Exploring Midsomer: The Towns and Villages at the Murderous Heart of England

by Chris Behan

Featuring all the key locations for this popular drama, from Oxford to Bledlow, Haddenham & Thame, Dorchester and Walingford. A must-have tour of locations for all die-hard Midsomer fans! Since it was first broadcast on British television in 1997, Midsomer Murders has become one of the most-beloved detective dramas on television, instantly recognizable for its attractive backdrop at the heart of rural England. The real towns and villages of 'Midsomer' are situated in the Chilterns, the Thames Valley and the Vale of Aylesbury, all areas of outstanding natural beauty, and this illustrated book reveals the many stunning key locations for this popular show. Over forty towns and villages have appeared in the long-running television series, ranging from the hill-top village of Brill (also famous for a real crime, the 'Great Train Robbery') to Waddesdon, home of a Rothschild's manor. Chris Behan, a resident of this area for over thirty years, has used his skill and intimate knowledge of the subject to create a book that is a must for fans of Midsomer Murders and all those who love this charming part of rural England.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2012

Reviews

[Roeland Struik · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of the Brittish crime series 'Midsomer Murders' featuring pictures, descriptions and fun facts of the Chiltern countryside, the Thames Valley and the Vale of Aylesbury.

[High Wycombe Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst the citizens of the Home Counties have been dozing in front of their plasma screens, a series of horrendous crimes have taken place almost unnoticed in their midst. Village greens, local landmarks, cricket grounds and well-worn paths have all been implicated.
For a period of 16 years DCI Tom Barnaby and his entourage have investigated murder on a colossal scale and yet when all is solved, life returns to normal and people go about their business as if nothing had ever happened. Buildings return to their former use; all signs of skullduggery gone without trace.
It takes people like Chris Behan, in all probability taking his life in his own hands, to piece the evidence together. The maps, which accompany his book "Exploring Midsomer", in pinpointing exact locations, like blood spattered across the Chilterns, exhibit a succession of fiendish criminality. However, with meticulous attention to detail, his series of photographs and explanatory text, lay bare the unmitigated scale of the atrocities that until now others have refused to witness first hand. No gentille location is left undescribed; no chocolate box view remains undocumented in his quest to expose the enormity of the foul play.
Using "Exploring Midsomer" as your guide, even the most inexperienced of sleuths can find their way around with ease and share in the good fortune that such heinous crimes have been perpetrated in one of the most picturesque regions of the country.
And so, with book in hand, I make my way to Long Crendon. After a gentle stroll I approach an old gentleman sitting on a wooden bench just off the High Street. After gaining his confidence, I gently enquire of his whereabouts on the night of the 8th September 2010 (episode 3 - series 13). He gives a plausible alibi but, after a moments hesitation, felt sure he had heard a series of gunshots on that particular day.
I thank him and retire to the "Eight Bells" pub.
I could murder a pint. ^RH

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're a fan of "Midsomer Murders", you'll enjoy Chris Behan's "Exploring Midsomer". He has included beautiful photos of the various towns, villages, woods, rivers, and more where the long-running TV series has been filmed. I'm one of those who enjoy watching MM over and over again which has been helpful in reading this little book - I recognized several locations where Barnaby and Hughes worked their homicides. I'm also a history buff and enjoyed reading about the history of these villages, castles, churches, inns, and pubs, sharing history going back to the 1000's, describing why the castles and villages were built, why trains were built next to some of the castles, and other wonderful little tidbits.

I've given the book three stars - it's an interesting and enjoyable read but I wish there was just a bit more detail in both the connections to the series the historical backgrounds of the locations noted in the book.

For those of us who are friends of the "Midsomer Murders" Facebook page, this is a necessary part of our education on the series, fleshing out so much background of another character of the show - the beautiful sites filmed.

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great help if you want to follow the steps of Inspector Barnaby and explore the locations of Midsomer Murders. The descriptions are sometimes a bit boring and repetitive, but it is well enough written to find what you are looking for.