This is my introduction to Inspector Lynley, and I liked it. The series stars Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small as Lynley and his partner Sergeant Havers.
In this episode, Lynley and Havers go to a Scottish castle where a play is being rehearsed to investigate the murder of the playwright, who was killed after making changes in her script.
Of course the place is loaded with suspects, starting with the owner of the house, Sir Stuart Stinhurst (Ronald Pickup) and continuing to the young handyman in love with Stinhurst's daughter (John McAvoy). He is grieving for his mother, who has recently committed suicide. To complicate matters, an ex-girlfriend of Lynley's, Helen (Lesley Vickerage), who is now the lover of one of the suspects (Jonathan Firth).
My understanding is that this isn't a particularly good episode, but I liked it well enough. I spent a lot of time studying Nathaniel Parker's face. A little Keanu, a little Clive Owen, a little Jon Tenney, somehow handsome but not as good-looking as those mentioned above. He's very good, and has the aristocratic looks and air befitting the role. Small is a great contrast his middle-class partner.
Catching the killer isn't easy in this one, and Parker has a few misses along the way. It's an episode that will keep you guessing.
