Off-roaders clearing a path for their vehicles discover the body of a man missing for a couple of weeks. When Barnaby and Jones investigate they find a connection between the man and the editor of a "country life" magazine. The editor, Guy Sandy's, who writes scathing reviews, is about to torch a local hotel run by Matt Morecroft with his poison pen. On top of all this is the appearance of a mystery man who had an appointment to see Sandys. Bodies begin turning up, including that of Sandys, and there is no lack of red herrings. But what makes this episode stand out is the interaction between the characters. The episode features strong performances from Simon Williams as Sandys, Pooky Quesnel as his editor, Julia Benson, and Thomas Lockyer as the hotel's owner. Selina Cadell, who specializes in playing eccentric types, walks away with every scene she's in. And for once there is room for an entertaining sub-plot featuring Barnaby's wife, Joyce, who along with daughter Cully, were the most underused characters in the series. Of course, it wouldn't be Midsomer Murders without a weird murder, and here we get one using a clothes dryer to dispatch the victim. It all makes for a compellingly entertaining episode that remains intriguing until the end.
Review of Midsomer Life
