An investigation of a car fire and a bludgeon murder lead Barnaby and Troy to investigate the members of a local reading club which has an agenda that goes beyond books.An investigation of a car fire and a bludgeon murder lead Barnaby and Troy to investigate the members of a local reading club which has an agenda that goes beyond books.An investigation of a car fire and a bludgeon murder lead Barnaby and Troy to investigate the members of a local reading club which has an agenda that goes beyond books.
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Did you know
- TriviaBraziers Park - near Ipsden, Oxfordshire, England - is the filming location for the Chetwood's country home.
- GoofsWhen Ginny Sharpe is killed in the swimming pool blood pours into the water. When her body is discovered there appears to be no blood in the pool. However, in the time between her death and the discovery, the blood would have dispersed so that it is no longer visible. This is not so the amount of blood coming from the wound was far to great for it do disperse completely.
- Quotes
[last lines]
[DCI Barnaby has just discovered his pension fund is in trouble]
Sergeant Gavin Troy: Funny thing happened the other day, sir.
DCI Tom Barnaby: Go on, Troy, cheer me up.
Sergeant Gavin Troy: Lord Chetwood put me on to this chap. He's a collector, he collects comics.
DCI Tom Barnaby: Really.
Sergeant Gavin Troy: Anyway, he phoned up and asked me about 'The Hawk'; I've got 'em all, you see, from the first issue, and they're in *really* good condition. Anyway, this collector wants to buy them. And you'll never guess how much he's offered. It's amazing! Go on, sir, have a guess.
While the murderer's identity was surprising, their motive(s) were somewhat far-fetched and a little too hastily explained. To a lesser extent, count me in as another person who noticed the continuity error in the second murder and found it on the sloppy side.
However, as always, the production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's grimness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.
Meanwhile, the script is smart, thought-provoking and suitably grim, the humour also being a breath of fresh air. Nothing felt inconsequential, everything had a point, everything intrigued and any loose ends were tied together nicely.
The story, over the top and elaborate but appropriately and wonderfully so and with a suitable grimness, is hugely compelling, and never simplistic and never losing any of the maturity of the previous episodes. There is a lot going on mostly without being cluttered or rushed (remarkable for an episode that as ever is heavy in exposition), and that nothing is what it seems, or very few people are who they seem adds to the complexity, while there are no out of kilter scenes. The twists, red herrings and turns keep coming, and rarely in an obvious or press-the-rewind button. The characters are colourful and eccentric, again one of the charms of the show and something that was missing for a lot of the previous season.
Acting is very good, superb in the case of John Nettles, and his chemistry with Daniel Casey (a great contrast as ever as Troy), Jane Wymark (love their loving chemistry) and Barry Jackson always convincing and more. The supporting cast are all fine, no weak links.
To conclude, excellent episode and an every bit as excellent start to the fifth season, a fond reminder of when 'Midsomer Murders' was good. 9/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jan 10, 2017