Audiobooks narrated by Andy Secombe

The Missing Hancocks: The Complete BBC Radio Series: New recordings of classic ‘lost’ scripts

Kevin McNally and Andy Secombe star in new recordings of original Hancock's Half Hour scripts by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. Between 1954 and 1959, BBC Radio recorded 102 episodes of the hugely popular comedy classic, Hancock's Half Hour. The first modern sitcom, Hancock's Half Hour made stars of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Kenneth Williams, and launched Ray Galton and Alan Simpson as one of the most successful comedy-writing partnerships in history. Sadly, 22 episodes of the show went missing from the BBC archives, and have not been heard since their original transmission nearly 60 years ago - until Radio 4 lovingly recreated them over four highly-acclaimed series between 2014 and 2020. In a special treat for Hancock fans, Series 4 also premiered one episode - The Counterfeiter - that was never recorded by the original team. Complete with the classic score performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, these hilarious episodes were recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre in front of a live audience. Kevin McNally stars as The Lad Himself, with Andy Secombe playing the role of his father Harry and a stellar cast including Simon Greenall, Kevin Eldon, Robin Sebastian, Margaret Cabourn-Smith and Susy Kane. Also featured is a bonus Director's Commentary for The Matador, in which Andy Hamilton chats to Kevin McNally and co-producer Neil Pearson about the joys, and challenges, of recreating a 1950s sitcom. In addition, we hear Kevin McNally and Robin Sebastian's riotous performance of 'The Test Pilot' sketch at the 2018 RAF centenary gala at the Royal Albert Hall, and the interview they gave afterwards. The episodes included in this collection are: The Matador The Newspaper The Hancock Festival The Breakfast Cereal The New Neighbour How Hancock Won the War The Red Planet The Marriage Bureau A Visit to Russia The Trial of Father Christmas A Holiday in France The Crown Jewels The Racehorse A Visit to Swansea The Three Sons The Winter Holiday Department Store Santa The Diamond Ring Prime Minister Hancock Christmas at Aldershot The Counterfeiter The Christmas Eve Party The New Year Resolutions Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson Produced by Ed Morrish, Neil Pearson, Paul Sheehan and Hayley Sterling Music composed by Wally Stott, and performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Levon Parikian Thanks to Tessa Le Bars A BBC Studios Production Originally broadcast on the BBC Light Programme between 1954 and 1959 Recreated for broadcast by BBC Radio Comedy for BBC Radio 4, 31 October-28 November 2014 (Series 1), 23 November-21 December 2015 (Series 2), 14 March-11 April 2017 (Series 3), 6 December 2018-31 December 2020 (Series 4) Cast Tony Hancock - Kevin McNally Bill Kerr - Kevin Eldon Sid James - Simon Greenall Kenneth Williams - Robin Sebastian Andree Melly - Susy Kane Moira Lister - Margaret Cabourn-Smith Harry Secombe - Andy Secombe Director's Commentary Featuring Andy Hamilton, Kevin McNally and Neil Pearson 'The Test Pilot' sketch Performed by Kevin McNally and Tim Sebastian as part of the RAF 100 Gala, first broadcast BBC Radio 2, 6 April 2018 and presented by Ken Bruce

Alan Simpson, Ray Galton (Author), Andy Secombe, Kevin Eldon, Kevin Mcnally, Margaret Cabourn-Smith, Robin Sebastian, Simon Greenall, Susy Kane (Narrator)

Audiobook

Chaos Reborn - The Audio Adventures

Chaos Reborn - The Audio Adventures Chaos Reborn - The Audio Adventures is the exciting new videogame adaptation from the producers of Elite: Escape Velocity. Featuring Andy Secombe (Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace) and Samantha Béart (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) and based on Julian Gollop's game of Wizard battles. Episode One - A Unicorn Murder The wizard, Dagan, is continually defeated in his attempts to rid the realm of a cruel master. Broke and desperate for new equipment, Dagan finds himself in the Unicorn-racing town of Mana Falls, where intrigue, murder and suspicion lie around every corner. When a high profile member of the community is murdered, Dagan finds himself as the prime suspect. Will the wizard's mission be overturned by humanity's laws - and can Dagan determine his own fate before marauders, banishing charms and goblins decide it for him? The Download edition features the full episode and behind the scenes extras in a variety of DRM-free MP3 bitrates for your choice of quality and storage convenience. It also comes with a PDF information booklet, featuring photos from the production and notes from the director.

Christopher Jarvis (Author), Andy Secombe, Samantha Béart, Scott Joseph, Steve Mctigue (Narrator)

Audiobook

Murder by the Book: A Sensational Chapter in Victorian Crime

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Murder by the Book by Claire Harman, read by Andy Secombe. Early in the morning of 6 May 1840, on an ultra-respectable Mayfair street, a footman answered the door to a panic-stricken maid from a nearby house. Her elderly master, Lord William Russell, was lying in bed with his throat cut so deeply that the head was almost severed. The whole of London, from monarch to street urchins, was gripped by the gory details of the Russell murder, but behind it was another story, a work of fiction, and a fierce debate about censorship and morality. Several of the key literary figures of the day, including Dickens and Thackeray, were drawn into the controversy, and when Lord William's murderer claimed to having been inspired by the season's most sensational novel, it seemed that a great deal more was on trial than anyone could have guessed. Bringing together much previously unpublished material from a wide range of sources, Claire Harman reveals the story of the notorious Russell murder case and its fascinating connections with the writers and literary culture of the day. Gripping and eye-opening, Murder by the Book is the untold true story of a surprisingly literary crime.

Claire Harman (Author), Andy Secombe (Narrator)

Audiobook

Loch of the Dead: Frey & McGray Book 4

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Loch of the Dead by Oscar de Muriel, read by Andy Secombe. A mysterious woman pleads for the help of Inspectors Frey and 'Nine-Nails' McGray. Her son, illegitimate scion of the Koloman family, has received an anonymous death threat - right after learning he is to inherit the best part of a vast wine-producing estate. In exchange for their protection, she offers McGray the ultimate cure for his sister who has been locked in an insane asylum after brutally murdering their parents: the miraculous waters that spring in a small island in the remote Loch Maree. The island has been a sacred burial ground since the time of the druids, but the legends around it will turn out to be much darker than McGray could have expected. Death and increasingly bizarre happenings will intermingle throughout this trip to the Highlands, before Frey and McGray learn a terrible truth. 'A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery' New York Times 'I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic' Ian Rankin

Oscar de Muriel (Author), Andy Secombe (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Missing Hancocks: Series 3: Five new recordings of classic 'lost' scripts

Five more brand new recordings of original Hancock's Half Hour scripts, starring Andy Secombe and Kevin McNally. One of the first modern sitcoms, Hancock's Half Hour made Tony Hancock a household name and launched the careers of writing partners Galton and Simpson. However, 20 of the original radio shows were wiped or lost from the BBC Sound Archive, so Radio 4 decided to recreate them. This collection contains all five episodes from the third series. The first three – A Holiday in France, The Racehorse and The Crown Jewels – star Andy Secombe, playing his father Harry (who himself deputised for an absent Tony Hancock in the original run). In A Visit to Swansea and The Three Sons, Kevin McNally resumes the role of Hancock. Among the supporting cast are Simon Greenall, Kevin Eldon and Robin Sebastian. Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson and with the classic score performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, these hilarious episodes were recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC Radio Theatre. A piece of comedy history, they have not been heard since their first broadcast, and are a must-listen for fans of ‘the lad 'imself’.

Alan Simpson, Ray Galton (Author), , Andy Secombe, Kevin Mcnally (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Mask of Shadows: Frey & McGray Book 3

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook of A Mask of Shadows by Oscar de Muriel, read by Andy Secombe. 'A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery' New York Times 'I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic' Ian Rankin 1889. The Scottish Play is coming home. But before the darling couple of London theatre, Henry Irving & Ellen Terry, take their acclaimed Macbeth to the Edinburgh stage terror treads the boards. A grisly message found smeared across the cobbles in blood, foretelling someone's demise. As the bloody prophecies continue to appear Edinburgh's own beloved pair - Detective 'Nine-Nails' McGray & Inspector Ian Frey - enter the scene. Frey scoffs at this blatant publicity stunt, while McGray is convinced of supernatural affairs. As they scrutinise the key players, they discover that Terry, Irving, and his peculiar, preoccupied assistant (one Bram Stoker) all have reasons to kill, or be killed... But one thing is clear. By occult curse or human hand, death will take bow the night the curtain rises. Praise for the Frey & McGray series: 'I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic' Ian Rankin 'A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery' New York Times 'This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it. Oscar de Muriel is going to be a name to watch' Manda Scott 'Fun to read and a fast page-turner. Love and murder - they go together like strawberries and cream' Independent 'A brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It's clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written ... Everything you need in a mystery thriller' Crime Review 'Fast-paced, well-researched and thoroughly spellbinding. The mismatched pair is as entertaining as Holmes and Watson at their best' Historical Novel Society

Oscar de Muriel (Author), Andy Secombe (Narrator)

Audiobook

Waking Gods: Themis Files Book 2

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook of Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel, read by Andy Secombe, Adna Sablylich, Laurel Lefkow, William Hope, Charlie Anson, Christopher Ragland, Karina Fernandez, Madeleine Rose, Roy McMillan and Sarah Wells. What's going on? Turn on the television. What channel? Any channel. An unknown vessel, not of this world, materializes in London. A colossal figure towering over the city, it makes no move. Is this a peaceful first contact or the prelude to an invasion? Every child has nightmares. But the only thing scarier than little Eva Reyes' dreams - apocalyptic visions of death and destruction - is the habit they have of coming true... Scientist Dr Rose Franklin has no memory of the last few years. The strangers she works with say she died, and was brought back to life. The question is not just how ... but why? Kara Resnik and Vincent Couture fell in love during war, and have found peace since. They are the thin line of defence against what is coming. But they do not know they have been living a lie. And a man who claims to have the answers has his own agenda. There are things he cannot say - and others he won't. All pieces of an epic puzzle. One we have been trying to solve since the dawn of time... *** Praise for Sylvain Neuvel: 'This year's The Martian. Captivating ... So good and so eerie' Buzzfeed 'Bursts at the seams with big ideas ... this book is a sheer blast from start to finish. I haven't had this much fun reading in ages' Blake Crouch, author of Dark Matter and Wayward Pines 'This stellar debut novel masterfully blends together elements of sci-fi, political thriller and apocalyptic fiction ... so much more than the sum of its parts. A page-turner of the highest order' Kirkus Reviews 'As high-concept as it is, Sleeping Giants is a thriller through and through. One of the most promising series kickoffs in recent memory' NPR 'Reminiscent of The Martian and World War Z, Sleeping Giants is a luminous conspiracy yarn that shoots for (and lands among) the stars' Pierce Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Red Rising

Sylvain Neuvel (Author), Adna Sablyich, Andy Secombe, Charlie Anson, Christopher Ragland, Karina Fernandez, Laurel Lefkow, Madeleine Rose, Roy Mcmillan, Sarah Wells, William Hope (Narrator)

Audiobook

Sleeping Giants: Themis Files Book 1

If you loved The Passage, World War Z, The Martian or Interstellar: this is a must-read thriller for you. * * * Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel. Read by William Hope, Christopher Ragland, Andy Secombe, Charlie Anson, Eric Meyers, Laurel Lefkow, Liza Ross, Katharine Mangold and Adna Sablylich. . Deadwood, USA. A girl sneaks out just before dark to ride her new bike. Suddenly, the ground disappears beneath her. Waking up at the bottom of a deep pit, she sees an emergency rescue team above her. The people looking down see something far stranger... 'We always look forward. We never look back.' That girl grows up to be Dr. Rose Franklin, a brilliant scientist and the leading world expert on what she discovered. An enormous, ornate hand made of an exceptionally rare metal, which predates all human civilisation on the continent. 'But this thing ... it's different. It challenges us. It rewrites history.' An object whose origins and purpose are perhaps the greatest mystery humanity has ever faced. Solving the secret of where it came from - and how many more parts may be out there - could change life as we know it. 'It dares us to question what we know about ourselves.' But what if we were meant to find it? And what happens when this vast, global puzzle is complete...? 'About everything.' * * * 'Bursts at the seams with big ideas. A sheer blast from start to finish. I haven't had this much fun reading in ages' Blake Crouch, author of the Wayward Pines trilogy 'A stellar debut which masterfully blends sci-fi, political thriller and apocalyptic fiction. So much more than the sum of its parts - a page-turner of the highest order' Kirkus Reviews 'Reminiscent of The Martian and World War Z, this is a luminous conspiracy yarn that shoots for (and lands among) the stars' Pierce Brown, author of Red Rising

Sylvain Neuvel (Author), Adna Sablyich, Andy Secombe, Charlie Anson, Christopher Ragland, Eric Meyers, Katharine Mangold, Laurel Lefkow, Liza Ross, William Hope (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Shadow Hour

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of The Shadow Hour by Kate Riordan, read by Eve Webster, Rachel Bavidge, Andy Secombe, Roy Mcmillan, Helen Fraser, Daniel Weyman and Steven France. Nineteen twenty-two. Grace has been sent to the stately and crumbling Fenix House to follow in her grandmother's footsteps as a governess. But when she meets the house's inhabitants, people who she had only previously heard of in stories, the cracks in her grandmother's tale begin to show. Secrets appear to live in the house's very walls and everybody is resolutely protecting their own. Why has she been sent here? Why did her grandmother leave after just one summer? And as the past collides with the present, can Grace unravel these secrets and discover who her grandmother, and who she, really is? Praise for The Shadow Hour 'I was immediately drawn in by this beautifully written tale. I loved the sense of intrigue and the air of mystery at Fenix House, and was itching for answers as the two narratives unfolded' Dinah Jefferies author of The Tea Planter's Wife 'I'm a sucker for unreliable narrators, crumbling country houses stuffed full of secrets and a story that veers between the present and the past, so it was a delight to curl up with The Shadow Hour over the course of a rainy weekend' Red Online 'It's wonderful - the dark suspense and evocative descriptions are perfect' Liz Fenwick, author of Under a Cornish Sky 'We loved last years The Girl in the Photograph and this latest atmospheric saga is just as thrilling' Essentials 'The parallel stories of Fenix House governess Harriet Jenner and her granddaughter Grace had me absolutely gripped. Intelligent, poignant, unexpected: highly recommended' Louise Candlish, author of The Sudden Departure of the Frasers 'Beautifully written and utterly compelling, I loved this' Katie Fforde 'Gorgeously written - I was instantly drawn in to the mysteries of Fenix House and Kate's evocative storytelling held me rapt until the very end' Lucy Diamond 'Full of dark intrigue, rich description and haunting secrets, this kept me reading and reading! Beautifully written and compelling until the end. I adored it' Ella Harper, author of The Years of Loving You 'What a beautiful and evocative writer she is! I adored the richness of her descriptions, the faint sense of menace just below the surface, and the huge skill with which she wove in clues, questions and little fragments of information. It was a thoroughly absorbing read' Iona Grey 'The language is lyrical and yet accessible, the plot intricate but satisfying. There is romance, period detail, and dark secrets. This book has TV adaptation written all over it! A great book-club read with loads to discuss' The Cheltonian

Kate Riordan (Author), Andy Secombe, Daniel Weyman, Eve Webster, Helen Fraser, Rachel Bavidge, Roy Mcmillan, Steven France (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Fever of the Blood: A Victorian Mystery Book 2

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of A Fever of the Blood by Oscar De Muriel, read by Andy Secombe. New Year's Day, 1889. In Edinburgh's lunatic asylum, a patient escapes as a nurse lays dying. Leading the manhunt are legendary local Detective 'Nine-Nails' McGray and Londoner-in-exile Inspector Ian Frey. Before the murder, the suspect was heard in whispered conversation with a fellow patient - a girl who had been mute for years. What made her suddenly break her silence? And why won't she talk again? Could the rumours about black magic be more than superstition? McGray and Frey track a devious psychopath far beyond their jurisdiction, through the worst blizzard in living memory, into the shadow of Pendle Hill - home of the Lancashire witches - where unimaginable danger awaits... A Fever of the Blood includes an exclusive interview with the author which is only available to audiobook listeners. * * * Praise for The Strings of Murder: 'This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it. Oscar de Muriel is going to be a name to watch.' Manda Scott 'One of the best debuts so far this year - a brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It's clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written - The Strings Of Murder is everything you need in a mystery thriller.' Crime Review

Oscar de Muriel (Author), Andy Secombe (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Hunt

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of The Hunt by Oscar De Muriel, a Christmas tale from the world of Frey & McGray, read by Andy Secombe. Christmas, 1888. After a thoroughly trying time in Edinburgh, Inspector Ian Frey looks forward to a Christmas break at his family's country estate back in England. But the welcome respite of home cooking, hunting trips and brandy by the fire is ruined by the arrival of an unwelcome guest . . . *Features an exclusive extract from A Fever of the Blood - the brilliant new Case for Frey & McGray, which publishes in February 2016* Praise for The Strings of Murder: 'This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it.' Manda Scott 'One of the best debuts of the year. Riveting, genuinely funny, occasionally frightening and superbly written.' Crime Review

Oscar de Muriel (Author), Andy Secombe (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Strings of Murder: Frey & McGray Book 1

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of The Strings of Murder by Oscar de Muriel, read by Andy Secombe, including musical interludes recorded by the author himself. 'A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery' New York Times 'I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic' Ian Rankin Edinburgh, 1888. A virtuoso violinist is brutally killed in his home. But with no way in or out of the locked practice room, the murder makes no sense. Fearing a national panic over a copycat Ripper, Scotland Yard sends Inspector Ian Frey to investigate under the cover of a fake department specializing in the occult. However, Frey's new boss, Detective 'Nine-Nails' McGray, actually believes in such nonsense. McGray's tragic past has driven him to superstition, but even Frey must admit that this case seems beyond reason. And once someone loses all reason, who knows what they will lose next... 'This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it. Oscar de Muriel is going to be a name to watch.' Manda Scott 'A great cop double-act ... It's the pairing of the upright Frey and the unorthodox McGray that notches up the stars for this book. Like de Muriel, they're going places.' Sunday Sport 'One of the best debuts so far this year - a brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting... with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It's clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written - The Strings Of Murder is everything you need in a mystery thriller.' Crime Review

Oscar de Muriel (Author), Andy Secombe (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Andy Secombe