DI Gwen Danbury: An Odd Body: Series 1-3

A BBC Radio Crime Drama

By: Sue Rodwell

Narrated by: Annette Badland, full cast, Gudrun Ure

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

All twelve episodes of the BBC radio detective drama, starring Annette Badland as DI Gwen Danbury

Detective Inspector Gwen Danbury comes from a family of investigators. Her father was a policeman, and her mother Joan often discussed cases with him – on one occasion helping him to solve a tricky murder.

Gwen already has a capable, efficient sidekick in the form of DS Henry Jacobs – but nevertheless, her mum insists on helping Gwen with her inquiries. In these three series, her interfering assistance proves invaluable as DI Danbury investigates a skeleton found in the Sussex woods, tracks down the killer of a respectable elderly lady, probes the theft of a valuable painting and encounters more than she bargained for on a murder mystery weekend...

Miss Marple meets Midsomer Murders in this cosy crime series created by Sue Rodwell, whose writing credits include the radio version of Dixon of Dock Green. Annette Badland stars as DI Gwen Danbury, with Gudrun Ure, Stephanie Cole and Margaret Tyzack as Joan and John Duttine as Henry.

Written by Sue Rodwell

Directed by Glyn Dearman (Series 1), Rosemary Watts (Series 2 and 3)

First broadcast between 1994 and 2004

©2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Loved these light mysteries

Loved these light mysteries. These were perfect for my road trips. The mother/daughter relationship was great, the stories weren’t super seep or involved, but were entertaining. The comments about her weight bugged me—but I could totally see someone saying them in real life. They are infuriating and you can see how hard it is to be successful in a “man’s” profession. Good for Gwen!

I loved the voice acting, too. Would recommend. I would sit and have tea with these women. Wish there was more!

Very entertaining

A sweet and charming collection of audio plays with likable characters (even if Joan could get on my nerves sometimes). Definitely a fun listen

Excellent light crime radio plays

Entertaining and quality writing and performance. A fun light weight listen. Definitely recommended for fans of Agatha Christie and Dorothy l Sayers.

Charming, funny, fun mystery

Great full cast dramatization, sound effects and gorgeous intro and outro music makes this a delightful BBC audio play.

Enjoyable

Not really sure what some of the reviewers were on about with their negative reviews. The actors did a fine job. One negative nelly said one of their voices was grating--not so. It's not Vera, whom I also enjoy, but I believe that's the point. Yet somehow I do believe Vera & Gwen would definitely get along. In their own ways. Not every detective story has to be gritty and this one is not. It does lean more towards what people now call "cozy mysteries". So, perhaps DI Gwen Danbury isn't their cup of tea but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Hmmmm...tea. Must dash!

Cozy mysteries with lovable characters

If you’re looking for a set of cozy mysteries with light humor and lovable characters, you’ll enjoy this series. Each episode was less than an hour and a perfect escape at the end of another long, frustrating, and emotional day in the spring of 2020.

superb presentation

I love books with multiple narrators. well done. unique in that it is a mother and daughter investigative team

Starts out strong, then fades.

The actors did a fine job overall. The first third of the series is very good. The second third was good. The last third is not very good. It was a little disconcerting having three different actors playing the mother character. The focus on DI Danbury's weight was annoying and didn't really add much to the plot.

Overall I don't regret purchasing the series but I wouldn't purchase any more in the series, if there were any of course.

Annoying old biddy

I usually like the BBC radio dramas, but this one was just annoying. The "mother/daughter " crime fighting team just didn't do it for me, the mother was meant to be Miss Marple but was more like Mrs Brown. I couldn't finish this. I was too annoyed by the characters, the situations and the dialogue.
To be honest I'm not sure who this would appeal to.

Enjoy production

Good voices
Interesting stories good mystery




Would have loved it without the mother in the storyline