Midsomer Murders: Set 17 (The Dogleg Murders / The Black Book / Secrets and Spies / The Glitch)

We are nearing the end of John Nettles' portrayal of the indefatigable DCI Tom Barnaby. Yet, he has aged very little since the series started in 1997. The four stories are just as we now expect them--quirky people living in Midsomer, horrific murders, and with the truly valuable aid of DI Ben Jones (Jason Hughes). I actually believe that after having a new, not formally educated DS Troy who was truly a grunt (but a nice and good grunt), and DS Scott (John Hopkins) who was sent down from the Met for doing something we are never told, Barnaby is now a better DCI because of the intelligence of Ben Jones who is more a help than a hindrance to solving the crimes.The colleague/colleague relationship rather than the father/son relationship with the other two, has now mellowed into a fine wine, with a great body, a superior nose and a wonderful taste on the tongue. Thankfully, there will be probably three more sets to come out before Tom retires and his relation (I think cousin), John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) replaces him. After 13 years of watching Midsomer Murders and watching and re-watching the DVDs, we Americans, as usual fall in love with Buckinghamshire, where most of the stores are filmed. We love to see homes and estates that are not usually a part of the typical American landscape and I think we lose ourselves in the background, even though over 200+ murders and suicides have been committed in must one county in Britain.If only Morse could have had more episodes to watch; but since only 33 were made and Nettles will have made 82 episodes when he leaves. There is no telling how many Dudgeon will make, but if the stories can remain fresh as I think they will, I am hoping for another 82 to watch.So, now is on to Set 18, 19 and 20. Many a tear will be shed when TB's final episode is watched just as it was when Troy left when he became a DI. Thank, John, for 82 great episodes and to all the great writers and actors many of whom are making their second appearance.A great buy!

Set seventeen (17) of the series of "Midsomer Murders" finds the viewing audience, again, looking at some very good British murder mysteries that are set in the beautiful and seemly peaceful little quaint village of Midsomer and its surrounding picturesque areas. Again in Set seventeen (17) on four (4) discs running about 1 hour and 40 minutes each, one is not allowed to get too comfortable with the beauty and outward appearance of the locale because behind the doors and garden gates, there are loads of dastardly happenings to a lot of fascinating and sometimes very weird characters that are played by some of Britain's finest and well-known actors. Be aware that the episode "The Black Book" is really good. It's all about folks being killed for Forged Art Works with a very surprising ending.In light of the above folks are meeting their demise in a lot of unthought-of, by me, ways. Of course Barnaby (brilliantly played by John Nettles--he is so very good often very funny and always mild mannered with no barking of orders!) and his assistant (wonderfully played very humorously by Jason Hughes who is featured more in set 17) solve the "who done it" element brillantly with especially Barnaby's keen insights, intuition and very mellow manner.The viewing of and subsequent enjoyment of the "Midsomer Murder" series has been part of my life for many years. Again without gratuitous visible violence, set seventeen (17) is no exception to my admiration of this series; I still indeed do find this British murder/mystery/detective series to be so very well written and acted.

This an excellent series, with a healthy tongue-in-cheek attitude about itself as the most dangerous bucolic region of rustic England, especially Badger's Drift. What fun to read the cast interviews - Nettles as a wicked sense of humor. The filming is of course a treat, but so are the stories, absurd as they are at times. "Midsomer Murders" often deftly explore not only British history, but the class-system. In "The Dogleg Murders" bribery and caste meet, i.e. my kingdom for a golf course membership. In "The Black Book," painted poser pigs reveal fraudulent art. In "Secrets and Spies," Barnaby is revealed as a former MI5 operative. "The Glitch" entertains with more class issues and business dealings, with cyclists enjoying the lovely countryside. You simply can't go wrong with any of the Midsomer series. Enjoy!

I always have a MSM marathon when I recieve my new set and this time was no different. I have been a fan of DCI Baranaby and his side kick for several years now and was not disappointed with Set 17. These mysteries are great entertainment for all ages, they keep you guessing right up to the end as to whodunit and why. And unlike most murder mysteries made by US filmmakers, they are neither gruesome nor do they rely heavily on special effects and fast action.The only thing that disappointed me was the number of movies in the set! I would love to have more DVD's in each set and have Acorn Media release them faster in the US.

My husband and I find ourselves enjoying English mystery series lately. We've just about finished this collection and look forward to settling into a mystery with detective Barnaby. It's nice to find a main character with a "normal", happy family life. The characters are a bit quirky. The plots are intricate and have a definite English twist to them, which makes it nice for something different from our American series (which we also enjoy). Very entertaining!The only drawback is that every now and then we get a disk that sticks. I hate to miss any of the stories due to this. Still giving it 5 stars because we enjoy the series so much.

Midsomer Murders Set 17  I am giving this a "5" even though I haven't seen it as in order to publish this review I have to rate it. I like to know what is on a disc before I order it so I checked at Acorn and found this informationDisc 1The Dogleg MurdersA peaceful afternoon on the links turns fatal when a man is bludgeoned at the notoriously difficult 13th hole. The crime scene is a high-status local golf club that has long stirred up resentments between the moneyed members and villagers clamoring for a taste of luxury. Barnaby's investigation sees him coping with haughty club members, sibling rivalry, and the icy Eileen Fountain--the club's domineering manager.Disc 2The Black BookWhen a painting by celebrated landscape artist Henry Hogson goes up for auction, art dealers descend upon the village. Local collectors are outraged when the work sells to an out-of-towner for a princely sum. Soon after, a brutal murderer begins targeting the Midsomer art world. Further complicating the case, the usually collected Barnaby becomes besotted with a pretty art teacher with a dubious past.Disc 3Secrets and SpiesSomething is killing sheep in Midsomer Parva, and whispers abound that it's the mysterious "beast of Midsomer." Meanwhile, Barnaby's former career in espionage comes to light after he reluctantly agrees to officiate at a cricket match. The situation turns sinister when the beast moves on to human prey, leading Barnaby to believe that the killings are connected to a Cold War grudge.Disc 4The GlitchSoftware magnate Clinton Finn funds the construction of a new building for a local school, but not everyone is impressed with his generosity. George Jeffers claims the air-traffic control program he created for Finn is defective and possibly deadly, but the millionaire American insists they press on with the lucrative product. After several people are killed, the detectives must discern who had the most to gain by withholding information about the faulty software. Midsomer Murders Set 17

We really enjoy the Barnaby Series. This one is just as good as the rest! I find that these by far are much more fun and interesting to watch than what the Jessica Fletcher Series ever had to offer. We also find that from what is on these days, these are good to have when there is ABSOLUTELY nothing on cable to watch!

I bought this series as a gift. The person for whom I bought it was really pleased and had no complaint about the quality of the contents. I have no opinion about the series itself but I do know Midsomer Murders has a large following.

Wonderful British murder mystery series.

I love this series of Midsomer Mysteries and enjoy watching them more than once. I have most of the sets and enjoy when a new one is released.