A trilogy of thrillers set in Liverpool, featuring the formidable Detective Inspector CrustVeteran scriptwriter Vincent McInerney draws on his lifelong knowledge of Liverpool and his background in the Merchant Marine in these engaging thrillers, in which the gruff, indomitable John Crust and his sidekick Minty probe the circumstances surrounding a missing husband, a stolen sculpture and a hidden treasure.O’Rourke’s First Case – Made redundant at 40, John O’Rourke gets a grant from the Enterprise Allowance Board and sets up as a private detective. Hired by Mrs Rate to trace her absent spouse, he’s soon caught up in a dangerous scheme involving modern art, drug money and shoot-outs on container ships. Fortunately, Inspector Crust is also investigating, and monitoring the rookie PI’s progress. Can the redoubtable copper ensure that O’Rourke’s first case isn’t also his last?The Finger of Suspicion – With the university rag day parade in full swing, Inspector Crust is keeping his beady eye on the floats making their way through the city centre. So when a helicopter suddenly appears, and hoists the Epstein statue off Lewis’s department store, Crust assumes it’s an elaborate student prank. But when the police receive a ransom note, together with one of the statue’s fingers, he starts to have second thoughts.The Bell – Following the death of shipowner Oliver Bright, his granddaughter Elizabeth prepares to sell his house and possessions at auction. Rumour has it that among his worldly goods is a rare artefact saved during the sinking of the Titanic – and psychotic criminal Tarrant will stop at nothing to lay his hands on it. But Inspector Crust is also on the trail of the missing relic, and is determined to find it first...Cast and creditsWritten by Vincent McInernyDirected by Shaun MacLoughlinStarring James Ellis as Inspector Crust and Bill Monks as MintyO’Rourke’s First CaseJohn O''Rourke – Ken CumberlidgeMr O''Rourke – Richard TateChris – Maureen O’BrienCurly – Dominic RickhardsMrs Rate – June BarrieRonnie Rate – Eric AllanBogger – David GoudgeCaptain/Adrian Mince – Christian RodskaCharlie – Jonathan NibbsBarman/Compere – Ian TargettScratcher – David LearnerOperator – Maryon Ellor‘Just Another Night’ written and sung by Vincent McInerneyMusicians: Steve Wright (guitar), Dave Dover (bass) and Steve Bartley (percussion)First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 January 1990The Finger of SuspicionGuy – Richard PearceColonel Rivers – David BannermanMalcolm – Kim WallJames – Brendan CharlesonMr Patch – Peter CopleyJulia – Carolyn BackhouseBilly/Eddie – Christian RodskaMrs Rivers – Peggy Ann WoodArthur Frank – Richard TateMandy – Cheryl MaikerFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1 February 1992The BellElizabeth – Teresa GallagherTarrant – Eric AllanFather Kennedy – Peter CaffreyMrs Moran – June BarrieDicky Bird – William EedleEileen – Sue JenkinsAlf Gringod – Gerry HinksMitzi Müller – Melinda WalkerGottfried Müller – William EedleJim Rawson – Sion ProbertGeorge – Derek HicksFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 August 1993© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
