Simon Brett

When widow Mrs Pargeter decides to have her morning coffee on the patio of her mansion in Chigwell, her intention is to admire her beautiful garden in peace and quiet. Little does she expect one of the patio's paving slabs to crack in two, depositing her on the ground—and revealing a human skull....

Recently retired, Carole Seddon is residing in Fethering in the cottage she purchased with her ex-husband....

It is her characteristic generosity rather than her love of animals that finds Mrs Pargeter supporting her friend Jasmine Angold at a charity reception for PhiliPussies....

The complete series 1-5 of the thrilling mystery series. On sabbatical from the Franciscan order, Father Paolo Baldi is working as a philosophy lecturer in Dublin when his life takes an unexpected turn and he finds himself helping the police to solve crimes....

After years of looking after her elderly parents, Anna finds herself able, for the first time, to live her own life....

Charles Paris - unsuccessful actor, bad husband, and dipsomaniac - is back, and getting into trouble once more. As he tries to woo back his semi-detached wife, Frances, and land a few half-decent roles, he finds himself embroiled in murder and mayhem and forced to turn detective....

Bill Nighy stars as Charles Paris with Martine McCutcheon as Jodie Ricks in this BBC Radio 4 comedy detective drama....

A gambler on the run. A widow with deep pockets. A pair of criminal brothers with a secret agenda. The new installment of the quirky, inventive and charming mystery series featuring widow Mrs. Pargeter—whose late husband was absolutely NOT one of the most notorious villains in Essex (the very idea).

Actor, alcoholic and amateur sleuth Charles Paris returns in another quintet of humorous theatrical thrillers. All Charles asks for is a nice juicy part in a successful play - but wherever he appears on the bill, murder and mystery always play a starring role....

When Alexandra Richards approaches professional declutterer Ellen Curtis to ask her to help sort out her mother’s chaotic flat, Ellen gets the impression Alexandra doesn’t like her mother very much....

Jude's life has been turned upside-down thanks her new man, Piers Targett, who's keen to get her involved in his hobby – or obsession – of Real Tennis....

Having been booked to give a talk at Fethering Library, successful author Burton St Clair invites his old friend Jude to come along....

Carole Seddon and her bohemian neighbor Jude find that even the cultured can be crass when it comes to murder....

When the owner of Polly's Cake Shop announces her retirement, the Fethering residents start to worry about the loss of this popular amenity....

Thespian sleuth Charles Paris is his own worst enemy, a louche lush who can resist anything except temptation - especially in the form of women and alcohol....

Bill Nighy returns as Charles Paris: unsuccessful actor, bad husband and dipsomaniac....

Charles Paris is thrilled - he’s landed a nice juicy part playing Sergeant Collins in the TV detective series, 'The Stanislaus Braid Mysteries', and his estranged wife Frances seems to be on the brink of taking him back....

Ellen Curtis—professional declutterer, amateur sleuth and woman of a certain age—investigates the puzzling death of a TV personality who's past his prime.

Carole Seddon has never enjoyed holidays much. Nevertheless, she has allowed herself to be persuaded by her friend Jude to accept a fortnight’s free villa in Turkey....

Prunella Scales stars in this BBC Radio comedy following the trials and tribulations of Rosie Burns and her Brighton-based events management company....