Midsomer Murders: Series 3

Coming late to Midsomer Murders, I am making my way through the seasons, and have just begun Series 3 now.This is a well done mystery series, with the focus on complicated plots, and with interesting and eccentric characters. As others have noted, there is virtually never only just one murder. The first murder usually sets up a blackmail scheme. That blackmail typically leads to a second murder, which often leads to a third murder, of someone who unfortunately saw the second murder!Thankfully, most of these murders occur off-screen, otherwise we would be watching a veritable bloodbath, worthy of Sam Peckinpah!If I have any complaint, it is that I often need a "flow chart" to keep track of all the characters and their various motives.Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) is a very likable character, enjoyable to follow and fun to try and figure out what he is thinking. I find the fact that Barnaby is happily married an added plus. It is a refreshing change from so many other detective/police procedurals. where the writers try to shoe-horn in romantic interests to add "complications".The early seasons have 4 episodes per season, or series. Each episode is 90 minutes long. I enjoy the 90 minute length. I think it helps to build the complicated plots, while also adding a certain leisurely pace which I appreciate.

Supposed to be a 2-disc set, even says so on the cover, but I received only disc 2 in a case designed to only hold a single dvd.If the vendor corrects this or does something positive I'll let you know.Midsomer is a great series.

Four more mysteries for Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) to solve. The first is Death of a Stranger and it involves the return of a man no one recognizes..........dead or alive. He’s caught in a trap and whacked to death. Naturally, more murders follow because once you start it’s hard to stop. The second mystery is Blue Herrings and it takes place in a retirement home. The story is slow and sad and allows Sgt Troy (Daniel Casey) to once more vent his great dislike for “puffers.” The Third mystery is Judgment Day. It starts with an inconvenient flashback that leaves one wondering where and when and who are these people. It features Orlando Bloom as the resident bad boy and first murder victim. The last mystery is Beyond the Grave and involves faux ghosts supposedly haunting a makeshift museum. It features the incomparable Prunella Scales.Considering the murder rate, it’s a wonder there are any citizens left alive in Midsomer.

This was part of a birthday gift for my wife. She is a fan of Midsomer Murders.

"Midsomer Murders" is deeply satisfying in that way that an Agatha Christie novel satisfies: you are cozy and warm, drinking your tea at home, watching these intricate murder plots unfold in the most charming of English villages. If you, like me, find this relaxing, you will LOVE "Midsomer"! Seeing riders on horseback passing lovely village pubs and inviting little antique shops, seeing beautiful Tudor homes, diving into delicious cream teas--if these quintessentially British pursuits appeal to you, this is the series for you.

Excellent stories and well acted.

Since the videos get re released in multiple forms ... this DVD as the following titlesDeath of a StrangerJudgement DayBeyond the Graveand yes it plays in the USA on most disc players

THE DELIVERY WAS ON TIME. THE TAPE QUALITY WAS EXCELLENT. ORDERING WAS EASY AND QUICK.

The disk I received didn't work on my DVD player in Canada. Get instead the videos with the "Acorn" logo. They have all played OK. This one has "Madman" as one of its identifiers.