The Killings at Badger's Drift [#books #review]

by Caroline Graham

Midsomer Murders Mysteries
Death in Disguise →

Rating: 8/10

It was the chief inspector's belief that anyone was capable of anything. Strangely enough this did not depress him. He did not even regard it as a pessimistic point of view but rather as the only sensible one for a policeman to hold.

(Page 17)

A truly well-written detective novel, which involved me with its psychological insights, conquered me with its picturesque setting, fascinated me with its calm and insightful protagonist. The only thing I'm sorry about this novel is that I was completely spoilered by the TV series, but I think that despite this I'll continue to read the next books because even if I knew everything, I liked very much the investigation and the mystery too. A very beautiful reading!

Quotes

She had been walking in the woods just before teatime when she saw them.

[incipit]

He [Barnaby] was a big, burly man with an air of calm paternalism which had seduced far sharper men than Gavin Troy into voicing opinions which had then been trounced to smithereens.

(Page 11)

Doctor Bullard: Poor old soul. Not a pretty thought.

Barnaby: Murder never is.

(Page 33)

Barnaby, after his first shock of pleasure, stood for a long moment in silent appreciation. The garden settled round him as gardens will. Indifferent and harmonious; consolingly beautiful.

(Page 38)

Half the village seemed to be out, ignoring the patently untruthful statement from an attendant constable that there was nothing to see.

(Page 63)

In his experience people (hardened criminals apart) who had something to hide and people who had nothing to hide had one thing in common. Faced by a policeman asking questions they could never remain silent for long.

Some of Barnaby's thoughts

(Page 87)

Creative people often have an intensely protective attitude about work in progress. Look at Jane Austen's creaking door.

Barnaby

(Page 118)

One would have thought that not even Joyce could have maltreated a salad to the point where it became inedible, but one would have been wrong.

(Page 120)

Her voice rang out, investing the words with positively Brontëan splendour.

(Page 127)

'But I've got to help. Surely, Chief Inspector, you can see why?'

'Of course I understand your—'

'Poirot,' she interrupted wistfully, 'had his Hastings, you know.'

'And I, Miss Bellringer, have all the resources of a modern police force at my disposal. It's a different world.'

Lucy Bellringer e Barnaby

(Page 154)

'Yes, sir,' cried Sergeant Troy italically [...].

«Sì, signore», gridò corsivamente il sergente Troy [...].

(Page 231)

He had been with Barnaby all along the line in this case. Heard all the interviews, had access to forensic results. What Barnaby saw and knew he, Troy, saw and knew. And it infuriated him to hear his chief speak with such easy certainty of conclusions reached.

(Page 237)