Agatha Christie's Mysterious Mr Quin
Written by Agatha Christie.
Adapted by Archie Scottney.
Producer/Director: Rosalind Ayres
A Jarvis and Ayres production for BBC Radio 4.
Martin Jarvis returns with a new series of these strangely compelling 1920s stories by the Queen of Crime.
Broadcast 6 to 8 September 2011, Afternoon Reading
160/44; 49 MB total; sound quality excellent
Tue 6 Sep 2011
1. The Dead Harlequin
Mr Satterthwaite buys a painting. It intrigues him because the face of the man in the picture bears a distinct resemblance to a certain Mr Quin. One Harlequin lies dead on the floor, another Harlequin is looking through the window. What does it mean? 'I took a special interest in your picture,' says Mr Satterthwaite to the artist, 'I recognised it as the Terrace Room at Charnley.' He knows that a suicide was committed there fourteen years ago. But is the picture telling us something else? Was it, in fact, murder?
There are guests that night for dinner at Satterthwaite's home. An extra place is laid. Will Mr Harley Quin arrive to assist their thinking - perhaps even solve the mystery? Christie considered this character to be her personal favourite.
Wed 7 Sep 2011
2. The Man from the Sea
Mr Satterthwaite is holidaying on a Spanish Island. One day he proceeds from the hotel to the small harbour. He passes the black lava beach where the surf thunders and where, long ago, an English swimmer was carried out to sea and drowned.
High up, on the edge of the cliff, is a white villa with faded green shutters, and a tangled beautiful garden. Today Mr Satterthwaite's peace is going to be oddly shattered. Something strange and frightening once occurred in this house. But will it take Mr Harley Quin's influence over Satterthwaite to discover the truth?
Thu 8 Sep 2011
3. Harlequin's Lane
Mr Satterthwaite is staying at the Denman's country home. There's to be a performance in the grounds of a neighbouring mansion that evening - a 'masquerade' and a ballet.
But a motor accident means that two new dancers have to be found to replace the visiting professionals. There seem to be unresolved mysteries here. Does Anna Denman harbour a secret? Is there a secret, too, concerning her husband? Why is Mr Harley Quin staying in the country house? And then, during the performance, Mr Satterthwaite begins to perceive the truth of what is happening. But the revelations which follow concerning Mr Quin are surprising and frightening. Mr Satterthwaite has never had to deal with anything quite like this before.
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Replies
Hey Rick! I love short stories best of all...easy to manage listening to when time is short..so I thank you for posting these!! Abby :)
And thank you too, Bob!! I enjoy both Agatha Christie and Martin Jarvis!
Hi, Rick
Actually, this is the third series of the ABRIDGED BBC stories.
I've uploaded all three series, as well as the UNABRIDGED book from which they come, as well as one additional Mr. Quin story
http://ge.tt/8Nboc7D
Thank You!! ---------------------------- Rick
I love the Beeb but I think I've made it clear how much I DETEST their abridgements. The "Book at Bedtime" is the worst.
Classic Comics are better.
I know Bob but I get quite a few hits on them so some one likes them. Even though they are not to my liking in the abridgements either I do it for the people who do like them. --------------------- Rick