The Jura Affair By William Boyd

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A sparkling new literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd.

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The Book On The Train

20250303

A sparkling new literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the remote Scottish Isle of Jura.

When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, she takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she faces skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life...

Today: when a man drops a book on the tube, George Orwell-obsessive Bethany Mellmoth decides it's fate when she sees it's a rare copy of 1984. But what should she do with it?

Writer: William Boyd, is one of the UK's most acclaimed writers. He is the author of 17 novels, including A Good Man in Africa, winner of the Whitbread Literary Award and the Somerset Maugham Award; An Ice Cream War, winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and shortlisted for the Booker prize; Any Human Heart, winner of the Prix Jean Monnet; and Restless, winner of the Costa Novel of the Year.

Reader: Ruth Everett

Producer: Justine Willett

When Orwell-obsessive Bethany finds a rare copy of 1984 on the tube, she finds herself embarking on a literary trail that takes her to the remote island where the book was written.

[LISTEN NOW]

The Book On The Train

20250303

A sparkling new 10-part literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the remote Scottish Isle of Jura, and featuring amateur sleuth, Bethany Mellmoth.

Today: when a man drops a book on the tube, George Orwell-obsessive Bethany Mellmoth decides it's fate when she sees it's a rare copy of 1984. But what should she do with it?

The Jura Affair was inspired by and developed from a short story published in 2017.

Reader: Ruth Everett

Producer: Justine Willett

A sparkling new literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd.

When Orwell-obsessive Bethany finds a rare copy of 1984 on the tube, she finds herself embarking on a literary trail that takes her to the remote island where the book was written.

[LISTEN NOW]

The Book On The Train

20250303

A sparkling new 10-part literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the remote Scottish Isle of Jura, and featuring amateur sleuth, Bethany Mellmoth.

Today: when a man drops a book on the tube, George Orwell-obsessive Bethany Mellmoth decides it's fate when she sees it's a rare copy of 1984. But what should she do with it?

The Jura Affair was inspired by and developed from a short story published in 2017.

Reader: Ruth Everett

Producer: Justine Willett

A sparkling new ten-part literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd.

A sparkling new literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd.

When Orwell-obsessive Bethany finds a rare copy of 1984 on the tube, she finds herself embarking on a literary trail that takes her to the remote island where the book was written.

[LISTEN NOW]

The Book On The Train

20250303

A sparkling new 10-part literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the remote Scottish Isle of Jura, and featuring amateur sleuth, Bethany Mellmoth.

When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura, Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she faces skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life...

Today: when a man drops a book on the tube, George Orwell-obsessive Bethany Mellmoth decides it's fate when she sees it's a rare copy of 1984. But what should she do with it?

The Jura Affair was inspired by and developed from a short story published in 2017.

Reader: Ruth Everett

Producer: Justine Willett

A sparkling new literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd.

When Orwell-obsessive Bethany finds a rare copy of 1984 on the tube, she finds herself embarking on a literary trail that takes her to the remote island where the book was written.

[LISTEN NOW]

Gower And Fontaine Ltd

20250304

A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the Isle of Jura.

When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, she takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she uncovers skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life...

Today: With her mother off to Ghana for Christmas, and her ex becoming increasingly erratic, Bethany decides to take the copy of 1984 back to Jura, where she hopes to reunite it with its owner...

Reader: Ruth Everett

Producer: Justine Willett

A new literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd set on the Isle of Jura.

With her mother off to Ghana for Christmas, and her ex becoming increasingly erratic, Bethany decides to take the copy of 1984 back to Jura, hopefully to be returned to its owner.

[LISTEN NOW]

The Isla Of Jura

20250305

A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the Isle of Jura.

When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, she takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she uncovers skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life...

Today: Bethany finally arrives on the remote Isle of Jura, hoping to combine a literary pilgrimage with the return of the book. But doesn't expect to find such intriguing hosts...

Reader: Ruth Everett

Producer: Justine Willett

A sparkling new literary whodunnit from the acclaimed writer William Boyd.

Hoping to return the rare copy of 1984, Bethany arrives at the remote Isle of Jura, where her hosts turn out to be unexpectedly intriguing...

[LISTEN NOW]

The Incident In Morocco

20250306

A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the Isle of Jura.

Today: over dinner at the home of Jura's antiquarian bookseller, Bethany suddenly realises she knows the identity of the man who dropped the book on the tube....

Reader: Ruth Everett

Producer: Justine Willett

[LISTEN NOW]

The Ghost

20250310

A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the Isle of Jura.

Today: After sabotage and some gruesome threats, Bethany is feeling decidedly unwelcome on Jura. But who wants her off the island?

Reader: Ruth Everett

Producer: Justine Willett

A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd.

[LISTEN NOW]

Breaking And Entering

20250311

A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the Isle of Jura.

Today: desperate to prove who is behind the literary scam on Jura, Bethany finds herself breaking into the antiquarian bookseller's...

Reader: Ruth Everett

Producer: Justine Willett

A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the award-winning writer William Boyd

[LISTEN NOW]

The Long Arm Of The Law

20250312

A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the Isle of Jura.

Today: When she finds herself unexpectedly being interviewed by the police, Bethany thinks she finally knows who wants her off the island...

Reader: Ruth Everett

Producer: Justine Willett

A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd.

[LISTEN NOW]

The Evidence

20250313

A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the Isle of Jura.

Today: desperate to finally prove who is behind the Orwell scam, Bethany heads for a meeting on the pier, alone and at night...

Reader: Ruth Everett

Producer: Justine Willett

A brilliant new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd.

[LISTEN NOW]

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	The Book On The Train	20250303	A sparkling new literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the remote Scottish Isle of Jura. When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, she takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she faces skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life... Today: when a man drops a book on the tube, George Orwell-obsessive Bethany Mellmoth decides it's fate when she sees it's a rare copy of 1984. But what should she do with it? Writer: William Boyd, is one of the UK's most acclaimed writers. He is the author of 17 novels, including A Good Man in Africa, winner of the Whitbread Literary Award and the Somerset Maugham Award; An Ice Cream War, winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and shortlisted for the Booker prize; Any Human Heart, winner of the Prix Jean Monnet; and Restless, winner of the Costa Novel of the Year. Reader: Ruth Everett Producer: Justine Willett When Orwell-obsessive Bethany finds a rare copy of 1984 on the tube, she finds herself embarking on a literary trail that takes her to the remote island where the book was written. [LISTEN NOW]
01	The Book On The Train	20250303	A sparkling new 10-part literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the remote Scottish Isle of Jura, and featuring amateur sleuth, Bethany Mellmoth. When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, she takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she faces skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life... Today: when a man drops a book on the tube, George Orwell-obsessive Bethany Mellmoth decides it's fate when she sees it's a rare copy of 1984. But what should she do with it? The Jura Affair was inspired by and developed from a short story published in 2017. Writer: William Boyd, is one of the UK's most acclaimed writers. He is the author of 17 novels, including A Good Man in Africa, winner of the Whitbread Literary Award and the Somerset Maugham Award; An Ice Cream War, winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and shortlisted for the Booker prize; Any Human Heart, winner of the Prix Jean Monnet; and Restless, winner of the Costa Novel of the Year. Reader: Ruth Everett Producer: Justine Willett A sparkling new literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd. When Orwell-obsessive Bethany finds a rare copy of 1984 on the tube, she finds herself embarking on a literary trail that takes her to the remote island where the book was written. [LISTEN NOW]
01	The Book On The Train	20250303	A sparkling new 10-part literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the remote Scottish Isle of Jura, and featuring amateur sleuth, Bethany Mellmoth. When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, she takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she faces skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life... Today: when a man drops a book on the tube, George Orwell-obsessive Bethany Mellmoth decides it's fate when she sees it's a rare copy of 1984. But what should she do with it? The Jura Affair was inspired by and developed from a short story published in 2017. Writer: William Boyd, is one of the UK's most acclaimed writers. He is the author of 17 novels, including A Good Man in Africa, winner of the Whitbread Literary Award and the Somerset Maugham Award; An Ice Cream War, winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and shortlisted for the Booker prize; Any Human Heart, winner of the Prix Jean Monnet; and Restless, winner of the Costa Novel of the Year. Reader: Ruth Everett Producer: Justine Willett A sparkling new ten-part literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd. A sparkling new literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd. When Orwell-obsessive Bethany finds a rare copy of 1984 on the tube, she finds herself embarking on a literary trail that takes her to the remote island where the book was written. [LISTEN NOW]
01	The Book On The Train	20250303	A sparkling new 10-part literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the remote Scottish Isle of Jura, and featuring amateur sleuth, Bethany Mellmoth. When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura, Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she faces skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life... Today: when a man drops a book on the tube, George Orwell-obsessive Bethany Mellmoth decides it's fate when she sees it's a rare copy of 1984. But what should she do with it? The Jura Affair was inspired by and developed from a short story published in 2017. Writer: William Boyd, is one of the UK's most acclaimed writers. He is the author of 17 novels, including A Good Man in Africa, winner of the Whitbread Literary Award and the Somerset Maugham Award; An Ice Cream War, winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and shortlisted for the Booker prize; Any Human Heart, winner of the Prix Jean Monnet; and Restless, winner of the Costa Novel of the Year. Reader: Ruth Everett Producer: Justine Willett A sparkling new literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd. When Orwell-obsessive Bethany finds a rare copy of 1984 on the tube, she finds herself embarking on a literary trail that takes her to the remote island where the book was written. [LISTEN NOW]
02	Gower And Fontaine Ltd	20250304	A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the Isle of Jura. When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, she takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she uncovers skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life... Today: With her mother off to Ghana for Christmas, and her ex becoming increasingly erratic, Bethany decides to take the copy of 1984 back to Jura, where she hopes to reunite it with its owner... Writer: William Boyd, is one of the UK's most acclaimed writers. He is the author of 17 novels, including A Good Man in Africa, winner of the Whitbread Literary Award and the Somerset Maugham Award; An Ice Cream War, winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and shortlisted for the Booker prize; Any Human Heart, winner of the Prix Jean Monnet; and Restless, winner of the Costa Novel of the Year. Reader: Ruth Everett Producer: Justine Willett A new literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd set on the Isle of Jura. With her mother off to Ghana for Christmas, and her ex becoming increasingly erratic, Bethany decides to take the copy of 1984 back to Jura, hopefully to be returned to its owner. [LISTEN NOW]
03	The Isla Of Jura	20250305	A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the Isle of Jura. When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, she takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she uncovers skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life... Today: Bethany finally arrives on the remote Isle of Jura, hoping to combine a literary pilgrimage with the return of the book. But doesn't expect to find such intriguing hosts... Writer: William Boyd, is one of the UK's most acclaimed writers. He is the author of 17 novels, including A Good Man in Africa, winner of the Whitbread Literary Award and the Somerset Maugham Award; An Ice Cream War, winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and shortlisted for the Booker prize; Any Human Heart, winner of the Prix Jean Monnet; and Restless, winner of the Costa Novel of the Year. Reader: Ruth Everett Producer: Justine Willett A sparkling new literary whodunnit from the acclaimed writer William Boyd. Hoping to return the rare copy of 1984, Bethany arrives at the remote Isle of Jura, where her hosts turn out to be unexpectedly intriguing... [LISTEN NOW]
04	The Incident In Morocco	20250306	A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the Isle of Jura. When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, she takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she faces skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life... Today: over dinner at the home of Jura's antiquarian bookseller, Bethany suddenly realises she knows the identity of the man who dropped the book on the tube.... Writer: William Boyd, is one of the UK's most acclaimed writers. He is the author of 17 novels, including A Good Man in Africa, winner of the Whitbread Literary Award and the Somerset Maugham Award; An Ice Cream War, winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and shortlisted for the Booker prize; Any Human Heart, winner of the Prix Jean Monnet; and Restless, winner of the Costa Novel of the Year. Reader: Ruth Everett Producer: Justine Willett [LISTEN NOW]
06	The Ghost	20250310	A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the Isle of Jura. When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, she takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she faces skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life... Today: After sabotage and some gruesome threats, Bethany is feeling decidedly unwelcome on Jura. But who wants her off the island? Writer: William Boyd, is one of the UK's most acclaimed writers. He is the author of 17 novels, including A Good Man in Africa, winner of the Whitbread Literary Award and the Somerset Maugham Award; An Ice Cream War, winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and shortlisted for the Booker prize; Any Human Heart, winner of the Prix Jean Monnet; and Restless, winner of the Costa Novel of the Year. Reader: Ruth Everett Producer: Justine Willett A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd. [LISTEN NOW]
07	Breaking And Entering	20250311	A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the Isle of Jura. When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, she takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she faces skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life... Today: desperate to prove who is behind the literary scam on Jura, Bethany finds herself breaking into the antiquarian bookseller's... Writer: William Boyd, is one of the UK's most acclaimed writers. He is the author of 17 novels, including A Good Man in Africa, winner of the Whitbread Literary Award and the Somerset Maugham Award; An Ice Cream War, winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and shortlisted for the Booker prize; Any Human Heart, winner of the Prix Jean Monnet; and Restless, winner of the Costa Novel of the Year. Reader: Ruth Everett Producer: Justine Willett A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the award-winning writer William Boyd [LISTEN NOW]
08	The Long Arm Of The Law	20250312	A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the Isle of Jura. When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, she takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she faces skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life... Today: When she finds herself unexpectedly being interviewed by the police, Bethany thinks she finally knows who wants her off the island... Writer: William Boyd, is one of the UK's most acclaimed writers. He is the author of 17 novels, including A Good Man in Africa, winner of the Whitbread Literary Award and the Somerset Maugham Award; An Ice Cream War, winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and shortlisted for the Booker prize; Any Human Heart, winner of the Prix Jean Monnet; and Restless, winner of the Costa Novel of the Year. Reader: Ruth Everett Producer: Justine Willett A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd. [LISTEN NOW]
09	The Evidence	20250313	A sparkling new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd, set on the Isle of Jura. When Orwell obsessive Bethany Mellmoth finds herself in possession of a rare copy of 1984, so begins a literary trail that will take her to the remote Scottish island where the book was written. On Jura Bethany, in the seemingly genteel company of an antiquarian bookseller, she takes on the role of amateur sleuth, as she faces skulduggery and scams, and even threats to her own life... Today: desperate to finally prove who is behind the Orwell scam, Bethany heads for a meeting on the pier, alone and at night... Writer: William Boyd, is one of the UK's most acclaimed writers. He is the author of 17 novels, including A Good Man in Africa, winner of the Whitbread Literary Award and the Somerset Maugham Award; An Ice Cream War, winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and shortlisted for the Booker prize; Any Human Heart, winner of the Prix Jean Monnet; and Restless, winner of the Costa Novel of the Year. Reader: Ruth Everett Producer: Justine Willett A brilliant new literary whodunnit for Radio 4 from the acclaimed author William Boyd. [LISTEN NOW]