Just hours after the members of the Midsomer Worthy Writers' Circle adjourned for the night, one of them is found battered to death. Now, Barnaby a...
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reviews
Sep 01, 2009
Spuddie
rated it: 
#4 Chief Inspector Barnaby British police series. A local writer's group invites a famous author, Max Jennings, to come speak to them at their monthly meeting, and lo and behold, he agrees. Turns out he knew the secretary of the group, Gerald Hadleigh, many years previous, although Gerald admits this to no one except his neighbor Rex--and confesses that he's somewhat afraid of Max. When Gerald turns up dead the morning after their meeting, head bludgeoned in with a candlestick, Jennings is the o
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Nov 05, 2007
Cynthia
rated it: 
yes, there's a murder to tie it all together but this is really a portrait of small town life, with wonderful descriptions of a bunch of people/families and their own private little struggles and triumphs — like a really good Miss Marple.
I have been enjoying the bbc series made from these books, and just watched the tv version of this story. The tv version is quite different, tho still good. But the book is very complex and interesting. She also gives little writing tips (this mystery is More...
I have been enjoying the bbc series made from these books, and just watched the tv version of this story. The tv version is quite different, tho still good. But the book is very complex and interesting. She also gives little writing tips (this mystery is More...
Apr 20, 2009
Carmen
rated it:
A man is killed, most brutally. No one seems to have a reason, except a famous author who comes to his writing group the same night as the murder. Barnaby has to figure it out. Of course, it ends up being someone whom the reader would never suspect but the clues had been left there all along. She writes so wonderfully.
Oct 10, 2009
Babette
rated it:
This is another good read in the CI Barnaby series. I like the fact that Barnaby sometimes seems stumped, but of course is able to solve the case in the end. His sergeant is an amusing foil. And I enjoy Barnaby's love of food and newly acquired talent in the kitchen.
Aug 18, 2011
Catherine
rated it: 
These books are not an easy read. Several characters, not just the baddie, are irredeemably stupid or evil or both; even the good guys are ambiguous. Which is reality, yes, but not quite what I had in mind.
Jan 03, 2011
Anne
rated it:
Chief Inspector Barnaby solves the murder of a village book group member with a mysteriour past. Excellent police procedural. I couldn't put it down.
Mar 31, 2011
Helen
rated it:
richly complex, "The fellow was shallow as cling film and nowhere near as useful"
Jan 29, 2012
Vera
rated it:
My first book Barnaby, wherein he is exactly right, exactly as he is on the TV. Troy, however, is almost entirely a different character in the book. I like the TV one better. Book Troy is not at all nice.
Joyce Barnaby is perfectly wonderful, though there is not nearly enough of her in the book.
Caroline Graham gets in delightfully sharp observations of her characters.
'You're really deep, Brian.'
Brian, about as deep as clingfilm but not nearly so More...
Joyce Barnaby is perfectly wonderful, though there is not nearly enough of her in the book.
Caroline Graham gets in delightfully sharp observations of her characters.
'You're really deep, Brian.'
Brian, about as deep as clingfilm but not nearly so More...
Jan 29, 2012
Chris
rated it:
First Barnaby book. Brilliant, more depth than TV programmes, naturally, must read more.
May 09, 2010
Kathleen
rated it: 
OK. This series is not as long-lived with me as many.... I could stop, satisfied, after Death of a Hollow Man (especially since I'm so addicted to the tv show!)
Sep 19, 2008
G.M.
rated it:
Funny, touching, and beautifully written by an author with complete command of the English language. My favorite of her books, but I've loved them all.
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Sep 11, 2009
Hollidae
rated it:
I love Graham's over the top characters, Brian was so pathetic, yet you never feel sympathetic towards him. His plight was like the comedic balance to the actual mystery, which was good - not great. Highly enjoyable.
Feb 07, 2012
