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Charles Paris: Murder in the Title

Charles Paris: Murder in the Title

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Charles Paris: Murder in the Title

By: Simon Brett, BBC, Jeremy Front
Narrated by: Bill Nighy, Full Cast, Suzanne Burden
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About this listen

Charles Paris is his own worst enemy, a louche lush who can resist anything except temptation – especially in the form of women and alcohol.

He’s been out of work so long now he feels he may never get a job and he’s driving Frances, his semi-ex-wife, mad. So when he’s offered a small role in a play, she nearly pushes him out of the door. But it seems that The Message is Murder is such a terrible production that someone wants to kill off the cast. First there is a series of nasty accidents, then someone attempts to stab Charles. Can he find the murderer before they strike again?

Bill Nighy stars as Charles Paris in this entertaining dramatisation by Jeremy Front.

Written by Jeremy Front, based on the novel by Simon Brett.

Duration: 1 hr 50 mins approx.

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Terrible enough to admit listening to this series on Radio 4 or 4 Extra but imagine the ignominy of downloading them! I can't help it though - if I'm ever a bit gloomy (one does have these moments), a dose of Charles Paris with a strong cup of tea is the very thing to set me right. Bill Nighy is just so wonderful in this role and the supporting cast give their all so that the ludicrous plots slip by almost unnoticed.

My guilty secret...

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Simon Brett's amusing tales of the (usually out of work) actor, Charles Paris, and the often murderous discoveries which seem to dog his dramatic opportunities have long been favourites of this reader, but even more pleasurable are the adaptations by Jeremy Front for broadcast as drama by B.B.C. Radio 4. With a full cast and Bill Nighy magnificent in the title role as the aging, over drinking lothario with heart, in this story Charles Paris secures a minor role with a provincial rep.company in a failing small town theatre. Unsurprisingly, a couple of accidents make him suspect that something is not right.
The plot line might be fairly conventional but the production is excellent, great acting interspersed with snippets of late 60s, early 70s pop music from, amongst others, Bob Dylan, Velvet Underground, The Doors, and Cream, and classics such as Je t'aime and We've Gotta Get Out of this Place. Nice little touches, too, with the cell phone ringtones: Paris' agent's being the Death March.

Not high drama but a superb piece of fun. Just hearing Bill Nighy's warmly delicious tones as dog house husband and thwarted thespian is, alone, enough to bring forth a smile.
Always recommended.

French windows and polyester costumes.

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Sheer pleasure from first syllable til last. Bill Nighy is unmistakably brilliant as the redoubtable Charles Paris

Sheer pleasure

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Bill nighy lend himself naturally to these lighthearted detective stories, excellent series, first came across them on BBC4 EXTRA, collecting them all

very entertaining

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Where does Charles Paris: Murder in the Title (BBC Radio Crimes) rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Love hearing radio plays so this is a delight.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Charles Paris: Murder in the Title (BBC Radio Crimes)?

The humour linked with a good story.

What about Bill Nighy’s performance did you like?

The dry, laid back performance.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This makes you laugh out loud.

Any additional comments?

Went online and purchased two more Charles Paris dramatised books with Bill Nighy when I finished listening.

Loved it!

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