Listen free for 30 days
-
Falco: The Complete BBC Radio Collection
- Five Full-Cast Dramatisations
- Narrated by: Anna Madeley, Anton Lesser, Ben Crowe, Frances Jeater, Fritha Goodey, full cast, Jonathan Keeble, Michael Tudor Barnes, Trevor Peacock
- Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins
- Radio/TV Program
- Categories: Literature & Fiction
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Audible Membership
$14.95 a month
Buy Now for $32.79
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Last Act in Palmyra
- Falco, Book 6
- Written by: Lindsey Davis
- Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
- Length: 14 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2
I was just a freelance hero doing his best in a hard world.' The spirit of adventure calls Falco on a new spying mission for the Emperor Vespasian to the untamed East. He's picking up extra fees from his old friend Thalia the snake dancer as he searches for Sophrona, her lost water organist. With the Chief Spy Anacrites paying his fare, Falco knows anything can go wrong. A dangerous brush with the Brother, the sinister ruler of Nabataean Petra, sends Falco and his girlfriend Helena on a fast camel-ride to Syria.
Written by: Lindsey Davis
-
Time to Depart
- Falco, Book 7
- Written by: Lindsey Davis
- Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
- Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall0 out of 5 stars 0
-
Performance0 out of 5 stars 0
-
Story0 out of 5 stars 0
"I still can't believe I've put the bastard away for good!" Petro muttered.' Petronius Longus, captain of the Aventine watch and Falco's oldest friend, has finally nailed one of Rome's top criminals. Under Roman law, citizens are not imprisoned but are allowed 'time to depart' into exile outside the Empire. One dark and gloomy dawn, Petro and Falco put the evil Balbinus aboard a ship. But soon after, an outbreak of robbery and murder suggests a new criminal ring has moved into Balbinus' territory.
Written by: Lindsey Davis
-
A Dying Light in Corduba
- The Falco Series, Book 8
- Written by: Lindsey Davis
- Narrated by: Richard Mitchley
- Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 2
It is 73 AD in Ancient Rome and inimitable sleuth Marcus Didius Falco is back with a vengeance. In one night, a man is killed and Rome's Chief of Spies left for dead. Naturally there is no one except Falco to conduct the investigation. Soon he is plunged into the fiercely competitive world of olive oil production. Political intrigue, an exotic Spanish dancer and impending fatherhood, all add to Falco's troubles.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Excellent
- By Eveline Howells on 2022-01-12
Written by: Lindsey Davis
-
Three Hands in the Fountain
- Marcus Didius Falco, Book 9
- Written by: Lindsey Davis
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
Marcus Didius Falco and his friend Petronius find their local fountain has been blocked - by a severed human hand. Soon other body parts are being found in the aqueducts & sewers.
Written by: Lindsey Davis
-
Two for the Lions
- Falco, Book 10
- Written by: Lindsey Davis
- Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
- Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
What did he eat last? Whom did he eat, in fact? Lumbered with working alongside reptilian Chief Spy Anacrites, Falco has the perfect plan to make money - he will assist Vespasian in the Emperor's 'Great Census' of AD 73. His potential fee could finally allow him to join the middle ranks and be worthy of long-suffering Helena Justina. Unexpectedly confronted with the murder of a man-eating lion, Falco is distracted from his original task, uncovering a bitter rivalry between the gladiators' trainers.
Written by: Lindsey Davis
-
One Virgin Too Many
- Falco, Book 11
- Written by: Lindsey Davis
- Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
- Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
"All the problems I know about are family ones." A frightened child approaches Roman informer Falco, pleading for help. Nobody believes Gaia's story that a relation wants to kill her--and neither does he. Beset by his own family troubles, by his new responsibilities as procurator of the sacred poultry, and by the continuing search for a new partner, Falco turns her away. Immediately he regrets it. Gaia has been selected as the new Vestal Virgin, and when she disappears Falco is officially asked to investigate.
Written by: Lindsey Davis
-
Last Act in Palmyra
- Falco, Book 6
- Written by: Lindsey Davis
- Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
- Length: 14 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2
I was just a freelance hero doing his best in a hard world.' The spirit of adventure calls Falco on a new spying mission for the Emperor Vespasian to the untamed East. He's picking up extra fees from his old friend Thalia the snake dancer as he searches for Sophrona, her lost water organist. With the Chief Spy Anacrites paying his fare, Falco knows anything can go wrong. A dangerous brush with the Brother, the sinister ruler of Nabataean Petra, sends Falco and his girlfriend Helena on a fast camel-ride to Syria.
Written by: Lindsey Davis
-
Time to Depart
- Falco, Book 7
- Written by: Lindsey Davis
- Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
- Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall0 out of 5 stars 0
-
Performance0 out of 5 stars 0
-
Story0 out of 5 stars 0
"I still can't believe I've put the bastard away for good!" Petro muttered.' Petronius Longus, captain of the Aventine watch and Falco's oldest friend, has finally nailed one of Rome's top criminals. Under Roman law, citizens are not imprisoned but are allowed 'time to depart' into exile outside the Empire. One dark and gloomy dawn, Petro and Falco put the evil Balbinus aboard a ship. But soon after, an outbreak of robbery and murder suggests a new criminal ring has moved into Balbinus' territory.
Written by: Lindsey Davis
-
A Dying Light in Corduba
- The Falco Series, Book 8
- Written by: Lindsey Davis
- Narrated by: Richard Mitchley
- Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 2
It is 73 AD in Ancient Rome and inimitable sleuth Marcus Didius Falco is back with a vengeance. In one night, a man is killed and Rome's Chief of Spies left for dead. Naturally there is no one except Falco to conduct the investigation. Soon he is plunged into the fiercely competitive world of olive oil production. Political intrigue, an exotic Spanish dancer and impending fatherhood, all add to Falco's troubles.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Excellent
- By Eveline Howells on 2022-01-12
Written by: Lindsey Davis
-
Three Hands in the Fountain
- Marcus Didius Falco, Book 9
- Written by: Lindsey Davis
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
Marcus Didius Falco and his friend Petronius find their local fountain has been blocked - by a severed human hand. Soon other body parts are being found in the aqueducts & sewers.
Written by: Lindsey Davis
-
Two for the Lions
- Falco, Book 10
- Written by: Lindsey Davis
- Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
- Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
What did he eat last? Whom did he eat, in fact? Lumbered with working alongside reptilian Chief Spy Anacrites, Falco has the perfect plan to make money - he will assist Vespasian in the Emperor's 'Great Census' of AD 73. His potential fee could finally allow him to join the middle ranks and be worthy of long-suffering Helena Justina. Unexpectedly confronted with the murder of a man-eating lion, Falco is distracted from his original task, uncovering a bitter rivalry between the gladiators' trainers.
Written by: Lindsey Davis
-
One Virgin Too Many
- Falco, Book 11
- Written by: Lindsey Davis
- Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
- Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
"All the problems I know about are family ones." A frightened child approaches Roman informer Falco, pleading for help. Nobody believes Gaia's story that a relation wants to kill her--and neither does he. Beset by his own family troubles, by his new responsibilities as procurator of the sacred poultry, and by the continuing search for a new partner, Falco turns her away. Immediately he regrets it. Gaia has been selected as the new Vestal Virgin, and when she disappears Falco is officially asked to investigate.
Written by: Lindsey Davis
Publisher's Summary
Full-cast BBC Radio 4 dramatisations of the first five Falco novels by Lindsey Davis, starring Anton Lesser as Marcus Didius Falco.
The Silver Pigs:
One fine day, AD 70, Sosia Camillina quite literally runs into Marcus Didius Falco on the steps of the Forum. It seems Sosia is on the run from a couple of street toughs, and after a quick and dirty rescue, PI Falco wants to know why. Hoping for future favours from Sosia's powerful uncle, Falco embarks on an intricate case of smuggling, murder, and treason that reaches into the palace itself.
Shadows in Bronze:
Rome, AD 71. Against his better judgment, Marcus Didius Falco secretly disposes of a decayed corpse for the Emperor Vespasian, then heads for the beautiful Bay of Naples with his friend Petronius. But this will be no holiday: they have been sent to investigate the murderous members of a failed coup, now sunning themselves in luxurious villas and on fancy yachts in Neapolis, Capreae, and Pompeii.
Venus in Copper:
A small accounting error has left Marcus Didius Falco sharing a cell with a large rat. But the Roman Empire's most hard-done-by investigator is finally bailed out and promptly accepts a commission to help a family of freed slaves fend off a professional bribe....
The Iron Hand of Mars:
Falco is dispatched to one of the most hostile parts of the empire to deliver a new standard, an iron hand, to one of the legions. Germania is cold, wet, dismal and full of dark forests inhabited by bloodthirsty barbarians, but Falco has an even bigger problem to worry about: he has forgotten Helena Justina's birthday, and she is being pursued by the Emperor's son Titus Caesar.
Poseidon’s Gold:
Returning to Rome after his mission to Germania, Falco finds that his mother is being harassed by a centurion named Censorinus, who says he is chasing a debt owed to him by Falco's late brother, Festus. When Falco refuses to cough up the money, he and Censorinus end up fighting...and later, the centurion turns up dead. Under suspicion of murder, Falco must confront his past and uncover his brother's secrets before he can clear his name and solve the mystery.
These funny and fast-moving adaptations are a treat for all Falco fans.
Cast:
Falco...Anton Lesser
Helena...Fritha Goodey/Anna Madeley
Petronius...Ben Crowe
Ma...Frances Jeater
Pa...Trevor Peacock
Vespasian...Michael Tudor Barnes
Titus...Jonathan Keeble
Dramatised by Mary Cutler
Directed by Peter Leslie Wild
Audio updated as of February 2020.
More from the same
What listeners say about Falco: The Complete BBC Radio Collection
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2020-12-30
great history lesson
great blend of history and a glimpse of daily life at the time. My only problem was the voices were not easy to hear over car noise which only allowed enjoying the performance at home.
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2018-10-05
Wonderful but flawed...
The performances are fantastic, the story is wonderful but the entire story has a weird sound in the background, at random intervals, that sounds like someone is ripping velcro, oras if they recorded this via some bootleg situation and there is FM static. It happens just often enough to be annoying, then stops for so long you think it won't happen again. Can someone clean up the recording and release the corrected version?
20 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cody T.
- 2019-03-12
A few audio glitches - but enjoyable as a box set for Falco fans
Although there were some notable audio glitches, this dramatized radio play is a nice adaptation for the early Falco books. Buying them as a box set made all the difference.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- William Simkiss
- 2020-03-05
Fabulous adaptation!
The BBC takes the first 5 Falco books, and while abridging them, perfectly captures their spirit. PERFECTLY! The writing and pacing is good, the acting superb. I couldn’t wait to hear them all - and then play them right again. I hope they’ll someday do the rest.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- H. Atwood
- 2018-12-13
Fantastic!
I loved it! What are they going to do more? The cast was perfect especially Anton Lesser, playing Falco. Nobody does radio dramas like the Brits!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- N. Campbell
- 2021-03-30
Fantastic stories
I love Marcus Didius Falco! I have read the books many times & listened to the unabridged audiobooks. The cast dramatizations are brilliant.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Vicki
- 2022-03-04
Terrific adaptation
This covers the first 5 books of the series Each is around 2.5 hrs so it is abridged However, it is true to the storyline and great fun Sometimes the background audio is a bit too loud for the voices but that is a minor issue This a great series and I hope the BBC will consider doing the next 5 books as well I highly recommend this!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Norma Miles
- 2021-08-04
"Of all of the vineyards in the known worlds ...
... she just happened to walk into this one."
A lifetime fan of all things Roman, I had read the printed versions of Lindsey Davis'e entire unabridged Falco series years ago and delighted in the radio adaptations for BBC radio. This Audio brings together those first five Falco plays, starring Anton Lesser as Falco, with a full supporting cast. They are all excellent.
Anton Lesser excels as Falco, his is the voice I heard in my head when I first read the books. Tender but strong, with courage and cowardice, duty and family frustration all on display: not just his acting skills but places him centre stage. His lover, Helen Justin's is also beautifully portrayed by Anna Madley in books 2 - 5, though I actually preferred the warmer, more laughter or disdain filled Helena of Frilla Goodey in book one.
The titles included are:
- The Silver Pigs
- Shadows in Bronze
- Venus in Copper
- The Iron Hand of Mars
- Poseidon's Gold.
Although heavily abridged, the five book series is superb, really catching the humour as well as the excitement of the stories and the atmosphere of Rome in the first Century. A book that I will listen to again and again
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Haragano
- 2020-07-27
such fun!
a delight to go on the adventure with Falco & Helena again...loved the Turbot! Enjoy
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- TX lilbit
- 2019-12-09
Fairly entertaining
Not mind-blowing, but I'll listen to anything Anton Lesser reads. I like to think the sound flaws are the actors wrapping packages with those big tape dispensers :-).
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gaurav
- 2019-04-23
Fun detective stories
Loved it. Great detective drama with a comedic edge set in Ancient Rome. Anton Lesser and Anna Madeley are great!
