Midsomer Murders backdrop
Crime•Drama•Mystery

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 9d 2h•Peaking at 8.9/10

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

Airs on
ITV1
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons25

All12345678910111213141516171819202122232425

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Midsomer Murders Season 8 Episode 3 - Ghosts of Christmas Past
    8.9/10(1041 votes)

    #1 - Ghosts of Christmas Past

    S8:E3

    Barnaby looks forward, with reservations, to entertaining his in-laws for Christmas. Meanwhile, exactly 9 years after the suicide of Ferdy Villiers his family and their guests arrive at the somewhat dilapidated Villiers home to celebrate the festive season. However, not everyone present is imbued with the Xmas spirit and the already rather tense atmosphere begins to disintegrate even further when it becomes apparent that someone in the household is all too aware that certain family members have dark secrets to hide. When what initially appears to have been an accident is revealed to be murder Barnaby and Scott discover that they must first unravel what really happened in the past in order to resolve the present.

    Director:Renny Rye
    Writer:David Hoskins

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Midsomer Murders Season 9 Episode 4 - Down Among the Dead Men
    8.7/10(1060 votes)

    #2 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Midsomer Murders Season 9 Episode 3 - Vixen's Run
    8.5/10(1144 votes)

    #3 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Midsomer Murders Season 8 Episode 7 - Hidden Depths
    8.4/10(993 votes)

    #4 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Midsomer Murders Season 9 Episode 1 - The House in the Woods
    8.4/10(1244 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Midsomer Murders Season 10 Episode 6 - Picture of Innocence
    8.4/10(1045 votes)

    #6 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Midsomer Murders

    READ
  7. Midsomer Murders Season 11 Episode 3 - Left for Dead
    8.4/10(990 votes)

    #7 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Midsomer Murders Season 12 Episode 5 - Small Mercies
    8.4/10(1002 votes)

    #8 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Midsomer Murders Season 12 Episode 7 - The Great and the Good
    8.4/10(964 votes)

    #9 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Midsomer Murders Season 13 Episode 8 - Fit for Murder
    8.4/10(960 votes)

    #10 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Midsomer Murders Season 9 Episode 2 - Dead Letters
    8.3/10(1081 votes)

    #11 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Midsomer Murders Season 10 Episode 2 - The Animal Within
    8.3/10(1165 votes)

    #12 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Midsomer Murders Season 8 Episode 4 - Orchis Fatalis
    8.2/10(982 votes)

    #13 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Midsomer Murders Season 10 Episode 5 - Death and Dust
    8.2/10(963 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Midsomer Murders Season 11 Episode 7 - Talking to the Dead
    8.2/10(940 votes)

    #15 - Talking to the Dead

    S11:E7

    Two couples disappear in the tiny village of Monks Barton amid rumours of witchcraft and haunted woods. As Barnaby and Jones investigate, psychic Cyrus LeVanu clashes with cleric Wallace Stone over their different methods of `healing' the woods, while other locals seem to be caught up in a stolen antiques racket. When a body is unearthed and the death toll rises, the detectives race to find a connection between the missing couples and the thefts to catch the killer.

    Director:Sarah Hellings
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Midsomer Murders Season 12 Episode 3 - Secrets and Spies
    8.2/10(1001 votes)

    #16 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Midsomer Murders Season 17 Episode 4 - A Vintage Murder
    8.2/10(904 votes)

    #17 - 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Midsomer Murders Season 5 Episode 1 - Market for Murder
    8.1/10(1267 votes)

    #18 - Market for Murder

    S5:E1

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

    Director:Sarah Hellings
    Writer:Andrew Payne

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Midsomer Murders Season 5 Episode 4 - Murder on St Malley's Day
    8.1/10(1206 votes)

    #19 - Murder on St Malley's Day

    S5:E4

    Members of an elite student club close ranks after a murder at the Devington School.

    Director:Peter Smith
    Writer:Andrew Payne

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Midsomer Murders Season 6 Episode 3 - Painted in Blood
    8.1/10(1239 votes)

    #20 - Painted in Blood

    S6:E3

    Barnaby's wife, Joyce, finds a dead body on the Midsomer Florey village green while taking part in a watercolour painting class, and she recognizes it as the elderly Miss Fairfax.Barnaby is given the case, then finds himself taken off it and replaced by a team from the National Intelligence Squad, while he is assigned to deal with a missing handbag. However, he continues his investigation into the murder, finding deceit and double-dealing. It appears that 'Miss Fairfax' was not an elderly spinster at all, but a young detective sergeant from the National Intelligence Squad working under cover, and that her colleagues are busy fitting up the village handyman for the murder of an old lady who never was. He discovers that someone is busy hunting for some five million pounds still missing from an old robbery. In the closing moments, Barnaby has to lock two of the National Intelligence Squad's officers in a bank strong-room, where they are trying to snatch the missing cash, and to arrest the

    Director:Sarah Hellings
    Writer:Andrew Payne

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Midsomer Murders Season 7 Episode 1 - The Green Man
    8.1/10(1365 votes)

    #21 - The Green Man

    S7:E1

    The Barnaby-Troy partnership is about to come to an end, as Troy has passed his inspector's exam and is moving on. However, the murderers of Midsomer go on piling up the bodies. Joyce Barnaby gets trapped in a fallen canal tunnel, and in getting her out seven skeletons come to light in a hidden chamber. Meanwhile, two local tearaways are shot dead in the woods at Midsomer Worthy, and a tramp called Tom is accused of the killings. While Troy looks into the shootings, Barnaby wrestles with an old mystery. And although six of the skeletons found in the tunnel date from the 18th century, one is much more recent.

    Director:Sarah Hellings
    Writer:Michael Russell

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Midsomer Murders Season 8 Episode 5 - Bantling Boy
    8.1/10(1083 votes)

    #22 - Bantling Boy

    S8:E5

    DCI Tom Barnaby and Sgt Dan Scott investigate the murders of a horse-racing syndicate.

    Director:Sarah Hellings
    Writer:Steve Trafford

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Midsomer Murders Season 8 Episode 8 - Sauce for the Goose
    8.1/10(1065 votes)

    #23 - Sauce for the Goose

    S8:E8

    Barnaby and Scott investigate when the dead body of rival employee, Dexter Lockwood, is found in the Plummer family's factory steriliser.

    Director:Renny Rye
    Writer:Andrew Payne

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Midsomer Murders Season 8 Episode 9 - Midsomer Rhapsody
    8.1/10(9 votes)

    #24 - Midsomer Rhapsody

    S8:E9

    When retired music teacher Arthur Leggott is battered to death with a torch, Barnaby and Scott investigate a web of family feuds and long lost love affairs to discover the truth.

    Director:Richard Holthouse
    Writer:Richard Cameron

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Midsomer Murders Season 11 Episode 2 - Blood Wedding
    8.1/10(1063 votes)

    #25 - Blood Wedding

    S11:E2

    An upper class wedding results in an evil and sudden death, which becomes another challenge for Barnaby. These people are not used to having the police around asking a lot of silly questions. Besides, Barnaby has Cully's wedding to sort out as well

    Director:Peter Smith
    Writer:David Harsent

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Ghosts of Christmas Past" is the best rated episode of "Midsomer Murders". It scored 8.9/10 based on 1041 votes. Directed by Renny Rye and written by David Hoskins, it aired on 12/25/2004. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Down Among the Dead Men".