ever since. So when he recognises Igor many years later as his newly elected MP, he knows he has to come clean. But the MP recognises him, too - and Harry fears what he might do next.
-
-
Weak
- By R. Owen on 02-05-22
-
Inspector Purbright
- Five BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Crime Dramatisations from The Flaxborough Chronicles
- By: Colin Watson
- Narrated by: Peter Jeffrey, John Rowe, John Pullen, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Inspector Purbright is a thoroughly English policeman: affable, polite, dogged and decent. Created by award-winning crime writer Colin Watson, he appeared in 12 Flaxborough mysteries, four of which were adapted for BBC TV under the title Murder Most English. These five radio dramatisations star Peter Jeffrey, John Pullen and John Rowe as Purbright.
-
-
Good Clean Fun
- By Highlight on 14-11-21
-
Killer Track
- Cherringham. A Cosy Crime Series - Mystery Shorts 39
- By: Matthew Costello, Neil Richards
- Narrated by: Neil Dudgeon
- Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Every year Lady Repton opens up her grand estate to host 'Cherringfest' - the Cotswold's favourite music festival. And this year will be special, featuring not just the return of the legendary and infamous metal rock band, Lizard... but also the home debut of the young and wildly successful new group, Unlost. But what should be a summer weekend of fantastic music, food and fun for all, turns frightening when murder is threatened, and one performer is nearly killed. Soon Jack and Sarah are in a race against time, trying to untangle a web of jealousy, egos and revenge before this Cherringfest ends in a deadly climax.
-
-
Love this gentle series
- By Jacqui on 11-05-22
-
A Spoonful of Murder
- By: J.M. Hall
- Narrated by: Julie Hesmondhalgh
- Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Every Thursday, three retired school teachers have their ‘coffee o’clock’ sessions at the Thirsk Garden Centre café. But one fateful week, as they are catching up with a slice of cake, they bump into their ex-colleague, Topsy. By the next Thursday, Topsy’s dead. The last thing Liz, Thelma and Pat imagined was that they would become involved in a murder. But they know there’s more to Topsy’s death than meets the eye - and it’s down to them to prove it.
-
-
Will Not Disapoint ! ! !
- By Miss G. B. Abraham on 20-03-22
-
Agatha Raisin in Down the Hatch
- By: M. C. Beaton
- Narrated by: Penelope Keith
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Agatha Raisin becomes embroiled in a turmoil of jealousy and lies when the tranquillity of her local bowls club explodes into a storm of accusation and intrigue - and murder. Her private life is no less turbulent when a past suitor reappears just as her ex-husband seems intent on rekindling their romance, and her close friend, Bill Wong, is in danger of losing the woman he loves. Events take an even darker turn when Agatha realises that, in pursuing the bowling green killer, she is putting her own life in danger.
-
-
Fabulous and Easy listening
- By Chris C. on 15-10-21
-
Merely Players
- By: J. M. Gregson
- Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
- Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Adam Cassidy is one of Brunton’s most famous residents. For the past few years he has played the lead role in a TV detective show that has been a worldwide success. He now believes it is his time for a crack at Hollywood, and, as plans are made for the fifth series, he doesn’t care who he has to betray in order to fulfill his dream. Meanwhile, DCI Percy Peach, now happily married to Lucy Blake, is at a loose end and is in danger of being drawn into the ongoing, and unpopular, local anti-terrorism initiative.
-
The Dick Francis BBC Radio Drama Collection
- Six Full-Cast Dramatisations
- By: Dick Francis
- Narrated by: Bill Nighy, Nigel Havers, full cast, and others
- Length: 13 hrs and 27 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fast-paced radio dramatisations of six of Dick Francis's classic racing thrillers, plus bonus documentary.
-
-
Good value
- By Ann Binns on 17-09-21
-
Cherringham - A Cosy Crime Series Compilation
- Cherringham 34-36
- By: Matthew Costello, Neil Richards
- Narrated by: Neil Dudgeon
- Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jack's a retired ex-cop from New York, seeking the simple life in Cherringham. Sarah's a Web designer who's moved back to the village to find herself. But their lives are anything but quiet as the two team up to solve Cherringham's criminal mysteries. This compilation contains episodes 34 - 36. "The Secret of Brimley Manor": Brimley Manor, home to an eccentric museum of oddities from its owner's lifetime of exotic travels also holds dark secrets. When a suspicious fire breaks out, the biggest question is... was it just an accident?
-
-
Riveting
- By Dizzy on 05-05-22
Summary
After a long period of "resting", life is looking up for Charles Paris, who has been cast as the Ghost of Hamlet's Father and First Gravedigger in a new production of Hamlet. Ophelia is played by Katrina Selsey, who won the role through a television talent show. Hamlet himself is also played by a reality TV contestant, Jared Root - and the two young stars have rather different views than the more experienced members of the cast.
But when the company reach the first staging post of their tour, matters get more serious, with one member of the company seriously injured in what appears to be an accident, and another dead. Once again, Charles Paris is forced to don the mantle of amateur detective.
More from the same
What listeners say about A Decent Interval
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Saffy
- 23-09-13
Wonderful!
I have really enjoyed Simon Brett's Charles Paris dramatisations so thought I would try a full length book. Initially I was disappointed, as Bill Nighy plays Charles so well in the dramatisations and in my head he is Charles Paris. However after a few minutes of listening to Simon Brett's narration I was so caught up in this story that I listened to it over a couple of days and will definitely download some more of these. As in the Fethering mysteries Simon Brett really brings the story and the characters to life. Great for an easy, fun listen.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mrs. Rm Walters
- 26-09-15
Excelent listen
Any additional comments?
Can't understand why a previous version of this book with a different narrator was allowed to escape. I hated that version, but knowing how much I enjoy Simon's reading, he is Charles Paris to my mind, I decided to give this version a chance. I was not disappointed. In fact I didn't actually remember more than the ending from the other version, which goes to show that the narrator can (and obviously does) make a huge difference.
Looking forward to yet more of Mr Paris in the future.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mrs Philippa J Motozono
- 29-03-19
A First-rate Performance
Excellent narration in which the characters really came to life. A highly enjoyable listening experience.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- G. Jones
- 21-02-19
not as good as some earlier novels
Simon Brett's Charles Paris makes a welcome return.
For me though his antics in the 80s seem to fit the character much more than him having a mobile and taking about Twitter. His constant drinking of Bell's whiskey makes him seem a little dated now. SB's narration is brilliant, as always and I enjoyed listening to the full book. I just don't think it stands up as well as a lot of the earlier books.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 27-10-13
Welcome back Charles Paris
It has been wonderful to listen to a new Charles Paris mystery written and brilliantly read by Simon Brett.
The dissolute lifestyle of Charles Paris continues, and his acting career maintains its bottom scraping trajectory, but his ability to solve crimes remains at its charming peak.
Well done Simon Brett