Tree of Liberty

Four thrilling detective dramas set in Amiens during the French Revolution

''Stylish detective series'' The Independent

September 1791. Newly promoted Lieutenant General Jacques Lacroix is transferred from Paris to Amiens, tasked to solve crimes and arrest criminals. But in these days of revolution, it''s increasingly tricky for him to identify the criminals amongst all the agitators, rabble-rousers and counter-revolutionaries. And his job is about to get even harder, as he finds himself investigating a slew of grisly murders...

In Friends in High Places, the body of a murdered girl is dragged out of the Somme. She was last seen at a salon the previous night, in the company of Maximilien Robespierre: could the great man be implicated in her death?

To Be A Pilgrim finds Lacroix probing an alleged conspiracy that sets him off on the wrong track, and calling on the local sorceress, Madeleine Bonniface, to help him solve what appears to be a ritual killing.

In Health of a Nation, a doctor is found dead as the Reign of Terror begins. His son confesses to the murder - but he has an alibi, so why would he lie?

Finally, in Moon Conjunct Uranus, Madeleine Bonniface''s astrological chart predicts trouble ahead for Lacroix - and when the death of a young woman is linked to a secret magical sect, the evidence all seems to point to him...

These atmospheric historical crime dramas star David Calder stars as Lacroix, with Brian Hibbard, Kathryn Pogson, Simon Ludders and Frances Tomelty.

Production credits
Written by Nigel Baldwin, with additional research by Constantia Michael
Directed by Alison Hindell
Original music by Paula Gardiner, performed by Mark Edwards, Jeanette Masocchi, Ron Parry and Paula Gardiner

Cast
Lt Gen Lacroix - David Calder
Monet - Brian Hibbard
Charlotte - Kathryn Pogson
Dupont - Ian Rowlands
Roland - Christian Rodska
Robespierre - Brendan Charleson
Didier/Panchaud/Chalier - Steve Hodson
Mme Rives/Josephine - Bethan Jones
Surgeon - Matthew Morgan
Mme Giradoux - Lesley Rooney
Duval - Simon Ludders
Madeleine - Frances Tomelty
Mme des Chats/Mme Dupre - Sue Roderick
Ferrier/Michel - Andrew Wincott
Georges/Jean - Robert Harper
Simone - Sara Harris-Davies

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13 March-3 April 1995