The Dick Francis BBC Radio Drama Collection
Six full-cast dramatisations
by Dick Francis
Narrated by Bill Nighy; Nigel Havers; Full Cast; Siân Phillips; Francis Matthews; Tony Osoba; Mick Ford; Hywell Bennett; Eric Allan
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Pub Date 16 Sep 2021 | Archive Date 17 Sep 2021
Penguin Random House UK Audio | BBC Digital Audio
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Description
Fast-paced radio dramatisations of six of Dick Francis' classic racing thrillers, plus bonus documentary
Enquiry
After riding the favourite into second place, jockey Kelly Hughes loses his licence. But he didn't throw the race, and is determined to find out who framed him...
Rat Race
A cushy job transporting passengers between racecourses turns dangerous for pilot Matt Shore when his plane explodes and he's embroiled in a deadly plot.
Bonecrack
Abducted by masked men, Neil Griffon is faced with a deadly ultimatum - obey the instructions of a ruthless crime czar, or risk the destruction of his father's racing stables.
Whip Hand
Disabled ex-jockey turned investigator Sid Halley is faced with a triple threat when he is asked to guard a horse, probe a suspicious syndicate and find a swindler.
Proof
When a party to celebrate the success of the racing season ends in tragedy, wine dealer and amateur sleuth Tony Beach investigates.
Bolt
Asked by a princess to fend off a dangerous cousin who is making threats, Kit Fielding agrees to help. But he also has problems of his own to deal with...
Among the casts of these six action-packed adaptations are Bill Nighy, Nigel Havers and Siân Phillips.
Also included is a bonus episode of the Radio 4 series Great Lives, presented by Matthew Parris, in which Francis' biographer Graham Lord, chairman of the British Horseracing Board Martin Broughton and racing correspondent Jonathan Powell explore the life and work of the champion thriller writer.
Please note that due to the age of some of these recordings, sound quality may vary.
© 2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format, Unabridged |
ISBN | 9781787533486 |
PRICE | £11.67 (GBP) |
DURATION | 13 Hours, 11 Minutes |
Links
Featured Reviews
DICK FRANCIS BBC RADIO DRAMA COLLECTION by Dick Francis, an AUDIBLE BOOK was, for me, a LISTEN down memory lane! If you are a lover of radio dramas, then this collection is for you. There are full cast dramatisations of Enquiry, Rat Race, Proof and Bolt. I have previously read all novels in this series. My favourite book/audible in this series is PROOF with actor Nigel Havers as Tony Beach. I not on the cover states six dramatisations but I could only locate four with a bonus interview with the author, Dick Francis at the end of the audible book. I found some of the earlier recordings, especially Enquiry, of poor quality and the the recording dated but this could be called a ''vintage recording' which may suit some listeners. There is a note from sellers stating ''Pls note due to the age of some recordings sound quality may vary''
I give a 4 star rating
I WANT TO THANK NETGALLEY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF LISTENING TO THIS AUDIBLE BOOK FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
I’m delighted to report that nostalgia is still everything it’s cracked up to be. While I enjoy listening to audiobooks when on the move, or doing other things during the day, at might I am prone to seeking out older dramas from Radio 4 Extra on BBC Sounds. I find that with age comes a desire to enjoy the classical radio dramas and what The Dick Francis Collection offers is that classical series in spades.
Here you will find the clipped tones of a young Nigel Havers; the rounded, delicious vowels of the much missed Hywel Bennett; the precise intonation of Siân Phillips; the clear diction of Frances Matthews and the memorable voice of Bill Nighy, which has barely changed across the decades.
These full cast dramatisations are, unsurprisingly, not all in pristine condition, but they are all eminently listenable and the heyday of the BBC sound effects team is there for all to hear in the thunder of hooves on the race track and the sound of a train rumbling down the railway tracks.
In keeping with the times, the role of women is one that may give some pause for reflection. Francis, who was, to give him his due, cognisant that women could pilot planes and run an effective stables training yard, nevertheless has to build in the romantic hero and so his women are a little too prone to leaping into bed with our hero.
Still, these are thrilling dramas and the full cast versions are a real treat. I also enjoyed the Matthew Parris Great Lives programme with Francis' biographer Graham Lord.
Verdict: A great listen to some of the great Dick Francis thrillers. Be ready for a few crackles, but revel in a series of unsurpassable casts.
I've never read any books by Dick Francis so when the opportunity arose to listen to some of his audiobooks I jumped at the chance. I do love radio dramas because they just bring the book totally to life with the background effects. If you have never listened to one before then you are in for a treat with this audiobook.
On one of the books there is a train scene. You dont know that it is set near the tracks but you can hear the rumble in the background getting louder and louder. When I realised what it was my heart was in my mouth. The sound as it passed by felt almost real.
I really enjoyed these stories set around horse racing world. They are ideal if you are time short because they are not too long. I enjoyed listening to a different story each evening. Amazing sound effects, I loved it
Dick Francis has long been one of my favourite authors to read for escapism. I have read every book he has written with relish. They are of a time but netherless great fun. I love being taken to a different 'world' from my ordinary life. Listening to these dramatised stories was a real treat. Highly recommended!
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