I agree with one of the posters on here - Midsomer is idyllic and certainly that's how we want to think of England. Some of it is that way, other parts not so much.
"The House in the Woods" starts season 9 with no Scott, who called in sick. He must have been really sick because he was never seen again. Now it's Jason Hughes' turn as Barnaby's sidekick, DC Ben Jones, whom we see promoted in this episode.
This episode concerns an empty, forlorn house that has lots of stories around it. It has historic significance for the area, and several people are interested in it for one reason or another.
The real estate agent in charge of it is up to something, as she tells people it's "under offer" and the owner won't let her show it, etc. Looks like she might be working for a developer, maybe?
A young couple approaches her and overhears a man in the office discussing this house, which he, in fact, is selling. The agent's story to him is that there are no offers. The couple, very disappointed in other places they have viewed, would love to see this place. She won't let them. Eventually they find it themselves. And wind up dead.
It's Barnaby and Jones on the scene. They find an odd married couple interested in the place, and they become suspects. Then there are the real estate people and the developers for whom they are fronts. Jones leaves a tape recorder at the house, and it seems as if someone is giving piano lessons there on an out-of-tune piano.
Food is missing from the restaurant where a single mother works. Apparently her son is leaving it at the house, but for whom? Why? Intriguing mystery, good solution, nice ending. I came to like Scott, but Jones is a fine addition. Each partner added something different to the show.