The Killings at Badger's Drift

Caroline Graham - author of the Inspector Barnaby mysteries — Caroline Graham

Even if it wasn’t the first Inspector Barnaby mystery—and even if it wasn’t the novel that launched the celebrated British television series Midsomer Murders—Caroline Graham’s The Killings at Badger’s Drift would still be among the most pleasing, yet twisted, mysteries you’re likely to encounter.

High Point: Graham excels in the creation of her characters. Few of them are normal, and most are concealing a secret or two.

Low Point: None

Author: Caroline Graham

Publication Date: 1987

Genre: History

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, played by John Nettles in Midsomer Murders (Photo: Bentley Productions)

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Graham’s Characters

The first of seven Inspector Barnaby books, The Killings at Badger’s Drift introduces the characters who grace the series: Tom Barnaby, the antacid-popping Detective Chief Inspector; Joyce, his almost perfect wife with one notable shortcoming; Barnaby’s daughter, the not-so-perfect Cully; his sidekick Sergeant Troy; and the busy coroner Dr. Bullard. If you’re familiar with the television series, you’ll find significant differences in the book’s portrayal of these characters. The book’s characters are a bit more flawed and, frankly, rather more interesting.

In fact, one of Graham’s greatest strengths may be the assortment of unusual characters she creates. Few of them are normal. They can be eccentric, catty, caustic, endearing, evil, and almost all of them are concealing a secret or two.

Maintaining your interest through constant developments, Graham throws you numerous leads—most of them false—but peppered with a genuine clue occasionally. Chances are you won’t discover the truth before Barnaby does.

Graham and Agatha Christie

One can’t help but compare Graham with the all-time master of the murder mystery, Agatha Christie. Graham wasn’t nearly as prolific as Christie, and in some ways, her stories are darker and more edgy than Christie’s. But she holds your attention, she keeps it light when she needs to, and she’ll have you looking forward to the next novel.

Whether or not you’re a Midsomer Murders fan, once you start reading a Caroline Graham novel, you’ll want to immerse yourself in it—starting with your exploration of The Killings at Badger’s Drift.