This is the first Inspector Barnaby book. Enjoyed it and it has also been made into a TV series.

Back Cover Blurb:
Badgers Drift is a tranquil English village, home to Miss Emily Simpson, a kindly, well-liked spinster. When she is murdered, Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby is asked to investigate. He soon uncovers an unexpectedly seamy side to the village - including old rivalries, old loves and new scandals. ( )

I agree with elbereth on this, it was quite disappointing, the characters seemed one-dimensional. Not sure whether I'll try the next in the series. ( )

The opening book of a series featuring Chief Inspector Barnaby, the first episode takes place in a small village setting (I LOVE these) where murder is afoot. Miss Emily Simpson, an octogenarian, has had an ongoing competition with her friend Lucy Bellringer for years. It seems there is a particular type of orchid that grows only every so many years, and the two of them vie with each other to find it first, the loser being treated to a formal, high tea. This year Emily's determined to find it, but she won't be around to fix Lucy's high tea. And thus the book opens. Inspector Barnaby & Sgt. Troy meander through a number of suspects (in the typical British village there are quite a few!) and uncover some not-so-nice secrets in the process.

I'm wrestling with whether or not this is a cozy and I'm probably going to say it's somewhere between a cozy and a police procedural, where the two sort of meet in the middle. If you're a fan of British mystery fiction, do NOT miss this. ( )