If you are an avid follower of the popular "Midsomer Murders" detective series on British television, then the novels may come as a bit of a surprise. In this seventh one in the series, A Ghost in the Machine, detective Tom Barnaby and his sidekick, sergeant Gavin Troy, are so sidelined in the story that they almost fall out of the novel altogether. It is very much a mainstream novel, geared to depiction of characters, and where the action and place seem inconsequential.As such it is a reasonably engrossing read, although there are some heavy-handed attempts at humour at the beginning and end of the book, which do not quite succeed. Passing references to "Fabian Endgoose of the Worshipful Bowes-Lyon Society" may bring a smile to the face, but nothing more. However the major characters in this novel are varied individuals rather than stereotypes. They are well fleshed out, and the reader does become interested as to what they may do next.The crime, a quirky almost surreal murder, takes place almost a third of the way through the book, and this is the first time we encounter Barnaby and Troy. Barnaby is physically quite different from his TV counterpart, played by John Nettles, "He was a very large man. Not fat but bulky. Solid in his build and in the way he looked at you. Very straight and direct from beneath thick, heavy brows."Troy is a "thin younger man [with a] weaselly profile and high-standing brush of stiff, red hair." One character senses "hidden laughter. Unkindness too."These deeply unattractive, brittle, constantly swearing individuals are a far cry from the cosy genial characters of the TV series. Troy, "had been much impressed by the way the chief had handled things. But it was not in his nature to be impressed without at the same time being resentful." Barnaby in turn accepts a compliment as his due, when in fact it was completely undeserved, resulting from a misunderstanding. Here are more revealing snippets,"The chief was very sensitive about his weight. Burly, as a description, he liked. Well built, he could live with... But fat...""Injustice plodded up the drive with Sergeant Troy. Wrongful accusation and unfairness marched alongside. He found himself muttering, as he seemed to have been doing all his life, man and boy, why is it always me?"Describing their human weaknesses is all very well. But the reader ends up feeling that if at some stage in their life they are involved in a crime, they sincerely hope that it will not be investigated by such self-absorbed and self-seeking representatives of the police force.There is a gruesome death, involving a trebuchet, a chamber full of ancient war weapons and instruments of torture, a psychic con-artist and a delicious cameo piece about a deluded collector of memorabilia to do with the Queen mother, who believes she is somehow controlling the life force of Her Majesty.As seems to be happening with most modern mystery series, this book is about three times as long as the earlier ones. It is difficult to say whether this is because of public taste, or whether the publishers are demanding longer novels, but this one is very much in that mould. The plot is not very complex. Although it has an exotic gloss, it does not provide much of a challenge to a determined puzzle-solver. If on the other hand you enjoy character-driven novels, and like to include a little spice such as a murder along the way, this might be right up your street.
This is the third book of Graham's DCI Tom Barnaby series that I've read. The British drama Midsomer Murders is based on these books. The flow and feeling of the books are very similar to the tv show, which I like a lot. One big difference is that Barnaby's side kick Troy is a major pain in the neck in the books. He's insecure, mostly at odds with Barnaby, childish and snobbish. He hits on everything in a skirt even though he's married. Very different from the tv character. But I kind of like it - gives a very interesting contrast to the quirky nature of the rest of the characters.The mystery was a good one - kept me guessing until the end - with lots of really interesting side plots going on. The characters were well developed - to the extent that the murder didn't actually happen until over 100 pages into the book. Which is also different from the tv series where someone gets knocked off in the first few minutes.It's not high literature - but if you enjoy a good mystery series - this one is a good find.
Do You like book A Ghost In The Machine (2005)?
One of my favourite television shows is the Midsomer Murder mysteriest from England and I recently discovered they are based on books decided to read some. Only 2 are available to me in Canada on the Kindle and this is the first.So far I'm enjoying the book; love the details of country life. I finished reading last night. Overall I did enjoy the book but I did wish the inspector had been introduced earlier. It was about halfway through the book before he even appeared.The character development was really good. I enjoy getting to know characters. My favourite part of the book was finding out what happened to all the major characters after the murderer was caught. That doesn't always happen in books and tends to leave me a bit disappointed but not this time.
—Tina Stanton
A GHOST IN THE MACHINE (Police Procedural-England-Cont) – NRGraham, Caroline – 7th in seriesSt. Martin's Minotaur, 2004- PaperbackChief Inspector Barnaby believe the death of well-liked Dennis Brinkley is an accident. But when a medium claims the victim is about to reveal his murderer, the medium turns up dead as well. It's now clear to Barnaby that there's something more going on in Forbes Abbot than would seem.*** I found all the characters so unpleasant; I only made it to page 56 before giving up. I have to feel some affinity for some character. Just couldn't make it through this.
—LJ
I agree with those who would have liked to see Barnaby introduced a lot earlier. I have enjoyed the Midsomer TV series with my wife (thanks to Netflix) and thought I'd try one of Graham's books. It seemed pretty slow-paced to me; I'll probably try another at some point in case this was atypical for her. I also thought the "Sixth Sense"-esque ending was out of sync with the rest of the book. What was the point of that?
—Don
