BBC Radio 4, December 28 and then on iPlayer

Fat Charlie seeks advice, as Grahame Coats takes steps.

The fantasy element of this story comes to the fore in this fourth part of Dirk Maggs’ adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novel, as Charles Nancy looks for ways in which to rid himself of his brother’s apparently pernicious influence and along the way learns a lot more about the way in which his father upset many of the other gods. The casting once more proves excellent, as each of the actors portraying the gods has the necessary gravitas (or whatever other attribute is most appropriate) and the sequence has a definitely otherworldly feel courtesy of Wilfredo Acosta’s sound design.

Meanwhile, as they say, back in London, Grahame Coats’ attempts to frame Charlie for the embezzlement fail to persuade the one person they really need to, and therefore it’s time for Maeve to meet a sticky end – and I’d swear that I’ve actually seen the instant when Coats licks the blood, so strongly portrayed is the moment. And Spider’s not having the best of times either: the confrontations with Rosie (both the real one and the earlier attempt on his life in the restaurant) do not go the way he wants.

Verdict: Things are heating up nicely in both real worlds – that of the gods and of men. 9/10

Paul Simpson