Summary

• Midsomer Murders' best episodes balance murder and humor, with quirky storylines and outrageous deaths.
• The series focuses on mysteries over detectives, keeping audiences captivated with unique cases week after week.
• Despite changing leads over 20 seasons, Midsomer Murders remains a popular, iconic show displaying the best of British crime drama.

The best Midsomer Murders episodes show why the British detective drama has managed to keep an international audience captivated with its murders and mysteries ever since it debuted in 1997. The crime drama is based on Caroline Graham’s Chief Inspector Barnaby book series and has gained considerable acclaim in its own right. It’s set in several villages within the fictional English county of Midsomer and is known for its occasional lighthearted jokes and moments of dark humor.

Seasons 1-13 starred John Nettles as the eponymous DCI Tom Barnaby, and since season 14 it has starred Neil Dudgeon, who plays Tom Barnaby’s nephew John. Midsomer Murders episodes often follow a case-of-the-week format, so the case takes center stage rather than the detectives. Because of that, the focus for most of the best episodes of the series is the nature of the mystery or the outrageous murders themselves. It has remained spectacularly popular, and even after more than 20 seasons, ratings have hardly dropped, and the best Midsomer Murders episodes showcase why.

All seasons of Midsomer Murders are available for streaming on Prime Video through AcornTV.

15 Vixen's Run

Season 9, Episode 3

Some of the best Midsomer Murders episodes are the ones in which the writers are not taking the show too seriously and having fun with some of the crime drama tropes. Such is the case in the wildly fun "Vixen's Run," in which a wealthy patriarch dies during a family event. Though it initially seems like natural causes, when his will goes missing, suspicions begin to arise. The fact that the family's last name is Butler shows the kind of cheeky tone the episode is going for.

The season 9 Midsomer Murders episode feels like the kind of throwback Agatha Christie mystery that inspired such stories in the first place. Its family-gathering murder mystery feels akin to Knives Out and takes a similar humorous approach with the sheer number of suspects with believable motives. The self-centered and vain characters make for a wonderful ensemble piece for the episode.

14 Dead Man's Eleven

Season 2, Episode 3

Much like Agatha Christie mysteries, Midsomer Murders often comments on class and serves as a satire of the wealthy elite with its stories. "Dead Man's Eleven" is another great episode that focuses on a group of rich and unlikable characters surrounding a murder, this time with the victim being the wife of a local landowner and cricket captain. It all leads up to a particularly effective killer reveal that shows how everything is connected.

Once again, the ensemble of guest actors helps to make this Midsomer Murders episode stand out with some colorful and detestable characters bringing a lot of fun to the mystery. Some of the notable names include Toby Jones and Imelda Staunton. The episode is also one of the first that features Barnaby and his wife Joyce together in the mystery, making for some of the most charming and funny moments in the series.

13 Fit For Murder

Season 13, Episode 8

This season 13 episode marks the end of an era for Midsomer Murders as actor John Nettles steps out of the role of Barnaby. However, the episode mostly sticks to what the show does best, as it follows a twisty murder case when Barnaby and his wife visit a spa only for the bodies to begin piling up with plenty of suspects around.

There is a quaint charm to the fact that Barnaby cannot even escape for a relaxing getaway at a spa without death and murder following him. The episode leans into that darker humor Midsomer Murders has always done so well, making for a bittersweet episode as Barnaby focuses on the end of his career. While not a grand sendoff that some might expect for such a key character, it is a fitting farewell nonetheless.

12 Blood Wedding

Season 11, Episode 2

Midsomer Murders gets a special wedding episode while not forgetting to throw in the ever-present threat of murder in this season 11 installment. As Barnaby nervously awaits the wedding of his daughter Cully, he investigates another murder at the wedding of an aristocrat. Once again, a wealthy family drama is at the center of the deadly ordeal while Barnaby's mind is still on the rising costs of his daughter's nuptials.

Filled with humor and some fun surprise returning characters, "Blood Wedding" is a charming special episode and easily one of the best in Midsomer Murders. It is a sign that the show knows exactly what it is and what fans want from it. While it is able to highlight these important character moments, it never loses sight of the fact that audiences tune in for small-town murders.

11 The Straw Woman

Season 7, Episode 6

While Barnaby is an effective detective with any case he comes up against, it is entertaining to see him thrust into new territory such as with the killer in "The Straw Woman." Using a festival in Midsomer Parva as their inspiration, a murderer burns the curate of a church in the middle of a Straw Woman effigy, prompting accusations of witchcraft and speculation about the supernatural. Because Midsomer Murders episodes deal in facts, it is interesting to see a case that suggests something a little more fantastical (even if it is just a ruse).

The episode examines how quickly the residents of a small town can turn on one another as people begin to accuse the herbalist of witchcraft and get close to advocating burning their “witches” at the stake. It is a fun commentary on the likes of the satanic panic and fear leading to hasty actions.

10 House In The Woods

Season 9, Episode 1

Another Midsomer Murders episode that uses a supernatural element in its story is "House in the Woods," which opens season 9. The episode centers around a supposedly haunted house in a small town that becomes the source of some interest for a young house-hunting couple. However, when the couple is killed, the fear surrounding the house intensifies. Once again, the paranoia in the face of the unexplained makes for one of the best Midsomer Murder episodes.

The haunted house aspect is actually one of the least interesting topics explored in the episode. Instead, the idea of outsiders coming into the small community makes for some fun moments. The episode is also notable for being the first with Barnaby's new partner, DS Ben Jones. The character wastes no time fitting in with a wry sense of humor and a good rapport with Barnaby.

9 Hidden Depths

Season 8, Episode 6

Midsomer Murders episodes can be divided into two categories: those that follow the “cozy murder mystery” setup of a series like Murder, She Wrote, and those that go for outlandish set-ups that belong in horror movies. “Hidden Depths” somehow manages to combine both of those to make for a truly memorable episode. All the murders in the episode are themed around wine, as one victim has wine bottles sent at his head and another is drowned in wine.

Tom Barnaby and his partner also find themselves trapped in a wine cellar at one point. The twists in the episode are not easy to unravel, making the mystery engaging while featuring memorable deaths. It is a bit of a silly episode at times, feeling like the themed killer stepped out of a different show, but Midsomer Murders once against proves it can change its tone while still delivering what fans expect.

8 The Green Man

Season 7, Episode 1

"The Green Man" takes a different approach than most Midsomer Murders episodes, splitting the investigative team up. Since the episode follows Sergent Troy’s (Daniel Casey) last case with Barnaby, Barnaby allows him to lead a separate investigation. That means there are two mysteries to solve in the episode, though they both wind up connected to one another in true detective show fashion.

Troy’s final episode makes this one of the most bittersweet installments of Midsomer Murders, but his looking into the harassment of an unhoused “wild man” in a small village — as well as the death of a teenager — proves that he’s ready to take on his own cases. David Bradley's performance as the wild man is one of the highlights of the episode which also features an early role from Henry Cavill.

7 Painted In Blood

Season 6, Episode 3

Though Midsomer Murders episodes follow a case-of-the-week format, the Barnaby family is always in the middle of events. That’s largely because Tom Barnaby spends the first several seasons often being late to family events because of his work commitments. This time around, however, it’s his wife who finds herself in the middle of things when she finds a dead body while participating in a watercolor painting exercise.

The case of the episode is a fascinating one for the series because Barnaby finds himself ordered off the case and the local officers left in charge don’t actually appear to be following up. While the murder investigations of the series are thrilling, it is nice to have episodes like this that delve deeper into the characters while still delivering excellent twists and humor. It is also a reminder that, even with a low body count, Midsomer Murders can still be a lot of fun.

6 Destroying Angel

Season 4, Episode 2

“Destroying Angel” gets its name from the type of mushroom used to poison some of the murder victims in the episode, and it’s apt since there is also an avenging angel in the plot too. The episode focuses on employees who have inherited shares in a hotel from the owner being picked off one by one and Barnaby having to figure out if someone is after their inheritance or if there’s another connection between the victims.

The episode features one of the most fascinating murderers in the series — a character who barely has to leave his home to work out just what secrets the other people in town have been hiding. This Midsomer Murders episode also features a colorful cast of supporting characters, helping to bring the small town to life, something the series really excels at.

5 Last Year’s Model

Season 9, Episode 7

DCI Tom Barnaby has a constable sit in on Annie Woodrow’s trial for bludgeoning someone to death. There had been seemingly watertight evidence — a reliable eyewitness, and Annie caught in a web of lies — but Tom thinks there’s more to the story. As the trial continues, he continues to investigate the case with his constable.

Any episode of Midsomer Murders where one of the detectives thinks a mistake has been made in a past case is an interesting one. Barnaby is the kind of heroic detective who isn't always concerned with operating within the confines of the job. It allows the audience to see that even the most airtight of cases in a mystery series could be manipulated by other events in the story. It's also refreshing to see a detective reexamining their own case instead of finding fault with someone else's.

4 Ghosts Of Christmas Past

Season 7, Episode 7

This season seven Midsomer Murders episode features a family that reunites for Christmas nine years after one of them, Ferdy Villiers, died by suicide. There’s clear tension in the family which culminates when grandmother Lydia Villiers is killed. As DCI Tom Barnaby investigates, it becomes clear that there are many secrets in the house. Eventually, it’s uncovered that Ferdy’s fiancée also died by suicide very soon after his death, and suddenly there might be someone out for revenge.

A good holiday episode is hard to come by in a detective series because the focus is on the murder mystery itself. With a difficult-to-unravel murder case alongside the dysfunctional family and the Barnaby family's attempt to celebrate the season, however, everything comes together. Given how effective Barnaby is in his job, it is fun to see him flustered by a simple holiday get-together such as his hilariously subtle reaction to seeing that his in-laws brought Monopoly.

3 Death’s Shadow

Season 2, Episode 1

In Midsomer Murders season 2, real estate developer Richard Bailey is killed, leaving many suspects, as people in the village were opposed to his new plan to redevelop a historic property. To add interest, Bailey’s childhood friend Ian Eastman also wanted to develop the property but lost to Bailey. When a second murder is discovered DCI Barnaby must find the link between the two deaths, which may go back 30 years.

There's a great blend of humor and darkness in Midsomer Murders episodes, and "Death's Shadow" is one of the best examples of balancing that. It's also got that same cozy small-town mystery feel to it that makes the show's popularity endure. The setting is used to great effect in this particular episode with a theme of trying to keep the history of the small town intact.

2 The Killings At Badger’s Drift

Season 1, Episode 1

The very first Midsomer Murders episode is also among the best. Emily Simpson is found dead in her house — many think it was an accident but DCI Barnaby’s instincts lead him to believe that it was murder. There is the possibility that she saw something she shouldn’t have while biking through the woods, but her death may also be linked to another “accidental death” the previous year. When two other residents of Badger’s Drift are murdered, Barnaby discovers an illicit love affair, blackmail, and other creepy characters.

As the premiere episode of the series, this was the one that got many viewers hooked. It’s still a fan favorite because of a clear murder mystery with surprising twists and turns that still hold up 22 years later. "The Killin's At Badger's Drift" is the blueprint for a good Midsomer Murders episode.

1 Judgment Day

Season 3, Episode 3

The village of Midsomer Mallow is competing for the “perfect village” title when a resident is killed with a pitchfork. Peter Drinkwater was a thief and womanizer, so there are a lot of initial suspects, including a jealous husband, a spurned lover, and a robbery victim. Of course, several people in the village only care about how the death will impact the voting for the perfect village title, which draws them under suspicion too.

Naturally, the answers lie in the past, and it is up to DCI Barnaby to figure out what happened in a murder 45 years earlier in order to get his answer to the murder today. This Midsomer Murders episode combines the quaint loveliness of the English countryside with a solid mystery that is full of surprises. It combines elements of some of the best mysteries in the series to create a compelling story. Peter Drinkwater is also one of Orlando Bloom’s earliest roles, a connection that helps bring in new viewers to this day.