Twelve classic Christie short stories are given a modern spin in these BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations. Agatha Christie is the acknowledged 'Queen of Crime', and these twelve short stories showcase her skilful plotting and talent for producing compelling mysteries. First broadcast in the early 2000s, the stories were adapted and brought up-to-date for a contemporary audience. Among the star cast are Tom Hollander, Emilia Fox, Patricia Routledge, Julia McKenzie, Neil Dudgeon, Richard Griffiths, Rebecca Front and Andrew Sachs. Unconventional detective Parker Pyne features in two of the stories, all twelve of which are infused with Agatha Christie's trademark tension and suspense. These tantalising tales of revenge, jealousy, love and death will thrill her many fans. The stories are: Philomel Cottage Swan Song Magnolia Blossom Witness for the Prosecution The Gates of Baghdad The Hound of Death In a Glass Darkly The Dressmaker's Doll The Case of the Perfect Carer The GBP199 Adventure The Gypsy The Last Seance Duration: 5 hours 30 mins approx.

The complete collection of Alan Bennett's twelve monologues, which tell the bittersweet tales of 'ordinary, uneventful, desperate lives'. Patricia Routledge stars in 'A Lady of Letters', Maggie Smith in 'Bed Among the Lentils', Stephanie Cole in 'Soldiering On', Julie Walters in 'Her Big Chance', Thora Hird in 'A Cream Cracker Under the Settee', Patricia Routledge in 'Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet', Eileen Atkins in 'The Hand of God', David Haig in 'Playing Sandwiches', Julie Walters in 'The Outside Dog', Penelope Wilton in 'Nights in the Gardens of Spain' and Thora Hird in 'Waiting for the Telegram'.

A selection of BBC plays and observational pieces written by celebrated playwright Alan Bennett. The collection includes: 'A Visit From Miss Prothero', 'Sunset Across the Bay', 'A Day Out', 'A Woman of No Importance', 'Our Winnie', 'An Englishman Abroad', 'Dinner at Noon', 'The Insurance Man', '102 Boulevard Haussman', 'A Question of Attribution' and 'Portrait Or Bust'.

When Irene Spencer meets Vera Small at her daughter Lesley's wedding reception, they embark upon a correspondence that is quite unlike any other in the history of letter-writing. Both Irene and Vera are happily widowed and endowed with errant offspring. They live in a world of church fetes and amateur dramatics, but love nothing more than dipping their pens in the vitriol pot - while remaining the firmest of pen-pals. Feisty, naughty and endlessly funny, Ladies of Letters provides a hilarious insight into suburban friendships as they really are! 'Quite honestly as I laid the last letter aside I felt a better person for having glimpsed behind the net curtains of Mrs Small's and Mrs Spencer's life.' - Sue Townsend. 1 CD. 1 hr 30 mins.