The Martin Beck Stories

10 BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations

By: Per Wahlöö, Maj Sjöwall

Narrated by: Neil Pearson, full cast, Steven Mackintosh

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Outstanding

This is good story telling in a play format. The adaptation is excellent, the acting is 'spot on'.
While reading each of the 10 novels in turn could be a rewarding experience, this 10 hour plus audio. presents the scope of Per Wahloo and Maj Sjowall's project so very well.

I understood Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö wanted to show the underbelly of their society in fiction form and their books do present social comment using a wide range of criminal offenses in a policing format.The police are human characters with individual personalities.

These stories capture a period in history for us now in 2017, looking back to the 1960's and 1970's.

The BBC Radio 4. with this superb production, and these talented writers and performers get a standing ovation and a few 'bravo' from my living room.

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.

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.

Highly Recommended. Compelling stories

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

Reminiscent

Be clear that these are short adaptations of short novels. I read the books many years ago as they came out in English. I loved them and was primed for dozens more from Scandinavia. These abbreviated radio adaptations do not permit full development of all characters or the interplay of culture, politics, and individual personality. However, the dramatizations offer strong flavors of these facets of the originals, and they are lovely procedurals as they stand. If you like old-fashioned radio dramas you will be pleased to experience these excellent productions, beautifully enacted.

Enjoyable easy-listening for Beck fans

These are short full cast productions of Wahlöö and Sjöwall’s more gritty novels. Once I grew accustomed to various UK accents in place of Swedish, the listening is easy and enjoyable. Sometimes I listen at night after I’ve read too many current events :)

If you have not read the original novels, and you might, read the novels first.

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.

the grandparents of the swedish murder mystery

very enjoyable! flashes of humor and cynicism. my favorite character was Larsson, played by Ralph Inerson. this was my first foray into BBC radio plays, and I'm definitely going to listen to many more!

Very good radio drama

The reality of this drama is very good. But 11 stories are bit too long. Maybe three to five episode is good enough for my concentration.

Brilliant stories, compelling performances.

This is such a great work of fiction, interesting, characters who are utterly believable . The dialogue is perfectly judged and the plots twist and turn with a steady, relentless realism peppered with moments of sheer genius.

Gripping Swedish crime stories 5-stars* - Superb!

I seldom re-listen to books in my library, but the Martin Beck stories are superb. Actually I have already got them individually, but by buying them (again) all together has made it easier to download/ listen in order.

So good is this collection I would say they are near faultless - great performances by the actors and spot-on pacing. Gripping Swedish crime stories. Just wish there were more.

Fantastic, highly recommended 5*

Fantastic adaption of a great series of books.

This is a fantastic adaption of the Sjöwall/Wahlöö books that gives them a new and fresh coat of paint. For me as a Swede who have heard about the books all my life and seen two tv-adaptations and more or less knows the story this felt fresh and at the same time familiar.
The cast do a great jobb portraying the characters and the production is well made.
Two thumbs up!

loved it

Really enjoyed listening to the short stories. Even got my husband and my adult son asking me to play it when we had to do long drives.. Sad it came to a end. I recommend this to everyone who enjoys drama and crime.

Excellent

One of a very few audio books that are even better than reading the actual books. V good dramatisation.

Loved this!

It was good in every way. Particularly liked Neil Pearson in lead role. The story was dramatic but human, with plenty of subtle humour. Interesting to see the early form of this genre.

Superb

Loved the stories and dramatisation. The combination of narration and dialogue is great. I caught some of these on the radio but listening to them all in sequence is better - there’s humour and pathos in here that you pick up better when you listen to all the episodes in sequence. Highly recommended.

Perfect

Glorious narrative, wonderful contemporary stories, delicious evolution of characters. Almost better than my usual bbc4 Saturday 9pm Scandinavian Noir. Usually audible is my background to cooking and laundry but there were moments this demanded my full attention.

First class radio drama

I first heard these plays on radio 4 a few years ago
I recorded 2 of them but have been unable to hear the rest until I joined audible and chose the 11 recorded plays as my first choice.
The stories are excellent and I have heard recordings of all the books which are also very well done.
These plays are extremely well acted and directed and can be listened to again and again ( by me anyway).
I just think they are a fabulous set of radio plays.

Best audio book ever

Superb cast and narration capturing the original book brilliantly I haven't heard a better production.

Thoroughly enjoyable

Excellent stories, wonderful performances, detailed plot lines that stand up well to repeated listening. The characters grow and develop through each individual story.
Highly recommended!