Henry Reymond Fitzwalter Keating was an English crime fiction writer most notable for his series of twenty-six novels featuring Inspector Ghote of the Bombay CID. The first was The Perfect Murder (1964), which won a Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger Award and was nominated for an Edgar Award. It was later made into a film by Merchant Ivory.

Keating was chairman of the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) (1970–71), chairman of the Society of Authors (1983–84) and president of the Detection Club (1985–2000). He was a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He received the George N. Dove Award in 1995. In 1996 the CWA awarded him the Cartier Diamond Dagger for outstanding services to crime literature.

Collected here are three BBC Radio full-cast dramas adapted from the crime novels of Keating, plus readings of two others.

The Murder of the Maharajah – His Highness the Maharajah of Bhopore delights in playing April Fool’s Day tricks on his guests …… but the joke turns sour when one of his pranks inadvertently leads to his own murder. Five people apparently had the means and motive to kill him, but as District Superintendent of Police Howard investigates, he realises that the circle of suspects is wider than it seems. Adapted from H. R. F. Keating’s Gold Dagger Award-winning novel.

The Governess – When Harriet Unwin is hired as a governess in a wealthy London household, it seems that luck is on her side. That is, until the master of the house, William Thackerton, is found stabbed to death …… and all the evidence points to her. Desperate to prove her innocence, she turns detective, uncovering the dark secrets hidden behind the family’s respectable Victorian facade….
Based on H. R. F. Keating’s novel written under the pseudonym Evelyn Hervey

Inspector Ghote Hunts the Peacock – Inspector Ganesh Ghote of the Bombay CID is on his first trip to London, to attend a conference on drugs smuggling. But scarcely have his feet touched the ground than he is caught up in a baffling new case. A beautiful young girl is missing. A famous pop star is the chief suspect. But the evidence is far from conclusive….

Inspector Ghote’s First Case – The newly promoted Inspector Ghote is sent to investigate the suicide of a British memsahib, Iris Dawkins. Ghote visits the home of Mr. Dawkins, where he is unconvinced by the story of the wife’s death. Especially when he recognises the officer in charge, Darrani, who is well-known for his close-mindedness. Ghote is determined to investigate further, with a Hamlet-esque awareness of how deceptive appearances can be…

Inspector Ghote Trusts the Heart – Some crooks have tried to snatch the plump son of a business tycoon, but have accidentally made off with his playmate instead. They’re not, however, changing their plan: a payment is to be delivered to them or a small corpse will be delivered to Inspector Ghote. But what kind of ransom can a mere tailor’s boy demand? And, when something more unpleasant than just a ransom note arrives from the kidnappers, are the police helping keep the boy in one piece?

Please note: this collection contains language that reflects the attitudes of the era in which they are set.