'The NIV Audio Bible App: Read by David Suchet', for iPhone and iPad, available from the Apple App Store/iTunes. Also in CD format (see Further Information). Price including audio, £19.99; basic app excluding audio, £2.99.

N.B. App requires 1.3GB installation space.

This app includes the full British text of the NIV Bible and full narration by British actor David Suchet, as well as many very useful features including a keyword search across the entire Bible, reading plans offering short (14 day) introductory guides to Jesus, Paul and the Old Testament, and summaries of each Bible book.

Another very worthwhile feature is a shortcut to many well-known passages of the Bible making it quick and easy to find any parable or miracle of Jesus or other significant events in his life - or indeed across the whole Bible. Also included in this menu is the ability to find passages relating to key personalities via an alphabetical list of their names. Overall the navigation is simple and effective. The Quick Verse Selector helps you find passages at speed and remembers your most visited places.

Navigation of the app is simple and effective – and it includes a variety of useful features in addition to the text and audio.

Journaling feature

The journaling feature allows you to add your own notes and bookmarks alongside the Bible text as if you were writing in the margins of your print Bible. Using this is easy and full instructions are given, both in terms of making notes and finding them again. You can even share them via the usual media of Twitter, Facebook, texts or email.

There is also a clear guide to using the app to help you get started and a section of FAQs to help with continued use. Getting the most out of the app is easy to grasp, and you need never be stuck!

Display options

The text itself is clear and readable, and available in two font sizes. The chapter and verse numbers can be switched off, as can the toolbars, if this helps give a less cluttered reading experience. Brightness can also be adjusted, and there is a 'dark mode' creating white letters on a black background. The words of Christ can also be turned red if desired.

The text can be scrolled up and down or swiped sideways as though turning normal pages. The footnotes of the print Bible are also available, appearing as pop-ups when you tap the small superscripted letter coloured blue in the text. Explanations of the archaic weights and measures and their metric equivalents can be found in a separate menu, under 'App Information'.

Suchet's Narration

And then there is the narration. A wonderfully sonorous and measured reading of three quarters of a million words, lasting 80 hours! The pace is unhurried and there is some characterisation though not excessively so that it grates on the ear. It is a very enjoyable listening experience from an acclaimed actor whose deep and melodic tones guide you gently but expertly through even the most difficult (and dare I say, boring!) passages.

David Suchet's narration is wonderfully sonorous and unhurried, guiding you gently but expertly through even the most difficult passages.

If you wish you can follow the text as it is narrated by selecting 'Highlight verse with audio'. Each verse is highlighted with a light grey background as it is read, and the pages are even turned for you at the appropriate moment.

Simply sitting back and listening to Suchet will also provide an opportunity to memorise verses as you can repeat sections over and over again until you have them in your head and your heart.

Overall

Here is a Bible App that will satisfy both those familiar with the scriptures and those just beginning to explore what the Bible has to say. It would make a splendid gift for Christmas, and for life!

Further information

Readers may enjoy a short background video on Youtube (2:32) in which David Suchet explains his own faith background and approach to the recording.

Alternative formats: The audio recording is also available in CD format from Hodder Faith and from Amazon. Both also sell part-recordings (e.g. the Gospels, the Psalms/poetry books).

'David Suchet: In the Footsteps of St Peter' (documentary), originally broadcast 3^rd/5^th April 2015, BBC1. Episode 1 available in full on Youtube. Full documentary available as a REGION 1 DVD (USA only) from Amazon.

In this DVD of a two-part series originally broadcast on the BBC, the well-known actor David Suchet invites us to join him on his personal quest to discover the nature and character of the man who became known throughout the world as St Peter.

There is so much to enjoy in these films as we are guided sympathetically and intelligently through the story of Peter's life from his early beginnings as a Galilean fisherman. We are treated to some wonderful locations and spectacular settings as well as lots of fascinating information which will reinvigorate familiar Biblical passages. And we get to hear David read from scripture in his rich and well-trained voice!

Skilful Presentation

The programmes follow a typical format. Our presenter spends a lot of time in discussion with a variety of experts: archaeologists, historians, Biblical scholars. By his intelligent questions and genuine desire to understand St Peter better, Suchet skilfully enables these experts not just to display knowledge, but to become instrumental to our own learning.

Then, addressing us directly in his pieces to camera, he muses over what he has discovered and shares what he now understands of the man behind the Biblical texts. Gradually the character of Peter comes to life in the mind of a character actor.

Suchet brings the character of Peter to life through his sympathetic, intelligent presentation and his own personal enthusiasm.

Galilee

We start in Galilee where Suchet samples St Peter's fish and visits Peter's house. The scene examining the 'Jesus boat' will fascinate many, as will the fishing trip on the lake in a modern boat. But it is as Peter is called to follow Jesus and be a 'fisher of men' that the story develops. His faith and failings show him as a flawed but committed disciple who knew the dangers of following Jesus but who comes to an inspired realisation that here indeed is the Messiah.

The scene at Banias is particularly well presented and overall we gain insights into the dynamic that must have existed between Peter and Jesus – again, a key interest of our actor-presenter.

Jerusalem

In Jerusalem we visit a yeshiva and witness how Jews debate and learn – a very informative section for those previously unaware of this. In Gethsemane we are shown the type of sword Peter would have carried. Naturally we visit the Holy Sepulchre but it is pleasing that by contrast we are also taken inside a typical empty family tomb, such as Peter ran to on Easter Sunday morning.

Acts

In the second hour we pick up the story after the resurrection and examine key passages in Acts. Peter's preaching at Pentecost is explained, as is his time in Joppa and Caesarea, with the household of Cornelius.

The mention of Cappadocia in the opening of Peter's first letter provides a perfect excuse to visit that extraordinary part of Turkey with its breath-taking landscape. Never mind if Peter didn't actually visit there himself - this is a wonderful opportunity to see examples of cave churches carved in the rock with their magnificent frescoes, typical of first century Christian communities that Peter will have ministered to. Here is one of the DVD's visual highlights.

A visual highlight is the coverage of Cappadocia's cave churches, which once held congregations to which Peter would have ministered.

Rome

We inevitably finish in Rome and the Vatican, with its own particular splendour. Here issues around Peter's death and whether he founded the church there are sensitively explored, together with the belief that he was the first Pope. As always our genial and thoughtful guide helps us unravel tradition from history and Biblical passages.

Fresh study material

This DVD can be watched several times and still remain fresh. It is so full of helpful background and insights, and would be particularly useful for small study groups and discussion groups, especially those just beginning to explore the Jewish roots of Christianity. Leaders can adapt the two 1-hour programmes into various lengths to provide visual material for several evenings, perhaps with the Scriptures being read and considered alongside the various scenes. The overall effect will remain long in the memory.