Made with intelligence and style, "Midsomer Murders" is a police procedural mystery series of great charm. John Nettles projects a strength and purpose perfectly suited to the role of DCI Barnaby. His sergeants are all more than acceptable. The DCI's family life is refreshingly normal. The criticism that was levelled against "Murder She Wrote" that Jessica Fletcher must have attracted so much crime that she would have been imprisoned finds its parallel in Midsomer County being "the bloodiest county in England". Such criticisms miss the whole point - these are a wonderful escape from normal life to a place that should be avoided like the plague. Not only are the plots good but the natural qualities of the acting, the sense of scene and the very English sense of humour make the series excellent: well worth watching as long as you can enjoy some of the nastiest folk you will ever meet. Everyone but Barnaby and family and his assistants are screamingly nasty. Enjoy the series and be glad you do not live in Midsomer!
Review of Inspecteur Barnaby
