The Martin Beck Stories

10 BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations

By: Per Wahlöö, Maj Sjöwall

Narrated by: Neil Pearson, full cast, Steven Mackintosh

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

Highly Recommended. Compelling stories

Superb cast and orchestration of these compelling stories. Seeking out more of Maj Sjowall and Petr Wahloo! Wonderful works.

One of the best narrations

I can see why this is such a popular series of books, the storylines and characters are excellent. This recording has a full cast and wow they are excellent! I felt like I was in the room with them. The attention to detail with background noises was just brilliant. Loved it.

Martin Beck. How could I not known of this character.

Totally engrossed. No gardening got done and I have company arriving tomorrow! An intricate and charming combination of crime and relationship. Rang so true, how an investigation unfolds by focus, persistence and finally luck and intuition. Much like a relationship fails or succeeds. The performances, all but especially Steven Mackintosh, were perfect. I will surely listen again.

Fantastic stories. I hope this whetted your appetite for the actual books!

These are great stories and a time capsule of a period of time. The authors were genius using these stories to illustrate their society. BUT, did we have to listen to people eating. Aren’t Swedish folks taught not to talk with their mouths full? This is minor but is in every story .

I urge you to invest in the actual books. They are marvelous.

Really good

Loved the books and here they are fully dramatized! Two thumbs up on this collection.