Listen free for 30 days
-
The 39 Steps and Other Richard Hannay Adventures
- A BBC Radio Collection of Full-Cast Dramatisations
- Narrated by: Clive Merrison, David Robb, full cast, Jasmine Hyde, Nigel Anthony, Patrick Malahide, Tom Baker
- Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
- Radio/TV Programme
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Action & Adventure
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 £25.99
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 H G Wells BBC Radio Collection
- Dramatisations and Readings Including the Time Machine, The War of the Worlds & Other Science Fiction Classics
- By: H. G. Wells
- Narrated by: Amy Hoggart, Bernard Cribbins, Bill Nighy, and others
- Length: 29 hrs and 12 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
H. G. Wells wrote dozens of novels and short stories and is often called the 'father of science fiction'. Here we collect together the works of H. G. Wells as broadcast on BBC Radio. With full-cast dramatisations of novels including The Time Machine, The Island of Dr Moreau, The War of the Worlds, Ann Veronica, The First Men in the Moon and The Wonderful Visit; plus readings of The Invisible Man, Love and Mr Lewisham and several short stories including The Inexperienced Ghost and In the Abyss.
-
-
Sound problem with First men in the moon!
- By Ian on 09-10-20
-
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
- BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations
- By: Arthur Conan Doyle
- Narrated by: Clive Merrison, full cast, Michael Williams
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Clive Merrison and Michael Williams star as Holmes and Watson in this collection of stories from the unique fully dramatised BBC Radio 4 canon, based on Arthur Conan Doyle's original short stories. The 12 dramatisations include 'A Scandal in Bohemia'; 'The Red-Headed League'; 'A Case of Identity'; 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'; 'The Five Orange Pips'; 'The Man with the Twisted Lip'; and 'The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle'.
-
-
Titles and chapter numbers of individual stories
- By Kindle Customer on 09-03-19
-
Dr Gideon Fell: The Complete BBC Radio Drama Collection
- Eight Full-Cast Crime Dramas from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction
- By: John Dickson Carr
- Narrated by: Wendy Craig, Donald Sinden, John Hartley, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With his cape, canes and shovel hat, portly amateur sleuth Dr Gideon Fell cuts an eccentric figure - but his odd appearance belies his sharp intellect and astonishing faculty for deduction. Created by crime novelist John Dickson Carr and supposedly based on fellow author G. K. Chesterton, Dr Fell appeared in 23 novels between 1933 and 1967. This radio collection comprises all eight of the BBC adaptations based on Carr's best-selling books.
-
-
Sheer class.
- By Dawn Martin on 26-10-21
-
The Wilkie Collins BBC Radio Collection
- Dramatisations and Readings of His Sensational Stories Including The Woman in White & The Moonstone
- By: Wilkie Collins
- Narrated by: Harry Lloyd, John Sharp, full cast, and others
- Length: 24 hrs and 36 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Wilkie Collins was one of Victorian England's best-loved and best-selling authors, and a crime-fiction pioneer. His enthralling 'sensation novels' such as The Woman in White paved the way for today's thrillers and his tour de force The Moonstone is one of the first, and greatest, modern-detective stories. This collection features dramatisations of these two masterpieces, with star casts including Toby Stephens (The Woman in White) and John Sharp (The Moonstone). Also included are adaptations of three of Collins' other major novels.
-
-
Tremendous value for money
- By B.W. on 26-06-21
-
Paul Temple: The Complete Radio Collection: Volume One
- The Early Years (1938-1950)
- By: Francis Durbridge
- Narrated by: Carl Bernard, full cast, Hugh Morton
- Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three complete radio dramas featuring writer-cum-amateur detective Paul Temple, plus bonus archive material. When it comes to classic crime partnerships, Paul Temple and his wife, Steve, are the crème de la crème. Between 1938 and 1968, their glamorous exploits enthralled generations of radio listeners around the world. Here, presented in chronological order, are some of the amateur detective's earliest adventures.
-
-
Generally Enjoyable But Rather Erratic
- By foxymoron on 04-01-17
-
Daunt & Dervish
- The Complete BBC Radio Crime Series
- By: Guy Meredith
- Narrated by: Anna Massey, Bill Paterson, Frances Barber, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
London,1953. Josephine Daunt and Susan Dervish both worked for the Ministry of Defence during the Second World War, doing top-secret, highly dangerous espionage work. But in peacetime, they find themselves without a job and feeling useless. Determined to put their talents to good use, they decide to set up a detective agency, with the help of former private eye Bill Mackie. From their Covent Garden office, they handle a steady flow of business.
-
-
Wonderful BBC Drama
- By Anonymous User on 28-07-20
-
The H G Wells BBC Radio Collection
- Dramatisations and Readings Including the Time Machine, The War of the Worlds & Other Science Fiction Classics
- By: H. G. Wells
- Narrated by: Amy Hoggart, Bernard Cribbins, Bill Nighy, and others
- Length: 29 hrs and 12 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
H. G. Wells wrote dozens of novels and short stories and is often called the 'father of science fiction'. Here we collect together the works of H. G. Wells as broadcast on BBC Radio. With full-cast dramatisations of novels including The Time Machine, The Island of Dr Moreau, The War of the Worlds, Ann Veronica, The First Men in the Moon and The Wonderful Visit; plus readings of The Invisible Man, Love and Mr Lewisham and several short stories including The Inexperienced Ghost and In the Abyss.
-
-
Sound problem with First men in the moon!
- By Ian on 09-10-20
-
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
- BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations
- By: Arthur Conan Doyle
- Narrated by: Clive Merrison, full cast, Michael Williams
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Clive Merrison and Michael Williams star as Holmes and Watson in this collection of stories from the unique fully dramatised BBC Radio 4 canon, based on Arthur Conan Doyle's original short stories. The 12 dramatisations include 'A Scandal in Bohemia'; 'The Red-Headed League'; 'A Case of Identity'; 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'; 'The Five Orange Pips'; 'The Man with the Twisted Lip'; and 'The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle'.
-
-
Titles and chapter numbers of individual stories
- By Kindle Customer on 09-03-19
-
Dr Gideon Fell: The Complete BBC Radio Drama Collection
- Eight Full-Cast Crime Dramas from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction
- By: John Dickson Carr
- Narrated by: Wendy Craig, Donald Sinden, John Hartley, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With his cape, canes and shovel hat, portly amateur sleuth Dr Gideon Fell cuts an eccentric figure - but his odd appearance belies his sharp intellect and astonishing faculty for deduction. Created by crime novelist John Dickson Carr and supposedly based on fellow author G. K. Chesterton, Dr Fell appeared in 23 novels between 1933 and 1967. This radio collection comprises all eight of the BBC adaptations based on Carr's best-selling books.
-
-
Sheer class.
- By Dawn Martin on 26-10-21
-
The Wilkie Collins BBC Radio Collection
- Dramatisations and Readings of His Sensational Stories Including The Woman in White & The Moonstone
- By: Wilkie Collins
- Narrated by: Harry Lloyd, John Sharp, full cast, and others
- Length: 24 hrs and 36 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Wilkie Collins was one of Victorian England's best-loved and best-selling authors, and a crime-fiction pioneer. His enthralling 'sensation novels' such as The Woman in White paved the way for today's thrillers and his tour de force The Moonstone is one of the first, and greatest, modern-detective stories. This collection features dramatisations of these two masterpieces, with star casts including Toby Stephens (The Woman in White) and John Sharp (The Moonstone). Also included are adaptations of three of Collins' other major novels.
-
-
Tremendous value for money
- By B.W. on 26-06-21
-
Paul Temple: The Complete Radio Collection: Volume One
- The Early Years (1938-1950)
- By: Francis Durbridge
- Narrated by: Carl Bernard, full cast, Hugh Morton
- Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three complete radio dramas featuring writer-cum-amateur detective Paul Temple, plus bonus archive material. When it comes to classic crime partnerships, Paul Temple and his wife, Steve, are the crème de la crème. Between 1938 and 1968, their glamorous exploits enthralled generations of radio listeners around the world. Here, presented in chronological order, are some of the amateur detective's earliest adventures.
-
-
Generally Enjoyable But Rather Erratic
- By foxymoron on 04-01-17
-
Daunt & Dervish
- The Complete BBC Radio Crime Series
- By: Guy Meredith
- Narrated by: Anna Massey, Bill Paterson, Frances Barber, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
London,1953. Josephine Daunt and Susan Dervish both worked for the Ministry of Defence during the Second World War, doing top-secret, highly dangerous espionage work. But in peacetime, they find themselves without a job and feeling useless. Determined to put their talents to good use, they decide to set up a detective agency, with the help of former private eye Bill Mackie. From their Covent Garden office, they handle a steady flow of business.
-
-
Wonderful BBC Drama
- By Anonymous User on 28-07-20
-
Brother Cadfael
- A BBC Radio Collection of Three Full-Cast Dramatisations
- By: Ellis Peters
- Narrated by: Douglas Hodge, full cast, Michael Hordern, and others
- Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A onetime Crusader turned Benedictine monk, Brother Cadfael is a most unusual detective. Living a quiet life as a monastery herbalist, he spends his days ministering to his brothers using the medical skills he acquired in the Holy Lands - but his worldly knowledge and wide experience of human nature are frequently called upon when there is a murder to solve....
-
-
A pleasure to hear so much Welshness.
- By Mrs. G. Chew on 13-02-21
-
Strangers and Brothers
- An Epic BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation
- By: C. P. Snow
- Narrated by: Adam Godley, David Haig, Bill Wallis, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1920s Leicester, Lewis Eliot must escape the drudgery of a council clerk's office and his provincial lower class background to begin his decades-long rise to power. As the years pass, and Lewis progresses to successful London lawyer, to Cambridge don, to wartime service in Whitehall, to senior civil servant and finally retirement, he faces in his own life and the lives of those around him collapsing marriages, terrible illness, the politics of academia, Nazism, nuclear weapons, the price of power and the ever-present realities of war.
-
The Complete George Smiley Radio Dramas
- BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation
- By: John le Carré
- Narrated by: full cast, Simon Russell Beale
- Length: 18 hrs and 59 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The complete collection of acclaimed BBC Radio dramas based on John le Carré's best-selling novels, starring Simon Russell Beale as George Smiley. With a star cast including Kenneth Cranham, Eleanor Bron, Brian Cox, Ian MacDiarmid, Anna Chancellor, Hugh Bonneville and Lindsay Duncan, these enthralling dramatisations perfectly capture the atmosphere of le Carré's taut, thrilling spy novels.
-
-
A satisfying marathon listen
- By CrisH on 07-03-17
-
The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
- 15 BBC Radio 4 Original Full-Cast Dramas
- By: Bert Coules
- Narrated by: Andrew Sachs, Clive Merrison, full cast
- Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A gripping collection of 15 BBC Radio full-cast dramas written by Bert Coules, inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories. In the 56 short stories and four novels Arthur Conan Doyle wrote about his great detective, how many times did Dr John Watson tantalise us with references to cases which were never written about in full? These original adventures flesh out those unrecorded cases to wonderful effect. Clive Merrison plays the great sleuth himself, with Andrew Sachs in the role of Doctor Watson.
-
-
brilliant new adventures
- By J. Goss on 11-08-18
-
Lord Peter Wimsey: BBC Radio Drama Collection Volume 1
- Three classic full-cast dramatisations
- By: Dorothy L. Sayers
- Narrated by: Ian Carmichael, Peter Jones
- Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Whose Body? first introduced Lord Peter to the world and begins with a corpse in the bath of a London flat. Clouds of Witness finds Wimsey investigating murder close to home, and in Unnatural Death he investigates the suspicious demise of an elderly woman. First broadcast on BBC radio in the 1970s and presented here in their entirety, these full-cast adaptations are admired by fans of the genre worldwide.
-
-
I got totally immersed!
- By Caroline Armstrong on 04-12-17
-
P Division
- The Complete BBC Radio Crime Series
- By: Peter Turnbull
- Narrated by: Andrew Conlan, Ann Louise Ross, Crawford Logan, and others
- Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Glasgow’s finest are on the case in these thrilling radio adaptations, based on the books by Peter Turnbull. In the four-part serial Condition Purple, a murdered prostitute is found in the heart of Glasgow's prosperous business quarter. Could a tattoo on her body hold the key to finding her killer? In Two Way Cut, another four-parter, a headless body without a speck of blood on it has the cops puzzled - and who was the strange figure that PC Hamilton saw running along by the canal?
-
-
enjoyable
- By elaine on 18-07-20
-
The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes
- By: Arthur Conan Doyle
- Narrated by: Clive Merrison, Michael Williams, full cast
- Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Clive Merrison stars as Holmes with Michael Williams as Watson in these 12 adventures from the unique, fully dramatised BBC canon of Conan Doyle's short stories and novels. The 12 dramatisations are 'The Illustrious Client', 'The Blanched Soldier', 'The Mazarin Stone', 'The Three Gables', 'The Sussex Vampire', 'The Three Garridebs', 'The Problem of Thor Bridge', 'The Creeping Man', 'The Lion's Mane', 'The Veiled Lodger', 'Shoscombe Old Place' and 'The Retired Colourman'.
-
-
impossible to navigate
- By Anonymous User on 19-06-19
-
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
- By: Arthur Conan Doyle
- Narrated by: Clive Merrison, Michael Williams, full cast
- Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Clive Merrison and Michael Williams star as Holmes and Watson in these 12 full-cast dramatisations of short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. The stories are: 'The Empty House', 'The Norwood Builder', 'The Dancing Men', 'The Solitary Cyclist', 'The Priory School', 'Black Peter', 'Charles Augustus Milverton', 'The Six Napoleons', 'The Three Students', 'The Golden Pince-Nez', 'The Missing Three-Quarter' and 'The Abbey Grange'.
-
-
Superb production
- By Trekkie Monster on 06-02-18
-
The Ngaio Marsh BBC Radio Collection
- Four Full-Cast Dramatisations
- By: Ngaio Marsh
- Narrated by: Jeremy Clyde, Stephen Thorne, full cast
- Length: 3 hrs and 49 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A collection of the BBC’s dramatisations of Ngaio Marsh’s most famous sleuth: Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn. Includes 'A Man Lay Dead', 'A Surfeit of Lampreys', 'Opening Night' and 'When in Rome'.
-
-
A GREAT COLLECTION
- By Highlight on 15-01-20
-
P. D. James BBC Radio Drama Collection
- Seven Full-Cast Dramatisations
- By: P. D. James
- Narrated by: Greta Scacchi, Hugh Grant, full cast, and others
- Length: 16 hrs and 37 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seven BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations of P. D. James' acclaimed mysteries, plus P. D. James in Her Own Words. This collection includes: Cover Her Face, A Taste for Death, Devices and Desires, A Certain Justice, The Private Patient, An Unsuitable Job for a Woman and The Skull Beneath the Skin.
-
-
Very good dramatizations but.........
- By Amazon Customer on 10-10-18
-
More from Marple's Casebook
- Full-Cast BBC Radio 4 Dramatisations
- By: Agatha Christie
- Narrated by: full cast, June Whitfield
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
June Whitfield stars as Miss Marple in seven full-cast BBC Radio 4 dramatisations. The stories included are: 'The Moving Finger', 'They Do It with Mirrors', 'Nemesis', 'Sleeping Murder', 'Tape-Measure Murder', 'The Case of the Perfect Maid' and 'Sanctuary'.
-
-
Ruined by adverts
- By Emily on 07-10-18
-
Sherlock Holmes: The Four Novels Collection
- By: Arthur Conan Doyle, Bert Coules
- Narrated by: Clive Merrison, full cast, Michael Williams
- Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Clive Merrison stars as Holmes, with Michael Williams as Watson, in these four adventures from the unique, fully dramatised BBC canon of Conan Doyle stories: A Study In Scarlet, The Sign of the Four, The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Valley of Fear.
-
-
My favourite Sherlock and Watson
- By Queenofimps on 04-03-20
Summary
Five BBC Radio 4 dramatisations of John Buchan’s espionage thrillers featuring gentleman spy Richard Hannay.
The forerunner to James Bond, Secret Agent Richard Hannay is a thoroughly British action hero, pursuing ruthless villains, foiling deadly plans and risking life and limb for his country. This gripping collection encompasses all five of Hannay’s adventures, adapted for radio with superb casts including Tom Baker, Clive Merrison, Stuart Milligan, Jasmine Hyde and Patrick Malahide.
The 39 Steps
When a man is murdered in Richard Hannay's London flat, he goes on the run pursued by the police - and a gang of German spies intent on recovering a secret notebook which could destroy the British naval fleet. Starring David Robb as Hannay.
Greenmantle
1915. Summoned to the War Office, Hannay is told of an impending Holy War in the East. Greenmantle - once a mythical figure, now made flesh - is preparing to lead a great Islamic army against the infidel English. Hannay's mission: to identify Greenmantle and destroy him. Starring David Robb as Hannay.
Mr Standfast
Recalled from the Western Front, Hannay is ordered to pose as a pacifist and sent to Glasgow. Along the way, he meets a teenage Secret Service Agent who will change the course of his life. Starring David Robb as Hannay.
The Three Hostages
When a gang of international criminals kidnaps a trio of hostages, the Secret Service brings Hannay out of retirement to track them down. But the mission will pit him against an adversary who can control men’s minds. Starring David Robb as Hannay.
The Island of Sheep
A chance meeting in a train and a villainous vendetta shake Richard Hannay out of a complacent middle age, as dangerous men go in pursuit of treasure. Starring Nigel Anthony as Hannay.
Please note: the vintage stories in this collection reflect the attitudes of their time.
Critic reviews
"The BBC radio sound effects department is on top form, adding thrills that no printed book can rival." (The Times)
More from the same
What listeners say about The 39 Steps and Other Richard Hannay Adventures
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Demonica
- 30-05-20
Doesn't age well
I adored John Buchan as a teen. I still love many stories from this era. I surprised myself at how annoying I found it just now. Performances are superb. Definitely of its time and perfectly executed. I just found the stories misogynist and jingoistic now I am on my mid 50's, living in the UK under the same regime, being treated as badly as the empire directs
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- B.W.
- 12-07-20
Great up to the last one
The Island of Sheep isn't a Bert Coules production and has been recast so it is a bit disjointed from the rest even apart from the fact that it was a later addition by John Buchan and not the strongest of his stories. Otherwise these are thoroughly enjoyable yarns but of their time (early 20th C) so beware of unfortunate references to ethnicity etc....
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- barry jarman
- 10-11-20
Darn good listen
Thoroughly enjoyed these books. Would have preferred if the actors had been the same all the way through, which prevented me from 5 stars
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Banjoman
- 06-07-20
Ripping yarns.
Ripping yarns from John Buchan, boys own adventures, very much of its time....
Brilliant dramatisation from the BBC, and excellent characterisation from the cast.
Gentleman Hannay is at times blundering and lucky, in his adventures with spies, ruffians, and rogues. These fictional stories are good adventure entertainment.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Peter Chistopher Franck
- 25-06-20
Some stories good, some bad.
The 39 Steps and Greenmantle are great - the other two are rotten.
Listen to and enjoy the first two and forget the rest.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Christopher Snazell
- 27-05-20
Very Disappointing
Richard Hannay's grinding incompetence & John Buchan's xenophobic little Englander politics aren't to my taste.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nick Wayne
- 26-06-22
Boys own adventures
the stories flagged a bit after Greenmantle. The new cast tried their best in the island of sheep but...
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- bobo
- 08-09-21
Classic BBC production with All Star Cast
Really worth the listen, took me a while to get to grips with it, but the cast are outstanding, David Robb obviously a very distinctive voice which I personally really enjoy, as well as Clive Merrison, although I always think of his as being sherlock holmes, well worth the credit :)
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- tim geering
- 07-04-21
Top Hole
If you love thrilling adventure then this is for you. A great dramatisation and cast.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Stuart Carruthers
- 03-03-21
Stories get progressively worse
There's a reason why 39 steps is the best known Richard Hannay story, it's the best. It's not to say that the others are bad (well, except for the last one) but they just aren't as good.
As for the dramatizations, they are as you would expect very good although I wish that they'd all had the same cast.
The usual complaint about audible just using chapter numbers and not story titles still applies and is very frustrating.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Carissa B
- 15-05-21
Fun 1910s-1930s espionage tales
I was familiar with the Hitchcock film The 39 Steps, but didn’t realize Richard Hannay was a character in multiple stories. These are fun, very clean, espionage stories that take place from WWI - the 1930s. I really enjoyed the dramatization and cast, but thought the cast was stronger in the first four stories, when the characters are younger.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 23-08-21
Creepily Right-Wing Anti-Semitic Protagonist
I can enjoy some books whose politics I don't like, but this was too unpleasant to get into. The "hero" says things like "he had a nose like a Polish Jew," apparently intended to be an unremarkable descriptor. The 39 Steps is well-executed and fun, but the others are too Ra-Ra War/Empire for anyone whose politics are left of Margaret Thatcher to actually enjoy. It's surprising that the BBC would have made this in the last 45 years. Production values and performances are solid. Too bad.
1 person found this helpful