Charles Paris: Star Trap

By: Simon Brett

Narrated by: full cast, Bill Nighy

Length: 1 hr and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

Bill Nighy returns as the loveably louche Charles Paris in Jeremy Front’s BBC radio dramatisation of Simon Brett’s novel.

When Charles Paris’ agent rings with the news that he has a part for him in a new musical, Charles is delighted - and somewhat amazed, as he can neither sing nor dance.

But Maurice has an ulterior motive: as one of the show’s backers, he wants Charles to play detective and investigate a series of accidents that have dogged the production. The pianist has been shot in the hand, and another cast member fell downstairs - or was he pushed? Anxious about their investment and their star, Chris Watt, the ‘angels’ are keen to ensure that nothing else goes wrong.

Joining the company, Charles discovers that Chris, although amazingly talented, is a prima donna who has made enemies of almost everyone. When the accidents resume, it begins to look as if anyone who disagrees with him is being targeted. But would the star really sabotage his own show? Charles must find out - before things turn murderous.... 

This thrilling adaptation by Jeremy Front stars Bill Nighy (Love Actually, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) as Charles Paris, with Suzanne Burden as Frances.

©2019 BBC Worldwide Ltd (P)2019 BBC Worldwide Ltd

Anything With Bill

I've loved Bill Nighy's performances as Charles Paris since I first heard him on the BBC. His world-weary delivery is perfect for Paris, the aging, mildly successful actor/sleuth. The scripts are clever, and the rest of the cast is always very good. You won't be disappointed. (Except by the fact that they go by so quickly.)

More Delight from Simon Brett, Bill Nighy, et al

If you have never heard a Charles Paris full-cast story, you are in for a treat. The experienced will not be disappointed.

Not nearly as good as earlier Charles Paris

I love Charles Paris, but most recent Radio Plays have been pretty poor, uninteresting plots and not well put together.

The slapstick & satire hurts this series.

I really enjoy the Charles Paris books and on the whole I enjoy the radio dramatizations but they are hurt by the slapstick and entertainment industry satire element that dominate the storylines. They'd be far better if they told the story straight instead making Charles a clumsy buffoon.

Listen to all Charles Paris

Bill Nighy returns to the part he was born to play, that of third tier actor Charles Paris who this time is in the most disaster ridden stage show in the history of the west end.

Has been a great series

My wife and I have first enjoyed reading many of these books...then listening to the excellent adaptations for radio...however this one, though well produced, felt tired and was rehashing the same old story. There is nothing wrong with the casting or production quality...it all just felt very deja vu. Simon Brett is a very entertaining writer, and I think we will try something else.

Acting is excellent - but the story fell flat.

Love the Charles Paris mystery series - always great acting and writing but something fell off the ledge with this one. The person who was doing the murders, did not come over in the script, as a fully rounded possibility in the murder stakes. It just didn't seem believable.

Entertaining fluff - and who doesn't like fluff?

Another great book - although I wish I hadn't bought it as I listened to it on BBC recently and didn't realise I was buying the same episode (they all start to merge after a while). Comfort listening.

Another stellar performance

Charles Paris is the perfect detective. Haphazard, human and funny. The story bobs along with laid back, dry humour and just enough death to keep mystery and darkness about until the satisfying solution is found.

good as ever

Bill Nighy is so good at these. so entertaining its like you are in the theatre

Excellent - very funny

Bill Nighy is a superstar of audio-land. Soooo funny! I loved Star Trap. Francis (Suzanne Burton) and Maurice are utterly brilliant. I bought all the Charles Paris books and want more!! Ps I’d pay to see the Churchill musical:

Safe hands

Bill and the great cast never fail in this great series, sly humorous and just enough intrigue