Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Afternoon Reading

Audiobooks

Drama

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

Afternoon Reading: Agatha Christie's Mysterious Mr Quin

Afternoon Reading: Agatha Christie's Mysterious Mr Quin: Episode 1: The Dead Harlequin

Drama: Classic & Period

Drama: Crime

Agatha Christie's Mysterious Mr Quin

Episode 1

Episode 1: The Dead Harlequin

The Dead Harlequin

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, Agatha Christie's Mysterious Mr Quin, The Dead HarlequinSearch BBC

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

Written 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.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Three stories written by Agatha Christie in the 1920s

By Agatha Christie. Featuring the highly unusual detective team: Mr Satterthwaite, a bachelor in his 60s, and the mysterious Mr Harley Quin

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Afternoon Reading

Agatha Christie's Mysterious Mr Quin

Episode 1: The Dead Harlequin

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4