Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20121218 | 20121217 (R4) | She's glamorous, intelligent, rich and very, very cool. Modesty Blaise has been called the female James Bond but she's much more interesting than that. With her expertise in martial arts and unusual weapons, the ability to speak several languages and her liking for fast cars, twenty-something Modesty became a female icon long before the likes of Emma Peel, Lara Croft, or Buffy. In Stef Penney's brand new radio adaptation of Peter O'Donnell's novel, Sir Gerald Tarrant, Head of a secret British agency, tempts Modesty out of retirement and into a job involving a young woman with extra sensory powers, an exotic desert location, and a larger than life public school villain, intent on murdering his way to a vast fortune. With its perfect cocktail of glamorous settings, hidden treasure, a twisting turning plot, and characters to root for, A Taste for Death is an action packed treat - and a guilty pleasure. With an original score by Goldfrapp's Will Gregory, arranged by Ian Gardiner, and performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Ben Foster. Produced and Directed by Kate McAll Interesting Modesty Facts: Modesty first started life in 1963 as a strip cartoon in the London Evening Standard - the first of the novels followed three years later. Vincent Vega, played by John Travolta, is seen reading a Modesty Blaise book in Pulp Fiction. Modesty takes on public school villain Simon Delicata in a deadly Sahara showdown. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 02 | 20121218 | Sir Gerald Tarrant, Head of a secret British agency, has heard from his friend, Dr Aaronson, that there's trouble at an archaeological dig in the Sahara. But when Sir Gerald and Modesty go to meet Dr Aaronson they find his lifeless body at the bottom of the stairs. Modesty's side-kick, Willie Garvin, meanwhile, has returned from South America with a blind Canadian girl called Dinah, whom he rescued from being kidnapped. Now, it seems that these two threads are connected. In this second episode, Dinah reveals her special skill, a talent that explains why the bad guys were after her. Modesty and Willie, meanwhile, get a lead from Paris and decide to follow it up. They leave Dinah and Steve at the cottage, with specially rigged steel screens over the windows to keep them safe. But is it enough to keep at bay Delicata, a villain of inhuman strength? Adapted by Stef Penney from the novel by Peter O'Donnell. With an original score by Goldfrapp's Will Gregory, arranged by Ian Gardiner Produced and Directed by Kate McAll. Dinah reveals her special talent, a skill which explains why the bad guys were after her. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations | |
| 03 | 20121219 | Modesty and Willie have been hoodwinked into going to Paris, leaving Dinah vulnerable at the cottage. Now she's been abducted by Delicata and taken to the desert. He plans to use her special powers to help him locate something very valuable. Knowing that Dinah's life is in terrible danger, Modesty and the gang hitch a ride with Skeet Lowry, pilot of the archaeological dig's supply plane. But are they walking into a trap? Adapted from the novel by Peter O'Donnell by Stef Penney. With an original score by Goldfrapp's Will Gregory, arranged by Ian Gardiner Produced and Directed by Kate McAll Interesting Modesty fact: She once ran a criminal gang called the Network. Dinah has been seized by Delicata and taken to the desert. Modesty and the gang give chase Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations | |
| 04 | 20121220 | Dinah is using her extra sensory powers to try and locate the lost treasures of the Garamantes. So far, she's only found Roman swords and buckles. Delicata is becoming impatient and furious. Time is running out for the gang and they need an escape plan. So Modesty comes up with a ruse to get hold of McWhirter's notebook and win the pilot, Skeet Lowry over to their side. Adapted from the novel by Peter O'Donnell by Stef Penney. With an original score by Goldfrapp's Will Gregory, arranged by Ian Gardiner Produced and Directed by Kate McAll Interesting Modesty Fact: The Treadmill is the name of the pub that Willie Garvin bought on his return to England. Dinah has still not found the treasure, and Delicata's patience is running out. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations | |
| 05 | 20121221 | The showdown in the desert reaches its climax as Modesty and Willie use all their resources - not to mention a few ancient Roman weapons - to put their escape plan into action. Superhumanly strong Delicata finally meets his match. Back at home, though, there's still one more villain who has to be dealt with. The final episode of Stef Penney's adaptation of Peter O'Donnell's novel. With an original score by Goldfrapp's Will Gregory, arranged by Ian Gardiner Stef Penney has written extensively for film and radio including adaptations of Moby Dick and The Worst Journey In The World for Radio 4. Produced and Directed by Kate McAll. The showdown in the desert reaches its climax, as Modesty puts the escape plan into action Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |