The House in the Woods

A house-hunting couple are found dead shortly after viewing a supposedly haunted cottage. Locals claim the property is cursed - but Barnaby and Jones soon hear enough to suspect several builders, developers and estate agents of resorting to murder.

A fun, spooky episode with some creepy atmosphere and the usual bunch of suspects. It's a good idea, thought provoking at times and is full of twists.

A nice episode after a rather dull one. In this offering, an old house which has fallen into disrepair, becomes the object of a real estate agent. The problem is that the house is said to be haunted, filled with histories of gory deaths and mishaps. Two people who expressed interest in the place are found garroted in their car. We find out later that it is piano wire that has been used to do the deed. As a matter of fact, anyone who expresses interest in the place is put off. When Banaby and Jones (the next sidekick) come on the scene, they find that the agents have been up to something. Soon the female agent meets a similar fate with her neck cut by a wire. A young boy has been going to the house and meeting a kindly man. He lies about this relationship and this sets the solving of the case back a bit. This is a nice episode because there are quite worthy clues and a zinger at the end. Nice introduction to the new agent.

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

Several of the names and plot points in this episode are a sly homage to that book!

Charles Dickens' novel is the tale of boy named Philip, called Pip, who befriends an escaped convict named Magwitch. Pip brings the convict food and tries to help him escape.

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.