Maurice Denham stars as Maigret, with Michael Gough as his creator Georges Simenon, in these five compelling dramas

Featuring in 76 novels and 28 short stories, Maigret is France’s most famous and best-loved fictional detective. His adventures have been adapted many times for TV, with actors such as Rupert Davies and Rowan Atkinson in the title role.

In these radio plays, Maigret and Simenon reminisce about five of their most intriguing cases. An elderly widow fears someone is trying to poison her; an anonymous letter warns Maigret that a murder is about to be committed; and while taking a rest cure in Vichy, Maigret becomes fascinated by “The Lady in Lilac’. Plus, the killing of an underworld kingpin could enable Maigret to solve a series of jewel thefts dating back 20 years; and Maigret finds himself rubbing shoulders with the jet set as he investigates the death of a world-famous financier.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, the episodes included in this collection are Maigret and the Old Lady (31/07/1977); Maigret Hesitates (07/08/1977); Maigret Takes the Waters (14/08/1977); The Patience of Maigret (21/08/1977) and Maigret and the Millionaires (05/05/1984).

Classic Radio Crime: presenting vintage detectives for your investigation!