A Grain of Truth is the third episode of the twenty-third series of the popular ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders and originally aired on 26th December 2022.
Synopsis[]
A trendy organic bakery in a restored mill is causing resentment amongst several villagers. Causton CID don't take the complaints too seriously until several people are dosed with a dangerous hallucinogenic. Then the first death occurs.
Plot[]
Chrissie and Tom Larkton are performing a video for Larktons Mill: "The old mill is finally back up and running with the addition of a state of the art water tower making us fully sustainable. That means we can now make our own 100% organic flour with clean and renewable energy. Our waterside cafe is now open and so far we've been overwhelmed by your incredible support." They go inside the bakery and introduce the employees: Head miller, Gabriel Arnson and his talented apprentice, Clare Simkins and Ricky Naybury.
At the pub, Denise Bantrig calls her husband to watch the video. "Ricky Naybury has stolen from everyone in this village. You know what Tom Larkton's big plans are? Bars, lodges, restaurants. Our business is already half dead. But that would finish us off. Not that you seem to care." Silas Bantrig says he doesn't know what Denise expects him to do about it. Something, she says. Denise calls someone and tells them they need to escalate their plans.
By the river, Maria Cignoni lays flowers at her son Michael's grave. She looks over at the mill. At home, Chrissie Larkton opens a package with a cake inside. As she slices the cake, red liquid drips out. Inside it says "Cursed." She asks her husband Tom Larkton whether they should call the police. He says no, it's just some crank.
In her restaurant, Maria Cignoni watches the video posted by the Larktons. Her son, Bobby Cignoni, tells her to turn it off. She says you have to know your enemies to defeat them. She points to a photo of her son Michael. He was a fighter- he would have know exactly what to do.
At the police station, DCI John Barnaby shows up to work and DS Jamie Winter asks why he is in. He thought Barnaby was on leave. Barnaby says Sarah's friend is in town visiting and they never really hit it off. "She's lived in California far too long and is always on a mission to convert you to the latest fad. Last time it was eating raw." Winter says he will look forward to meeting her. Barnaby says "She'll love you- she's only into toy boys." Winter says "Age is just a number."
At the Lodge House, Chrissie is looking at her phone. She tells Tom that the response to the Larkton's video was positive except for an anonymous post saying that they are lying about being 100% organic. The post claims that Herron's Farm uses pesticides. "I know this from an OFFICIAL source and have PROOF!" Chrissie tells Tom that Nathan Duncroft would never do that. Tom leaves to go talk to Nathan.
Jack Duncroft walks into his kitchen coughing and opens a letter from Department of Agriculture and Farming. Jack asks Nathan why he hadn't told him about it. Nathan says that Jack has been so ill and he had to make a decision. Tom walks in and asks if Nathan is using pesticides under the radar. Nathan says no, but they've had crop contamination in the past. Jack says none of the grain they've sold to Tom has used pesticides. Tom yells at them and walks out. Nathan runs after him. "We really need this contract." Tom says "Sorry Nathan."
At the Lodge House, Chrissie is looking at texts on her phone and sees one asking if she "enjoyed the cake." Chrissie shows Tom the texts.
At the police station, Winter tells Barnaby he has received an unusual request from on high. Tom and Chrissie Larkton, celebrities in the baking world- The Larktons restored the old mill but the locals aren't happy about it. The businesses are losing money. Denise Bantrig of the Highwayman Inn is leading a protest, Chrissie Larkton is receiving death threats. She received a cake with the word CURSED carved into the cake using pig's blood. "Due to the Larkton's high profile nature, the powers that be want us to check it out," says Winter.
Chrissie Larkton tells Barnaby and Winter that the cake really got to her. She doesn't know who it is from. They've closed the mill early that day for a private event- A Midsomer's Eve party for everyone in the village to help build bridges with the neighbors. Chrissie says she grew up in the village. The mill has been in her family since 1821. After her mother died, her father carried on as long as he could but there was no interest in organic flour back then and he couldn't compete with the factory mills. The mill has been the scene of several tragic deaths, including Chrissie's mother. Locals think it's due to some ancient curse. Now the demand for organic flour outstrips the supply.
In the mill, the bakers are busily working with dough. Tom asks Clare where the mixed seeds are. Clare goes to look for the seeds.
Nathan comes to talk to Chrissie about the grain contract. His dad is ill and he needs the contract. Chrissie says that Nathan made the decision to use pesticides and she doesn't want to lose their organic status. Nathan says he's always defended Chrissie in the village.
The mill workers set up tables and put out breads and cheeses and fruit for the party. Chrissie and Tom do another video about their party: "Midsomer's Eve has been celebrated at the mill for over 300 years. A tradition we can't wait to revive."
At Denise's pub, all the villagers congregate. She has planned for no one to attend the party. "Look's like we've done it ladies and gents. First drink on the house for supporting the cause." Tom looks out at the empty party. Gabriel says "The press want to know what is going on." Tom tells Ricky to dump all the food and take down everything. He answers his phone and says "I told you to stop calling me."
At the Highway Man Pub, Silas brings out rolls to sell. Chrissie sits in her home and starts to feel ill after eating a roll. She starts to hear voices. At the Highway Man, Denise toasts the villagers and thanks them for coming. Then she starts hallucinating. Other villagers start to hallucinate. Chrissie wanders down to the river. Gabriel runs up to her and grabs her before she goes in and she passes out. Tom calls an ambulance. Winter tells Barnaby about the news from the mill and the reports of poisoning at the Highwayman, possibly from seeded rolls.
At the Highway Man Pub, Denise Bantrig tells Winter she wanted to teach the mill a lesson. "They think they can click their fingers and we'll all come running and everything will be tickety-boo." So they had an alternate party for the villagers. Denise had the hallucinations just like Chrissie. Winter asks if they had any seeded rolls. Silas says they used their normal supplier. But their pub was robbed- their emergency cash tin. After Winter leaves, Silas tells Denise that he got cheap rolls from Ricky Naybury. Denise tells him to "Sort Ricky out."
At the lab, Fleur says the seeds used on the rolls was actually a fungus- ergot. The infection replaces individual grain with dark hard ergots that mixed in with healthy grains. Symptoms are seizures, hallucinations, psychosis, mania, and delirium. High level brain processes such as perception, memory can be affected. It was more of a problem in the 17th century. These days with stringent quality checks, Ergot is extremely rare.
Gabriel tells Winter and Barnaby every sack of grain is subject to stringent quality control. The seeds are hand-sifted and stored in jars. Gabriel checks everything. Clare says that yesterday Tom told her to get mixed seeds. She went to fetch some but the jar was empty. He went mental and told her to find some. When she went back the jar was full. She thought Gabriel refilled it.
Winter says that Silas told him that all his food served last night were from their regular supplier, but CCTV from a cottage opposite the Highwayman Inn captured someone delivering rolls to the pub. They show the video to Tom and asks if he recognizes who it is.
MURDER 1: Jack Duncroft asks Nathan if he caused all the trouble with the grain, Nathan tells him to go back inside- He has to finish cleaning the silo. <CUE OMINOUS MUSIC> Someone locks Nathan inside the silo while he is vacuuming. Winter and Barnaby show up at Herron's Farm. Winter says they've had issues with ergot in the past. In the silo, grain starts coming in. Nathan pounds on the door, trying to get out. He gets smothered with grain.
Winter asks about how the door was bolted on the outside. It was no accident. Who would have wanted Nathan dead? His father, Jack, tells the police that ergot is used in certain unorthodox homeopathic compounds. People pay a lot of money for this. They didn't incinerate the ergot. They were selling it illegally. When Tom Larkton cancelled their contract, Nathan wanted to hurt them. Nathan didn't want to kill anyone though.
At Gabriel's house, the police investigate. Gabriel claims Ricky stole his keys and broke into his house. Tom's his sponsor and won't hear a word against him. Gabriel saw him arguing with Nathan yesterday.
Lara Milton arrives at the Larktons Mill to participate in the Master Class at the mill. She is staying at the cottage. She is using a false name- Sophie Rendal.
Winter shows Ricky the video where the man is delivering rolls to the Highwayman Inn. Ricky admits he lied about taking the rolls to the Highwayman. He didn't know the rolls were poisoned.
Denise is talking to Maria in the pub. Lara is listening in. Denise says she had a call from her landlord about her lease renewal. The landlord said he had another offer from Tom Larkton. Silas said it's not a done deal yet. Denise says "we need to act now." Lara starts recording the conversation. Maria says "the Larktons have stirred up the dark waters." Then there is Nathan- word is it's murder. Denise says she wouldn't put it past Tom to murder Nathan.
At the Barnaby's home, Vanessa tells Winter "it is so lovely to meet an Englishman who knows how to dress. Poor Johnny here doesn't have a clue." Vanessa says she is here for a week, possibly longer. John Barnaby looks panicky. Sarah tells Vanessa she can stay as long as she likes. Vanessa had once helped Sarah get a flight when her aunt was dying in Sydney. Vanessa is always generous. Sarah and Vanessa did spa today and tomorrow is the Master Class at the Larktons. Vanessa says they could be eyes and ears "on the ground." She says she can liaise with Winter if he'll give her his number.
Tom Larkton knocks on the cottage and finds Lara. Tom says he told her it is over. And Lara says she always gets what she wants. They kiss and go into the cottage. Meanwhile, that night at the Lodge House, Chrissie is having nightmares. She sees a man at the window. She screams at seeing blood on her hands.
Barnaby brings Winter coffee at the police station. Winter might need it after last night. Vanessa "took quite a shine to him." Winter tells Barnaby he always fancied being "a kept man." Barnaby says, "So did all her other conquests carelessly discarded around the globe." A report from Tech comes in that the author of the pesticide post is Denise Bantrig.
Tom is sitting on the bench outside the Lodge House. Chrissie says she was trying to find him. The face at the window came back. He hugs her. Lara walks through the gate and says "So wonderful to see such a happy couple after so many years of marriage." Chrissie says she hopes Tom managed to light her fire last night. Lara replies she hasn't slept so well in years.
Barnaby goes by to Denise's. "Online trolling is a criminal offense." She abused her position on the parish council to bring down the Larktons. And her actions had far more serious consequences at Herron's Farm. Denise says she was so angry about the Larktons plans to put them all out of business. Denise admits she sent the Cursed cake to Chrissie. But, Nathan might still be alive if Denise hadn't posted about the pesticides.
Maria says she supports the protest against the Larktons. They says the Larktons will be defeated by the curse. The mill was always known as Abigdon Mill from the book of Revelation. A place of destruction. realm of the dead. Marie's son drowned there. It was an accident that never would have happened if Bobby hadn't left Michael alone.
At the Master Class, Tom starts the class while the camera for the Vlog rolls. Vanessa tries to seduce Tom. He tells her to watch Sarah. Lara asks Tom how she is doing. Sarah tells Vanessa she might have a rival.
Winter tells Barnaby about Maria's claims that the mill is haunted. Barnaby says they might need paranormal investigators. "A new career for you, sir," says Winter.
After the loaves of bread are baked in the Master Class, Tom inspects them. Vanessa says she might need private lessons- her bread is flat. Tom tells her not to get discouraged. Sarah's bake, however, is perfection. Tom says Sarah is the star pupil and gives her a trophy. Vanessa says "You've always been more suited to basic tasks." Vanessa walks out. She tells Sarah she is going to a spa/restaurant. Then, Vanessa goes back into the classroom to talk to Tom and overhears Lara talking to Tom. Lara tells Tom she recorded some negative things at the pub last night. Lara threatens to sell the story. Vanessa interrupts them. She then waits for Winter outside the classroom and tells Winter what she overheard.
Winter goes to look for Bobby in the woods. He runs away. Winter chases him. Back at the Italian Restaurant, Bobby tells Barnaby and Winter that Nathan was his friend and lover. They met at a shepherd's hut deep in the woods. He went to the hut, but Nathan never arrived. His mother is disappointed enough in him already and holds him responsible for his brother's death. So it was easier to keep quiet about their relationship. The ergot was Bobby's idea. He planted the seeds at the mill. Nathan knew nothing about it.
Winter tells Barnaby what Vanessa overheard. Sophie Rendal is really Lara Milton. Lara is threatening to expose Tom to the press.
At the cottage, Tom tells Lara he loves her. He tells her they will have to take it slow as he can't afford a scandal right now. Ricky sees them together- he tells Tom what would Chrissie say? What would the press say? Tom says he lied for Ricky to the police. Ricky says he will lie for him but it will cost him.
MURDER 2: Ricky gets a text and goes to the mill that evening. He shuffles through some bags on the floor and a bag of grain falls from above and crushes him.
Clare says Ricky wasn't a saint, but he didn't deserve death. She saw him yesterday after work. He told her he had things to do and she should wait for him at home. But he never showed up. When she arrived for work, the door was unlocked. The door is always locked. When Ricky and Clare had passed Nathan on the path the other day, he recognized Clare's necklace that Ricky had given her. Nathan said it was his late mother's. Clare says Ricky wouldn't have stolen it. He loved Clare.
At the pub, Denise tells Silas that the landlord has agreed to sign the lease over to Tom Larkton. They have 3 months left. Denise yells at Silas for not doing something earlier. At least Ricky Naybury is dead, she says. "That got you off the hook. Unless you killed him. But even you wouldn't be that stupid." Silas promises to put things right.
Tom said he knows what is like to be abandoned and that's why he tried to help Ricky. Chrissie covers for Tom. After the police leave she wants to know where Tom was. The police go to interview Lara. She says she is there to do a piece on the mill. She thought it would be better if she used a false name. She says that she and Tom were vague acquaintances years ago. At Ricky's place, the cops find something behind an air vent. It is a box he stole from Gabriel.
At the mill, Gabriel is talking to Chrissie. Gabriel says "The last time I shut the mill, was the day your father had died." "Maybe it should be shut down," says Chrissie. She thought Tom was like dad, full of love and passion for the mill, but everything he said about wanting to be part of the community was a lie. Tom made an offer for Denise's pub.
Winter finds out that Tom Larkton was a serial offender in his youth. His crimes involved acts of violence. But they all occurred under age 18. Then he was taken on by a mentor and became a baker.
The cops found Ricky's phone in the pond. They find an image of a silver necklace shaped like a horn. The image was taken the day after Gabriel's house was broken into. Maria is wearing a similar looking necklace in a photo.
Tom is in the kitchen and Lara sneaks up on him. She is heading back to London until this all dies down. She says Tom is using Chrissie like he's used her. She will call him and if he doesn't pick up she will call Chrissie. Tom is turning off the lights in the bakery kitchen and then is hit on the head.
Barnaby goes to the restaurant and asks Maria about the horn shaped necklace she is wearing. She recognizes it- it was Michaels. It was supposed to protect him from evil..
Back at the lodge, Chrissie is calling Tom and can't find him. She sees Silas. Then she sees Tom lying on the ground with a rope tied around him and the other end tied to the water wheel. She desperately tries to untie him. Winter races to the scene. Gabriel says he can't turn off the wheel. Winter jumps in and grabs Tom. He manages to save him. Tom is taken to the hospital. Chrissie has a memory where a man is trying to grab her. Gabriel tells the police that he saw Silas running away from the mill not long before Tom was found. At the pub, the police ask Silas what he was doing. He says he was going to poison the water supply. Then he saw Tom about to be dragged into the water. So he ran away.
Gabriel's box that Ricky stole had the necklace in it. So why did Gabriel say he hadn't seen it? At Gabriel's home, the door is open and Barnaby and Winter walk in calling for Gabriel. Winter finds a photo of a young Chrissie in a book. They see a ribbon that matches the one in her hair. They go downstairs and find a room with photos of Chrissie and dolls and a necklace. It's a shrine to Chrissie. Gabriel shows up and claims he found the necklace washed up. Chrissie comes behind Gabriel. She has more memories and runs back upstairs.
Chrissie goes to the river where Michael's tombstone is. Chrissie says "It was him" pointing to Gabriel. "He's to blame for all of it." Her hallucinations were never illusions. They were recovered memories. She consumed rolls that had Ergot that brought the memories back. Twenty years ago, she saw Michael drown. Blood was found on a rock by the edge. He had high levels of alcohol in his blood. It was assumed he slipped. But Chrissies says Michael had been pursuing her for months. She told him no but he wouldn't give up. His mother thought he was the perfect son, but Michael was sadistic and predatory. Chrissie was walking back from the village when Michael chased after her. Gabriel pulled Michael off of her and pushed him. Michael fell and must have hit his head before he fell in the water. Gabriel pulled Chrissie away from trying to save Michael and said it was divine justice. When Chrissie saw the blood on the rocks, she passed out. Gabriel took a chance that she wouldn't remember. Gabriel killed Nathan because he poisoned Christie with Ergot. He didn't know that Nathan hadn't planted the Ergot. Nathan was innocent. When Ricky found the horn necklace in Gabriels' box he had stolen, he threatened to tell the police. Gabriel lured him to the mill and killed him. Gabriel tried to kill Tom because he had been having an affair and was betraying Chrissie. Gabriel only wanted to protect Chrissie and the mill.
At the Barnaby home, Vanessa shows up. Her trip to the spa was a bust. No sauna, no jacuzzi at the spa. So she is says she is taking Barnaby and Sarah somewhere expensive. Sarah tells her they have to pick up Betty so can't go, so Vanessa goes off by herself. Barnaby says "I thought Betty was at your mother's for one more night." "Yeah she is," replies Sarah.
Cast[]
- Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby
- Nick Hendrix as DS Jamie Winter
- Fiona Dolman as Sarah Barnaby
- Annette Badland as Fleur Perkins
- Rebecca Night as Chrissie Larkton
- Robert Gilbert as Tom Larkton
- Paul Chahidi as Gabriel Arnson
- Natasha Atherton as Lara Milton
- Chris Coniston as Ricky Naybury
- Jo Martin as Denise Bantrig
- Martin Trenaman as Silas Bantrig
- Flaminia Cinque as Maria Cignoni
- Jola Jassy as Clare Simkins
- Geoffrey Lumb as Nathan Duncroft
- Laila Rouass as Vanessa Debouverie
- Harry Taurasi as Bobby Cignoni
- Russell Floyd as Jack Duncroft
Galleries[]
Body Count[]
Prior to the Episode
Fell in the river and was allowed to drown by murderer 20 years ago.
In the Episode
Was cleaning out the grain silo and the door was locked and grain dumped in from the top. He suffocated.
When looking for blackmail money, he was hit on the head by a bag of grain.
Supporting Cast[]
Episode Images[]
Arrests[]
- Gabriel Arnson- Arrested for the murders of Nathan Duncroft and Ricky Naybury and the attempted murder of Tom Larkton.
- Denise Bantrig- Arrested for harassment and online trolling of Chrissie Larkton and for the Cursed Cake she sent her.
- Bobby Cignoni- Possibly arrested for putting Ergot in the seeds used at the Larkton mill.
Trivia[]
The Trials and Tribulations of Jamie Winter: Another outfit bites the dust when Jamie has to jump into the river to save Tom Larkton.
Throughout the episode the promotional videos for Larkton's Mill feature a made-up website address, http://www.larktonsmill.co.uk/. However, the showrunners had not secured the domain. Instead, an animal sanctuary secured ownership after the episode aired and redirected it to https://www.ballydidean.farm/midsomer. As of May 5th, 2024, the redirect seems to be inactive.