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The Killings at Badger’s Drift
- Midsomer Murders Mystery, Book 1
- Narrated by: John Hopkins
- Series: Chief Inspector Barnaby Series, Book 1
- Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery
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Summary
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.
Critic reviews
"Simply the best detective writer since Agatha Christie." (The Sunday Times)
"A mystery of which Agatha Christie would have been proud.... A beautifully written crime novel." (The Times)
"Tension builds, bitchery flares, resentment seethes...lots of atmosphere, colourful characters and fair clues." (Mail on Sunday)
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What listeners say about The Killings at Badger’s Drift
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Barre
- 18-04-22
Fantastic- 5 star
I have waited so long for this book to come available on audible, and it didn't disappoint. Loved every minute of it 😊
2 people found this helpful
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- Patricia
- 17-04-22
Midsummer Murders - my favourite
I love Midsummer Murders and now I love the Audible books as well. Well written and well performed.
2 people found this helpful
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- Mrs
- 30-04-22
A great listen!
thoroughly enjoyed this audio edition. the narration was great. I'm really hoping all Caroline Graham book make it to audio. next one in series out soon! don't keep us waiting audible!
1 person found this helpful
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- dandyrosie
- 28-06-22
Better than the TV series
Guilty secret... I actually love the tv show Midsommer Murders... I happily moan for two hours on how Midsommer is the murder capital of the world and even the local newspaper doesn’t even report on the three brutal murders (plus the one attempt) that happens every weekend. So I was looking forward to listening to the very first book and wasn’t disappointed as it was actually a good entertaining story. I’m going to buy book 2 now... so hopefully that’ll be as entertaining and as well read as this one.
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- Ms. C. M. Hudspeth
- 17-06-22
brilliant
if u love midsomer murders I
u will love this a very good book
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- Richard Maidment
- 31-05-22
Cosy Crime at its best.
Having never read anything written by Caroline Graham before but having watched lots of the televised series, I was pleasantly surprised to find this audible very enjoyable and easy to listen to. The Narrator was very good. I especially liked the descriptions of the location which conjured up a 'chocolate box' cottage surrounded by cottage gardens, reminiscent of Agatha Christie in many ways.Amidst the gruesome scenes of crime, there is mirth with Joyce Barnaby's cooking failures, and Tom Barnaby's frustration with Troy's shortcomings. A Murder Mystery to solve in the heart of Rural England!
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- Kindle Customer
- 26-05-22
what an experience!
What a joy to listen to a wonderful plot, read by a wonderful narrator. Can't wait to hear the next in this series. Thank you!
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- Kindle Customer
- 09-05-22
Mis-casting for tv.
TV changed Troy to a more affable, likeable character, book was more like tv's Scott.
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- Amazon Customer
- 01-04-22
yes!!
I have been waiting forever for this. Thank you so much, keep them coming! I binged the whole thing in one setting
6 people found this helpful
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- Audible Listener
- 10-04-22
Well Done John Hopkins
John Hopkins's performance was excellent and I'm glad a former cast regular was chosen to narrate. As John Nettles said in the preface, the book offers so much more character development and depth than a television program can do with its time restrictions. Very enjoyable overall.
4 people found this helpful
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- Kenneth Siess
- 03-04-22
LOVE IT!!!
What a great book. Even better than the TV show. Which I am a huge fan. Just different enough from the show, to keep it interesting and keeping you guessing.
3 people found this helpful
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- Donna
- 29-04-22
5
Thanks to those who wrote a review - I forced myself to buy this and I enjoyed it. Not a fan of
the TV version
The character development fleshed out in the original book version fascinated me. I had no idea that Detective # 2 was such a prickly pepper. This is where books beat TV and movies.
2 people found this helpful
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- SB
- 03-04-22
At last!
This is an excellent story with great narration. I love the TV series, but the books are even better. I'm excited this series is finally available in audio format.
2 people found this helpful
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- OneCheekyMonkey
- 01-06-22
An All Time Favorite!
So happy these are finally coming out in audio book!!! Can't wait for the next one!
1 person found this helpful
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- carol m. yates
- 21-05-22
Midsummer Murder lover…..
Thank you, been waiting for this series to come to Audible for such a long time. Did not disappoint! We all know Midsommer Murders, its been on British TV for 20+ years, and are so special. So, let’s stop talking about the TV program and concentrate on the book/series, very good. Well done Caroline Graham, an excellently crafted and twisted detective story, with a fabulous setting, rural England and some interesting and idiosyncratic characters (typical rural Brits). Overall yet another Detective series I am so excited it’s now on Audible.
Looking forward to Audible adding more book in the series, PLEASE keep John Hopkins as narrator for all books. ❤️
1 person found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 10-05-22
INCREDIBLE!
All I can say is, WOW! What an amazing book! As a long-time devoted fan of Midsomer Murders, I can honestly say the book is 10X better. Caroline Graham describes the characters and settings so well you really feel like you're there in the scene. And the fact that the narrator is an actor who starred in Midsomer makes it even better. Probably one of the best books I've ever read. The only way I could have enjoyed it more is if I didn't already know the ending.
1 person found this helpful
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- Rosie Gibson
- 08-05-22
Finally
I have watched this series and was dying to get the audio books, and I was not disappointed. The narration was good and the story was great.
1 person found this helpful
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- Teri Stricklin
- 30-04-22
loved it
I fell in love with the show when I accidentally ran across it scrolling for something to watch. as much as I love the show, of course, as always with any show/movie that originated from a book, the book is 10 times better. I can't wait to read the rest of them.
1 person found this helpful