Douglas Watkinson

The cozy villages of Midsomer County reveal their most sinister secrets in these contemporary British television mysteries. The killings at Badger's Drift: The death of an elderly woman and the persistence of her lifelong friend draw Barnaby into a case that reveals the sordid side of this quaint village. Written in blood: Investigating the brutal murder of a Midsomer Worthy writer, Barnaby discovers that the victim had been living a fictitious life....

Murder, lies, and blackmail are just some of the unsavory things going on in Midsomer County. Episodes include:

Bill Carter, one of the founders of a New Age commune called the 'Lodge of the Golden Windhorse', dies after falling down the stairs and breaking his neck. Barnaby and Troy arrive to investigate and meet many of the commune's quirky residents. They need to work out whether it was just an unfortunate accident or murder. When the leader of the commune, Ian Craigie, is stabbed to death shortly afterwards with a carving knife, during a spiritual ritual...

The villagers of Morton Fendle are up in arms, when they discover the local craft centre, which they had invested in, is in financial uncertainty. As Barnaby tries to stop matters from escalating, he soon learns that its owner Alan Hollingsworth's wife Simone has been kidnapped. Shortly after following Alan to the nearby market town, and witnessing him dropping off a valise, a neighbor of his is murdered when her car is forced off the road and collides...

During a regatta, the body of Rowing Club chairman Guy Sweetman is found bludgeoned and drowned. Bachelor Sweetman was prolifically promiscuous and jealousy would seem to be the motive.

Badger's Drift plays host to the Midsomer Rock Festival - with murderous consequences.