Author:Mark Tavener,Michael Williams,Barry Foster,Stephen Fry,John Bird,Julian Rhind-Tutt,Rebecca Front,Peter Serafinowicz,Hugh Laurie,Richard Griffiths,Full Cast
A collection of four blackly humorous crime mysteries featuring the fictional BBC Radio crime correspondent, George Cragge.
Adapted from the novel by Mark Tavener, In the Red sees the anarchic George Cragge investigate a spree of bizarre murders in the world of City finance, a small political party contesting a by-election, and a plan to overthrow the Director-General of the BBC.
The sequel, In the Balance, features George Cragge kicking off a murder trail during the FIFA World Cup at Wembley Stadium. And with Europe becoming a hot potato, can the Prime Minister hold onto his job?
In the Chair follows the maverick hack as he looks into a series of murders of dentists linked to New Labour policy.
The final drama, In the End, sees George Cragge investigating a series of murders of journalists.
These four comedy thrillers star Michael Williams as George Cragge with Barry Foster as Police Supertintendant Frank Jefferson. The star casts also include Stephen Fry, John Bird, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Peter Serafinowicz, Hugh Laurie, Rebecca Front and Richard Griffiths.
Brimming with surreal humour and disarming candour
—— Evening StarKing of the Universe . . . Comic genius . . . Entertainment incarnate
—— TelegraphIzzard is Wikipedia in heels. He's made his career out of hilarious, dizzying, surreal routines held up by their own daft logic . . . A force of nature
—— Radio TimesSheer Comic Genius. His humour reflects the scattershot lunacy of Monty Python, but with a sophisticated silliness that is entirely his own. He is the most brilliant stand-up comedian of his generation
—— New York TimesA comedy gem
—— GuardianIzzard has a knack for reducing centuries' worth of history to just a few exquisite words (the Romans were just 'fascist plumbers', for example)
—— Time OutThe funniest man in England
—— John CleeseThe funniest man in, well, pretty much all of the known universe
—— Los Angeles TimesIzzard is fleet of foot - even in Cuban heels
—— IndependentHad the Pythons stuck it out, they'd certainly be doing Izzard-like gags
—— Chicago TribuneA consistent intelligence underpins Izzard's whimsy
—— ChortleTrue Izzardians are every bit as committed in their fandom as Star Trek or Dr Who fans
—— GuardianEddie Izzard is my favorite stand-up chameleon
—— Eric IdleI had never heard of Eddie Izzard before, but judging by this delightful memoir, he has a glittering career ahead of him. I particularly enjoyed his descriptions of working in a Vatican slaughterhouse, acting as Deputy Foreign Minister in Gladstone's first administration, his whacky exploits at his uncle's Taxidermy Cafe, and his tragic death at the age of only eight at the Morris Dancing Finals in Bruges
—— John CleeseOne of the most colourful and intimate portraits yet painted of Bowie
—— VogueA vivid catalogue of anecdote, opinion, gossip and memoir
—— Telegraph MagazineThere is literally no better way to spend your time than by reading about the late, great, beautiful and brilliant David Bowie, brought to you by fellow superfan and GQ editor Dylan Jones
—— TatlerThis oral history is by far the best … It’s gossipy, fascinating stuff
—— The SunThe perfect accompaniment to roaring fires and languid winter evenings, this book
guarantees to see any man through the festive period
A must-have for Bowie fans
—— Daily MirrorRevelatory and surprising – perfect for the Ziggy completist
—— New York MagazineBeguiling … the fabulosity of Bowie’s life and times lends itself extraordinarily well
to the oral history form
An affectionate, sometimes surprising, always fascinating picture of a Star Man in the real world
—— STELLA magazineOf all the volumes to appear since Bowie’s death last year, this is perhaps the most useful
—— i paperA treat for enthusiasts […] it bulges with essential and telling Spinal Tappish gossip
—— GuardianAn intimate, detailed and gossip-spangled survey of the life of the great enigma
—— Strong Words magazineThere are sixty-two and a half million books written about David Bowie; this is the one that has been unanimously praised. Indeed, David Bowie: A life might be the only one that you really need.
—— Loud and Quiet MagazineYou can go to any page and read something really interesting. It’s the only book about another artist that I’ve really enjoyed.
—— Chris Difford , Daily ExpressA quirky, romantic fairy tale perfect for summer.
—— You MagazineMy Christmas pick: I love any novel by Rachel Joyce, whose The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was a huge success. Now she has created another Pied Piper of the heart in Frank, the proprietor of The Music Shop...This bewitching love story sings out the unique beauty of every human being, leaving you uplifted.
—— Bel Mooney , Daily MailThe Music Shop is a one gulp, super-satisfying read. Love it, love it, love it.
—— Sir Lenny HenryJoyce, a British actress and playwright, whose first novel, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, was longlisted for the Man Booker, continues to enchant and break hearts with her lovable misfits trying to survive in a modern world determined to pass them by. Irresistible.
—— Beth Anderson , Library JournalAn unforgettable story of music, loss and hope. Fans of High Fidelity, meet your next quirky love story. Vinyl fans, hold onto your turntables - Joyce's latest is a buoyant homage to the healing power of music well-played.
—— PEOPLE magazine‘The Music Shop’ is an unabashedly sentimental tribute to the healing power of great songs, and Joyce is hip to greatness in any key…. [The novel] captures the sheer, transformative joy of romance — ‘a ballooning of happiness.’ Joyce’s understated humor…offers something like the pleasure of A.A. Milne for adults. She has a kind of sweetness that’s never saccharine, a kind of simplicity that’s never simplistic…. I wouldn’t change a single note. Rachel Joyce, if music be the food of love, write on!
—— The Washington PostRachel Joyce’s charming and deceptively simple fourth novel chronicles an offbeat love story between a mystery woman and an ardent, if lonely, collector and gently explores the power of memory and music and the certainty of change…. love, friendship, and especially the healing powers of music all rise together into a triumphant crescendo…. This lovely novel is as satisfying and enlightening as the music that suffuses its every page.
—— The Boston GlobeMagnificent…. Joyce’s novel is intellectually and emotionally satisfying on every possible level. If you love words, if you love music, if you love, this is 2018’s first must-read, and it will be without question one of the year’s best.
—— Top Pick in Fiction, January 2018 , BookPageJoyce has a knack for quickly sketching characters in a way that makes them stick…. This is a touching, sometimes funny book about surviving change, the power of music and the importance of having a community — wacky or not. As with all of Joyce’s books, it will surprise you.
—— Minneapolis Star TribuneJoyce…continues to enchant and break hearts with her lovable misfits trying to survive in a modern world determined to pass them by. Irresistible.
—— Library JournalMagical…. [Rachel] Joyce has a winner in this deceptively simple love story…. Joyce’s odes to music…and the notion that the perfect song can transform one’s life make this novel a triumph.
—— Publishers WeeklyWhether on foot, as in her novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, or track by track, on this unlikely musical odyssey, Joyce excels in enveloping readers in epic journeys of lost connections and loving reunions.
—— Booklist[Rachel] Joyce sets up a charming cast of characters, and her spirals into the sonic landscapes of brilliant musicians are delightful, casting a vivid backdrop for the quietly desperate romance between Frank and Ilse. From nocturnes to punk, this musical romance is ripe for filming.
—— Kirkus Reviews