Things That Go Bump in the Night is the first episode of the eighth series of the popular ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders and originally aired on 10th October 2004.
Synopsis[]
DCI Barnaby and DS Scott investigate the murder an undertaker in the village of Fletcher's Cross. The man died soon after his return home after attending a service at the local spiritualist church, itself the source of some controversy in the village. As the investigation progresses, the police learn that the man was generally disliked. Former employees, business partners and others all had a grudge against him of one sort or another. Barnaby believes the head of the Spiritualist church to be a charlatan and while there is a link to the ever increasing number of murder victims, the solution to the crimes is to be found in an illicit love affair.
Plot, Part 1[]
At a service at The Fletcher's Cross Spirit of Friendship Church, Rosetta Price says a prayer. She then contacts her spirit guide...She says, "Charlotte? Are you there, Charlotte? Will you speak to us? Charlotte. Charlotte?" The audience watches her.
Patrick Pennyman drives to his funeral home. He comes in to his office. Then into the Chapel of Rest.
Rosetta says, "There you are! (In spirit guide's child-like voice) I see the child. No, no. A girl. Younger than me. Yes, younger. And...a gate. A wooden gate. A five-barred gate." (Gasps)
At the home, Janet Pennyman yells, "Patrick! Patrick?" She goes upstairs to the office. Then to the Chapel of Rest.
Rosetta says, "Sorrow. Sorrow! Patrick? (Thomas Marr walks out) There will be sorrow... (..for someone this evening. A great deal of sorrow."
MURDER 1: Janet finds Patrick's body on the floor and goes outside. Janet puts her hand in her mouth and stares wildly around. She moans, "Aaagh! Aaagh! Aaagh! Aaaaagh! Aaagh! Aaagh!" Two women come up to see what is wrong.
Thomas Marr walks down the street. He walks down the alley. John Whittle picks up programs at the Spirit of Friendship church. Rosetta says, "I had the feeling we were well-visited this evening." Eve Whittle counts the money and says, "Not so bad." Rosetta says, "There was such an energy. I could almost touch it." Eve gives her the money. John raises an eyebrow and smirks. Thomas goes into his shop, The Crystal Goddess. ( Bell and chimes jangle ) He straightens out a card above rocks. There are fairies and geodes.
At the Barnaby home, Cully comes in and offers a hand. Joyce is dining out with a friend, Elizabeth Key, who she met at the library.
At dinner, Elizabeth says, "The medium's name is Rosetta. She goes into these trances." Joyce says, "Rosetta?" Elizabeth says, "Bet she wasn't born with that name! Anyway, when she's in one of her trances she makes contact with the dear departed. The people in the audience love it. Sometimes it scares them, but they really love it." Joyce asks, "But, Elizabeth, why do you bother going to such places? Watching lonely people trying to make contact with the dead?" Elizabeth jokes, "Right now it's easier than trying to make contact with the living."
Barnaby arrives at the crime scene. Anne Marr is with Janet Pennyman. Barnaby asks for details about her Patrick Pennyman. "When did you last see your husband alive." Janet says, "This afternoon. He came up here for a cup of tea. It was about... erm...two o'clock..he went to the local church. He said he had to see something there." Barnaby asks, "Do you know if there was anything... troubling him?" Janet sobs and says, "He was the kind of man who didn't show his feelings."
Dr. George Bullard says, "I have some cheerful news for you. He didn't kill himself. Unless he managed to come back from the dead and hide the knife used to slash his wrists. I also think he was struck from behind by something fairly heavy." Barnaby goes back in the other room to ask Anne, "I'm told that you were outside in the street about the same time that Mr Pennyman's body was found. Did you see anyone leaving the premises?" Anne says, "I wasn't really looking." Janet asks, "What is it? Tell me." Barnaby says, "We don't think your husband took his own life. (Janet tears up and Anne comforts her) I'm sorry. Mrs Pennyman, did your husband have any enemies?" Janet says, "Er...no. No. No. He was well respected. Well, some people might have found him difficult to get on with. He was a no-nonsense sort of man. He didn't suffer fools. (Whimpers) Poor Patrick!"
Anne runs to the shop. She yells to her brother, "Thomas? Thomas. I've got news for you. You've lost your part-time job. Patrick Pennyman. He's dead. Somebody killed him. Left him to bleed to death in his own chapel of rest." Thomas picks up an amethyst geode.
Joyce tells Barnaby about her dinner last night. "Elizabeth dropped me off yesterday evening, and I asked her in. I wanted you to meet her. We had a lovely time. She's great to be with. She was telling me about some spiritualist meeting she went to just for the fun of it. It's the way she is. She grew up in Midsomer, but moved away. She's only recently come back."
John Whittle is fixing a light at the Spirit of Friendship Church. His wife, Eve, moves his toolbox off of a table and says "Not on here." John comes down the ladder and puts the toolbox back up and packs up. He says, "I don't have to help your boss, you know. I do this for you. If I didn't she'd have you running around. You do enough for her as it is. Oh. Shan't be home till late. Too much work on, love. Shame about old Pennyman. I bet them spirits of hers are having a laugh. Cos the dead will have to die elsewhere now, won't they?" He laughs and carries his ladder and toolbox to the door. Eve says, "John. You shouldn't make fun of Rosetta, or what she does. I believe in her." John says, "I know you do."
Barnaby and Scott are at the funeral home. Barnaby says, "His name is Patrick Pennyman. He owned this place. He was killed early yesterday evening." They watch a body being taken to a hearse. Scott says, "For an undertaker he's not exactly travelling in style." Barnaby says, "No." They go inside and upstairs. "His wife was just upstairs. She heard nothing. There were neighbours outside. They saw nothing. Still I suppose it is a fairly busy street. People come and go." Barnaby shows Scott the blood stains on the floor in the chapel. "This is where he was. Didn't lock the door after he came in." Scott says, "Could be robbery, sir." Barnaby says, "Apparently not. Which means we've got to find out a little more about this man. Scott, you can make a start by introducing yourself to his next of kin Mrs Pennyman. Now, it's a difficult time for her, all right? But we need a list of all the recent funerals handled by her husband."
Plot, Part 2[]
Barnaby goes to the nearby church. (Church organ plays) He goes to look at graves. A woman walks up with a watering can and asks, "Are you looking for a particular gravestone?" Barnaby says, "No. No, I'm not." The woman says, "I see. Just browsing, is that it?" Barnaby says, "Causton CID. I'm Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby. (He shows her his ID). And you are?" She says, "Sylvia Burgess. I do voluntary work here. Someone has to. The rector has to spread himself around three parishes. And he's not a well man. Would you believe that Fletcher's Cross once had a church and two chapels? By the way, my husband's choirmaster. Only you wouldn't think so from the racket he's making."
Scott looks through files in the office of the funeral home. Janet comes up and says, "I'm sorry I can't be of more help. Patrick never wanted me to get involved in the business. But now there's so much for me to do." Scott says, "Is there...is there no-one else to help you, Mrs Pennyman?" Janet says, "My sister and her husband are coming down from Yorkshire next week. They're a very efficient couple. They'll know what to do." Scott says, "But your husband, he didn't employ any full-time staff?" Janet says, "Thomas used to work for him on a part-time basis. Thomas Marr. He owns the crystal shop in Market Street. (Scott makes a note of this). A couple of the local lads used to get hired as pallbearers from time to time. Mind you, they had to provide their own suits. Patrick wasn't silly with money. He did have a partner once. Did he? Who was that? Jimmy. James Griss. Mind you, they didn't get on They were always arguing. They even almost came to blows once during a funeral service. It was very embarrassing for the mourners." Scott asks, "You got any idea where this James Griss is now?" Janet says she hasn't seen him since the partnership ended. That was a couple of years ago.
Barnaby asks Sylvia if Patrick Pennyman was responsible for most of the recent burials at the church? Sylvia says he's been responsible for all of them. Barnaby asks if she can think of anyone who'd want to harm him? Providing a poor service. (Organ music) Sylvia tells her husband to cut it out. (Music stops) Sylvia says, "No. I can't think of anyone. Of course, Patrick Pennyman was a skinflint. Would that be reason enough?" To her husband, Ronald Burgess, she says, "This is Mr Barnaby from Causton CID. I was about to tell him why this village is going even further into decline. There are now wicked things here." Ronald says, "Sylvia! Please." Sylvia says, "It's true. There's another form of worship here in Fletcher's Cross. It's one that doesn't allow souls to rest in peace." Ronald says, "The Spirit of Friendship Group." Sylvia says, "The rector's too ill, and too busy to see it. But some of us are not happy. We believe that the dead should stay dead." She leaves. Barnaby walks out of the church. Ronald says, "Sorry about that, Mr Barnaby. Sylvia gets a bit overexcited at times. That spiritualist lot has never bothered me personally. The thing is...Fletcher's Cross is a close community. Too close sometimes. Most wouldn't want people getting in touch with their dead relatives. Too many secrets."
Thomas Marr comes to the funeral home. Janet hides a booklet in a drawer. Thomas says, "I just thought I'd drop by to offer my condolences. This must be a very sad time for you. There's just one small problem. I haven't been paid up to date since we buried Mrs Caldercott." Janet says, "Look, erm...don't worry about it. I'll see to it as soon as I've got somebody to go through the accounts." Thomas asks, "Just as a matter of interest who's arranging Patrick's funeral?" Janet says, "I really haven't had time to think about that yet."
Barnaby crosses a marketplace and meets Scott at The Crystal Goddess shop. Scott managed to go through Patrick Pennyman's paperwork. The business is sound, there were a few outstanding bills with local tradesmen. There were two recent funerals in the last six weeks. Patrick Pennyman had a business partner. Didn't like each other. Thomas walks up to his shop. Scott says, "Excuse me, we're looking for a Mr. Thomas Marr." Thomas says, "That's me." Scott says, "I've been told you once worked for Patrick Pennyman." Thomas says, "I did. On and off. He was tight-fisted. I put up with him as a boss, but wouldn't have had him as a friend." His sister, Anne Marr comes in from a back room and tells the detectives her brother was at the spiritualist church last night, although, he left a bit early. Anne says, "Patrick Pennyman cut a lot of corners in his business dealings. He could have upset quite a few people." Barnaby asks Anne if she is a member of the spiritualist church? Anne says, "Me? No." Thomas says, "Anna's a healer." Anne says, "Rosetta Price. She's the medium. The Fletcher's Cross Spirit of Friendship Group is good for one thing only- scaring people."
At the lab, Dr. Bullard says, "A blunt-force injury to the back of the skull with a full thickness laceration of the inner aspect of the scalp. He didn't see it coming. The shape of the striking object matches the laceration. This was definitely the object." Bullard holds up a candlestick. Barnaby asks about the wrists. Bullard says, "Slashed with a thin blade. Kitchen knife maybe. Packing knife. Here's a bit of a puzzle. In our game nothing surprises us any more. Right? I would have thought that applied to undertakers as well. But this fellow was given a hell of a shock before he died. Do you reckon he saw a ghost?"
Elizabeth tells Joyce and Barnaby that her cottage belonged to the railway back in Victorian times while serving up tea in her back yard. "The old line is just beyond those trees there." Joyce asks, "You mean you get trains thundering past?" Elizabeth says, "No. Not any more. We get the odd steam train. I quite like those." Barnaby says, "I'm told that line's been extended to Midsomer Mallow." Elizabeth says, "Yep. They're all set to celebrate it. Some enthusiasts are hoping to link up with the main line someday. Put Fletcher's Cross back on the map." Barnaby says, "I love this cottage. Has it always been in your family?" Elizabeth says, "Yes. Ever since they were sold off by the railways. Shall we ask Tom to come with us tonight?" Joyce says, "There's a Spirit of Friendship Group meeting this evening. Elizabeth has asked me to go with her."
Plot, Part 3[]
Barnaby and Scott go to Mr John Whittle's workshop. Scott says, "We believe you did quite a few jobs for Patrick Pennyman. What sort of jobs did you do for him?" John says, "Anything cheap and cheerful you could cover with a bit of cloth and a few flowers. Coffin trestles mostly. And a few coffins made of hardboard. I have heard they were used during the odd cremation ceremony...Organ's playing, loved ones are weeping. A switch is made. Once the expensive mahogany number has passed through that curtain. You bung the right people a tenner or two, who's to know? I don't miss much that goes on in this village." Barnaby asks, "Mr Whittle, what can you tell us about James Griss?" John says, "Not a lot. Don't see much of him these days."
Barnaby and Scott drive out to a railway. Barnaby says, "Obviously our Mr Pennyman upset someone in particular. How would they know they were being cheated? He was an undertaker, not a grocer." The railway goes to a couple of villages. It used to link up to the main line in the days before Beeching. But now it's just a heritage site. James Griss comes up behind the detectives and asks, "Can I help you?" He tells them, "Patrick Pennyman was enough to drive any sane man round the bend. If I'd worked for him any longer I'd have done him harm. I wanted to expand the business. Improve the service. But he'd have none of it. He didn't like spending money. The man was the next best thing to a criminal. .He didn't see the point of people being buried along with their valuables. Or anything that would fetch a bob or two. I once saw him help himself to a new suit and a fine pair of brogues." Barnaby asks, "What do you think of the local spiritualist church?" Griss says, "A daft lot, but they've never bothered me. I heard him call them a few names from time to time. But I'd have thought something like reincarnation was more his style. He could have buried 'em twice."
At the Spiritualist church, Joyce greets Elizabeth. At the meeting, Elizabeth tells Joyce, "That's Rosetta. She often uses a spirit guide. She was a young Victorian servant girl called Charlotte. She was putting coals on a fire when her dress caught alight. No-one was there to save her."
At the Crystal Goddess, Anne Marr talks to Janet Pennyman. Anne says, "This is bornite, or peacock ore. Look at its colours." She gives Janet a rock. She stands behind Janet with her hands over her head. "Well, you must try to find a friend within it, because peacock ore is a great healer for grief. Take a deep breath. There is an energy source that flows through the cosmos. Let the energy flow." Janet says, "Do you know what the problem was with Patrick and me? It was our sеx life. You see, it had been a failure for years. I could never really stand him putting his hands on me after he'd been touching the dead."
Rosetta says, "I have a message from someone now resident in spirit. Is it... M-Michael? Or... Mark? Martin? Recently. A heart condition took him over to spirit quite recently." A woman in the audience says, "It's Martin. My husband Martin. He died three weeks ago." Rosetta says, "Well... even though Martin has now left... the physical... he's coming to you from spirit with a great deal of love." Rosetta shudders and her voice deepens, "Charlotte! Charlotte! Ah! There is someone here tonight whose loved one is an avenging angel. And that avenging angel... ..is here in the village... ..investigating death... ( Deep voice ) Searching for those who have sinned."
At the shop, Thomas comes in. ( Shop door opens ) ( Bell and chimes jangle ) Thomas says, "It happened again at the meeting. There was another warning." Anne says, "I don't want to hear it. Why do you insist on going to that place? You know you're wasting your time going there, don't you? Mum isn't coming back." Thomas says, "She could be dead. She could be trying to send us a message."
Barnaby tells Joyce, "It is a con trick, isn't it? It's got to be. She's getting information, that's for sure. But I bet it's from this side of the great divide. It might just be an inspired guess. Remember, Joyce, it is a little village. People pick things up. And they know that I'm there conducting an investigation. Mind you, I've been called many things in my time, but never, never an avenging angel." ( Laughs ) Joyce says, "It's not funny, Tom. I was really scared. I'll never go there again."
Eve Whittle asks Rosetta if they can do a clairvoyant demonstration at Midsomer Worthy Memorial Hall. Thursday the 18th. £3 a head. Tea and biscuits included. Rosetta says, "I should think so." Eve says, "Last night it was a warning about sorrow. And tonight it was another warning. We don't want to upset the people who've come to us for help, do we? That's not what we're here for." Rosetta says, "Eve, I'm not a fraud. Occasionally I make it happy for them. I tell them I see flowers and birds, loved ones walking in lush fields. But when I'm in a state of trance I've no control over the proceedings. You must know that."
Scott tells Barnaby while they are walking in the graveyard, "Those recent funerals, sir. I spoke to a Mrs Ferguson and her husband. Pennyman directed a service for the lady's sister. They were very happy with the way he handled it. The same with the Cotterill family and....." Barnaby stops at a grave for David and Rosemary Key.
Inside the church Ronald is directing the choir. The detectives come in to watch. Ronald goes up to Jenny and says, "that was just er... just a little bit sharp, hm? (He pats Jenny on her butt). And I think we all need to work harder on our enunciation. So let's try that bit again, shall we?" The detectives speak to Mrs Burgess. She says, "I remember David and Rosemary Key. Although I didn't know them that well. They seemed to be devoted to each other. I knew they had a child, but I believe she left the area. It's a shared grave. David Key died first. Then his wife some time later. Patrick Pennyman was in charge of both funeral services.
Plot, Part 4[]
In the marketplace by the railroad tracks, Barnaby looks around. The band plays the Midsomer theme. Joyce and Elizabeth greet Cully Barnaby. Thomas and Anne Marr have a booth. Anne asks Barnaby if she can give him a reading. Ronald walks around with a donation can. People mill around. At the Marr's booth, Ronald feels up Anne Marr. Anne says, "Ronald, get your hands off me! Do you want me to tell Sylvia?" Ronald says, "She'd never believe you". James Griss says to a group of people, "So, a couple more miles of track and we can reconnect with Causton, which means that one of these days we can rejoin the main line." John Whittle comes up and says, "Don't listen to him. It will never happen." They go off to look at other parts of the railway. Rosetta and Eve stroll through the marketplace. Barnaby greets Elizabeth. Ronald goes up to Rosetta and Eve and shakes his tin at them, "Would you...would you care to make a small contribution?" His wife says, "Ronald, never ever shake your tin at those people. We don't need their money." Anne Marr does a crystal reading for Cully and Scott.
Elizabeth asks Joyce to come see her this evening. Anne does a reading for Cully and Scott. A train pulls up to the station. Griss asks everyone to step back. Rosetta goes to stand next to the edge and looks back at the crowd. She is surrounded by smoke.
At Elizabeth's home, she tells Joyce, "Even though I'd moved away we were still very close. This was their home. I loved them both dearly. My father died just over a year ago. And my mother died of a heart attack a few months later. She used to ring me... ..almost every day after Dad's death. She was very excited with her bits of news. You see, she joined the Fletcher's Cross spiritualist group. They killed her. She went to them for comfort, Joyce. And they frightened her. They told her things about my father that not even I knew. That scared her. It made her ill. She told me that just before she died. And that's not the only thing going on in this godforsaken village." Elizabeth gets a broach and shows it to Elizabeth. She says, "My mother used to wear this. Always. She was hardly ever seen without it. It belonged to her mother. I asked for her to be buried with that brooch. I wanted her never to be separated from it. But she was. A few weeks later I was here sorting out the probate. I saw this. It was for sale in an antique shop.
MURDER 2: Elizabeth says goodbye to Joyce and as she goes back to her house, someone knocks her on the head.
Barnaby and Scott come to Elizabeth's house the next day. A policeman tells them, "The postman found the body early this morning, sir. Front door's open. Lights are still on in the house. Anybody else inside? The postman said the occupier's name is Elizabeth Key, but there's no ID on the body." Barnaby says, "We don't need any. This is Elizabeth Key. I knew her. She was Joyce's friend. And I believe she was conducting her own kind of investigation." There are tea cups and biscuits on the table. Barnaby goes home to talk to Joyce. Joyce says, "She wanted some answers. She said she'd been asking questions. She mentioned the spiritualist church."
Dr. Bullard tells Barnaby the same method of killing was used as the last time. Hit from behind, then her wrists were slashed. The attempt to make her death look like suicide is pathetic! No knife by the body. Blows to the back of the head in both cases. As if someone's just playing at being the murderer? Possibly enjoying themselves.
Barnaby and Scott go to the spiritualist church. Eve let's them in. She is Rosetta's assistant and her secretary. Scott says, "Where do all the spirits go to in the daytime, I wonder?" Barnaby says, "This place and the funeral parlor, there's got to be a connection, hasn't there? Elizabeth Key obviously thought there was one." Rosetta claims she didn't know Elizabeth Key. Barnaby says Elizabeth's mother came to the church and died of heart failure after a service. Barnaby says, "I believe Elizabeth Key came here to confront you. Because she was convinced that something seen, said, or heard here in this place precipitated the death of her mother." As the detectives leave, Eve tells them that a lot of strange things have been happening. "Her spirit guide has become very angry. It just won't behave itself. Whether or not it could actually harm anyone I'm not sure."
In the grocery store, Sylvie tells her husband Ronald there's been another murder. Griss tells John that there is a job if he wants it. John says he is surprised Griss doesn't hang around his old place of work. Janet Pennyman is up for grabs now. Griss says, "The poor woman's in mourning. Just shut your mouth, John, or I'll take my trade elsewhere. Don't act the innocent with me. You're the biggest troublemaker in this village." Barnaby goes up to speak to John. He says, "I've just paid a visit to the spiritualist church. You're not one of that set, are you? I took you for a more down-to-earth sort of man. You don't build disappearing cabinets and trapdoors? How do they do it? How do they manage to tell people certain, very private things about their lost loved ones?"
Barnaby and Joyce go to Elizabeth Key's house. Someone was waiting out by the gate. Barnaby asks Joyce if she heard anything like footsteps, or the sound of a vehicle. Joyce says no. Barnaby tells Joyce that Rosetta Price's assistant seems to think some sort of spirit guide had something to do it. Joyce tells him that it's the spirit of a young girl. It comes from Rosetta. Joyce points to the brooch. Elizabeth wanted it to be buried with her mother. But then later she saw it for sale in a shop.
Barnaby goes to ask Janet if she has seen the brooch before. She says no. Patrick kept things like that to himself. John drops Eve off at the church. John tells Eve that the copper called by at the workshop. He was asking something about a brooch. Eve says so many things seem to be going wrong at the moment. Rosetta's been told not to leave the village. At the Crystal Goddess, Thomas gets a phone call. His sister asks if he is going to the meeting. He says no, he has plans.
Plot, Part 5[]
Barnaby and Joyce show up for a spiritualist meeting. Eve looks unhappy to see them. The audience members turn around and look at them. Eve tells Rosetta that John is going to be late for the meeting. She also tells her that the policeman is back and is sitting in the audience. During her meditation, Rosetta says, "L. L-word. Is it a name beginning with L? Charlotte, won't you help me? Where are you, Charlotte? Is...is it the name Laura? Is there a Laura this side of life?" A member of the audience says, "Yes, yes!" Rosetta continues, "A loved one is telling me...something. A loved one is showing me something. Someone who passed over. Ah. Ah. A...tattoo? Yes, a... a tattoo on the forearm. Help me, Charlotte. Help me. Help me." Suddenly Rosetta gasps and rolls her eyes and screams. Eve asks for the lights to be turned on. Eve says, "I do apologise. But Rosetta must rest now. And so we must end the meeting. Let us close with a prayer." On the way out, Barnaby says, "They should get their money back. Why was the meeting stopped? Rosetta was doing a number. Probably because we were in the audience. Didn't want to commit herself."
The next morning the train is running. Suddenly the driver says stop. (Wheels screech)
At the police station, Scott tells Barnaby that Rosetta Price has no convictions. She's highly respected amongst spiritualist groups. She often gets a favourable mention in the Psychic News.
MURDER 3: John Whittle's body is found on the railroad tracks. Dr. Bullard says, "Same MO. But this time the blow from behind could have killed him. It's quite a wound." Barnaby tells Eve about John's death. Eve says, "Oh, John! John! You stupid, stupid man! He's always so kind to me. But he annoyed a lot of people. That's the kind of world we're living in these days, isn't it? Everyone gets angry so quickly over nothing at all." Eve says she believes in Rosetta. John didn't, but she does. Barnaby says, "But surely it's just er...trickery." Eve says, "Trickery? Sometimes she gets a bit of help, otherwise it wouldn't be much of a show, would it? But most of it's real. Strange things do happen. I've felt it. I've felt the energy. And I've seen the aura. It's...like a warm... bright light."
Barnaby and Scott go to speak to Griss. They tell him John Whittle was murdered. Griss says, "I never liked the man, but I wouldn't wish that on him. He's a troublemaker." Griss says he was working alone on the railway. Griss says he saw Thomas Marr down on the track. It seemed like he was looking for someone. And then he just walked off.
Barnaby and Scott go to speak to Thomas Marr. Anne says, "We never knew our father. And our mother walked out on us when we were kids. We don't know whether she's dead or alive. That's why Thomas goes to those meetings. He's hoping for some sort of message." Barnaby says, "You didn't go to the spiritualist meeting last night, did you? Though we do know where you did go. You went to the old railway line, didn't you? Is that right?" Thomas says, "I had this phone call, asking me to go down to the level crossing at Ram's Lane. I was told that if I did I might hear something to my advantage. But there was no-one there."
Barnaby and Scott go to speak to Janet Pennyman who denies making the phone call to Thomas Marr. While they are there talking, Ronald comes in the room with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine and tries to kiss Janet, who shies away. Ronald says, "Just er...just a little something for you, Janet, in your hour of need." When he sees the cops, Ronald leaves.
Plot Denouement[]
Barnaby and Scott go to the church to speak to Ronald. Barnaby says, "We were wondering if you had anything to tell us. John Whittle used to work from time to time for Patrick Pennyman, so he'd have gone to the funeral parlor on various occasions. Did he see something he shouldn't have seen? Did he catch you at it? (Flashback: Ronald and Janet in the back of a hearse making out.). Whittle wouldn't have let that rest. What did he want? A little sеxual favor or two from Janet. Of course you couldn't let that happen, could you?" Ronald asks, "Has Janet told you this?" Scott says, "As good as. So what did she do? Lure him to the railway line in the same way Thomas Marr was asked to go?" Barnaby says, "Thomas Marr. James Griss. They made perfect suspects, didn't they? What did you hit the man with? Did you find something suitable by the railway line?"
(Flashback: John down by the railroad tracks with Janet standing nearby. John smiling and going towards Janet and Ronald creeping up behind and whacking him on the head. Janet laughing. They move John to a another spot and get out the knife.) Ronald says, "Before I say anything... how much has Janet told you?" Scott says, "Just about everything." Ronald says, "You know... she was great to be with." (Flashback: Ronald and Janet drinking wine on the stairs. Ronald tells Janet, "Now you still don't know he's dead. So you go about your business. When the police start asking questions you'll have the answers. So you get a supper ready, then you go back downstairs. You call out to him." Janet calls, "Pat...rick!" They collapse laughing. Ronald: "You make sure there's people outside in the street when the time comes - people who will come and help you." Janet says, "Then I cry on their shoulders." Ronald says, "You pour your heart out." They hug and laugh ) Ronald says, "We had such fun together." Sylvie comes in the church.
Barnaby and Scott speak to Janet. Barnaby says, "It appears your husband was a very thorough man, Mrs Pennyman. He left very detailed accounts of all those he laid to rest. And of their next of kin. Do you...do you recognise this?" Janet says, "Yes." Barnaby says, "Is that your handwriting?" Janet says, "Yes." Barnaby says, "We found this in your writing desk. It's a list of all the distinguishing marks on those your husband laid to rest. Would you like me to read it to you? It mentions things like tattoos, scars, birthmarks, all dated and set against the names, the ages, sеx of the deceased. Do you know Rosetta Price?" Janet says, "I've heard of her." Barnaby asks, "Have you ever helped her? By selling her information like this. I'm sure it was very useful to her. It meant that she could give absolutely accurate descriptions of those who had crossed over. There's er...one name in particular. David Key. It mentions a small, white birthmark on his body. Almost in the shape of a dove. Now apart from, say, his doctor, only his loved ones would have known about this. His wife's name was Rosemary Key, and this information given out at one of those spiritualist meetings made her ill - made her very ill. In fact...it killed her. The daughter of Mr and Mrs Key did investigating. And Rosetta Price wasn't the only person she went to see."
(Flashback: Elizabeth Key, "I've one or two things to talk to you about, Mr Pennyman.) "She must have been a hell of a nuisance to you, going on and on about some missing brooch. And still asking questions even after your husband died. Couldn't have her forever on your doorstep! So she had to be got rid of. (Flashback: Ronald hits Elizabeth over the head and Janet smiles in the bushes.) Janet asks, "How much has Ronald told you?" Scott says, "Quite a lot. He's prepared to take the blame." Janet says, "Dear Ronald. That man made such a difference to my life. (Laughs) The look on Patrick's face when he caught us together. I don't think I'll ever forget that. (Flashback: Patrick opens up the door and sees Janet naked in the Chapel. A naked Ronald sneaks up and bashes him with the candlestick. Janet laughs)
Barnaby and Scott leave the Funeral Home. Barnaby says, "I'm not 100% certain about your interview technique, Scott. But it certainly gets results." Scott says, "Thank you, sir."
At the Spiritualist church, Rosetta says, "I suppose we'll have to close down the Friendship group now. Charlotte won't like it." Rosetta closes her eyes. At the Barnaby home, Joyce hears the crackle of flames and a girl screaming.
Cast[]
- John Nettles as DCI Tom Barnaby
- John Hopkins as DS Dan Scott
- Jane Wymark as Joyce Barnaby
- Laura Howard as Cully Barnaby
- Barry Jackson as Dr. George Bullard
- Dearbhla Molloy as Elizabeth Key
- Mary Jo Randle as Janet Pennyman
- Jonathan Slinger as Thomas Marr
- Cathryn Bradshaw as Anne Marr
- Liza Sadovy as Rosetta Price
- Philip Martin Brown as John Whittle
- Garry Cooper as James Griss
- Julian Curry as Ronald Burgess
- Linda Spurrier as Sylvia Burgess
- Kathryn Pogson as Eve Whittle
- Victoria Lennox as Woman in Audience
- Alex Belcourt as WPS Julie
- (uncredited actor) as Patrick Pennyman
Galleries[]
Body Count[]
Prior to the Episode
Died of natural causes 1 year ago.
Died of heart attack.
In the Episode
Hit on the back of the head with a big candlestick and then had his wrists slit with a box cutter.
Hit on the back of the head with a brick and then had her wrists slit with a box cutter.
Lured to the train tracks and killed by a blow on the back of the head with a hammer used to check the railway. His body was then moved further along by the track and had his wrists slit with a box cutter.
Supporting Cast[]
Episode Images[]
Arrests[]
Ronald Burgess for the murders of:
Janet Pennyman: Accessory to murders of:
Rosetta Price: Fraud
Eve Whittle: Accessory to Fraud
Notes[]
- The actor who portrayed Patrick Pennyman was not credited for his brief appearance as the first murder victim.
The following actor and actresses who appeared in this episode have also appeared in the following episodes:
- Alex Belcourt - Bad Tidings, Sins of Commission, The Straw Woman and Last Year's Model
- Philip Martin Brown - Days of Misrule
- Victoria Lennox - Orchis Fatalis, Vixen's Run, The Black Book and The Silent Land
Trivia[]
- The building (Long Crendon Manor) used as the Spiritualist church was also used as Inkpen Manor in Garden of Death, as the Manor in The Axeman Cometh, and as the Fergus Johnson House in The Christmas Haunting.
- The band at the fair plays the Midsomer Murders theme music.
Quotes[]
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Goofs[]
- When being questioned about her friend Elizabeth's death, Joyce says that her friend wanted "some answers". Tom responds with "justice from whom in particular?" Wanting answers and getting justice are not the same thing.
Video[]
Midsomer Murders Series 8 Episode 1 - Things That Go Bump in the Night Preview
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