timebug Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 I recently started the seven Inspector Barnaby mysteries by Caroline Graham. The TV series 'Midsomer Murders' were originally based on these books. I was given one, years ago by a friend,and although I read it, it failed to impress me! I am currently on the fourth book of the seven, reading them in publication order, and so far am enjoying them. And so far, none of them have been the one I previously read, which I cannot remember the title of! Barnaby is pretty much as John Nettles played him in the long running TV series. His assistant, Gavin Troy is very different. On TV Troy was a bit of a harmless bumbler,who could never quite keep up with his superior.In the books, he is a sexist,racist,homophobic young man with an arrogant attitude to almost everyone he encounters. And a quick tempered redhead to boot. So far so good.I know I still have the book I have already read still to come,but I am enjoying these for what they are which is a gentle(ish) set of mysteries, with a logical and reasoned conclusion. If you want heart pounding action and car chases,and ginfights,forget these! Otherwise, good basic detective work, skilfully plotted. In other words, quite a good read! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Pixie Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 I love the TV show, but have never even looked at the books. Shall go and download a sample. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 I LOVE the series and have read them all. I'm just sorry that she didn't write anymore. What I've noticed is that the television series sometimes takes from several of the books to make an episode. I constantly find myself revisiting Midsomer. I may have to dig out my books again and re-read them again over the summer. Troy was definitely a different character in the book. Barnaby had his measure though. He knew exactly what his young detective was about and often goaded him and aggravated to put him in his place. The only person Troy loves, outside of himself is his daughter. He's unfaithful and uneducated, bless him. I found Barnaby to be a bit more likable on the tv series. I still liked him but he was more gruff in the books. He also had his heart wrapped around Cully's pinkie. Cully was a bit unexpected in the book also. Wild and "been around" according to her daddy. Anyway, I love finding folks who enjoy the same stories I do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timebug Posted June 13, 2016 Author Share Posted June 13, 2016 Within thirty pages or so of the final book of the seven, and I have to say I really enjoyed them! I agree that Tom Barnaby is not quite the same man as portrayed by John Nettles,but is close enough to satisfy my picky tastes. Troy as noted, is a very different character in the books. The annoying thing is, having (almost) read the whole series,I cannot find the book that failed to impress a few years ago! It is obviously one of these, but maybe I was in a different place then, and just not attuned to the writer or the writing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cemrad Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Must say that as most people know, the books don"t always look anything like the series purported to be based on book!! Spoke to Ann Cleeves about her Shetland and Vera series, when reading her books I thought when watching the "take" on television, have I really just read this book? As it seemed totally different, I think I will just stick to the books!! Cemrad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timebug Posted August 13, 2016 Author Share Posted August 13, 2016 I read the first three 'Vera' books after seeing the TV show, and I know what you mean! It seems TV sign up to 'do' a well loved character (from a book) and then change almost everything they can! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doublethink Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 I've mostly listened to the Vera books on audio, I love the accent. I found them surprisingly close to the TV series characters. The midsummer books on the other hand, I quite strongly disliked. I think basically because I found the social views reflected incidentally in the books, which I assumed to be the author's, too right wing. I have a similar problem with the Wycliffe and Inspector Frost books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookmonkey Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 I finally read a Caroline Graham. I've always loved the show, but for some reason never even looked at the books. I read The Ghost in the Machine, it was the first one I found at my library. It was a pretty good read, and I'll look for more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise56 Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 i like the Tv series but haven't tried the books, i must give them a go. i was however struck by the fact that The Killing at badger's Drift has a solution that is strikingly similar to another detective story by a different writer, published some years earlier. Don't know whether it's just a coincidence or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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