Agatha Christie's Mysterious Mr Quin [Afternoon Reading]

Episodes

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01The Dead Harlequin20110906Written by Agatha Christie. Adapted by Archie Scottney.

Martin Jarvis returns with a new series of these strangely compelling 1920s stories by the Queen of Crime.

Mr Satterthwaite buys a painting. It intrigues him because the face of the man in the picture bears a distinct resemblance to a certain Mr Quin. One Harlequin lies dead on the floor, another Harlequin is looking through the window. What does it mean? 'I took a special interest in your picture,' says Mr Satterthwaite to the artist, 'I recognised it as the Terrace Room at Charnley.' He knows that a suicide was committed there fourteen years ago. But is the picture telling us something else? Was it, in fact, murder?

There are guests that night for dinner at Satterthwaite's home. An extra place is laid. Will Mr Harley Quin arrive to assist their thinking - perhaps even solve the mystery? Christie considered this character to be her personal favourite.

Producer/Director: Rosalind Ayres

A Jarvis and Ayres production for BBC Radio 4.

Mr Satterthwaite buys a painting. Does it contain the solution to a murder?

02The Man From The Sea20110907Written by Agatha Christie. Adapted by Archie Scottney.

Martin Jarvis reads this intriguing 1920s story by the undisputed queen of Crime. Mr Satterthwaite is holidaying on a Spanish Island. One day he proceeds from the hotel to the small harbour. He passes the black lava beach where the surf thunders and where, long ago, an English swimmer was carried out to sea and drowned.

High up, on the edge of the cliff, is a white villa with faded green shutters, and a tangled beautiful garden. Today Mr Satterthwaite's peace is going to be oddly shattered. Something strange and frightening once occurred in this house. But will it take Mr Harley Quin's influence over Satterthwaite to discover the truth? Christie considered this character to be her personal favourite.

Producer/Director: Rosalind Ayres

A Jarvis and Ayres production for BBC Radio 4.

Why does a villa on the edge of a Spanish cliff intrigue Mr Satterthwaite so much?

03Harlequin's Lane20110908Written by Agatha Christie. Adapted by Archie Scottney.

Martin Jarvis performs this riveting 1920s story. Mr Satterthwaite is staying at the Denman's country home. There's to be a performance in the grounds of a neighbouring mansion that evening - a 'masquerade' and a ballet.

But a motor accident means that two new dancers have to be found to replace the visiting professionals. There seem to be unresolved mysteries here. Does Anna Denman harbour a secret? Is there a secret, too, concerning her husband? Why is Mr Harley Quin staying in the country house? And then, during the performance, Mr Satterthwaite begins to perceive the truth of what is happening. But the revelations which follow concerning Mr Quin are surprising and frightening. Mr Satterthwaite has never had to deal with anything quite like this before.

Producer/Director: Rosalind Ayres

A Jarvis & Ayres Production for BBC Radio 4.

Mr Harley Quin at last reveals a devastating secret about himself.