Written in Blood

Midsomer Murders, Book 4

By: Caroline Graham

Narrated by: John Hopkins

Despite the fierce, and seemingly personal, objections of secretary Gerald Hadleigh, members of the Midsomer Worthy Writers' Circle press ahead and invite bestselling author Max Jennings to talk to their group. Besides, it's not as though he'll say yes. So when Jennings turns up to their meeting, they are completely over-awed by his presence.

But before the evening is over, Gerald has been brutally murdered.

Summoned to investigate, Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby discovers that Gerald's life was as much of a mystery to his neighbours as his violent death. The key to the killing must surely be their illustrious guest speaker, a face from Gerald's past. But Jennings is nowhere to be found...

©1994 Caroline Graham (P)2022 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"Simply the best detective writer since Agatha Christie." (The Sunday Times)

"A mystery of which Agatha Christie would have been proud... A beautifully written crime novel." (The Times)

"Graham, who deserves a wider US readership, starts out as astringently amusing as Christianna Brand in her classic Green for Danger, and then gradually broadens and deepens to P.D. James territory. What more could you want?" (Kirkus)

Excellent Traditional Mystery With Well-developed Characters

very much enjoyed the multiple character points of view that the author used to paint three-dimensional characters. The narrator was top-notch!

Fresh, the darkest Barnaby novel yet

I continue to be surprised at how each progressive novel in the Inspector Barnaby seems to retain the things I have instantly fallen in love with about Graham’s work (her prose, her characters, the dynamic between Barnaby and Troy, and her deliciously mischievous sense of humor) while presenting a completely fresh mystery unique in both content and approach. This novel was darker, with perhaps the most convoluted backstory, but had so many moments where I was riveted by what was about to happen, horrified yet unable to look away.

Ms Graham redeems herself!

What a pleasant change from her previous novel which took five hours to come to the murder and Barnaby
I very much enjoyed this novel

Great Narrator

I really enjoyed this narrator/performance. Story is pretty good although somewhat cliched at times.

Better than the last one

I wasn’t a huge fan of the previous one, but this is maybe either my second or third favorite Barnaby book narrated by John Hopkins so far. It picks up real fast at the end, shame to have it fly by so fast.

Very much like the TV episode

Although I was already familiar with the basic storyline, I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the characters in depth. Even if you have already seen the TV adaptation it is well worth reading the book as originally written.

Details! I love details.

I love the Carolyn Graham Midsommer books. Such deep development of storyline and intricate characters. I do love the show and now I have English faces in my head for the characters in the book. I like having both. And they are nice, long books . So happy these are on audiobooks. Now. Which one comes next!

Gerald went sicko mode

Gerald was the most interesting character in the book and his backstory had me intrigued until the final page. Quite literally I mean, you need to stick to the very last second to figure it all out. Highly recommend.

Each book gets better

This story had me until the end. I like that I couldn't figure out who did it because what fun is that if you figure it out so soon. There was also an homage to Badgers Drift in the story. A twist on one of the characters that is surprising and I thought was perfect for the story.
Grahams characters are superb and John Hopkins does such a great job bringing them to life.

Best so far in the series

Really enjoyed. So much better than the show (and it wasn't bad). I especially enjoyed the depth of the characters which made it all more plausible compared to what was on film (which characters were badly miscast). I also love the follow up in these books that after solved you find out how the characters continue on. The narration is super good.