Written in Blood (1995)

I don’t know what else I can say other than this series keeps on being amazing no matter how far into it I get. ( )

This is the best of the Inspector Barnaby stories so far in the series. ( )

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. ( )

WRITTEN IN BLOOD: Inspector Barnaby #4 by Caroline Graham.
The Inspector Barnaby series is written against a very detailed backdrop of British village life.
The locations, the plots, the characters are British to the extreme, and are reminiscent of a ‘golden age’ of mystery by writers like Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers.
This title (like its predecessors) is a mystery; a police procedural; a portrayal of British village life in all of its minutia. It contains very quirky characters; horror; high (often comedic) drama; beautiful locations, architecture and gardens. Throw in a bit (a lot) of jealousy, adultery, petty squabbles and intense snobbery and one is in for a very satisfying read.
The first few Midsomer Murders tv programs are based on this series and the central characters. I think DCI Tom Barnaby and especially Gavin Troy are a bit more likable in the tv productions.
But whatever your preference, both the books and the tv series are very likable and well-done.

When the Midsomer Worthy Writer’s Circle invites a rather famous writer to its monthly meeting - chaos, high drama and death result.
The detailed characters in this title were especially good. And several unsuspected secrets are revealed.
A wonderful read. **** ( )

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!) ( )