You’ll never get me to say anything bad about the keyword search. It’s a marvelous thing. But you have to admit that there’s something to be said for browsing, too. I was wandering through the mystery section of my local library when I noticed several books by Caroline Graham, an author and a series I wasn’t familiar with. I picked up the first, The Killings at Badger’s Drift (1987) and was enchanted by the contemporary take on the traditional mystery.
The series features Inspector Barnaby, who’s investigating the murder of an elderly woman in the secluded village of Badger’s Drift. The woman, Miss Simpson, appears to have died of a heart attack, but her best friend insists that couldn’t be the case. Miss Bellringer convinces Inspector Barnaby to look into the case, and he finds that she was murdered with hemlock; now he just has to figure out who did it.
Although much of this makes it sound like a cozy — the quaint village setting, the concerned neighbors, death by hemlock, the book follows the police procedural tradition as well, as we follow the sometimes crotchety Inspector (and his immature and often silly sidekick, Troy) through their investigation, and some elements of the solution are definitely not for the gentle-minded.
It was a quick read with interesting characters and an evocative setting, so I wasn’t surprised but was delighted to discover that the series was the inspiration for “The Midsomer Murders,” which I’d seen on DVD but didn’t really know what it was. I’ll be looking into that soon, too.
Here’s to browsing!
Counts as “a book with evil in the title” in the What’s In a Name challenge
I must admit to liking the books more than the TV shows – the books are more realistic, and Tom Barnaby is a bit more grim than in the TV shows where he is perpetually smiling and you never really know how he solves the case because he doesn’t do much in the way of detecting
[Translate]
I’ve been meaning to read the books because I have watched many of the TV episodes. I suspected that Tom Barnaby would be a bit different. Isn’t that always the way? However, I also suspect that I will end up liking both ways of experiencing him.
[Translate]
Now you’ve really made me curious, Bernadette, I’m going to have to find a DVD sooner rather than later.
Kay, isn’t it funny how what you read and what you watch don’t match up sometimes? It’s fortunate when you can enjoy both — it seems one usually ruins the other for me.
[Translate]
I love the tv series for the charming, British setting, the quirky characters and all the murders (hilarious because if they really killed each other at that rate, no one would be left by now). I wasn´t very impressed by the two books I have read in Danish, but that is probably becaise that particular, English cosyness is not very easy to translate so this is a series that should be enjoyed in the original language.
[Translate]
I don’t mind the TV shows – in the beginning they were better – but at season 15 or whatever I just think it’s a bit silly – always good acting though. The last new episode I watched live to air and the best thing about it was following the #mm hashtag on twitter – very droll.
[Translate]
Ha! That’s what I always thought about the American series “Murder, She Wrote,” Dorte. Who would ever want to be Jessica Fletcher’s friend?
Bernadette, I had no idea the series was that long-lasting! I can only imagine the Twitter stream but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was better than the show. ; )
[Translate]
I’ve watched this on T.V. but never read the books, thanks for your review, I’m reading it really much later than you’ve posted.
[Translate]
Thanks for the comment, Irene — better late than never.
I hope you like the series. I keep meaning to go back and read more, so your comment is a good reminder. I think there are something like 7 or 8 more, and I’m going to try to find one to read over the holidays.
[Translate]