The House in the Woods

Overall this is a good episode except for the life of me I just don't understand the motive behind the first two murders. My husband and I have watched this episode multiple times and we say the same thing each time. What is the motive??? Scott's departure was never really explained. This episode has the usual allotment of local village loonies; which always cracks us up.

I do love this episode for the most part. Angsty teens mixed with good ones, older townsfolk mixed with young ones... as is real life. But for the life of me, it has never made sense why the couple that were looking to buy the house were murdered. The murderer was WANTING to sell but he kills the people that want to buy..... makes no sense. I,too, wondered why Scott left. He was a bit off at first... thinking he was too good for midsomer, flirting all the time.... but he seemed to be finding his place as the series went on and took the role more seriously. Towards the end of season 8 he was actually being a detective and doing a good job. Wish someone would close the loop on why he left.

I love connecting dots. I love spotting people I know from other British shows or return guest actors doing other roles. Also, finding famous people before they became famous...

I agree with one of the posters on here - Midsomer is idyllic and certainly that's how we want to think of England. Some of it is that way, other parts not so much.

"The House in the Woods" starts season 9 with no Scott, who called in sick. He must have been really sick because he was never seen again. Now it's Jason Hughes' turn as Barnaby's sidekick, DC Ben Jones, whom we see promoted in this episode.

This episode concerns an empty, forlorn house that has lots of stories around it. It has historic significance for the area, and several people are interested in it for one reason or another.

The real estate agent in charge of it is up to something, as she tells people it's "under offer" and the owner won't let her show it, etc. Looks like she might be working for a developer, maybe?

A young couple approaches her and overhears a man in the office discussing this house, which he, in fact, is selling. The agent's story to him is that there are no offers. The couple, very disappointed in other places they have viewed, would love to see this place. She won't let them. Eventually they find it themselves. And wind up dead.

It's Barnaby and Jones on the scene. They find an odd married couple interested in the place, and they become suspects. Then there are the real estate people and the developers for whom they are fronts. Jones leaves a tape recorder at the house, and it seems as if someone is giving piano lessons there on an out-of-tune piano.

Food is missing from the restaurant where a single mother works. Apparently her son is leaving it at the house, but for whom? Why? Intriguing mystery, good solution, nice ending. I came to like Scott, but Jones is a fine addition. Each partner added something different to the show.

After Season 8 ended on a whimper with "Midsomer Rhapsody", Season 9 starts with a big bang with "The House in the Woods". It also signals the introduction of Jones, and even in his first episode he proves himself to be a worthy new partner, bringing refreshing wry humour that hits the right note and shares great rapport with Barnaby.

The production values as always are top notch, with to die for scenery (with the house in the woods being like a foreboding character of its own), the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's grimness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.

Meanwhile, the script is smart and thought-provoking with some nice quirky humour, a grimness and with characters that are colourful and eccentric. The story is very absorbing, never simplistic, often creepy in atmosphere, never confusing and the maturity that 'Midsomer Murders' has when on form is more than evident here.

Notable also for a genuinely unexpected and frankly ingenious ending and for one of the show's best ever guest star performance in George Baker. John Nettles is a joy, and Jason Hughes is appealing enough in his debut episode. All the acting is great, with the top plaudits going to Baker.

Overall, wonderful start to Season 9 and one of the better episodes of the mid/later seasons. 10/10 Bethany Cox

A creepy, run down house in the middle of the woods is place of terror, and a wonderful setting for murder. Barnaby is called in, less his sidekick 'Scott,' but on hand to help is young Constable Scott.

The usual bunch of eccentric locals as would be expected, the traditional glory countryside, but there is more to this episode then normal, Jones makes a fantastic addition, adding a wry humour. The characters are really well drawn for this episode, Ruth Gemmell and David Westhead are both excellent, but it's the much missed George Baker that adds the extra touch of class, he is superb. It's a fairly complex plot, with a wonderful and unexpected twist at the end.

I always appreciate a link back to the past, and we once again see the Feathers Hotel mentioned, previously seen in Market for Murder.

They had a phase of having that infuriating siren going off whenever we saw a Police car. I'm glad that doesn't happen in new episodes.

One of the best Midsomer Murders episodes 9/10