Sins of Commission is the fourth episode of the seventh series of the popular ITV detective TV show Midsomer Murders and first aired 18th January 2004.
Synopsis[]
During the 12th Annual Midsomer St. Michael Literary Festival, local author Richard Rackham is found dead at the bottom of the stairs in his house. As the body count keeps rising, the police find multiple motives and several possible killers. Several characters were involved in affairs and some were involved in lucrative financial scams. The solution to the crimes is found when Barnaby unearths an author who has been writing under a pseudonym but who was about to let their true identity be known.
Plot, Part 1[]
MURDER 1: In Midsomer St. Michael, a man wearing red shoes jumps over a wall and enters a house. He finds a body at the base of the stairs. He goes into the living room and steals the laptop computer.
Tim Settingfield leads a group of girls to a graveyard. They are waving flowers around and humming with one playing guitar and one playing a flute.
Elsewhere, the 12th Midsomer Literary Festival is going on. There are multiple tents outside Maplin Hall. Jezebel Tripp drives up with her radio blasting to the Quill Inn in her red convertible. The crowd claps for her. She complains to Neville Williams about the lack of press. Then she signs books.
At the graveyard, Tim Settingfield and his girls stop at the grave of Conor Maplin, who died in 1992. His gravestone says "The Pen is Mightier than the Sword." Tim says, "Happy birthday, Con. I miss you - more than ever. And... Ars gratia artis et pro omnibus. To love unrequited. To honour... ..unblighted. To you, my friend." They hug and lay flowers on the grave. "Right, crack out the battle plan and the bubbly, darling." One girl pulls out a bottle of wine.
At Maplin Hall, a raised platform has been erected with chairs for guests. Sam Callaghan and Grace Maplin approach Cully Barnaby, who is helping with the literary festival. She nails up a sign, which immediately falls down.
A bus drives up to St. Michael's Grammar School and the girls pile out. In the Chemistry classroom, Kay Settingfield is boiling up a concoction which "looks like real blood."
Inside Maplin Hall, Cully is setting a table and Sam walks in with tea cups on a tray. Grace asks Cully if everything is sorted. Mrs. Hunnicutt announces Camilla Crofton has come to help. Sam drops the tray. Camilla says, "Sam, darling, you look like you've seen a ghost."
Kay Settingfield goes to Richard Rackham's house and finds his body on the floor. (Screams)
Jezebel is getting a massage from David Lowry. Someone knocks on the door. Neville Williams comes in and David leaves. Jezebel says, "You'd better sort this out now, Nev. And I'm not staying in this pants pub either."
DCI Tom Barnaby walks into the police station and finds DS Dan Scott reading a magazine about Jezebel Tripp. He says it's "research" for the festival. Jezebel Tripp's latest novel sees the baddest guys take on the baddest girls for the ultimate battle of the sexes. Barnaby says, "Very conscientious, Scott. Not to say uplifting." Scott says, "Celebrities will liven things up. Especially if they misbehave like Jezebel." Barnaby says, "Don't hold your breath. The only thing to go off in Midsomer St Michael is the odd artistic temperament." (Never says never, Barnaby). Phone rings....
The detectives head out to the crime scene. Richard Rackham is lying on the floor, seemingly having broken his neck after falling down the stairs. Scott goes to get Kay Settingfield a cup of tea. Barnaby sees Kay take a postcard from the mantle and stuff it in her purse. Kay says, "It's such a waste." Barnaby asks, "Was he a full-time writer?" Kay says, "Couldn't afford to be. In spite of having won the Maplin Prize four years ago. He just did book-keeping. You know, he wrote when he could." Barnaby says, "I'm told that the second novel is often the hard one." Kay says, "No, not for Richard. No, the second one was even better. Which, of course, didn't stop Sam Callaghan from selling it down the Swanee." (His publisher.)
Sam Callaghan meets with Neville in the pub. Neville can't cope with that Jezebel Tripp anymore. Sam tells him they don't have the luxury of a choice.
At the Settingfield's Bookshop, Tim is dancing to rock music. Kay goes in and turns off the record player. She tells her brother, Tim, that Richard is dead. Tim gives her a drink. Kay says they will have to call off the "action." Tim says no, Richard would have wanted them to continue. Kay shows him the postcard she took.
At Richard Rackham's house, Dr. George Bullard tells Barnaby that Richard's death is murder. His neck was broken for him before he fell. The murderer is somebody with lethal training. Scott finds magazines in the living room: Gay Life, Gay Times. There is also a pink piggy bank. A computer is missing.
As the detectives leave the house, Tim and Kay Settingfield drive up. Scott goes back to talk to the constable, Julie. Barnaby tells Tim and Kay that Richard was murdered. Tim and Kay say they don't have time to talk as they have summer classes at the grammar school. Barnaby asks Kay about the postcard she took. She claims she sent it to Richard when she was in Paris. Scott tells Barnaby that Julie told him John Denton had a stand-up row with the victim in the pub night before last. Barnaby tells Scott that "John Denton is...was a Causton troublemaker turned SAS. We had a few... Huh! ..dealings when he was a teenager. He's a new man now, though, so Cully tells me. He's become a writer. Must be a good one too, I think. He's been short-listed for this year's festival prize." Scott says, "Do leopards change their spots? Not in my jungle."
At Maplin Hall, John Denton drives up in a van from Fyfer's Fine Foods. He carries a box of dead pheasants. Cully tells him she read his manuscript and is impressed. Barnaby and Scott drive up. Barnaby speaks to John about his argument with the victim at The Quill the other night. John says they were drunk and arguing about writers, books, etc. John walks off. Cully runs up and asks Barnaby what he wants with John. "Is he a suspect?" Barnaby says he is not rushing to judgement. Cully says good.. because she likes him.
Meanwhile, inside Maplin Hall, Tim is arguing with Grace about Sam. Tim says, "He is bad news, Grace. He has gone for the dumb and the dirty and he is dragging the book trade into the gutter. I dread to think what is he getting YOU into." Mrs. Hunnicutt interrupts them to introduce the detectives. Grace tells the detectives they are having a tiff among trustees. Tim explains that Grace's late husband, Conor Maplin, endowed a charity to promote local writers. Their most important project is the annual literary festival. And the Maplin Prize of £20,000, which they give to an unpublished author, every year on the final day of the festival. Conor appointed his wife, Grace, friend, Tim, and the writer Camilla Crofton as trustees in his will. They administer the trust's work and agree on policy. Barnaby asks, "Would the person dragging the book trade into the gutter by any chance, be the same Sam Callaghan who, in your sister's opinion, ruined Richard Rackham's life?" Tim says yes. Richard was her bookkeeper until Grace sacked him for stealing. Grace says it was a misunderstanding but doesn't explain further.
Plot, Part 2[]
Outside, Jezebel Tripp arrives at Maplin Hall with her suitcases. Scott gives Jezebel a look and Barnaby tells him no flirting on duty. Camilla Crofton rides her bicycle up and greets the detectives. She writes historical novels.
Scott tells Barnaby that Rackham had "full-on rent arrears and a whacking great overdraft." He didn't get many visitors but he did last night. "Tall male. Left around nine. Wearing jeans and red trainers." The detectives arrive at Rackham's house and hear a noise upstairs. They spy a man running away wearing red shoes. Scott chases him and gets hit by Jezebel's car. (No injuries). The detectives wonder why he would come back to the scene of the crime. Barnaby notices the piggy bank is gone.
In his room, Neville breaks open the piggy bank and finds a key inside.
At Callaghan De Vere book store, Helen Callaghan slips Mrs. Hunnicutt money. Mrs. Hunnicutt gives her a paper. Mrs. Hunnicutt leaves out the back of the shop. The detectives come in the front of the shop. Helen says she is not involved in Sam Callaghan's business. Scott buys Jezebel Tripp's latest book.
At the Fyfer's Fine Foods, John Denton sees a man give Mrs. Hunnicutt money.
Tim and Kay pick up John Denton dressed in black tie. John says he wants to be there with them for the Operation Pen And Sword. Tim tells him he should remain their silent partner. They don't want to spoil his chances for the prize.
Gala at Maplin Hall: Barnaby and Joyce Barnaby arrive at the gala at Maplin Hall and see Harry Poulson. He used to be a detective and now is a writer. He is a guest judge for the prize this year. Scott shows up and takes Barnaby aside. He says, "I had an ask around about locals with killer skills. I should have asked who hasn't got them. Sam Callaghan's ex-army. Tim Settingfield's into tae kwon do. Jezebel and her minder do kickboxing. The housekeeper's an ex-prison warder!"
Kay and Tim tell Neville they want to speak to him about the postcard. Barnaby observes them talking. John Denton speaks to Harry Poulson. He tells him he needs a big favor.
In another room, Jezebel, Sam, and Neville draw straws. Neville draws the short straw. he says, "I can't." Jezebel says, "Can't isn't an option and it has to be before the judges' vote on Sunday." Barnaby walks in and asks them if they knew Richard Rackham. Sam says he offered him £150,000 for a two-book deal which he accepted.
John speaks to Cully. He asks if she would like to meet for a drink later. Cully says she wants to talk to him about the main character in his manuscript. Scott comes up and interrupts them. Harry Poulson talks to Joyce about his career as a writer. He has a ghostwriter write his books. Barnaby talks to Camilla. She tells him she no longer writes. Her ex-publisher, Sam Callaghan, decided she was a diminishing return. Harry goes into the library and looks at books. Neville follows him. They argue. Barnaby is seated in a chair with his back to them looking at Jezebel's book.
Outside, a band of hooded people head for the stage. Neville is sitting on the roof rolling a cigarette.
Grace asks the guests to go outside for the opening ceremony. Once everyone is seated, fireworks go off. Then Tim and his girls run up on stage with signs and start singing, "The Pen is Mightier than the Pound." Tim is dressed as a devil. All the girls have devil headbands on. Kay stabs Tim with a large quill. Barnaby goes up and breaks it up.
In the house, Barnaby confronts Tim, the girls and Kay. Scott brings in red spray paint. Barnaby says he is going to charge Tim and all. A guest runs in and tells the police to come quickly to the terrace.
Plot, Part 3[]
MURDER 2: Neville is lying on the terrace. His head is smashed in.
The detectives go up to Neville's room and find the remains of the pink piggy bank. They also find the red trainers and a photo of Neville and Richard kissing.
Barnaby speaks to Kay and Tim, "Miss Settingfield, that postcard you stole. I'm willing to bet that that was from Neville Williams to Richard Rackham. Am I right?" Tim says, "That was a bolt out of the blue, truth be told. I confronted Neville about it after pudding. We thought that Neville was Callaghan's spy. Using Richard to find out what we were up to. But he denied it. Said they loved each other."
Tim explains where he was when Neville was killed, "I was under the stage priming the girls. (Scott snickers). It may seem like a joke, Sergeant, but I'm the custodian of a precious commodity... The honour of a great man. Greed... and so-called individualism is killing more than just literature, and I will not stand by and allow Conor's contribution to the cause to be neglected or forgotten. However much Grace may be seduced by our fiendish Faustian friend. (Sam) Besides which, I am a life-long vegetarian. I do not kill wood lice, let alone people."
Outside on the terrace, Dr. Bullard shows Barnaby a few items for him to look at. One fresh cigar stub and a key in the victim's ticket pocket. There's some kind of dust in the indentations. Camilla walks up and tells Barnaby that she bumped into Neville Williams before dinner. He looked dreadful. Asked if they could talk. He said he'd been seeing Richard Rackham secretly. His concern was that Barnaby might view him as a murder suspect if he came clean.
Guests sit around in the dining room of Maplin Hall waiting to be interviewed by police. John Denton holds hands with Cully. Scott notices. John notices that Scott is watching. Jezebel comes up to Sam and whines about being kept waiting. Sam tells Jezebel that he needs her signature. She says she won't sign anything until they get their little problem sorted. Barnaby comes up and talks to them. Jezebel tells Barnaby she's knackered. He assumes that Jezebel might be upset also at the death of her editor, Neville. Barnaby asks why Neville was tense the last time he spoke to him. Sam says they were talking about Jez's new contract. He asks if they knew that Richard and Neville were lovers. Both deny knowing.
The next day, Joyce tells Barnaby that Harry Poulson called and said Sam wants to meet them at The Quill at 3:00. To talk about Barnaby writing a book.
Tim comes in to talk to Grace Maplin while she is in bed with breakfast. Tim says, "I want to know why you spared me last night." Grace says, "Bad publicity for the festival if you'd been arrested, don't you think?" Tim says, "So, it wasn't out of love, then?" Grace says, "Do you ever give up?" Tim shares her breakfast. Tim says, "Or did sinister Sam stay your hand for his own foul purposes?" Grace says, "Don't despise him, Timmy, or me. I wish you would trust me." Tim says, "Conor trusted you and you betrayed him... ..with me."
A car approaches. Sam gets out of the car. Jezebel, in workout attire, runs up to him. She says, " I've decided to take matters in hand myself. It doesn't come cheap, though."
At Conor Maplin's grave, John Denton asks Harry Poulson, "Any news?" Harry says, "Yeah. It's what you thought... Grace Maplin is stony broke and barely owns the gravel on her own drive. The bank's near to calling in the mortgage. She's a desperate woman. The thing is, though... I could do with a favour in return. I need an alibi for after supper last night."
At Maplin Hall, Scott drives through the gates and sees Jezebel out by the fence in workout gear. Scott says, "Do you mind if I ask what you're doing?" Jezebel says, "Oh, I was just... I'm just really upset about Nev. I needed some private space. Drive me back. I could really do with the company." David Lowry watches them from behind some trees.
Barnaby meets Harry at the pub. He asks about the altercation with Neville Williams in the library. Barnaby says, "Shall we take a stroll outside? Harry, we've known each other now for what, 30 years? And...for most of that time, I've known, well, we've all of us known about your...orientation. And I can quite understand why, you know, you felt the need to keep it a secret. My guess is that the altercation with Neville Williams in the library is connected." Harry says, "I knew Richard Rackham. He was my first ghostwriter. And my first... Neville Williams- We had a brief thing. It ended a year or so ago. We...disagreed about me not... You know... coming out." Barnaby asks, "Did you know that Neville was having an affair with Richard Rackham? Were those two trying to blackmail you, Harry?" Harry says, "No." Harry claims he was with John Denton after supper last night.
Cully sees Mrs. Hunnicutt taking cash from the florist. John comes up to talk to Cully. He tells her, "Grace Maplin is in serious money trouble. I think she's got Mrs H. running a scam with the festival suppliers."
Scott talks to Jezebel down by a pond. She says, "I feel like a fish out of water. While this lot... They don't even know they're born. I come from a school of hard knocks, you know." Scott says, "Me too, depths of "sarf" London. It was touch and go for a while whether I'd end up on the dark side." Barnaby walks up and Scott joins him. Dave saunters up and gives Jezebel an alibi for last night.
At the school, in the pool, Tim, Kay and John meet. Tim says, "We need to establish whether one of us murdered Neville Williams." Kay and Tim look at John. John says, "What, you don't think I -" Kay says, "Well, it wasn't us." John says, "You said you would deal with him. Not like that! We haven't got the training." John says, "I had nothing to do with it." Tim says, "All right. Steady the buffs. If it wasn't one of us... it must be one of them. We need to find out more."
Barnaby goes to the pool and asks Kay if she knows anything about the key that was found on Neville. Camilla walks up and overhears them. She says maybe it's a locker key. They go to the locker and find a box with royalty statements for Richard's book. There is also a note that says, Rich, you must leave Neville or I will end it for you. I can't live or love without you.
Grace says to Sam, "You promise you'll tell her as soon as the festival is over, Sam." They kiss and someone takes photos of them.
Barnaby goes to Camilla's home. He tells her, "I'm confused, Camilla, about these royalty statements. Why would Richard Rackham want to keep them hidden in his locker? And why would Neville Williams have risked being caught at the scene of a crime to retrieve the key that would enable him to get them back in?" Camilla says, "It's hard to make any sense of it. Now, tell me more about the case. Mysteries and deductions are my forte after all." Barnaby says, "Well, we think our killer's a professional. He's a trained expert. What's your view of John Denton? Not your idea of a likely murderer, hm?" Camilla says, "Who else had motive?" Barnaby says, "Harry Poulson may have had." Camilla says, "He's gay too, isn't he?" Harry has had affairs with both victims and he's anxious to keep it secret. Rackham blamed Sam Callaghan for the failure of his second novel. Perhaps Neville Williams did so too. They might have found some... irregularity in the accounts and tried to make Callaghan pay to keep them quiet. Camilla says, "Neville was a highly talented editor, very ambitious. Sam's pet. Even if Richard was bitter enough to try blackmail, I doubt Neville would have risked his career to get involved. Surely the billet-doux we found is your strongest clue to the killer."
Sam is in his office. His wife brings in coffee. She says, "Oh, and I'm going ahead with the divorce." She shows him photos of him and Grace kissing. Barnaby comes by. He says, "I've just got a quick question to ask you, if I may. It's about your business and... I found some copies of your royalty statements in a locker belonging to Richard Rackham. And I have reason to believe that Neville Williams was very keen to get his hands on them. Perhaps you could enlighten me as to why that should be." Sam says, "Not sure I can, no. Neville could simply have taken copies off our computer."
John Denton comes in to search files at Maplin House. Cully helps keep Mrs. Hunnicutt out. At the police station, Scott says, "The royalty statements are definitely kosher. The handwritten stuff seems to be a record of sales figures and cash owing on Jezebel Tripp's latest." Barnaby asks, "Why would Richard Rackham be keeping Jezebel's accounts? Presumably provided by Neville Williams." Scott says, "The graphologist's report on the love letter makes interesting reading." Barnaby says, "A left-handed female wrote it." Barnaby says, "Kay Settingfield said Richard Rackham was definitely bisexual." Scott says, "Now look at the forensic report on the cigar stub. Purple lipstick. Jezebel Tripp's favourite colour."
Grace, Camilla, Harry, Tim, and Jezebel meet in the library of Maplin Hall to decide the winner of the prize." Mrs. Hunnicutt makes plans to go to Barbados while Cully and John spy on her. The detectives go to ask Jezebel about the problem she discussed with Neville and Mr Callaghan last night. Jezebel says she is being head hunted by publishers and needed them to make an offer for the new contract. She admits to having a smoke on the terrace last evening. Scott asks for her autograph on his book. (To be used to compare to the love letter's handwriting.)
Tim watches the girls swimming in the pool. John tells Tim that Grace is ripping off trust funds and pocketing the cash. She's using Mrs Hunnicutt to help her do it. Cully adds that Mrs Maplin's suppliers are overcharging the trust for pretty much everything. Then splitting the difference with Grace. Mrs H is her go-between. John shows Tim the proof.
At the bookshop, Tim tells Barnaby that Callaghan's company is hanging by a thread. If it weren't for Jezebel, he'd be finished. The company was successful when his wife ran it. She owns all the shares. Kay tells the detectives that Jezebel's no better. She's from the stockbroker belt not the gutter. The nearest she's got to the streets is getting into a cab outside Harvey Nick's. Tim says even Camilla's got a bit of history. She is Russian- Name of Poltova. She lost her family and did a spell in the Gulag before pitching up in London after the war. Her husband died young. Conor fell hopelessly in love with her. When Camilla refused him, he married Grace on the rebound.
Outside by the tents, Cully overhears Sam tell Jezebel that they have to delay their plans as Barnaby's too close. Jezebel tells him No way. After tomorrow it'll be too late." Sam says, "If you don't cooperate I can always open negotiations with your other half." Jezebel says, "Try it and you're a dead man."
In the pub, Barnaby is late for his meeting with Harry and Sam and Joyce. Sam says, "Joyce has indicated you might be interested in a change of career." Barnaby says he is considering it. Sam gives him a sales pitch. Meanwhile, Scott searches in some trees and finds the laptop computer.
Plot, Part 4[]
Jezebel just ends her talk in the marquee. The crowd claps and cheers her. She gets a phone call and says, "I'm done. I'll be right over."
MURDER 3: Mrs. Hunnicutt receives a key and a packet of money from Helen Callaghan. Cully and John watch from the trees. Suddenly, Mrs. H starts screaming. Jezebel's body is found by the lake.
Dr. Bullard says, "Nothing too premeditated about this one, I'm afraid." He bags up the peg. Scott shows Barnaby the laptop. He tells Barnaby that David Lowry has packed and gone. Scott receives a phone call and learns that Jezebel didn't write the love letter. Cully comes by and tells Barnaby about what she overheard between Sam and Jezebel. Barnaby goes to talk to Sam and he claims it was just a bartering session. Barnaby asks who was Jezebel's other half? Sam says it was just another author. Scott interrupts when he gets a call from the lab. The lab found a match for the print on the murder weapon: John Denton's.
John explains to Barnaby that he helped put up the marquees so his fingerprints would be on the pegs. Barnaby asks what he was doing between 2 and 4. Cully was his alibi. Barnaby tells Cully that, "Keeping quiet about what Grace Maplin and Mrs Hunnicutt were up to might be construed as withholding key evidence." Cully says, "I'm sorry. We just wanted to make sure we weren't jumping to conclusions." Barnaby tells her to keep watching Mrs Hunnicutt.
John Denton is released. Barnaby tells Scott to get some background on Brenda Hunnicutt. Scott reports that most of the laptop has been wiped. There's an e-mail from Richard Rackham sent the day before he died to Mrs Crofton asking her to visit. Camilla said she'd taken him under her wing. They've looked at Jezebel's bank statements. She was receiving big payments from Callaghan's company. The weird thing is, most of the money was paid out again straightaway. To one company-Reiterations Limited. Barnaby tells Scott to find out what he can about Reiterations Limited.
Grace is out walking with Sam. She is upset. The festival's almost ruined. They've lost half their prize judges. Sam tells her he needs money. His bank's being recalcitrant. He wonders if Grace's bank would help bridge us until the new company's up and running. Barnaby shows up to talk to Grace.
Inside the hall, Grace tells Barnaby, "You never met Conor, did you? He was a lot meaner than anyone gives him credit for. He was extremely generous with the community but absolutely beastly to me about money. Even after he died... I was left with nothing. Just petty cash. Everything else went to service his posthumous good deeds. I had to do something and Mrs Hunnicutt's clever in those ways." Sam doesn't know anything about Grace's financial problems.
Cully meets John at his home. He asks if she is his guard dog. They kiss.
Back at Maplin Hall, Helen Callaghan comes by to see Grace. She says, "Do relax, Grace. I'm not here to shave your head or to send you out into the village in shame. I've come to tell you that you're welcome to my husband. There are things you should know first, if you're seriously intending to take him on, that is."
ATTEMPTED MURDER: At home that evening, Barnaby is at home. He gets a call that Camilla's alarm has gone off. Barnaby and Scott rush to Camilla's house. They go in the back door, which is unlocked. They hear muffled voices and break in a door to find Sam and Camilla sitting next to each other on the couch. Camilla claims there was an intruder, but Sam scared him off. The detectives leave and Camilla says to Sam, "There... You're saved." Sam says, "So what happens now?" Camilla says, "I'm going to do a deal with you, Sam."
At Maplin Hall, Mrs. H and Grace hear a noise. Mrs. H grabs a pan and smacks the intruder over the head. It is Lowry. At the police station, Lowry tells police he left all my cards in my dinner jacket in the laundry room. He says, "I was employed by Jezebel... I'm not a fitness trainer. I'm a writer. She er...picked me up in a bar one night a few weeks back. I was going to be her ghost writer. It was a one-off opportunity. She needed a cover for me so no-one found out. Which was just about OK until we came here. And, I don't know, Jez and Neville spent half their time whispering or arguing. And then Neville was murdered... and she's demanding I take a laptop from his room and start wiping all this stuff... She's getting more and more uptight. Then SHE gets killed.
At Maplin Hall, Mrs Hunnicutt starts to leave the house. John confronts her and blocks her way. John and Cully bring Mrs. H to the police station. At the pub, Barnaby and Joyce are getting drinks and Joyce wants to know if he is going to write a book. Barnaby says, "This case has shown up the publishing world in an ambiguous light. Grace Maplin comes in and interrupt them. She needs to talk to Barnaby urgently. Outside, Grace tells Barnaby that Helen Callaghan came to see her last night. She...claimed that Sam has been involved in a very serious criminal deception.
At Sam's office, he tells police, "That's absolute rubbish. Who's been telling you all this? I admit I fiddled a few figures." Barnaby says, "Yes, well, my source says that for the past year, you have been transferring large quantities of sales from lesser-known authors, to exaggerate the sales of Jezebel's books. Make sure she went with you to your new company, whose start-up you erroneously assumed Grace Maplin would be able to fund. Now, is that about accurate? So... Richard Rackham, Neville Williams, were they first to discover this? And did you, Mr Callaghan, commit murder to avoid exposure?" Sam says, "Richard and Neville found out what I was doing, yes. They blackmailed me, yes. The price was a contract for two new books for Richard. I agreed. End of story."
At home, Barnaby is trying to read Jezebel's book. He tells Joyce, "I've got three murders and I'm convinced there's only one killer and one big motive." Joyce says, "This really is the most awful tripe. Listen... Philo hauled her beautiful but battered body onto the starship, doubling forward with the pain. "You know what I'll do if you leave." Philo turned. "Grow up, Ninnia." "I mean it. I can't live or love without you."
Cully meets Barnaby at the library. She looks up information about Camilla Crofton under Oliver Crofton. September, 1955. Russian bride acclaimed as secret war hero. God,
At the Festival, Tim announces that they are ready to announce the 12th annual Maplin Prize winner. The crowd applauds. Grace says, "The winner of this year's prize deserves praise on several counts. For honesty, for courage and for loyalty to my late husband's literary values. The winning novel has been forged from a crucible of dark experience, but has ultimately given birth to a hopeful authorial vision. The novel is Night Vision. The author is John Denton." The crowd cheers and claps. John accepts his prize. Next, Grace announces a further special prize... .."to someone whose literary career is matched only by her commitment and loyalty to the trust. Camilla Crofton." The crowd claps.
Camilla says, "I am immensely flattered and er... extremely grateful. To be perfectly frank, my kind of output, as it is now called, has long been out of fashion. With publishers, at least. In connection with which, ladies and gentlemen, I have a story to tell you and a confession to make. In a rather wilful attempt to prove my ex-publisher wrong, I, two years ago, wrote a novel in the chick lit genre. Actually, it turned out rather well. Knowing, however, it could never be published under my own name, I engaged a surrogate, an actor, a face to match the luridness of the text. My chosen pen name was... ..Jezebel Tripp. (Gasps from the audience) Since the publication of the first novel, I have enjoyed taking revenge on a fickle and faithless publishing world. And in that context, I am grateful to receive this prize. In recognition of values long since abandoned by an industry which... profits so shamelessly from the talent it so often betrays. Thank you." (Tentative applause) Tim stands up and yells, "Bravo! Bravo!" (Audience starts to clap).
Plot Denouement[]
Barnaby takes Camilla into custody. In the interviewing room, Barnaby guesses, "You decided to end your arrangement with Jezebel, didn't you? And to reveal your deception on the occasion of this year's prize-giving. But you discovered that there were others apart from Jezebel, whose futures depended on that... arrangement remaining a secret." Camilla says, "In a nutshell, yes. I rather stupidly warned Jezebel of my intentions. My guess is that she gathered all interested parties to come up with the only complete solution." Barnaby says, "Your death? But they didn't realise, the conspirators, who they were dealing with. Katarina Poltova." Camilla says, "Pol-TOV-a." Barnaby continues, "Pol-TOV-a. Teenage survivor of the Gulag who escaped to work as a field officer at the Wartime Special Operations Executive before coming to this country."
"So... ..you set up the conspirators, did you, one by one? Starting with Richard Rackham. You kept your appointment with him...and then you murdered him." Camilla says, "I would have to disagree with you. I'm afraid I killed automatically, as a reflex, in self-defense. One did get rather good at killing back in Dubrovnik... ..in the bad old days. And poor Richard's attempt was extremely amateurish." {It should be noted that Camilla is an elderly woman in her 80's} (Flashback to Richard, trying to push Camilla down the stairs. She elbows him in the stomach, smacks him in the face, trips him and hits his neck and Richard falls down the stairs.)
Camilla explains, "I didn't guess the involvement of the others until I saw Sam Callaghan at the hall, the morning after Richard's death. The poor man was rather shocked to find me still alive." (Flashback: Sam sees Camilla still alive and drops the tea tray. "Sam, darling, you look like you've seen a ghost.")
Barnaby says, "And Neville Williams?" Camilla says, "He spun me a story about some trouble he was in and suggested we meet after dinner. I suspected his intentions." (Flashback: Camila walks up on the roof and Neville says, "You came." Camilla replies, "I'm anxious to help, Neville." Neville guides Camilla to the roof edge and tries to push her over. Camilla spins around so that Neville is next to the edge and hits him on the head with a rock. Neville falls to the ground.)
Camilla continues, "It was all rather...inconvenient. And...you were getting close. I felt I needed to put you off my scent." Barnaby says, "So you planted the love letter." Camilla says, "Well... Love's always a dependable motive for murder, don't you think? I'd seen Richard hiding the box file earlier. It was easy to break into the locker and plant the letter." Barnaby says, "You didn't kill Jezebel Tripp in self-defense." Camilla says, "Oh, yes. I did. She suggested a meeting. (Flashback: Jezebel tries to push Camilla in the lake. Camilla elbowed her in the face, chopped her neck, kicked her in the stomach and stabbed her with the tent pole.) I didn't count on John's prints on the tent peg, of course. ( Screams ) It was rather messy."
Barnaby says, "And that left just Sam Callaghan." Camilla says, "Yes. He broke in, silly man. I pretended to be asleep on the sofa. He tried to suffocate me. (Flashback: Sam tries to put a pillow over Camilla's face. She kicks out her leg, chops him in the neck. Sam falls to the floor and Camilla grabs a poker from the fireplace) I knew you weren't convinced by our intruder story but... at least I managed not to kill again. Instead, I made a deal. My silence in return for my moment of glory." Barnaby says, "I'll have to charge you. Camilla says, "Quite right that you should. Though, I'm hopeful that a good jury will accept a plea of self-defense. And I have no real regrets. I'm really rather glad to say goodbye to Jezebel Tripp. And you never know, once I've had a chance to digest the experience... ..it may emerge as a rather good book."
Scott gives Barnaby vouchers for dinner for two at Sergio's He had planned to take Jezebel. He had asked Cully, but she's "going out with the worst-dressed man in Midsomer."
At John Denton's house, John brings in dinner. Cully says, "Wow! You can write and you can cook. Do you want to marry me?" They kiss.
At Sergio's, Joyce is pleased at going out to dinner. Joyce says, "Well, this is a nice surprise." Barnaby says, "Well, I thought you deserved a treat." Joyce says, "You're not going to try for that writing thing, are you?" Barnaby says, "No. No, it was useful. It was interesting. But I'm very happy where I am, thank you very much. I was right about the publishing world. It stinks. But I'm sure a jury will go for Camilla's plea of self-defense. I'll do my best to back her up." Barnaby toasts; "To Camilla Crofton. May she live for ever. Nazdorovye!"
Cast[]
- John Nettles as DCI Tom Barnaby
- John Hopkins as Sergeant Dan Scott
- Jane Wymark as Joyce Barnaby
- Laura Howard as Cully Barnaby
- Barry Jackson as Dr George Bullard
- Susan Engel as Camilla Crofton
- Donald Sumpter as Tim Settingfield
- Stella Gonet as Grace Maplin
- Margot Leicester as Kay Settingfield
- Michael Harbour as Harry Poulson (as Michael N. Harbour)
- Tom Mannion as Sam Callaghan
- Robert Whitelock as John Denton
- Emma Buckley as Jezebel Tripp
- Victoria Wicks as Helen Callaghan
- Mark Umbers as Neville Williams
- Rachel Bell as Mrs. Hunnicutt
- Damien Lyne as David Lowry
- Caroline Lintott as Travel Agent
- Alex Belcourt as WPC
- (Uncredited actor) as Richard Rackham
Galleries[]
Body Count[]
Prior to the Episode
Died of natural causes.
In the Episode
Knocked, had his neck broken and then thrown down a flight of stairs.
Pushed to the edge of the building's roof, hit on the head with a rock and fell onto the stone patio bellow.
Knocked down and stabbed in the chest with a fence stake.
Supporting Cast[]
Episode Images[]
Arrests[]
Camilla Crofton for the murders of:
All the murders were acts of reflex in self-defense, mainly because the victims tried to kill the murderer before they were killed.
Notes[]
The following actors and actresses who appeared in this episode have also appeared in the following episodes:
- Caroline Lintott - Death in Disguise, Ring Out Your Dead and The Straw Woman
- Alex Belcourt - Bad Tidings, The Straw Woman, Things That Go Bump in the Night and Last Year's Model
- Susan Engel - Death in the Slow Lane
- Victoria Wicks - Talking to the Dead
- Mark Umbers - Blood Wedding
Trivia[]
- The Jezebel Tripp book 'Chromosome Wars' featured in Sins Of Commision, appears again in the second show of Season 9.
- Grace Maplin's home is actually Hall Barn estate, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England.
- The Quill pub is actually The Six Bells, which is also used in numerous Midsomer Murders episodes.
Trials and Tribulations of DS Dan Scott:
- Jezebel Tripp, racing in her car, runs into Scott. Fortunately he is unhurt, although why he didn't arrest her is beyond comprehension.
Quotes[]
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Goofs[]
- The mock-up for the Causton Gazette's web site contains a typo: it reads "Welcome to the Cuaston Gazette Archive Search."
- Jezebel Tripp and Camilla Poltova are both left-handed, but when Jezebel signs DS Scott's autograph book, the movement of her hand obviously does not match what she says she wrote, "Darling Danny, love Jezebel". It looks more like three large circles.
- Dr. Bullard discovers the murder weapon just inches from Jezebel Tripp's body. The same murder weapon is noticeably absent from the first close-up shot showing the body.
Video[]
Midsomer Murders Series 7 Episode 4 - Sins of Commission Preview
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