midsomer mayhem & mystery

Article first published as DVD Review: Midsomer Murders: Mayhem & Mystery Files on Blogcritics.

Just in time for the holidays, Acorn Media has released Midsomer Murders: Mayhem & Mystery Files
, a wonderful boxed set of 15 mysteries on 15 discs.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) once again finds that the seemingly bucolic villages that make up Midsomer County are a hotbed of crime, murder, and well, mayhem. Ably assisted by detective Sergeant Ben Jones ( Jason Hughes), Barnaby must sort out tangled romances and webs of deceit in order to solve each crime. Always calm on the exterior, Barnaby hides a reserve that strengthens with the rising body count. Barnaby always manages to ground himself at home with the help of his wife Joyce (Jane Wymark) and daughter Cully (Laura Howard).

L-R: Jason Hughes as Sergeant Ben Jones and John Nettles as Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby

The Mayhem & Mystery Files include:

Series 10, Part 1
"Dance with the Dead" - What at first appears an apparent suicide is quickly revealed to be a tangled love triangle - or possible quadrangle. Felicity Dean guest stars.
"The Animal Within" - An old man (Richard Johnson) tells everyone his niece (Lisa Eichhorn) died in a plane crash. When she turns up alive everyone is shocked - and the old man has gone missing.
"King’s Crystal" - A Midsomer murder at a glassware factory. John Castle and Sam Heughan guest star.
"The Axeman Cometh" - Barnaby is put in the position of suspecting his rock and roll heroes when band members start dropping like flies.

(4 discs, previously released as Set 13. Extras include: SDH Subtitles, Caroline Graham biography, and cast filmographies.)

Series 10, Part 2
"Death and Dust" - A hit-and-run leads Barnaby to the tangled relationships of who he believes was the actual intended victim, Dr. James Kirkwood (David Yelland).
"Picture of Innocence" - Barnaby becomes a suspect in a local amateur photographer's death and must conduct his own private investigation as the official one rapidly mounts up incriminating evidence against him.
"They Seek Him Here" - A low-budget film about the French Revolution is set at a local Midsomer manor. The set becomes the scene of a gruesome murder, a la guillotine, and Barnaby must search for the murderer.
"Death in a Chocolate Box" - A rehabilitation center for former criminals becomes the perfect setting for blackmail and murder.

(4 discs, previously released as Set 14. Extras include: SDH Subtitles, and Caroline Graham biography.)

Series 11, Part 1
"Blood Wedding" - Cully is getting married, which might be enough for Barnaby to worry about, but a local aristocratic family's wedding reception turns bloody and requires his full attention to sort out who the culprit may be.
"Shot at Dawn" - Midsomer's own Hatfields and the McCoys, the Hicks and the Hammonds, let their long-standing familial feud take a murderous turn.
"Left for Dead" - Jones is pulled into the forefront of an investigation in Dunstan as his past childhood friends become central to a recent crime in Midsomer.

(3 discs, previously released as Set 15. Extras include: SDH Subtitles, Caroline Graham biography, production notes, and Cully Barnaby photo gallery.)

Series 11, Part 2
"Midsomer Life" - Midsomer Life magazine and past secrets come to the surface in Barnaby's latest murder investigation.
"The Magician’s Nephew" - Barnaby must sort through the members of a local cult, a magic show, an antique book, and family secrets to find a killer.
"Days of Misrule" - As Christmas approches, Barnaby and Jones must deal with problems at the local army training center which become, literally, explosive. Tim Pigott-Smith guest stars.
"Talking to the Dead" - Are the neighboring woods of Monks Barton haunted, as psychic Cyrus LeVanu (Jeroen Krabbé) insists, or should a gang of antique thieves be Barnaby's main concern?

(4 discs, previously released as Set 16, Extras include: SDH Subtitles, episode commentary by John Nettles and Jane Wymark on "The Magician’s Nephew," and production notes.)

Midsomer Murders is always strongest in its human interactions. Barnaby tries to maintain a respectful distance from both suspects and victim's families, but his proximity to his neighbors is also always a factor and a help in his solving of a case. The beautiful settings and depictions of British village life is at once both attractive and eerie, considering the high crime levels in Midsomer County. All of the acting in the series is top-notch, but it is Nettles who makes the show and holds audience interest.

This is Acorn's fourth recent compilation of Midsomer Murders. Other boxed sets in the series are Midsomer Murders: The Early Cases Collection, Midsomer Murders: Barnaby's Casebook, and Midsomer Murders: Village Case Files. The mysteries are in widescreen format with an aspect ratio of 1.66:1 and an approximate total running time of 25 hours for the boxed set. Fans of the series who haven't previously purchased series 13-16 will find all of those episodes in this collection.

The more the viewer watches Barnaby as he sorts out a variety of crimes the more they can get pulled into the lethal charms of Midsomer and its villages. The attention to detail of the interiors and the frequent outdoor settings help make Midsomer and its citizens come to vibrant life. This latest set of Midsomer Murders episodes, Midsomer Murders: Mayhem & Mystery Files, is a very welcome addition to any mystery-lover's collection.

barnaby bids midsomer farewell

Article first published as DVD Review: Midsomer Murders: Set 20 on Blogcritics.

Acorn Media has released another wonderful set of Midsomer Murders. Midsomer Murders: Set 20includes four full-length mysteries, "Master Class," "The Noble Art," "Not in My Backyard," and "Fit for Murder."

Available to U.S. audiences for the first time, Set 20 is the latest Midsomer Murders release from Acorn Media, which has previously released Sets 1-19, as well as three special collector’s sets featuring assorted episodes: The Early Cases Collection, Barnaby’s Casebook, and Village Case Files. The Set 20 DVD set contains four discs, with SDH subtitles and an approximate total running time of 360 minutes. The episodes are in color, stereo, and widescreen, with an aspect ratio of 1.66:1.

Set 20 features the last cases of Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby (John Nettles), who has been investigating the mayhem and murder that has lurked behind the well-trimmed hedges and rural villages of Midsomer since 1997. But crime-ridden Midsomer (and viewers) need not fear, because although Barnaby has more than earned his well-deserved retirement, he is not leaving its residents without protection. His cousin, DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) is taking over the top cop position, with Detective Sergeant Ben Jones (Jason Hughes) still on hand.

Barnaby's last four episodes are as stacked high with dead bodies and small-village intrigue as ever. But the always stoic Barnaby shows hints of his weariness of the murderous goings-on. His disatisfaction comes to a head in the final episode in the set, "Fit for Murder," when after having a "relaxing" spa weekend with his wife cut short by the usual multiple murders, Barnaby comes to a momentous decision about his future.

It is in this episode that Neil Dudgeon makes his first appearance as DCI John Barnaby, and that viewers must bid farewell to John Nettles. Also leaving Midsomer (and the series) are Barnaby's ever-patient wife Joyce (Jane Wymark), his daughter Cully (Laura Howard), and DC Stephens (Kirsty Dillon). If saying goodbye to Nettles & Co. isn't emotional enough, the fourth disc with "Fit for Murder" also includes two special bonus features - a photo gallery, "Barnaby Through the Years," and an essay, "Saying Goodbye to Barnaby." Both items offer excellent opportunities to revisit Midsomer and its popular chief detective inspector.

What has always been so appealing about Midsomer Murders is the mixture of the beautiful, bucolic scenery of the assorted villages (59 in all!) located in Midsomer County and brutal murders that just keep happening and happening. Barnaby's patient, diligent approach to solving a crime (or in most instances, multiple crimes) help him navigate the village factions and their various, sometimes eccentric interests. In the course of the four episodes in Set 20 Barnaby finds himself at a highly competitive school of music ("Master Class"), among boxing enthusiasts ("The Noble Art"), trying to unravel a land development scam ("Not in My Backyard"), and at a fancy spa ("Fit for Murder"), suspecting his neighbors, played by some great British actors, including James Fox, Frances Barber, Michelle Fairley, and Phil Daniels.

As much as fans may lament the departure of John Nettles, Midsomer Murders is still in production in the U.K., and looks to be running for quite some time. Although he will be sorely missed, Set 20 is a fitting farewell and tribute to Nettles's reign in Midsomer, and thankfully his many episodes as DCI Barnaby are available to be viewed and enjoyed over and over again.

they're at it again in midsomer

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: Midsomer Murders, Set 19 on Blogcritics.

John Nettles is back as Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby in Midsomer Murders, Set 19. Set in the the fictional villages of Midsomer, perhaps the most brutal and bloodiest part of England, this Blu-ray boxed set features four episodes from the popular murder mystery series.

L-R: Jason Hughes, John Nettles, and Neil Dudgeon

All four episodes are from 2010 and feature Barnaby, ably assisted by Detective Sergeant Ben Jones (Jason Hughes), with occasional helpful input from wife Joyce (Jane Wymark) and daughter Cully (Laura Howard).

The four feature-length mysteries on two discs have a total running time of 400 minutes, and are in widescreen format with an aspect ratio of 1080i/16:9. The episodes are in English, with SDH subtiles available. Sound is 2.0 stereo PCM. Extras include scene selection and a behind-the-scenes photo gallery.

It's a miracle that there is any population left in Midsomer County, as the body count is rather high in all of these episodes. But it is also as entertaining as usual to watch Barnaby and Jones try to unravel the sordid motives behind multiple murders.

Disc One:

Episode 1, "The Made-to-Measure Murders" - The village of Milton Cross is positively feudal, with the residents in thrall to the lord of the manor, Edward Milton (James Wilby). But Milton Cross also has its secrets. An abusive tailor named Gerald (Nigel Williams) met his death a few years ago, and now his widow Sonia (Maureen Beattie) is found stabbed to death in the churchyard. How much does the lord really know about goings on in his village? Barnaby and Jones are determined to find out. Domestic complications include Barnaby getting a new suit.

Episode 2, "The Sword of Guillaume" - Barnaby gets a chance to escape Midsomer (and Joyce's cooking) and visit his cousin, another Detective Chief Inspector, John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) at the seaside in Brighton. But like Hercule Poirot, wherever Barnaby goes, murder seems to follow. The cousins cross swords with the indomitable Lady Matilda (Janet Suzman) and land developer Hugh Dalgleish (Tim McInnerny) as they investigate a shady real estate deal, missing antique swords, and a grisly beheading.

Wild, wild, Midsomer

Disc Two:

Episode 3, "Blood on the Saddle" - The quirkiest episode in the set, featuring a Wild West Society in the heart of the Midsomer village of Ford Florey. Be prepared for a shootout before Barnaby and Jones can solve this series of murders. It's certainly a colorful episode, with a drowning of a "witch" (Emma Cooke) at a local fairground, and lots of Wild West paraphernalia. Guest stars include Barry Jackson, Caroline Langrishe, and Malcolm Storry.

Episode 4, "The Silent Land" - Joyce is haunted, believing that she has hit and killed someone as she was driving through the Midsomer village of March Magna. A body is found in the local cemetery — the extremely unpopular local librarian. But it isn't clear if he died there or was brought there. Barnaby not only has to solve this mystery but also determine what really happened so that he can ease Joyce's mind. Adding to the confusion and atmosphere are a local ghost walks tour guide (Danny Webb), and the spooky, old, closed tuberculosis sanatorium.

As Barnaby, John Nettles is a wonderful combination of frustration, caring, and smarts. He seems as surprised and upset at the mayhem around him as the audience, which helps pull viewers into the story. The villages of Midsomer are as beautiful and idyllic as ever — at least from the outside, and especially in these sharp, Blu-ray images. Midsomer may not be a place you would want to live — it's simply too dangerous — but it's a delightful place to visit and play armchair detective.

Related:

come and visit the wonderful murderous villages of Midsomer

more marvelous murder and mayhem in midsomer

more marvelous murder and mayhem in midsomer

Article first published as DVD Review: Midsomer Murders - Barnaby's Top Ten on Blogcritics.

John Nettles, who has starred as DCI Tom Barnaby in the British mystery series Midsomer Murders since 1997 has chosen his 10 favorite episodes in this 10-DVD set, Midsomer Murders - Barnaby's Top Ten. Set in fictional Midsomer County, a collection of quaint and scenic rural villages with an unusually high body count, the shows are all presented in widescreen format, with subtitles and scene selection.

Nettles, who plays Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, recently left the show (and was replaced by Neil Dudgeon, cast as Barnaby's cousin John). On each disc he appears in a brief introduction, telling why he thinks each episode is special. Viewers unfamiliar with a particular plot line might want to watch Nettles's introduction after viewing the episode, however, as he sometimes gives away some plot points.

Some great actors turn up in supporting roles — Honor Blackman, Celia Imrie, Emily Mortimer, and Phyllis Logan are just some of the notable guest stars. Daniel Casey as Detective Sergeant Troy, Jane Wymark as Barnaby's wife Joyce, and Laura Howard as his daughter Cully round out the regular cast.

The collection begins with the very first Midsomer Murders episode, "The Killings at Badger's Drift," which is based on the novel by Caroline Graham. When schoolteacher Emily Simpson is found dead, a rare orchid may be a clue to her murder. As DS Troy (Daniel Casey) observes, "This must be the first police search organized for a flower." Barnaby soon discovers that the first death proves to be only the tip of the iceberg, as the bodies start to pile up around them. Suspects include an extremely creepy young undertaker, who is too close for comfort with his even creepier busybody mom, and a brash young painter. Emily Mortimer and Jonathan Firth also appear.

In "Blue Herrings," Barnaby can't get a break — he has taken time off to do some home improvement when a series of mysterious occurrences, including a death, start occurring at Lawnside nursing home, where his Aunt Alice (Phyllis Calvert) happens to be staying. Aunt Alice is suspicious, and enlists Barnaby's help to get to the truth.

Two children help Barnaby unravel the mysterious death of depressed local farmer's wife Susan Bartlett in "A Worm in the Bud." Barnaby and Troy must sort out if her death was a suicide or murder, and if there is any connection to a local Midsomer Worthy housing development project. Wendy Craig also stars.

The murder of the local postman leads Barnaby through a trail of multiple adulteries among the villagers of Goodman's Land in "Dark Autumn." Celia Imrie and Alan Howard guest star as a husband and wife with an interesting relationship.

In "Dead Man's Eleven," Joyce is looking to move from Causton to one of the villages, possibly Fletcher's Cross, although Barnaby is hesitant to become a resident of one of Midsomer's murderous little villages, "Every time I go into any Midsomer village, it's always the same thing — blackmail, sexual deviancy, suicide, and murder." He is soon proved right, when a game of cricket leads to another local killing. Imelda Staunton guest stars as a resident who wants Barnaby to buy her house.

Joyce is appearing in a small part in the local theater's production of Amadeus in "Death of a Hollow Man." Barnaby hoped to only be in the audience on opening night, but finds himself backstage in the middle of another murder investigation when the lead actor (Nicholas Le Prevost) is killed onstage.

In "The Electric Vendetta," bodies keep turning up in local crop circles - all naked, with burned hands, strange wounds on their backs and horrified expressions. Have UFOs really come to Midsomer? A local author (Kenneth Colley) of the book, "Close Encounters of the Midsomer Kind" certainly wants Barnaby and anyone else who will listen think so. He asks the inspector, "How are you going to arrest an extraterrestrial?" One of the best episodes of the series.

Barnaby tries to take a day off from murder by attending the annual St. Malley's Day foot race at Devington School. But as a boy runs back from the woods, the crowd at first cheers wildly and then sees that he is bleeding and watches him collapse in "Murder on St. Malley's Day." On further investigation, Barnaby discovers that some of the old traditions of Devington School are positively deadly.

In "A Talent for Life," Honor Blackman plays Isobel — a woman who enjoys life and driving her Jaguar as fast as possible. When she is found beaten to death in the woods, Barnaby must determine if her death had anything to do with her run-ins with members of a local fishing club, or possibly a recent influx of cash from an investment.

When a body of a young woman is found strangled in nearby Ravens Wood in Midsomer Worthy, its similarity to a string of murders a few years back lead Barnaby and Troy to think that they may have a serial strangler on their hands in "Strangler's Wood." Phyllis Logan plays Kate Merrill, a wife who immediately suspects her husband (Nicholas Ferrell) — the two obviously share a secret. Trudie Styler guest stars as Kate's friend Liz.

The theme music of Midsomer Murders is as delightfully eerie as ever. Nettles has a great rapport with his fellow actors, who all help to bring Midsomer and its surrounding villages to life. For such a deadly place, there is something soothing and enjoyable about watching the bodies pile up on Midsomer Murders. Nettles, as Barnaby, is quiet but determined. Although sometimes quite cynical, he remains a positive presence, which also adds to the pleasant viewing experience.

Each episode runs about 90 minutes, so Barnaby's Top Ten really gives the viewer an opportunity to drop in on Midsomer whenever they want, for some beautiful scenery, some great acting, and many, many, murders.

Related articles

• DVD Review: Midsomer Murders - Barnaby's Top Ten (blogcritics.org)

come and visit the wonderful murderous villages of Midsomer

Article first published as DVD Review: Midsomer Murders, Set 17 on Blogcritics.

A new-to-the-U.S. DVD set, Midsomer Murders, Set 17 features four episodes from the British detective series, based on the novels by Caroline Graham. These were originally aired in 2009, and like the rest of the series, are set in the multiple-murderous villages of Midsomer. The discs include some extras including fun facts and interview material with guest stars, but the main attraction is Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby and his quirky Midsomer beat.

From the looks of the place, Midsomer should be a sleepy, idyllic place to live, but like its American counterpart of Cabot Cove, ME, which sometimes seems to have a higher death rate than population, Midsomer can be a dangerous place to live. Thank goodness Barnaby, played by John Nettles, and Det. Sgt. Ben Jones, played by Jason Hughes, are as able to sort out whodunnit as ever. Wonderfully creepy music has always leant a touch of atmosphere to this series and continues to hint at what lurks beneath the surface. According to The Telegraph, the music "is rerecorded for every episode using an unusual instrument called a theremin."

In "The Dogleg Murders" an exclusive golf club provides the backdrop for extortion, a beyond-dysfunctional family, and some not-so-friendly gambling between golfing buddies. Snobbery and rivalry between the village folk and the more affluent golf club members is also on display, as the villagers, not allowed in the main clubhouse, are relegated to "the cooler" — "the "shed behind the carpark." Apparently England's class struggles have never completely gone away. Barnaby "doesn't speak golf," but still needs to find the killer. Even more alarming — he may be roped into playing badminton as a team sport by the Mrs. if he isn't careful.

"The Black Book" opens with a succession of truly Idyllic landscapes — the surrounding dales of Midsomer — immortalized by local artist Henry Hogson. A newly-discovered Hogson painting fetches a huge sum at auction and prompts a quick cycle of greed, murder and suspicions of forgery. Only Barnaby can determine what part fly fishing, pigs, and art therapist Susannah Harker play in his investigation.

The third movie in the set, "Secrets and Spies," finds Barnaby wrestling for control of his murder case with the former spies holed up in in a local safehouse. But ex-spies never seem to ever retire completely. Barnaby reveals his own brief time with MI6 as he sorts through a museum break-in with nothing taken, attacks on sheep by the mythical "Beast of Midsomer," and a rollicking cricket match. Mata Hari-like guest star Alice Krige aims to please — pretty much all-comers — "Whatever we can do to make your stay more pleasurable" — effortlessly vamping her way from guest bed to hayloft to the back of a van. As usual, there is lots going on under the surface in Midsomer.

An American entrepreneur tangles with university professor George Jeffers over an invention, "The Glitch," while local bikers are at odds with drivers who don't want to share the road. When a female biker riding Jeffers's bike is killed, Barnaby must determine whether her death was connected to Jeffers's public life, private life love triangles, or unhappy son. Meanwhile, Joyce (Mrs. Barnaby) and their daughter Cully join the cycling club for an exciting and possibly deadly race to the finish.

The cast and the environs are so likable that the viewer may not be too concerned with the actual solution of the crime. Like Agatha Christie, usually the citizens who get bumped off are not so very nice to begin with. Midsomer Murders manages to use an environment as its main feature, some extremely likable regular characters, with the murder mystery to give it the slightest structure. And it all works beautifully. These stories can be revisited again and again, along with the villages of Midsomer.