What do you think?
Rate this book
Chief Inspector Barnaby #6
A Place Of Safety
Charlie Leathers was not the most popular man in the charming English village of Ferne Basset, but few people seemed to hate him enough to murder him. Still, that was his fate one night, and it brings Inspector Barnaby to the scene to investigate. What Barnaby doesn't know is that before his death, Charlie witnessed what might have been the suicide--or murder--of a young woman whose troubles with the law have landed her in the home of a local retired minister and his none-too-pleased wife. Now a man is dead, a girl is missing, and a town is in chaos as long-kept secrets begin to unravel, with deadly repercussions.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
205 people are currently reading
1418 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Graham
25 books615 followersCaroline Graham is an English playwright, screenwriter and novelist. She attended the Open University, and received a degree in writing for the theatre from the University of Birmingham.
Series:
* Chief Inspector Barnaby
Series:
* Chief Inspector Barnaby
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
July 15, 2020
This is the sixth in the Chief Inspector Barnaby series. We begin with the downtrodden Ann Lawrence, married to ex-vicar Lawrence, who takes in all kinds of waifs and strays, but whose kindness is often misplaced. When Ann has an argument with the aggressive Carlotta, who blares out music day and night and who she suspects has stolen from the house, it leads to a train of events that results in blackmail and murder…
I really like this series. I enjoy the back and forth between Barnaby and his sergeant, Troy. Although I like the plots, what really makes this work for me are the characters. Graham deftly creates characters that you sympathise with, such as Ann, and her cleaning lady, Hetty, as well as those that infuriate you – such as Lionel – or bring about a sense of unease, as Jax, the odd-job man and driver, taken in by Lionel, does.
There is only one book left in this series and I will be sorry when I get to the end. Certainly, this is a series that I will return to and I also like the dark humour, such as Hetty’s concern when she discovers her dog injured and then later realises that she has forgotten all about her husband… Very sly, often very funny and Graham is a perceptive author and this is a very enjoyable addition to the series.
I really like this series. I enjoy the back and forth between Barnaby and his sergeant, Troy. Although I like the plots, what really makes this work for me are the characters. Graham deftly creates characters that you sympathise with, such as Ann, and her cleaning lady, Hetty, as well as those that infuriate you – such as Lionel – or bring about a sense of unease, as Jax, the odd-job man and driver, taken in by Lionel, does.
There is only one book left in this series and I will be sorry when I get to the end. Certainly, this is a series that I will return to and I also like the dark humour, such as Hetty’s concern when she discovers her dog injured and then later realises that she has forgotten all about her husband… Very sly, often very funny and Graham is a perceptive author and this is a very enjoyable addition to the series.
August 3, 2025
Lunchtime listen July 2025
A really brilliant lunchtime listen read by John Hopkins (Det Sgt Scott), and although it was never made into a tv Barnaby episode, my wife and I are sure that certain “themes” from this story have been used in some tv episodes.
In this story we meet a bullying husband who is cruel to his wife’s dog; a brother and sister both with issues sharing a modern house of glass ; an ex rev do-gooder who uses his pliant wife’s money to home offenders , who takes the p**s, believing the offenders over his wife; an eccentric woman who owns 6 Pekingese that she treats as humans and of course Barnaby and Joyce who are coming up to there Silver Wedding anniversary , with all its expectations.
So when someone reports a body in the local river, and then the next thing is a body is discovered in the local wood, things start kicking off. This means that Barnaby and Troy have their work cut out and how will that affect the plans for the anniversary with Cully and Nicko..
A really brilliant lunchtime listen read by John Hopkins (Det Sgt Scott), and although it was never made into a tv Barnaby episode, my wife and I are sure that certain “themes” from this story have been used in some tv episodes.
In this story we meet a bullying husband who is cruel to his wife’s dog; a brother and sister both with issues sharing a modern house of glass ; an ex rev do-gooder who uses his pliant wife’s money to home offenders , who takes the p**s, believing the offenders over his wife; an eccentric woman who owns 6 Pekingese that she treats as humans and of course Barnaby and Joyce who are coming up to there Silver Wedding anniversary , with all its expectations.
So when someone reports a body in the local river, and then the next thing is a body is discovered in the local wood, things start kicking off. This means that Barnaby and Troy have their work cut out and how will that affect the plans for the anniversary with Cully and Nicko..
September 1, 2022
The body of a local handy man is discovered in the woods, strangled. A retired vicar who devotes himself to saving wayward youths. A missing troubled youth. And an unknown blackmailer. DCI Tom Bad Barnaby along with his Sergeant, Gavin Troy, is on the case
This is the sixth book in Caroline Graham’s Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby series, which the incredibly popular UK television show, Midsomer Murders, is based on The characters are well-defined and entertaining in this police procedural mystery. I had already read a Caroline Graham book (Murder at Madingley Grange) and found it slow, but the Barnaby books are anything but slow! They changed the story slightly for the episodes of Midsomer Murders, but that almost makes it even better because it isn't exactly the same (and I could read this without being bored). Must read for anyone who likes a good detective story! Rating of 4,5 stars.
This is the sixth book in Caroline Graham’s Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby series, which the incredibly popular UK television show, Midsomer Murders, is based on The characters are well-defined and entertaining in this police procedural mystery. I had already read a Caroline Graham book (Murder at Madingley Grange) and found it slow, but the Barnaby books are anything but slow! They changed the story slightly for the episodes of Midsomer Murders, but that almost makes it even better because it isn't exactly the same (and I could read this without being bored). Must read for anyone who likes a good detective story! Rating of 4,5 stars.
April 12, 2017
I always enjoy rereading Caroline Graham's Chief Inspector Barnaby mysteries, on which the wonderful TV show "Midsomer Murders" is based. These books might be called village cozies, but they have an edge and a dark humor, along with complex character portrayals, that make them more compelling than most cozy mysteries. As far as I know, this sixth book in the series has not been dramatized, but I've watched only the first four seasons so far. If you're a fan of "Midsomer Murders," don't miss out on these excellent books.
July 8, 2020
The non-Police characters are not even close to your run of the mill type. Val Fainlight, children's author, and his sister Louise live in a glass house. When I first read this, I sort of expected it to be damaged and one or the other to be the victim. There is also the Old Rectory, a house Ann Lawrence has lived in since childhood as her father was the Vicar. The house was owned by her mother, though, so came to her and is owned by her outright. Her husband Lionel, the former Curate, has found taking in young miscreants and trying to rehabilitate them a more interesting way of life than pastoral duties. Hetty Leathers has worked in the Old Rectory for over 30 years, and her husband Charlie does yardwork for both the Lawrence's and the Fainlights. He is a miserable old cuss - pretty much everyone in the village thinks so. Out walking the dog late one evening, he sees what he thinks is a murder and decides blackmail will be more profitable than gardening.
That all sounds relatively tame. I certainly did not expect glimpses of somewhat violent homosexual sex. The scenes are mostly just alluded to, and short. One could skip ahead and not miss much, but they are integral to one character in particular and to make sense of the mystery as a whole the information must be known to the reader.
I'm sad that there is only one more in the series, but glad that I have it ready to read with the group in November. I had allocated 4 days for this, but read it in 3. That bumps it to 4-stars.
That all sounds relatively tame. I certainly did not expect glimpses of somewhat violent homosexual sex. The scenes are mostly just alluded to, and short. One could skip ahead and not miss much, but they are integral to one character in particular and to make sense of the mystery as a whole the information must be known to the reader.
I'm sad that there is only one more in the series, but glad that I have it ready to read with the group in November. I had allocated 4 days for this, but read it in 3. That bumps it to 4-stars.
October 24, 2015
Oh, it is so sad. This is the penultimate book in the series. I love these books, the development of the characters...the mystery...but the best part has to be the relationships that people have with their animals. I also like the descriptions of kindness; even the worst criminals are capable of kindness, and there is something deft in being able to write a character so. If you haven't read this series, do so.
June 8, 2023
This was a good one
✉️💀💔🌪💀
✉️💀💔🌪💀
October 3, 2012
Caroline Graham has one of her characters describe Inspector Barnaby as, "a man unclouded by sentiment but not without kindness." I think her writing could be described the same way. We see the characters and get to know them. We may like them or not. We may have sympathy for them or want to see the perpetrators apprehended but either way the author does not beat us over the head with a certain point of view. We are left to form our own opinions. I particularly enjoyed this book because I hadn't seen the movie. I'm not even sure this one was done as a movie, if so I missed it. I think this allowed me to form my own ideas about the characters and where things were headed. Some things here I got right away but others eluded me to the end. As in any really great mystery even the things I didn't get I could go back and see that the information was all there if I had only been able to put it together in the right way. This was one of my favorite Inspector Barnaby mysteries.
December 27, 2017
I enjoy Graham's novels for what they are, but I had been hoping for a little more character development in this one, and was .... well, not disappointed exactly, but it was much of a muchness. I find myself increasing uncomfortable with her treatment of gay characters; in books from the 1980s having openly gay people who are treated somewhat sympathetically was so much better than nothing, but times changed around Graham, so I also had the problem that I figured out the mystery long before Barnaby did, and I don't particularly enjoy books where I am waiting for the characters to at least consider something I see as a possible solution. So this was fine and I enjoyed it while I was reading it, but I don't think I'll go back to it.
December 19, 2024
Villages aren’t always cosy…
Lionel Lawrence has given up his role as vicar and given himself over to helping young offenders, using his wife Ann’s house and money to fund his philanthropy. He insists on taking young offenders into their home despite Ann’s reluctance. Currently there are two such guests – Carlotta, living in the house, and a rather nasty young man, Jax, living in the garage. When Carlotta and Ann have a fight over a pair of missing earrings, Carlotta runs out into the night, starting a chain of events that will lead to blackmail and murder…
I’m still struggling to reconcile the characters in the books with those in the highly successful Midsomer Murders TV series. In this one, Troy is rather less obnoxious than he was in the first book, The Killings at Badger’s Drift, but Barnaby seems to have become even grumpier, and is constantly mean and bullying to Troy, treating him as if he’s some kind of village idiot. Deserved or not, it makes Barnaby an unpleasant man to spend time with. On the other hand, Barnaby’s family are better developed now than they were in book 1, and he’s a much nicer person when he’s at home, although still grumpy and feeling himself rather superior to his wife, daughter and son-in-law. I wonder what I’d think of them all if I didn’t have the alternative picture of them in my mind from their TV personas. I really can’t decide. Anyway…
The plot in this one is excellent with enough twistiness to surprise even though it’s fairly obvious from early on who the main baddie is likely to be. There’s not a huge cast of characters, but each one is drawn with depth and care, and although we learn about their weaknesses, lies and even occasional criminal acts, Graham portrays most of them sympathetically, so that we understand their actions and care about them. The few who are really not nice, though, she portrays with just as much clarity so that we hope they’ll get what they deserve. The story has plenty of serious and even dark elements to it, but there is a humour and warmth in some of the characters which prevents the overall tone from becoming too grim. For example, on discovering that her husband and dog have failed to return from a walk in the woods, we are shown that Hetty Leathers is far more concerned about the welfare of the dog than her husband – and rightly so!
It all takes place in the village of Ferne Basset where, although everyone thinks they know everyone else’s business, in fact almost everyone has a secret of some kind. Ann Lawrence’s secret is that she knows more about Carlotta’s disappearance than she has said, leaving her open to blackmail. Everyone knows that Hetty’s husband Colin is a nasty bullying kind of man, but only Hetty and her daughter really know what he’s put them through. Lionel thinks his wife loves and admires him, and the village would probably agree – but is this really what Ann feels? The flashy new house in the village is owned by the Fainlights, brother and sister Val and Louise, who have brought their London ways with them and are rather apart from village life. No one really knows what goes on behind their doors, and Louise is deeply troubled by Val’s secret. The village thinks Val and Carlotta may have been an item, but Louise knows better.
Despite the village setting, the book could not be described as a cosy in any way. There is violence and cruelty in it (yes, animal lovers, a dog is hurt, although all’s well that ends well), and there are also some disturbing scenes of what I can only think to call sado-masochistic sex. I must say that would usually take the book out of my comfort zone, but Graham does such an excellent job with the characterisation of the masochistic side of the relationship that it actually roused me to sympathy rather than disgust. She also shows the helplessness of other people to prevent a destructive relationship between adults, even if they’re aware of the impact it’s having on someone they love. There are a few victims in this one, not necessarily the ones who end up murdered, and in each case I felt Graham convinced me of the psychology that had placed and kept them in that role. But she also shows the kindness of friends, neighbours and family members, ready to help pick up the pieces when things go wrong.
Overall I really loved this one, and thought it was quite a step up from the first in the series, which is the only other one I’ve read so far. The characters in this are less quirky and therefore more believable and empathetic, and although there is a strand of homosexuality here, there’s none of the blatant homophobia that I disliked in the earlier book. John Hopkins does a great job with the narration, although his remarkable ability to sound like John Nettles when ‘doing’ Barnaby somewhat adds to my mental inability to separate the characters in the books from the inaccurate TV depictions of them. I’m hoping that as I continue to listen to the series, eventually those comparisons will fade, and I’ll be able to wholeheartedly enjoy the books as much as they deserve.
N.B. Because I was listening to this rather than reading it, I’ve had to guess at some spellings of names and places if I couldn’t find them in other reviews or wikipedia, so please forgive any errors!
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Lionel Lawrence has given up his role as vicar and given himself over to helping young offenders, using his wife Ann’s house and money to fund his philanthropy. He insists on taking young offenders into their home despite Ann’s reluctance. Currently there are two such guests – Carlotta, living in the house, and a rather nasty young man, Jax, living in the garage. When Carlotta and Ann have a fight over a pair of missing earrings, Carlotta runs out into the night, starting a chain of events that will lead to blackmail and murder…
I’m still struggling to reconcile the characters in the books with those in the highly successful Midsomer Murders TV series. In this one, Troy is rather less obnoxious than he was in the first book, The Killings at Badger’s Drift, but Barnaby seems to have become even grumpier, and is constantly mean and bullying to Troy, treating him as if he’s some kind of village idiot. Deserved or not, it makes Barnaby an unpleasant man to spend time with. On the other hand, Barnaby’s family are better developed now than they were in book 1, and he’s a much nicer person when he’s at home, although still grumpy and feeling himself rather superior to his wife, daughter and son-in-law. I wonder what I’d think of them all if I didn’t have the alternative picture of them in my mind from their TV personas. I really can’t decide. Anyway…
The plot in this one is excellent with enough twistiness to surprise even though it’s fairly obvious from early on who the main baddie is likely to be. There’s not a huge cast of characters, but each one is drawn with depth and care, and although we learn about their weaknesses, lies and even occasional criminal acts, Graham portrays most of them sympathetically, so that we understand their actions and care about them. The few who are really not nice, though, she portrays with just as much clarity so that we hope they’ll get what they deserve. The story has plenty of serious and even dark elements to it, but there is a humour and warmth in some of the characters which prevents the overall tone from becoming too grim. For example, on discovering that her husband and dog have failed to return from a walk in the woods, we are shown that Hetty Leathers is far more concerned about the welfare of the dog than her husband – and rightly so!
It all takes place in the village of Ferne Basset where, although everyone thinks they know everyone else’s business, in fact almost everyone has a secret of some kind. Ann Lawrence’s secret is that she knows more about Carlotta’s disappearance than she has said, leaving her open to blackmail. Everyone knows that Hetty’s husband Colin is a nasty bullying kind of man, but only Hetty and her daughter really know what he’s put them through. Lionel thinks his wife loves and admires him, and the village would probably agree – but is this really what Ann feels? The flashy new house in the village is owned by the Fainlights, brother and sister Val and Louise, who have brought their London ways with them and are rather apart from village life. No one really knows what goes on behind their doors, and Louise is deeply troubled by Val’s secret. The village thinks Val and Carlotta may have been an item, but Louise knows better.
Despite the village setting, the book could not be described as a cosy in any way. There is violence and cruelty in it (yes, animal lovers, a dog is hurt, although all’s well that ends well), and there are also some disturbing scenes of what I can only think to call sado-masochistic sex. I must say that would usually take the book out of my comfort zone, but Graham does such an excellent job with the characterisation of the masochistic side of the relationship that it actually roused me to sympathy rather than disgust. She also shows the helplessness of other people to prevent a destructive relationship between adults, even if they’re aware of the impact it’s having on someone they love. There are a few victims in this one, not necessarily the ones who end up murdered, and in each case I felt Graham convinced me of the psychology that had placed and kept them in that role. But she also shows the kindness of friends, neighbours and family members, ready to help pick up the pieces when things go wrong.
Overall I really loved this one, and thought it was quite a step up from the first in the series, which is the only other one I’ve read so far. The characters in this are less quirky and therefore more believable and empathetic, and although there is a strand of homosexuality here, there’s none of the blatant homophobia that I disliked in the earlier book. John Hopkins does a great job with the narration, although his remarkable ability to sound like John Nettles when ‘doing’ Barnaby somewhat adds to my mental inability to separate the characters in the books from the inaccurate TV depictions of them. I’m hoping that as I continue to listen to the series, eventually those comparisons will fade, and I’ll be able to wholeheartedly enjoy the books as much as they deserve.
N.B. Because I was listening to this rather than reading it, I’ve had to guess at some spellings of names and places if I couldn’t find them in other reviews or wikipedia, so please forgive any errors!
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
March 1, 2020
Brilliant
Read
August 7, 2011The premise: Charlie Leathers is found murdered in the small, close knit village of Ferne Basset. While his murder does not upset many - he was not generally well liked - it is the catalyst that leads to the unraveling of well kept secrets leading to severe consequences. This is a supremely well written mystery with rich characters, unexpected turns, humour, and Chief Inspector Barnaby, who can give Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot a run for their money! This is one of Graham's earlier works, and is absolutely magnificent - rivals Agatha Christie, which is saying a lot! The television series, 'Midsomer Murders', is based on the Chief Inspector Barnaby series by Caroline Graham. Very much enjoyed it! Will be looking for others by Caroline Graham.
April 19, 2018
Not as good as her other mysteries. I really don’t like Troy. Someone is murdered, there is blackmail, and more. It was easy to know who did it and the character was so despicable. There were things about the character that really wasn’t necessary to write about. I had to skim some of it.
The TV series is so much better.
The TV series is so much better.
October 30, 2020
It wasn't my favorite of her Barnaby mysteries, but it was still a good read. I thought she was a bit self-indulgent with several of the characters. Over-wrought insight into what they were thinking. I prefer a lighter touch.
October 25, 2011
LOVE the tv series. This book was good, but certainly not as gentle as the tv series. Some very shocking content in this book. Without it, the book would have been great.
November 5, 2023
hilarious, clever and murderous !! loved it
October 19, 2020
Magari sbaglio, ma mi sembra sia uno di quelli non utilizzati come base per un episodio di Midsomer murders, anche se tutto sommato sarebbe stato interessante vederlo recitato.
Come quelli precedenti molto più approfondito dal punto di vista psicologico della versione televisiva e molto meno simpatici l'Ispettore Barnaby e Troy.
Col senno di poi, a parte il primo, era quasi meglio se non li leggevo. Mi aspettavo altro e sono rimasta delusa. Colpa mia, non dell'autrice, ovviamente, che trovo interessante, ma non nelle mie corde. Sigh.
Come quelli precedenti molto più approfondito dal punto di vista psicologico della versione televisiva e molto meno simpatici l'Ispettore Barnaby e Troy.
Col senno di poi, a parte il primo, era quasi meglio se non li leggevo. Mi aspettavo altro e sono rimasta delusa. Colpa mia, non dell'autrice, ovviamente, che trovo interessante, ma non nelle mie corde. Sigh.
July 6, 2023
Tore! Kriminullid mulle meeldivad. Midsomeri mõrvalugudest olen saanud osa vaid telepildis ja nüüd lugeda juurde ka algupärast teksti sai selgeks, kui suur on nende erinevus. Peategelaste iseloom ja välimus on tugevas erinevuses. Seega tasub ikka raamatut lugeda.
Annan hinnaguks 4, sest minu jaoks jäi igavaks, et mõrvarikahtlustus sai juba poole pealt paika ja seega oli pool põnevusest kadunud. Lisaks jäi lahtiseks, kes siis vaest koera ikkagi ründas 🧐
Annan hinnaguks 4, sest minu jaoks jäi igavaks, et mõrvarikahtlustus sai juba poole pealt paika ja seega oli pool põnevusest kadunud. Lisaks jäi lahtiseks, kes siis vaest koera ikkagi ründas 🧐
April 30, 2020
Of the three Barnaby books I read this week, this is definitely the best!
There was a lot of character development but not too much so that the book dragged. I also enjoyed the Barnaby family anniversary at the end.
There was a lot of character development but not too much so that the book dragged. I also enjoyed the Barnaby family anniversary at the end.
December 5, 2020
I like this series very much. It reminds me of Ruth Rendell's Inspector Wexford series, which is a high compliment, with more humor.
January 1, 2023
a bit draggy. took me forever to finish this (most of a year) compared to the other books in this series.
November 16, 2023
Not my favorite.
February 19, 2021
I’ve long enjoyed the Midsommer Mysteries on PBS, but this is the first Caroline Graham book I read. Didn’t care for Troy’S character in the book, rather dank. I shall try another in the series. Usually I prefer the book to film but it’s up in the air on this series.
May 12, 2021
This seemed to me more of a novel than a mystery. There were a few mysteries admittedly – one of which I did not solve – but the crime, the motive and the perpetrator were pretty clear very early on. One possible mystery – how the perpetrator escaped from the crime scene to the place of his alibi – was solved by DCI Barnaby within a page!
A wonderful character, Evadne Pleat, who aside from her love and care for six Pekinese dogs is quite normal, is a wonderful neighbour, a good listener, astute and a student of human nature; she would with Marple-like wisdom have certainly been able to help the police but sadly was relegated to the sidelines due to Barnaby's bias:
"Now they were just as suddenly in the kitchen. Troy exclaimed with genuine pleasure at the sight of the little dog.
'She's getting better?'
'Yes. The vet said . . .'
Barnaby let them run on for a moment. It would relax Mrs Leathers, which might help when it came to answering questions. For himself, he was not really interested in animals unless well-stuffed, preferably with sage and onion and a nice strip of crackling on the side." (p. 124)
Troy is here presented much less overtly racist, sexist and generally bigoted than in previous books which is not to say he has in any sense been house-trained:
Observing crime-scene photos of a garrotted victim on whom nightly predators have feasted.
"'I don't like the look of this, Troy.'
Who would? thought Sergeant Troy, staring at the bulging terrified eyes, what remained of the goulashed cheeks, and a thrusting, blackened tongue also pretty well gnawed on. Reminded him of those weird gargoyles you saw on old churches. Either them or [his wife] Maureen's mother." (p. 64)
Troy released the handbrake, took first and lumbered out of the Red Lion car park.
'Try and avoid that camper van.'
Troy's lips tightened at the injustice. He was an excellent driver, first class. It was just being with the chief. The criticism made him nervous. It was the same with Maureen. and his mum. And his dad, come to that. In fact he only really drove well when he was by himself. But you couldn't tell people that. They'd never believe you." (p. 88)
Viewing an angry young woman's room after she stormed out.
"Eventually Hetty said, 'Well! I've seen some messes in my time but I've never seen anything like this.' She sucked in another highly indignant breath. 'Filthy young madam.'
Troy, never one to create a newly minted epigram when a well-worn one was to hand, muttered, 'Looks like a bomb's gone off.' (p. 129)
"'Didn't you hear that woman's voice? [said Barnaby] It was practically operatic.'
'Me and opera, chief.' Troy sighed then shook his head, feigning regret at this mutual lack of enchantment.
'You don't know what the word Philistine means, do you, Troy?'
'Certainly I do,' Sergeant Troy responded quickly, on solid ground for once. 'My Auntie Doll takes it for her blood pressure.'" (p. 178)
The face of a criminal:
"'Blimey, get a load of this one.' sergeant Troy held the button and they both studied the mug shot. A more depraved personality it would be hard to imagine. Cannon ball head growing directly out of bullish shoulders. A spreading, deeply porous nose, thin lips drawn back from gappy, snarling teeth, ragged hair, the whole charming arrangement topped of with a leering squint of pure avarice.
'What's he done?'
'Bent solicitor.'" (p. 94-95)
Barnaby
"As he produced his warrant card Barnaby regarded the woman facing him with admiration... A wide, narrow-lipped mouth, perfectly painted vermilion. High cheekbones, slightly tilted hazel eyes with very long lashes and skin the colour and texture of thick cream. She reminded him of Lauren Bacall in the days when Bogie could still boogie." (p. 82)
"...'I'm convinced these two crimes are back to back and skin-tight. Solve one, you solve both.'
'All due respect, sir—?
'No genuflexions, please, Philips. Anyone on my team is encouraged to speak their mind.'
And God help them, said his team silently to itself, if he's running a moody..." (p. 244)
Joyce – DCI Barnaby's wife
"Joyce looked out of the window at the sun glittering on the river and at London's great iron bridges and sighed with pleasure. She had the gift of always knowing she was having a wonderful time while she was actually having it, not just in retrospect like so many people. It would be such fun telling Tom..." (p. 153)
It is Barnaby's home life which really pokes a finger in the reader's eye. Unlike your usual drunken, divorced, alcoholic detective sharing a flat with cockroaches he is happily married to the love of his life and has been for a quarter of a century. His only child, Cully, is an aspiring actress and happy with her husband Nicholas, also an actor but otherwise normal and getting on. Barnaby loves gardening and has sufficient garden in which to while away an afternoon. He is not a reader but is quite cultured in music, the theatre, and in food and drink.
A long and pleasant denouement is something I always enjoy. Here we not only sort out the lives of two of the more sympathetic villagers but also celebrate Joyce and Tom's anniversary. I enjoyed reading how not even the English can always carry off an important occasion successfully.
I am not happy, though, that Evadne and her pekes were let fade away.
After finishing the somewhat drawn out anniversary celebration I suspected Ms Graham was saying goodbye to Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby. Fortunately not! There is is one final book in the series!
"...She was unsure what to do next. Making a cup of tea, the universal English panacea for everything from a headache to fire, flood and pestilence, seemed rather a futile gesture..." (p. 292)
A wonderful character, Evadne Pleat, who aside from her love and care for six Pekinese dogs is quite normal, is a wonderful neighbour, a good listener, astute and a student of human nature; she would with Marple-like wisdom have certainly been able to help the police but sadly was relegated to the sidelines due to Barnaby's bias:
"Now they were just as suddenly in the kitchen. Troy exclaimed with genuine pleasure at the sight of the little dog.
'She's getting better?'
'Yes. The vet said . . .'
Barnaby let them run on for a moment. It would relax Mrs Leathers, which might help when it came to answering questions. For himself, he was not really interested in animals unless well-stuffed, preferably with sage and onion and a nice strip of crackling on the side." (p. 124)
Troy is here presented much less overtly racist, sexist and generally bigoted than in previous books which is not to say he has in any sense been house-trained:
Observing crime-scene photos of a garrotted victim on whom nightly predators have feasted.
"'I don't like the look of this, Troy.'
Who would? thought Sergeant Troy, staring at the bulging terrified eyes, what remained of the goulashed cheeks, and a thrusting, blackened tongue also pretty well gnawed on. Reminded him of those weird gargoyles you saw on old churches. Either them or [his wife] Maureen's mother." (p. 64)
Troy released the handbrake, took first and lumbered out of the Red Lion car park.
'Try and avoid that camper van.'
Troy's lips tightened at the injustice. He was an excellent driver, first class. It was just being with the chief. The criticism made him nervous. It was the same with Maureen. and his mum. And his dad, come to that. In fact he only really drove well when he was by himself. But you couldn't tell people that. They'd never believe you." (p. 88)
Viewing an angry young woman's room after she stormed out.
"Eventually Hetty said, 'Well! I've seen some messes in my time but I've never seen anything like this.' She sucked in another highly indignant breath. 'Filthy young madam.'
Troy, never one to create a newly minted epigram when a well-worn one was to hand, muttered, 'Looks like a bomb's gone off.' (p. 129)
"'Didn't you hear that woman's voice? [said Barnaby] It was practically operatic.'
'Me and opera, chief.' Troy sighed then shook his head, feigning regret at this mutual lack of enchantment.
'You don't know what the word Philistine means, do you, Troy?'
'Certainly I do,' Sergeant Troy responded quickly, on solid ground for once. 'My Auntie Doll takes it for her blood pressure.'" (p. 178)
The face of a criminal:
"'Blimey, get a load of this one.' sergeant Troy held the button and they both studied the mug shot. A more depraved personality it would be hard to imagine. Cannon ball head growing directly out of bullish shoulders. A spreading, deeply porous nose, thin lips drawn back from gappy, snarling teeth, ragged hair, the whole charming arrangement topped of with a leering squint of pure avarice.
'What's he done?'
'Bent solicitor.'" (p. 94-95)
Barnaby
"As he produced his warrant card Barnaby regarded the woman facing him with admiration... A wide, narrow-lipped mouth, perfectly painted vermilion. High cheekbones, slightly tilted hazel eyes with very long lashes and skin the colour and texture of thick cream. She reminded him of Lauren Bacall in the days when Bogie could still boogie." (p. 82)
"...'I'm convinced these two crimes are back to back and skin-tight. Solve one, you solve both.'
'All due respect, sir—?
'No genuflexions, please, Philips. Anyone on my team is encouraged to speak their mind.'
And God help them, said his team silently to itself, if he's running a moody..." (p. 244)
Joyce – DCI Barnaby's wife
"Joyce looked out of the window at the sun glittering on the river and at London's great iron bridges and sighed with pleasure. She had the gift of always knowing she was having a wonderful time while she was actually having it, not just in retrospect like so many people. It would be such fun telling Tom..." (p. 153)
It is Barnaby's home life which really pokes a finger in the reader's eye. Unlike your usual drunken, divorced, alcoholic detective sharing a flat with cockroaches he is happily married to the love of his life and has been for a quarter of a century. His only child, Cully, is an aspiring actress and happy with her husband Nicholas, also an actor but otherwise normal and getting on. Barnaby loves gardening and has sufficient garden in which to while away an afternoon. He is not a reader but is quite cultured in music, the theatre, and in food and drink.
A long and pleasant denouement is something I always enjoy. Here we not only sort out the lives of two of the more sympathetic villagers but also celebrate Joyce and Tom's anniversary. I enjoyed reading how not even the English can always carry off an important occasion successfully.
I am not happy, though, that Evadne and her pekes were let fade away.
After finishing the somewhat drawn out anniversary celebration I suspected Ms Graham was saying goodbye to Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby. Fortunately not! There is is one final book in the series!
"...She was unsure what to do next. Making a cup of tea, the universal English panacea for everything from a headache to fire, flood and pestilence, seemed rather a futile gesture..." (p. 292)
December 10, 2019
Maybe a 2.5. This was my first Graham novel - the only one in the library's collection - and, as a fan of the TV series, I wanted to try the books. The series had warned of the differences between the books and the scripts. I didn't find them to be a problem and one, involving Cully, was an interesting surprise.
This story is disturbing in places and I skipped scenes that were a little raw for my taste. The villain is villainous indeed and there were few likable characters among the suspects. It's always a problem when I like the pets more than their owners.
Not sure if I will read any other of Graham's books, assuming the library adds to the collection.
This story is disturbing in places and I skipped scenes that were a little raw for my taste. The villain is villainous indeed and there were few likable characters among the suspects. It's always a problem when I like the pets more than their owners.
Not sure if I will read any other of Graham's books, assuming the library adds to the collection.
August 21, 2024
I'm a big fan of the TV series Midsomer Murders, but this is the first book I've read. Found it in a charity shop, and happily this particular story has never been adapted for TV so there were no intruding images of actors imposing themselves on the characters as I read.
I really enjoyed Caroline Graham's elegant way with prose, the way she navigated the tale and her sense of humour. Barnaby and Troy are very different in the books to onscreen - Barnaby is grumpier and Troy is rather cynical. It wasn't a problem, because the characters are so skilfully drawn. I'll be reading more from this author.
I really enjoyed Caroline Graham's elegant way with prose, the way she navigated the tale and her sense of humour. Barnaby and Troy are very different in the books to onscreen - Barnaby is grumpier and Troy is rather cynical. It wasn't a problem, because the characters are so skilfully drawn. I'll be reading more from this author.
June 14, 2017
Another good read in the Barnaby series. There was an element that I found distasteful, but Graham has never shied away from distasteful elements. I did not pick up enough clues to figure out who did what. In retrospect, the clues were there. Next I will watch the TV version of "A Place of Safety". It's always been interesting to see how the story line and the characters have been altered for TV. Only one more in this series to be read. Graham stopped writing about CI Barnaby after #7.
May 3, 2020
Another highly enjoyable mystery in the Chief Inspector Barnaby series--enjoyable especially for the characters and witty writing. I have to admit that although the plot is perfectly engrossing, I instantly forgot it a day after I finished. I also thought the last chapter, about the Inspector's wedding anniversary, was not really necessary--but I'm willing to indulge this author in gratitude for the hours of reading pleasure she has given me.
May 14, 2021
People seem to die under suspicious circumstances rather often in Midsomer County. Inspector Barnaby and Sergeant Troy travel to another small, oddly named village when a possible drowning, a definite murder, and an assault on a wee dog take place, interviewing an assortment of eccentric residents in their hunt for the killer. I love their pleasant little mysteries, and am a bit sad that I have only one left to enjoy.
September 2, 2017
I usually love Caroline Graham's Barnaby mysteries, but I could not find the energy to engage with this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews