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Vintage Crime: Edgar Wallace - PC Lee stories

Episode 1: Mr Simmons' Profession

Duration: 15 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 ExtraLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 Extra

PC Lee's asked to keep an eye on Notting Dale's mysterious new resident and the local underworld is curious. Read by Toby Jones.

In 1909 Edgar Wallace wrote a series of 24 short stories featuring street-wise London police-constable, PC Lee. Wallace himself features in some, with PC Lee recounting his adventures as a bobby on the beat in and around the district of Notting Dale. Toby Jones brings this wonderful, little-known character to life for BBC Radio 4 Extra in 10 charming and witty tales.

THE AUTHOR:

Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace was born on 1st April 1875 to actress Polly Richards. At nine days old, he was adopted by a Billingsgate fish porter. Aged 11, he began his working life on Fleet Street selling newspapers at Ludgate Circus. He was to become a prolific writer. Wallace wrote numerous best-selling novels - including the Four Just Men and Mr JG Reeder series - and many plays, poetry and non-fiction. Specialising in the crime genre, PC Lee was his first venture into the world of the short story.

THE READER:

Actor Toby Jones' list of film credits includes: Tale of Tales, Dad's Army, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Hunger Games, Frost/Nixon, My Week with Marilyn and the Harry Potter series. TV roles include: The Secret Agent, Capital, The Detectorists, Marvel's Agent Carter, Marvellous, The Girl, Dr Who, The Old Curiosity Shop and The Way We Live Now.

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Greenlit Productions. Show less

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