Death in a Chocolate Box (17 May 2008)

Barnaby investigates a murder of a former friend and colleague in Midsomer Holm, a small village inhabited by reformed ex-cons.

Director:

Richard Holthouse

Writers:

Tony Etchells (screenplay), Caroline Graham (characters)

Stars:

John Nettles, Jason Hughes, Jane Wymark

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
John Nettles	...	DCI Tom Barnaby
Jason Hughes	...	DS Ben Jones
Jane Wymark	...	Joyce Barnaby
Laura Howard	...	Cully Barnaby
Barry Jackson	...	Dr Bullard
Sam Hazeldine	...	Simon Dixon
Pip Donaghy	...	Jack Colby
Clare Higgins	...	Gina Colby
Edward Petherbridge	...	Lord Holm
Christopher Fairbank	...	Ronnie Tyler
Nigel Harrison	...	Eddie Marston
Chris Barrie	...	Lionel Poulter
Philip Bond	...	Dr Wyatt
Keith Drinkel	...	Tommy Crinney
Marcia Warren	...	Melissa Shrike

Storyline

Lord Holm, an aristocrat who once served a prison sentence for killing his sluttish wife, has turned his home into a rehabilitation centre for other ex-offenders. Gina and Jack Colby, married ex-police officers, assist him, Jack as administrator and Gina as a counsellor. Jack has expressed concerns over the hostel's financial situation shortly before he is murdered. Eddie Marston, a new arrival at the hostel, over whose admittance Tom Barnaby has had misgivings, goes missing, and the local postman, a disgraced former policeman, tells Tom that he has been blackmailing Jack over information given him by Marston when they were cell-mates. Also in the frame is the bad-tempered local inn-keeper, whose neglected wife had been using Jack as a confidant. Nothing is ever simple when investigating a Midsomer murder.

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Plot Keywords:

midsomer | ex con | rehabilitation | pub | drunk and disorderly | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 May 2008 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Chinnor railway station, Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, Chinnor, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bentley Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min 93 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The part of Lord Holm (played by Edward Petherbridge) was originally given to Ian Richardson, who died two weeks before filming started.

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Goofs

When a camera obscura pans across it field of view, the image also rotates on the viewing table. Here, the image mostly stayed the same orientation while the scene panned. Obviously a video projection simulating a camera obscura.

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Quotes

Dr Wyatt: Seen anything of Jack Colby, Bob?
Bob Walker: [disdainfully] You seen me lookin'?

User Reviews

Couldn't disagree more!

I completely disagree with the other reviewer; this is Midsomer Murders at its finest!

The plot is quite dark and very gripping, and packed full of twists!

The other reviewer was also incorrect in his recollection of the amount of murders in the episode, but i wont elaborate in case i spoil the story for anyone.

So long as you're willing to pay attention to the very detailed story you'll be greatly rewarded with a spectacular finale.

Definitely one of the best episodes of Midsomer Murders for many years. A classic!!!