Popular BBC R4 Mystery Dramas: Agatha Raisin

This post details all of the BBC radio 4 full-cast dramatisations of the popular cosy crime book series, Agatha Raisin listed in order. M. C. Beaton’s irascible but likeable amateur sleuth of the Cotswolds, played brilliantly by Penelope Keith!

Details of each episodes in this top radio 4 mystery comedy drama series are included below, plus how to get the BBC radio Agatha Raisin complete collection – on audiobook or audio CD.

For more of the best BBC radio 4 dramatisations of cosy and classic crime fiction, see my posts listed below.

Agatha Raisin BBC Radio Dramas

The Agatha Raisin characterised in these radio plays is different to the Agatha Raisin portrayed in the Sky TV series (see below for details of the TV series), and both differ again to the person depicted in the original source, the MC Beaton books. Not just physically but in personality and in the way she interacts with the people that are around her. However, I personally enjoy the different variations of the person that is Agatha Raisin. Each version is well-written within the context of the format. Plus both Penelope Keith and Ashley Jensen have done a great job of making the character their own because they are very good at what they do. What do you think? Do you have a preferred version of Agatha Raisin? Leave me a comment below with your thoughts.

Each radio drama episode is listed below in series order. Plus I’ve included details of where you can download and listen to the BBC complete collection audiobook which includes 10 of these top radio dramas.

The Quiche of Death (pilot)

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4: May 2003 | Broadcast as 45 minute episode | Main cast: Penelope Keith as Agatha Raisin, Liza Sadovy as Mrs. Bloxby, David Holt as Roy Silver, Ben Crowe as DC Bill Wong.

Plot: The Quiche of Death: After years of bullying and cajoling others as a high-flying public relations boss, Agatha Raisins early retirement to the picture-postcard village of Carsely in the Cotswolds is a dream come true. And how better to begin making herself a local leading light than by entering the village quiche-making competition?

Unburdened by old-fashioned ideas of fair play, the ruthless Agatha decides to ensure she wins by buying her entry from a London delicatessen. Alas, Agathas perfect product is soon exposed as not only store-bought but poisoned. The contest judge succumbs after eating it, and with him go Agatha’s reputation and her chances of rural bliss… unless she can expose the poisoner! [Source: Amazon]

Series 1

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4: May 2004 | Broadcast as six half-hour episodes | Main cast: Penelope Keith as Agatha Raisin, Malcolm Sinclair as James Lacey, Liza Sadovy as Mrs. Bloxby, David Holt as Roy Silver, Ben Crowe as DC Bill Wong.

Series 1 Episode List

1. The Vicious Vet: A handsome vet’s arrival in the Cotswold village of Carsely sparks a murder trail for amateur sleuth, Agatha Raisin.
2. The Body in the Bathroom: Hunting the village killer, the amateur sleuth resorts to barefaced lies, burglary and badger-watching.
3. The Potted Gardener: Competition for a new garden festival in the village turns nasty, with the Grim Reaper on the prowl.
4. The Gardener’s Legacy: When her garden festival arch-rival is murdered, the amateur sleuth digs deep to root out the wrongdoer.
5. The Walkers of Dembley: Keen to get closer to James – the sleuth gets embroiled in a saga of murder, lust and Wellington Boots.
6. A Marriage of Convenience: Investigating the murder of a militant rambler, Agatha and James go undercover as a married couple.

Series 2

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4: October 2005 | Broadcast as six half-hour episodes | Main cast: Penelope Keith as Agatha Raisin, Malcolm Sinclair as James Lacey, Liza Sadovy as Mrs. Bloxby, James Holmes as Roy Silver, Stephen Hogan as DC Bill Wong.

Series 2 Episode List

1. The Curious Curate: When the village curate is found murdered, retired PR guru Agatha Raisin vows to bring his killer to justice.
2. Duck and Cover: With the villagers reeling from the curate’s death, the fete goes ahead with a killer still among them.
3. Buried Treasure: The amateur sleuth’s plan to quit smoking sparks a treasure hunt, humiliation and a rather nasty murder.
4. The Civil War: Agatha and James’s murder hunt leads to Oxford, as intimacy beckons in a cupboard full of special books.
5. The Wizard of Evesham: The alarmed sleuth discovers her new hairdresser and his clients are harbouring a dark and magical secret.
6. The Moment of Truth: Agatha must quickly identify the poisoner, but James is refusing to help. Does he really no longer care?

Series 3

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4: October 2006 | Broadcast as six half-hour episodes | Main cast: Penelope Keith as Agatha Raisin, Malcolm Sinclair as James Lacey, Liza Sadovy as Mrs. Bloxby, James Holmes as Roy Silver, Stephen Hogan as DC Bill Wong.

Series 3 Episode List

1. The Murderous Marriage: After pursuing him for nearly four years, Cotswold sleuth Agatha Raisin is finally set to marry James Lacey, the handsome Colonel next door.
2. The Disappearing Trick: With her marriage aborted, the Cotswold sleuth must return the wedding gifts and clear herself of murder.
3. The Terrible Tourist: The furious sleuth pursues James over his holiday on their honeymoon island, but stumbles on a new murder.
4. The Green-Eyed Monster: Despite being miles from home, the sleuth and her partner investigate the murder of a British tourist.
5. The Fairies of Fryfam Part 1/2: The sleuth runs off to deepest Cornwall, but even then there’s no escaping murder and mystery – or James!
6. The Fairies of Fryfam Part 2/2: Murder in the Dark The sleuths continue the Fryfam investigation. But even more of a mystery, can James forgive and forget?

Agatha Raisin: BBC Radio 4 Drama Collection

Description: Among the cases she has to deal with are a poisoned quiche; a vet who has been ‘put to sleep’; a hanged horticulturist; a murdered rambler and a curate who meets his Maker somewhat sooner than expected. Then there’s the treasure hunt with a rather nasty prize at the end; the secretive salon owner; the husband who is quite definitely ex; the murder on the dancefloor and the fairies at the bottom of the garden. With all this and handsome neighbour James Lacey to deal with, the ‘Columbo of the Cotswolds’ has her hands full! [Source: Amazon]

This Complete Radio Drama Collection includes the following stories:

1. The Quiche of Death
2. The Vicious Vet
3. The Potted Gardener
4. The Walkers of Dembley
5. The Curious Curate
6. The Buried Treasure
7. The Wizard of Evesham
8. The Murderous Marriage
9. The Terrible Tourist
10. The Fairies of Fryfam

*Agatha Raisin: BBC Radio 4 Drama Collection audiobook is available from UK Audible, US Audible and Apple Audiobooks. Also available on Amazon in Audio CD format.

If you love Agatha Raisin you might also like:

• Agatha Raisin Books Adapted for TV
• Agatha Raisin Series 1 – New for 2016!
• Agatha Raisin Series 2 – New for 2018!
• Agatha Raisin Series 3 – New for 2019!
• Agatha Raisin Series 4 – New Season for 2021 & 2022!

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Don’t forget to check out my latest: Best BBC Radio Drama Series & Episode Lists.

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