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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The episode of midsomer murders (pilot) based on this book is my absolute favourite..I enjoyed finally reading the book version and noticing the differences..it's unusual for me but I do prefer the TV episode changes as they make more sense. However a really solid book and I will read more in the series.
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Oddly sexy and sexist. At least given how the show is. I don't think this author likes women very much.
Having watched many a story from this author played out in the TV series reading the first book is the least can do. I have not been disappointed .. an excellent piece of writing with the shadows of village life unravelling as Barnaby brings his insight to the darker side of the characters.
I've read Agatha Christie's first Poirot novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, the first Murdoch Mysteries novel, Except the Dying, and now I've read the first Midsomer Murders book! These are all television shows the inner old lady in me loves and can't get enough of. Give me those murders in an old country estate. Give me those murders in a picturesque English village. GIVE ME THOSE MURDERS.
So how was being introduced to Barnaby and Troy on the printed page? Huh. Kind of underwhelming. Troy is way more of a douche in the book, Cully is rude (Tom & Joyce don't actually want her visiting because she's a punk!) and Barnaby does this thing where he investigates and never clues Troy in on what he's thinking and how the case is progressing - how is Troy ever supposed to learn? And the name of the pub they drink in is The Black Boy, which is jarring to me. I guess in the 80s that seemed fine.
I forgot just how much incest was in this one, boy howdy! Ironically, I read this with my family (since we're Midsomer Murder fans) and now I get to discuss all the incest with them. Over tea, I suppose.
Now I need to read one of The Granchester Mysteries, the first Inspector Morse, and an Inspector George Gently book and I'll have done most of my favorite British mystery shows.
So how was being introduced to Barnaby and Troy on the printed page? Huh. Kind of underwhelming. Troy is way more of a douche in the book, Cully is rude (Tom & Joyce don't actually want her visiting because she's a punk!) and Barnaby does this thing where he investigates and never clues Troy in on what he's thinking and how the case is progressing - how is Troy ever supposed to learn? And the name of the pub they drink in is The Black Boy, which is jarring to me. I guess in the 80s that seemed fine.
I forgot just how much incest was in this one, boy howdy! Ironically, I read this with my family (since we're Midsomer Murder fans) and now I get to discuss all the incest with them. Over tea, I suppose.
Now I need to read one of The Granchester Mysteries, the first Inspector Morse, and an Inspector George Gently book and I'll have done most of my favorite British mystery shows.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Having seen this story a couple of times on Midsomer Murders, it’s impossible to imagine the main characters as other than the actors who played them. On the whole I enjoyed the TV version better.
Well think the TV people did a good job even more now....stuck to book and plot but made the people much more likeable and family friendly but still a ,at times chilling , strange and quirky series...
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No