Midsomer Murders

When the body of the Lancaster’s ex-nanny is stolen from the graveyard it seems the family are being persecuted. Barnaby learns that Melissa’s antagonism from the family was over access to a family vault, and notices a closeness between the vicar and Craig. Then wealthy businessman Sonny Desai – an old school-friend of Felix’s – arrives to buy the estate, much to tenant farmer Bobbie’s shock. Barnaby presses Caleb and Isaac over Lydia’s death and burial, and Ellie grows suspicious of her employers. As Sonny and the Lancasters reacquaint themselves, the tensions mount over the ‘climbing game’ they played as children. Caleb and Isaac move a body to a car under cover of darkness. Barnaby and Nelson get a breakthrough when Kam reveals climbing-rope fibres were found at both crime scenes, making both Felix and Craig suspects. Meanwhile Craig and Bobbie both question Sonny’s motives, and Sonny and Felix’s friendship gives way to mutual distrust. A search of Craig’s van finds nothing, Craig tells Melissa to keep away from him. Then Felix finds Craig in the woods, seemingly dead.

A ring discovered around Felicity’s neck provides a new lead. Brogan denies recognising it, as do Valerie and Ford, leading Barnaby to suspect a secret lover. Nelson learns that Faulkner is a well known UFO spotter following his alleged alien encounter in 1984. When Barnaby returns home he overhears Sarah making plans for a surprise meal on the phone, and in the woods at night Abigail is ‘buzzed’ by the mysterious UFO. The next day Kam identifies the gloop as an experimental prototype and reveals she found distinctive catkins on Felicity’s body. Nelson discovers the ring is German enabling Barnaby to identify Ali as Felicity’s secret lover. Ali admits to the affair and alludes to radar readings about the UFO. In hospital Abigail sketches a symbol she saw on the UFO. When evidence places Victor in Felicity’s van he’s forced to admit he was keeping an eye on her for Ford, his former boss, and that Ford knew about her affair with Ali. That night the body of Ali is discovered hanging in a pod.

The Barnabys are picnicking and competing over Betty’s first word when news comes of the murder. In the cycle camp, Nelson explains to Barnaby that victim Greg overtook team poster boy Mitch as the race leader. Race official Damien Lamerat and local organiser Mary Appleton offer their cooperation and Des outlines the stakes when he tells Barnaby this race is make or break for the cyclists. Nelson clocks tensions in Team DJM between Mitch and his girlfriend, masseuse Kim, and cyclist Aiden and his girlfriend, mechanic Amber. Mitch tells Nelson that Ravondale are DJM’s ruthless rivals as Kim and Amber chat about their relationship strife. Meanwhile Damien’s partner, entrepreneur Joanna Stockerton, tells Barnaby that local carver Gerry Bleacher is an opponent of the race, and at his stall by the market fair, Gerry warns Sarah that “people die” because of it. Aiden and Mitch are shocked by Des’s insistence they carry on racing. Mary is with boyfriend Jez when she gets a threatening package with a cow’s heart and a note saying “I know what you did”.

Barnaby assures Sarah he hasn’t forgotten the career talk he promised to give at her school. At the murder scene Kam hands them a broken locket found near the body. Barnaby speaks with the family. Brandon’s wife Alexandra is shocked, but son Fabian explains the villagers were opposed to the Park and local, Brin Dunne, had formed VASP (Villagers Against the Sculpture Park). The family deny recognising the locket. Lance claims he got on well with Brandon but fellow artist Simeon Rowling suggests Brandon upset some artists and critic Daniel Fargo reveals Brandon received hate mail. Estate workers Tony and Summer Pitt admit their daughter Helena left the launch early, and Helena is unable to offer Nelson an alibi when he finds her at the climbing centre. In the village, Brin tells Barnaby that VASP is non-violent and claimed not to have gone near the park. Cracks show in the Monkford family as Fabian suggests they close the park. Alexandra and Daniel meet for a tryst – it’s clear they’re having a secret affair.

The Barnaby’s enjoy a lie in and Kam and Nelson play tennis until news of the murder arrives. At the site Nelson explains the archaeologists are looking for the remains of protestant martyr Cicely Milson and Penny tells them they’ve been plagued by nighthawks with metal detectors looking for buried treasure known as the Milson hoard. Dig assistant Dexter Ingram explains the villagers are upset because they believe they already have the bones in the local church. Landlord Jared suggests Zoe should have been more respectful of Cicely Day. At the church, Rev Peter claims his brother, Christopher, is on a hostile crusade but historian Christopher suggests Peter has appropriated Cicely for his own ends. Working late at the dig site, Dexter heads out to investigate a noise, only to return to the site office to find it’s been trashed.

The Barnaby’s are packing for their holiday and discussing where to leave Sykes when news comes of the murder. At the stables Kam discovers bullet holes from a gun and Barnaby calls for an immediate search. Stable manager Rod Breeze and his wife Geri reveal that Harry recently took the stables over from his father, Jasper, but his plans for expansion had upset the villagers. Harry’s parents, Jasper and Serena, reveal that Harry has a daughter, Amy, whose estranged mother, Jessica Myerscough, still lives nearby; whilst Harry’s sister, Beth, explains that Harry was last seen in the pub. Niall and Rowena claim that vet Clara Myerscough and Butch Nevins were most upset with Harry’s plans. Jessica tells Nelson her divorce from Harry was amicable and Clara plays down Harry’s efforts to evict her. Butch makes light of his battles with Harry and sons Sean and Dale claim Harry never came to the fair. Sean’s affair with Beth becomes apparent as he asks her to back him up. Butch and Dale narrowly escape death when an armed assassin is distracted at the crucial moment at the Wall of Death.