PAUL TEMPLE AND THE CONRAD CASE

This serialized case from the long-running BBC radio series featuring detective/fictionalist Paul Temple (Peter Coke) and his journalist wife, Steve (Marjorie Westbury), takes our heroes to Germany and embroils them in espionage, blackmail, and, of course, the obligatory murders. The only clue is an unusual swizzle stick. As usual, the urbane Temples investigate upper-crust suspects, impersonated by "the Beeb's" capable resident ensemble. The very British high-society world of the Temples makes for an attractive, amiable, and unchallenging listen. One never doubts that they will skirt all dangers and solve the crime. Interest lies in the puzzle they unravel and the milieu of cocktails and evening dress so ably evoked by the writer and actors with only minimal help from the serviceable sound effects and music. Y.R. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2008]