William Keenan was an English journalist, playwright and novelist.

He wrote a regular column for the Catholic Herald and was the author of three mystery novels and numerous plays for BBC Radio. Collected here are seven full-cast BBC Radio plays written by Keenan over three decades.

Late Into the Night – A modern spy-thriller, set mainly in Germany. Doris is getting strange telephone calls from someone in Germany trying to reach her boss, Michael Hayward, who is out of the office. When the stranger finally gets hold of Hayward, it’s an old army mate, Dave Owen Thomas, who he hasn’t seen in 15 years. Dave sounds very agitated saying that he’s in trouble and asks Mike to fly over and help him out. Mike arrives in Germany, but the hotel room David is supposed to be in is occupied by an elderly English gentleman. Early the next morning Michael is awoken by the hotel manager advising that the elderly English gentleman has fallen from an upper floor window – he is still barely alive and is asking for Michael. When Michael arrives, the old man asks him if he reads poetry. When Michael says yes the old man whispers in his ear so that no-one else can hear: “Late into the night…” before dying. Now, the German police are wondering what Michael has to do with his death?

The Night of Caesar’s Knives – A modern spy-thriller, set mainly in Italy. A sequel to Late Into the Night.
‘It’s them right enough, Doris. They just want to say “thank you” by sending us on a second honeymoon!’ ‘ They’re trying to involve you again, Michael ‘

The Vienna Connection – A modern spy-thriller, set mainly in Austria. A sequel to The Night of Caesar’s Knives.
‘Vienna is marvellous at this time of the year. Heywood! We’ve plane tickets for you, Doris and her Aunt Clare!’
‘Isn’t that taking a little too much for granted, Robson?’ ‘ You’re offended?’ ‘Not offended, suspicious!’

The Dark Windows of a Room – Manchester in 1975.’I’m John Rouke, and for the record, the jury gave me the benefit of the doubt. Inspector Rouke is not a crook, and he’s going to prove it.’

Lonely Beat – ‘To succeed where 200 of the best detectives in the country have failed? Of course it’s a tall order. But you have two things on your side. You are new to the case, and you bring a fresh outlook to it.’

Fatima – Three shepherd children reported six times in 1917 that they had seen a lady made wholly of light standing on a small tree, speaking to them then vanishing. Two of the children died in childhood, as the lady had foretold. Time has verified her other prophecies: The Russian Revolution which began soon after; the horrors of World War II and the spread of terrorism and violence. She also had a secret for the Pope: a secret that is yet to be revealed.

Margaret Clitherow – ‘Margaret Clitherow , you have been brought from the Castle of York on this the 14th day of March in the Year of Grace 1586 and indicted of felony, for that you have harboured Jesuit priests, traitors to the Queen’s Majesty and that you have had Mass said …