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The Best Episodes of Midsomer Murders

Every episode of Midsomer Murders ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Midsomer Murders!

Binge this in 8d 16h•Peaking at 8.6/10

The peacefulness of the Midsomer community is shattered by violent crimes, suspects are placed under suspicion, and it is up to a veteran DCI and his young sergeant to calmly and diligently eliminate the innocent

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Midsomer Murders Season 9 Episode 4 - Down Among the Dead Men
    8.6/10(10 votes)

    #1 - Down Among the Dead Men

    S9:E4

    Barnaby and Jones investigate the shooting of a blackmailer, Martin Barrett. But he had so many victims, they are spoiled for choice for a suspect. Then one of his victims, Sir John Waverley, gets another demand. The trail leads them to the seaside and diving for treasure on an uncataloged wreck.

    Director:Renny Rye
    Writer:Douglas Watkinson

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  2. Midsomer Murders Season 8 Episode 3 - Ghosts of Christmas Past
    8.5/10(5 votes)

    #2 - Ghosts of Christmas Past

    S8:E3

    An elderly woman is found dead in her cottage and DCI Tom Barnaby is convinced the death is not down to natural causes.

    Director:Renny Rye
    Writer:David Hoskins

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  3. Midsomer Murders Season 13 Episode 8 - Fit for Murder
    8.5/10(7 votes)

    #3 - Fit for Murder

    S13:E8

    Barnaby reluctantly accompanies Joyce on a spa weekend to Swavely Manor. But as he attempts to de-stress, a woman is found dead in the flotation chamber. He abandons his treatment to investigate, but his personal worries are never far away as he contemplates his future.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Midsomer Murders Season 9 Episode 3 - Vixen's Run
    8.3/10(9 votes)

    #4 - Vixen's Run

    S9:E3

    The elderly Sir Freddy Butler has invited both his ex-wives, Annabel & Lucinda, to stay with him and his current wife, Tara. When he dies suddenly of a heart attack, the bitter rivalry between the three and Sandra, the wife of his heir, comes to the surface, with murderous consequences. To solve the mystery, Barnaby must unravel paternity questions about some of the residents of the hall, and find the legendary missing emeralds.

    Director:Peter Smith
    Writer:Michael Aitkens

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  5. Midsomer Murders Season 9 Episode 1 - The House in the Woods
    8.2/10(9 votes)

    #5 - The House in the Woods

    S9:E1

    A couple who have been searching the Midsomer area for a suitable property to renovate, Peter & Caroline Cave, are found brutally garrotted in their car outside a supposedly haunted dilapidated old cottage in the woods near Midsomer Newton. There are several other people interested in buying the house, but are they desperate enough to murder potential rivals? Barnaby investigates, with the assistance of PC Ben Jones, who he temporarily appoints Detective Constable, in the absence of DS Scott. Joyce Barnaby is helping a local group of conservationists identify architecturally important buildings in the area, and is asked to investigate the same cottage, potentially putting her in danger. Barnaby then discovers that there is something odd about the person selling the cottage.

    Director:Peter Smith
    Writer:Barry Simner

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  6. Midsomer Murders Season 17 Episode 4 - A Vintage Murder
    8.2/10(9 votes)

    #6 - A Vintage Murder

    S17:E4

    The fizz goes out of a sparkling wine launch when the glasses are laced with poison. Who is targeting the Midsomer Vinae Winery and what does the attack have to do with the death of a child in a hit-and-run accident?

    Director:Nick Laughland
    Writer:Lisa Holdsworth

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Midsomer Murders

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  7. Midsomer Murders Season 18 Episode 3 - Breaking the Chain
    8.2/10(6 votes)

    #7 - Breaking the Chain

    S18:E3

    An international cycling competition goes through the village of Burwood Mantle and after the race leader is murdered, DCI Barnaby and DS Nelson find themselves involved in a competitive world of blackmail, bribery and bloodshed where winning matters at any cost.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Midsomer Murders Season 8 Episode 4 - Orchis Fatalis
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #8 - Orchis Fatalis

    S8:E4

    When a rare orchid is smuggled illegally into Midsomer Malham it releases the heady scents of passion, jealousy and death.

    Director:Peter Smith
    Writer:Terry Hodgkinson

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  9. Midsomer Murders Season 8 Episode 7 - Hidden Depths
    8.1/10(6 votes)

    #9 - Hidden Depths

    S8:E7

    When local solicitor Nick Turner falls to his death from his house roof, it is not clear whether it was murder or suicide.

    Director:Sarah Hellings
    Writer:David Hoskins

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  10. Midsomer Murders Season 9 Episode 2 - Dead Letters
    8.1/10(9 votes)

    #10 - Dead Letters

    S9:E2

    The village of Midsomer Barton is celebrating Oak Apple Week when a local single mother, Marion Slade, is found drowned in the village stream. It looks like suicide, and that she was driven to it by grief over the death, eight years before, of her daughter, Bella, a local beauty pageant winner. Barnaby investigates and is shaken by two villagers who look like murder victims from his past. Then another body is discovered and it appears that the festivities have stirred up a cocktail of adultery, contempt, unrequited love and revenge in the village. And it all appears to center around Bella Slade.

    Director:Renny Rye
    Writer:Peter J. Hammond

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  11. Midsomer Murders Season 10 Episode 2 - The Animal Within
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #11 - The Animal Within

    S10:E2

    Faith Alexander arrives in Midsomer Deverell to visit her estranged Uncle Rex, much to the surprise of his friends and associates who had been told she was dead. The problem is Rex is missing and Barnaby's initial investigation into his disappearance becomes more sinister when Rex's body is found at the bottom of the weir. The case becomes more complicated as it appears the eccentric Rex left several different wills and everyone wants a slice of his estate. Was this the reason for murder, or is it related to a family feud from 40 years ago? What was the secret of the feud? Those who know are not saying but someone is prepared to commit further murders to ensure it is not revealed.

    Director:Renny Rye
    Writer:David Hoskins

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  12. Midsomer Murders Season 12 Episode 5 - Small Mercies
    8.1/10(4 votes)

    #12 - Small Mercies

    S12:E5

    Richard Tanner is found murdered in a model village, stabbed and trussed up like Gulliver in a macabre tableau. The disturbing manner of his death leads Barnaby and Jones to suspect that someone in the village of Little Worthy is criminally insane. As further gruesome killings rock the community, the detectives face a race against time to unravel past events that lead to the making of a dangerous serial killer.

    Director:Peter Smith
    Writer:Peter J. Hammond

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  13. Midsomer Murders Season 12 Episode 7 - The Great and the Good
    8.1/10(5 votes)

    #13 - The Great and the Good

    S12:E7

    The night time peace of Badger's Drift is shattered horribly when teacher Connie Bishop screams in fright, convinced there is an intruder. Days later a local councillor, said to be obsessed with her, is found murdered in her garden. Is Connie the innocent victim she seems? Barnaby and Jones uncover jealous rivals, ruthless social climbers and a cottage with mysterious secrets as they search for the killer.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Midsomer Murders Season 10 Episode 5 - Death and Dust
    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #14 - Death and Dust

    S10:E5

    When Dr Alan Delaney is killed by a hit and run driver, Barnaby realises the real target was Delaney's senior partner, Dr James Kirkwood. Is the killer trying to prevent James from marrying beautiful divorcee Delyth Mostyn? And how is his death linked to £30,000 which is missing from the surgery accounts? Barnaby and Jones must travel to Snowdonia to unravel the truth.

    Director:Sarah Hellings
    Writer:Douglas Watkinson

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  15. Midsomer Murders Season 10 Episode 6 - Picture of Innocence
    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #15 - Picture of Innocence

    S10:E6

    There's a shock for Joyce when she and Tom visit a photo exhibition in Luxton Deeping. Barnaby also gets a glimpse of the bitter rivalry between the traditional film photo followers and the digital enthusiasts. Things develop a more serious turn, however, when a member of the local camera club is brutally strangled. For once there are no shortage of clues and leads, all pointing to one suspect - Barnaby himself !! Suspended from duty, Barnaby, with a little covert help from Jones, has to use all his deductive powers to discover the motive and unmask the real murderer before they strike again.

    Director:Richard Holthouse
    Writer:Andrew Payne

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  16. Midsomer Murders Season 11 Episode 3 - Left for Dead
    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #16 - Left for Dead

    S11:E3

    The building of a new road attracts protesters to a small Midsomer village, and it seems to be motive for murder. As Barnaby and Jones delve into the complicated nature of this Midsomer village, they realise the key to solving the case lies under a well-concealed pact between several of the villagers.

    Director:Renny Rye
    Writer:Michael Crompton

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  17. Midsomer Murders Season 13 Episode 3 - Blood on the Saddle
    8.0/10(5 votes)

    #17 - Blood on the Saddle

    S13:E3

    Ford Florey is a town with a Wild West Society and many grudges. During a Wild West show at the local fayre, the witch on the 'Dunk the Witch' stall is well and truly dunked. Laughter turns to horror when she doesn't get up and the water in the tank starts to turn red. Barnaby and Jones need to be quick on the draw to track down the murderer.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Midsomer Murders Season 15 Episode 1 - The Dark Rider
    8.0/10(8 votes)

    #18 - The Dark Rider

    S15:E1

    When a headless horseman makes an an appearance at Quitewell Hall it foreshadows a number of deaths amongst an aristocratic family. Whilst a Civil War re-enactment takes place the family relive their own historic battles with their neighbours.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Michael Aitkens

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  19. Midsomer Murders Season 7 Episode 4 - Sins of Commission
    7.9/10(8 votes)

    #19 - Sins of Commission

    S7:E4

    The Midsomer Literary Festival opens with the real-life murder of a famous author at Midsomer St Michael. In investigating the killing, Barnaby and Scott find that the village highbrows are busy with corruption, embezzlement, and sexual peccadillos of various kinds. And the dead bodies go on piling up.

    Director:Peter Smith
    Writer:Elizabeth-Anne Wheal

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  20. Midsomer Murders Season 12 Episode 3 - Secrets and Spies
    7.9/10(4 votes)

    #20 - Secrets and Spies

    S12:E3

    A number of murders near a government safe house in Midsomer appears to be connected to a group of British spies stationed in East Berlin during the Cold War.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Michael Aitkens

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  21. Midsomer Murders Season 12 Episode 4 - The Glitch
    7.9/10(4 votes)

    #21 - The Glitch

    S12:E4

    Midsomer University science fellow George Jeffers threatens to make public a problem with his state-of-the-art invention Kernel Logic, but American software boss Clinton Finn fears he will lose millions if the truth comes out. When a schoolteacher is killed in a hit-and-run, Barnaby suspects Jeffers was the intended target.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Midsomer Murders Season 13 Episode 2 - The Made-to-Measure Murders
    7.9/10(4 votes)

    #22 - The Made-to-Measure Murders

    S13:E2

    The residents of Milton Cross, a feudal estate with a church, farms, houses and acres of land, depend on lord of the manor Edward Milton for their livelihoods. When Sonia Woodley is stabbed to death in the churchyard two years after the death of her husband, bespoke tailor Gerald, Barnaby and Jones investigate, and the village begins to reveal its secrets. Guest staring James Wilby, Gwyneth Strong and Karl Davies (formerly Emmerdale's Robert Sugden), with John Nettles and Jason Hughes

    Director:Peter Smith
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Midsomer Murders Season 15 Episode 5 - Death and the Divas
    7.9/10(4 votes)

    #23 - Death and the Divas

    S15:E5

    The murder of a journalist leaves reminders of a 1960's horror movie starring Midsomer’s Stella Harris. After Stella’s more famous sister returns following a 40-year family rift, the killings contiue, each reminiscent of a film plot.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Midsomer Murders Season 19 Episode 1 - The Village That Rose from the Dead
    7.9/10(7 votes)

    #24 - The Village That Rose from the Dead

    S19:E1

    The Village of Little Auburn has stood abandoned since World War Two but plans are afoot to restore it to its former glory, However, the grand reopening takes a grisly turn when a man is murdered. DCI Barnaby and his new partner, DS Jamie Winter, are soon on the case, and must unravel a web of lies connecting past and present to bring the killer to justice.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Midsomer Murders Season 5 Episode 1 - Market for Murder
    7.8/10(7 votes)

    #25 - Market for Murder

    S5:E1

    A ladies reading group in Midsomer Market starts losing members to murder.

    Director:Sarah Hellings
    Writer:Andrew Payne

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Best Episodes Summary

"Down Among the Dead Men" is the best rated episode of "Midsomer Murders". It scored 8.6/10 based on 10 votes. Directed by Renny Rye and written by Douglas Watkinson, it aired on 3/12/2006. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Ghosts of Christmas Past".