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The Martin Beck Stories

10 BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations

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The Martin Beck Stories

By: Per Wahlöö, Maj Sjöwall
Narrated by: Neil Pearson, full cast, Steven Mackintosh
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About this listen

The Martin Beck books are widely acknowledged as some of the most influential detective novels ever written. Written by Swedish husband and wife team Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö between 1965 and 1975, the 10-book series set a gold standard for all subsequent Scandinavian crime fiction. Long before Kurt Wallander or Harry Hole, Beck was the original flawed policeman, working with a motley collection of colleagues to uncover the cruelty and injustice lurking beneath the surface of Sweden's seemingly liberal, democratic society.

This complete collection includes:

  • Roseanna (1965) - translated by Lois Roth and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth.
  • The Man Who Went Up in Smoke (1966) - translated by Joan Tate and dramatised by Katie Hims.
  • The Man on the Balcony (1967) - translated by Alan Blair and dramatised by Katie Hims.
  • The Laughing Policeman (1968) - translated by Alan Blair and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth.
  • The Fire Engine That Disappeared (1969) - translated by Joan Tate and dramatised by Katie Hims.
  • Murder at the Savoy (1970) - translated by Amy and Ken Knoespel and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth.
  • The Abominable Man (1971) - translated by Thomas Teal and dramatised by Katie Hims.
  • The Locked Room (1972) - translated by Alan Blair and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth.
  • Cop Killer (1974) - translated by Thomas Teal and dramatised by Jennifer Howarth.
  • The Terrorists (1975) - translated by Joan Tate and dramatised by Katie Hims.

©2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Mystery Traditional Detectives

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All stars
Most relevant
This is a fantastic adaption of the Sjöwall/Wahlöö books that gives them a new and fresh coat of paint. For me as a Swede who have heard about the books all my life and seen two tv-adaptations and more or less knows the story this felt fresh and at the same time familiar.
The cast do a great jobb portraying the characters and the production is well made.
Two thumbs up!

Fantastic adaption of a great series of books.

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Would you listen to The Martin Beck Stories again? Why?

I have had it on my MP3 player for 5 months, and listen to all or some if it most nights! It is one of the best dramas I have listened to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I find they all work well together, not too polished, all trying to the best they can under their different circumstances

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I enjoyed the part where Beck was responsible for the Senator and his safety, and how he involved all people, and luck played a part in them keeping him safe.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The story where the little girl was murdered, it was dreadful and so sad.

Any additional comments?

I just wish there were more of these to listen to.

Excellent set of stories, well acted

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becomes more and more compelling as you go on! the cast are absolutely wonderful !

utterly brilliant

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Great characterisations by very good actors. I loved all 11 episodes just as I enjoyed the books.

love Beck

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I warm to the apparent simplicity of these stories, clear prose, and stark imagery. Martin Beck is a believable policeman (sadly, marital problems, but hey) who solves the sort of crimes you can believe in, using his head. Magic.

Clear and Simple

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