Audiobooks narrated by Jessica Hardwick

Shardlake: The Complete BBC Radio Collection: Six BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations

The complete collected dramatisations of C. J. Sansom's historical mystery series Set during the reign of Henry VIII, these six stunning dramas follow the adventures of hunchbacked lawyer-detective Matthew Shardlake as he navigates the dangerous world of Tudor England, solving crimes and seeking out murderers. Dissolution - Winter, 1537. When a King's Commissioner is brutally murdered at Scarnsea monastery, Thomas Cromwell sends Shardlake to investigate. Can he catch the killer before he strikes again? Dark Fire - Summer, 1540, and Shardlake is embroiled in two urgent cases: tracking down a batch of Greek Fire, an ancient weapon of mass destruction, and defending an orphan girl accused of murder. Accompanied by Cromwell's man, Barak, he must race against time to save Elizabeth's life - and Cromwell's skin. Sovereign - Autumn, 1541. As the King embarks on a Royal Progress to York, Shardlake and Barak arrive in the city on a secret mission for Archbishop Cranmer. But soon they are caught up in a murder investigation - and a daring plot to bring down the royal family... Revelation - Spring, 1543. With London rocked by religious turmoil, Shardlake must complete two vital assignments: help a teenage boy imprisoned in Bedlam for his heretical ravings, and prevent a serial killer from completing his unholy mission. Heartstone - Summer, 1545, and Shardlake and Barak are drawn into two murky mysteries: one involving 'monstrous wrongs' committed against a ward of the court, the other involving the troubled past of Bedlam inmate Ellen Fettiplace. Meanwhile, across the Channel, the French fleet is preparing to attack... Lamentation - 1546. Henry VIII lies dying, and his Protestant and Catholic factions are vying for power. As heretics are burned at the stake, the Queen rashly decides to write a compromising confessional book - and when it is stolen, she turns to Shardlake. His investigations lead him from London's backstreet print shops to the heart of the royal court... Jason Watkins and Justin Salinger star as Shardlake, with Bryan Dick as Barak, Mark Bonnar and Robert Glenister as Cromwell, Sam Dale and Sean Baker as Cranmer, and Emily Wachter and Jessica Hardwick as Queen Catherine Parr. Written by C. J. Sansom Dramatised by Colin MacDonald Produced and directed by Kirsteen Cameron, David Jackson Young and Bruce Young © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Cj Sansom (Author), Bryan Dick, Emily Wachter, Jason Watkins, Jessica Hardwick, Justin Salinger, Mark Bonnar, Robert Glenister, Sam Dale, Sean Baker (Narrator)

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Shardlake: Lamentation: A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation

A breathtaking BBC Radio 4 full-cast adaptation of the sixth novel in C. J. Sansom's best-selling Tudor crime series, featuring lawyer-detective Matthew Shardlake 1546, and the great heretic hunt is underway across England. The radical Protestant preacher Anne Askew has been arrested and condemned to death, and Shardlake is ordered to attend the burning. It's a grisly, cruel spectacle that leaves him feeling disturbed. Rumours are circulating that Anne had connections to his protector, Queen Catherine Parr - and if she falls, he could be next... His unease deepens when a messenger arrives from Whitehall Palace: the Queen is in trouble, and asking for his help. Unwilling to put himself in danger again, he almost declines - but his loyalty to her permits no refusal. The palace is in turmoil - King Henry VIII is dying, and his Protestant and Catholic councillors are engaged in a desperate power struggle to control his eight-year-old heir, Prince Edward. In this climate of fear and uncertainty, the Queen has committed a dangerous indiscretion. She has written a compromising confessional tract, so incendiary it could see her accused of treason - and someone has stolen it from her private chamber. Only one page has resurfaced, clenched in the fist of a murdered printer. Shardlake's search for the missing manuscript takes him from London's seedy backstreets to the heart of the Tudor court, where he becomes enmeshed in a web of intrigue, deception and dark political machinations - and finds himself facing a fateful audience with King Henry himself... Justin Salinger stars as Shardlake in this stunning sixth instalment of the 'Shardlake' series. 'From the exquisite embroidery on a sliver of silk to the metallic stench of fresh blood, this portrait of Tudor England is full-on sensory immersion... CJ Sansom's novel is brought to life by dramatist Colin MacDonald, director Bruce Young and an outstanding cast.' - Jane Anderson, Radio Times Written by C. J. Sansom Dramatised by Colin MacDonald Produced and directed by Bruce Young Cast Shardlake - Justin Salinger Barak - Bryan Dick Queen Catherine - Jessica Hardwick Lord Parr - Robbie Jack Henry VIII - Michael Mackenzie Richard Rich - Simon Donaldson William Paget - Gavin Mitchell Charles Stice - Matthew Barker William Cecil - James Rottger Myldmore - Kenny Blyth Okedene - Mark McDonnell Cranmer - Crawford Logan Mary Odell - Francesca Dymond Barwic - Mark Jeary Elias - Caleb Hughes Garet - Harri Pitches Other parts played by the cast First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 18-29 January 2021

Cj Sansom (Author), Bryan Dick, Full Cast, Jessica Hardwick, Justin Salinger (Narrator)

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This Thing of Darkness: A BBC Radio 4 full-cast thriller

“They charged you with murder David. Why is that?... David? Why do the police think you murdered your son?” Jamie was 19. He was an ambitious personal trainer who wanted to be a social media influencer. But now his hopes and dreams will never be realised. Jamie was found killed at the family home, discovered by his dad – who’s now been charged with his own son’s murder. In this gripping crime drama, revealed through recordings of sessions led by forensic psychiatrist Dr Alex Bridges (Lolita Chakrabarti), we hear from those closest to Jamie and find out more about the family’s secrets. David, a photographer, describes a picture-perfect life, his “beautiful” son and a happy home. But is he hiding something? Will the truth about Jamie’s murder finally be revealed? Also featuring bonus content from real-life forensic psychiatrist Dr Gwen Adshead, who was series consultant for This Thing of Darkness. Her appearance on BBC show The Life Scientific is presented as part of this audio release, where she reveals how she treats the minds of real-life violent offenders. Cast Alex … Lolita Chakrabarti David … Robin Laing Laura… Shauna Macdonald Hannah … Jessica Hardwick Liam/Dougie … Simon Donaldson Kyle/Tyler … Reuben Joseph Frankie … Brian Vernel Karen … Victoria Liddelle Series created by Audrey Gillan, Lucia Haynes, Eileen Horne, Gaynor Macfarlane, Anita Vettesse and Kirsty Williams. Series consultant: Dr Gwen Adshead Written by Lucia Haynes (episodes 1, 2 and 4) and Anita Vettesse (episodes 3, 5, 6 and 7), with monologues by Eileen Horne Produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Kirsty Williams A BBC Scotland Production directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

Anita Vettesse, Eileen Horne, Lucia Haynes (Author), Jessica Hardwick, Lolita Chakrabarti, Robin Laing, Shauna Macdonald (Narrator)

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Salt On Your Tongue: Women and the Sea

Charlotte Runcie has always felt pulled to the sea, lured by its soothing, calming qualities but also enlivened and inspired by its salty wildness. When she loses her beloved grandmother, and becomes pregnant with her first child, she feels its pull even more intensely. In Salt On Your Tongue Charlotte explores what the sea means to us, and particularly what it has meant to women through the ages. This book is a walk on the beach with Turner, with Shakespeare, with the Romantic Poets and shanty-singers. It's an ode to our oceans - to the sailors who brave their treacherous waters, to the women who lost their loved ones to the waves, to the creatures that dwell in their depths, to beach trawlers, swimmers, sea birds and mermaids. In mesmerising prose, Charlotte Runcie explores how the sea has inspired, fascinated and terrified us, and how she herself fell in love with the deep blue. Navigating through ancient Greek myths, poetry, shipwrecks and Scottish folktales, Salt On Your Tongue is about how the wild untameable waves can help us understand what it means to be human.

Charlotte Runcie (Author), Jessica Hardwick (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Jessica Hardwick