Detective Inspector Crust: Three Full-Cast BBC Radio Crime Dramas

A trilogy of thrillers set in Liverpool, featuring the formidable Detective Inspector Crust

Veteran scriptwriter Vincent McInerney draws on his lifelong knowledge of Liverpool and his background in the Merchant Marine in these engaging thrillers, in which the gruff, indomitable John Crust and his sidekick Minty probe the circumstances surrounding a missing husband, a stolen sculpture and a hidden treasure.

O’Rourke’s First Case – Made redundant at 40, John O’Rourke gets a grant from the Enterprise Allowance Board and sets up as a private detective. Hired by Mrs Rate to trace her absent spouse, he’s soon caught up in a dangerous scheme involving modern art, drug money and shoot-outs on container ships. Fortunately, Inspector Crust is also investigating, and monitoring the rookie PI’s progress. Can the redoubtable copper ensure that O’Rourke’s first case isn’t also his last?

The Finger of Suspicion – With the university rag day parade in full swing, Inspector Crust is keeping his beady eye on the floats making their way through the city centre. So when a helicopter suddenly appears, and hoists the Epstein statue off Lewis’s department store, Crust assumes it’s an elaborate student prank. But when the police receive a ransom note, together with one of the statue’s fingers, he starts to have second thoughts.

The Bell – Following the death of shipowner Oliver Bright, his granddaughter Elizabeth prepares to sell his house and possessions at auction. Rumour has it that among his worldly goods is a rare artefact saved during the sinking of the Titanic – and psychotic criminal Tarrant will stop at nothing to lay his hands on it. But Inspector Crust is also on the trail of the missing relic, and is determined to find it first...

Cast and credits Written by Vincent McInerny Directed by Shaun MacLoughlin

Starring James Ellis as Inspector Crust and Bill Monks as Minty

O’Rourke’s First Case John O'Rourke – Ken Cumberlidge Mr O'Rourke – Richard Tate Chris – Maureen O’Brien Curly – Dominic Rickhards Mrs Rate – June Barrie Ronnie Rate – Eric Allan Bogger – David Goudge Captain/Adrian Mince – Christian Rodska Charlie – Jonathan Nibbs Barman/Compere – Ian Targett Scratcher – David Learner Operator – Maryon Ellor ‘Just Another Night’ written and sung by Vincent McInerney Musicians: Steve Wright (guitar), Dave Dover (bass) and Steve Bartley (percussion) First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 January 1990

The Finger of Suspicion Guy – Richard Pearce Colonel Rivers – David Bannerman Malcolm – Kim Wall James – Brendan Charleson Mr Patch – Peter Copley Julia – Carolyn Backhouse Billy/Eddie – Christian Rodska Mrs Rivers – Peggy Ann Wood Arthur Frank – Richard Tate Mandy – Cheryl Maiker First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 February 1992

The Bell Elizabeth – Teresa Gallagher Tarrant – Eric Allan Father Kennedy – Peter Caffrey Mrs Moran – June Barrie Dicky Bird – William Eedle Eileen – Sue Jenkins Alf Gringod – Gerry Hinks Mitzi Müller – Melinda Walker Gottfried Müller – William Eedle Jim Rawson – Sion Probert George – Derek Hicks First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 August 1993

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Lydbog: 18. januar 2024