Inspector George Gently

George Gently; a policeman with a strong sense of justice and - arguably – one of the few good men….

A man’s body is found near RAF Huxford, burnt to a crisp. The only evidence at the scene of the crime is a ring – with an engraving from ‘Wanda’. Wanda Lane, the confident, vampish owner of the local transport café, is asked to identify the ring. She confirms that this was the ring she gave to Rauri O’Connell. Bacchus and Gently wonder if someone is trying to frame her

When a German businessman is found dead in the sea just off the coast Gently and Bacchus get involved to find the killer and Bacchus, while having money problems, is put in a dilemma when offered a bribe by a suspect.

During their investigation of the murder of a lonely old man in his dilapidated mansion, Gently (Martin Shaw) and Bacchus (Lee Ingleby) stumble upon a world which is beyond their initial comprehension and belief.

Gently and Bacchus investigate the death of a young woman whose body is found in a church.

Gently and Bacchus investigate the rape and murder of a young woman.

When a body is found in a local mill, Gently and Bacchus go on to uncover a web of local corruption, blackmail, fraud and robbery.

Northumberland, 1966 - a young woman's body is found, months later a child disappears. Gently and Bacchus uncover the shocking connections between these events.

In the summer of 1966, the Northumbrian police come under increasing media scrutiny, as Sunderland prepares to host a World Cup match involving the USSR, while campaigners protest against the proposed landing of the Polaris nuclear submarine at Jarrow docks. When an academic is found dead after a CND rally, Gently and Bacchus are dispatched to Durham University to investigate his background - and find themselves in the midst of a wave of social and sexual rebellion.

When the body of missing school-girl, Mary, is discovered in a shallow grave in Pinnock Woods Gently and Bacchus are thrown into the new world of pop and media celebrity. The dead girl’s best friend, Hazel, is the rising star of the popular weekend show ‘Upside Down’, much to the chagrin on its old-timer presenter, Tony.

Gently and his sidekick Bacchus investigate the suspicious death of Gently’s ex-snout, China. The Coroner’s verdict was China was a drunk vagrant who died after a fall. But when Gently speaks to the nurse who tended to him before dying, he gets a very different story – and with her husband a local copper it seems the police are hiding something.

A darker side of 1968 as the social landscape of the Western World is being shaken to its core.The indefatigable Chief Inspector George Gently and Detective Sergeant John Bacchus experience the inflated authority of their ‘social betters’ first hand, when a young girl is found dead in the passenger seat of a an upturned car registered to local aristocrats.

Gently and Bacchus awaken to the consequences of racism when a young girl is murdered.

Gently and Bacchus are thrown into an emotionally-wrought case when a middle class couple’s adopted child is kidnapped.

Gently finds himself suspended from duty – powerless, unprotected and persecuted. Gently must confront his deepest fears and fight to the death

Gently is taken by surprise when he learns of Bacchus’s resignation, until he realises that his sergeant has lost his confidence. Still suffering his own scars from the Cathedral, Gently sets about fixing Bacchus and insists that he help him investigate a death in custody – a case that will have both Gently and Bacchus questioning what it means to be a police officer at a time when attitudes to the police are changing.

The body of a girl washed up by a pier leads Gently and Bacchus to investigate the staff and holidaymakers at a family holiday camp. Whilst investigating the death, Gently and Bacchus uncover a story of fame-seeking, sex and the dark underbelly of the permissive society.

In the late 60’s an article in The Times confirmed that the MOD had tested the effects of LSD on volunteer servicemen at Porton Down. Gently and Bacchus delve into this world of army secrets when a young former soldier commits a murder and Gently finds some uncomfortable truths in what it means to serve one’s Queen and Country.

Throughout the sixties, the Northumberland coalmining was decimated, as competition from oil, gas, cheap imports and nuclear power led to the closure of dozens of collieries. Communities were crushed; with the young moving on to new, lives while the old were left behind to haunt ghost towns. Burnsend is one such community. Once a thriving colliery town the future of the pit hangs in the balance as the National Coal Board (NCB) consider closing it. A mysterious death in the mine leads Gently and Bacchus to explore the tensions and relationships in the community. They encounter families riven by politics and caught in grudges that date back to the Second World War.

A woman’s body has been found, and no one has reported her missing. Who is she? Inspector Gently, quick to suppose and confirm his victim was violently raped, begins a search for her killer. Gently is appalled when reading police files that many reported rape crimes have gone investigated and unprosecuted. Gently wants to know why. One Inspector’s name repeatedly appears on the files. Is he to blame for this and have the police been negligent? In a race against time, Gently, Bacchus and Rachel enlist an unlikely ali to help them catch their killer. But will they get there in time to prevent another murder?

Inspector Gently is intrigued as to why a woman has tragically committed suicide.  There are too many details that don’t add up, and he suspects murder.  Why did this woman, a GP, want to end her life?  Gently’s investigation leads him and his team to the discovery of a bigger industrial crime, more murders and more victims.  Gently puts his career on the line to uncover who is really to blame.

A man has thrown himself off the Tyne Bridge and is found dead, landed on a pile of rubbish. Or so it seems. Gently, knows it’s murder, and believes it’s one of involving lifelong friends. Who would want to kill a man who was apparently loved by all?

It’s 1969 and on Christmas Eve, Gently is enjoying the festive cheer, until he gets news. A bank has been hit and there’s work to be done. Gently’s hunt for the gunmen takes him into the world of Skinheads. Gently has little fear but the world is changing around him. Gently is later faced with a difficult dilemma.  Does the law always have to be so cruel? Can he bend it just this once?

Newcastle, 1970. On the brink of retirement, DCI Gently and his team investigate a body found in a chemical storage tank. When Gently discovers the victim’s wife has already been convicted of his murder, eight years ago, he controversially decides to re-open the case. But DI Bacchus opposes Gently’s decision - not least because he worked as a DS on the original investigation, putting mentor and protégé at complete odds. Is Gently about to expose an appalling miscarriage of justice or will he sacrifice his reputation and legacy for a convicted murderer? Can Rachel help heal the widening rift between her superiors whilst navigating being a woman in a male policing world? And will the team finally prove beyond doubt the identity of the killer?

Newcastle, 1970. Gently is retiring on a professional high when he is approached by a covert police unit with one last tantalising offer. The cold case of a young girl murdered four years ago in Washington, County Durham, finds Gently tracking Clements, a charismatic politician. When the investigation leads to a murky web of unions and political intrigue will Gently do the unthinkable and bend the course of justice? And faced with mortal danger how will Gently and his team survive?