The Killings at Badger's Drift is the first spectacular instalment in the Midsomer Murders series and the story that inspired the ITV hit drama, now featuring an exclusive foreword by John Nettles, who played best-loved TV detective and star of Midsomer Murders, DCI Tom Barnaby.

The village of Badger's Drift is the essence of tranquillity. But when resident and well-loved spinster Miss Simpson takes a stroll in the nearby woods, she stumbles across something she was never meant to see, and there's only one way to keep her quiet.

Miss Simpson's death is not suspicious, say the villagers. But Miss Lucy Bellringer refuses to rest: her friend has been murdered. She is sure of it.

She calls on Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby to investigate, and it isn't long until the previously unseen seamy side of Badger's Drift is brought to light. But as old rivalries, past loves and new scandals surface, the next murder is not far away.

'Simply the best detective writer since Agatha Christie.'
The Sunday Times

'One to savour'
Val McDermid, bestselling author of the Lindsay Gordon series

'Everyone gets what they deserve in this high-class mystery.'
Sunday Telegraph

'Tension builds, bitchery flares, resentment seethes ... lots of atmosphere, colourful characters and fair clues.'
Mail on Sunday

'A mystery of which Agatha Christie would have been proud ... A beautifully written crime novel.'
The Times