Midsomer Murders (TV Series) Strangler's Wood (1999) User Reviews

"We weren't arguing, we were talking... loudly." Another fine Midsomer Murders.

[poolandrews · 7/10 · 23 June 2007]

Midsomer Murders: Strangler's Wood starts as a group of young boys on their way to school take a short cut through Raven's Wood, there they make the shocking discovery of a nude woman who has been strangled with a neck tie. DCI Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) & Sgt. Troy (Daniel Casey) on are the case, Barnaby remembers that Raven's Wood was the area where three women's bodies who died in similar circumstances were found 9 years ago & has since become known as Strangler's Wood. At first Barnaby ask's the question whether the two cases are connected, then ponders why the killer has suddenly started to kill again & just as importantly why he stopped all those years ago. The woman turns out to be an actress & model from Brazil named Carla Constanza (Betti Romani) who has ties to a local cigarette manufacturer & some of it's employees including John Merrill (Nicholas Farrell) whose expensive Rolex watch was found near the body, but is the case really that simple...

Episode 2 from season 2 this Midsomer Murders mystery was directed by Jeremy Silberston & is another great mystery for all armchair sleuth's everywhere. The script by Anthony Horowitz weaves yet another intriguing tangled web of deception, lies, blackmail, murder & dark secrets in Midsomer county for Barnaby to sort out. This one opens up with the discovery of a body & then goes into a lull for about an hour & I admit my patience was being stretched as Barnaby & Troy investigate the murder but get nowhere fast until it bursts into life again with a couple more murders in quick succession & a great ending where it all comes together & everything is revealed as Barnaby solves not one case but two. I really like how all the little pieces of the puzzle come together here, from seemingly insignificant conversation's to observation's made by Barnaby I liked the way the complex multi layered mystery all comes together like the pieces of a jigsaw. I personally think Strangler's Wood could have used 5 or 10 minutes cut out of it's middle third to quicken the pace & keep my interest more but it picks up again at just the right time, as usual the plot is engaging, far from predictable & is what we expect from the series a well thought out gripping murder mystery that'll keep most of you guessing right to the very end which is just the way I like 'em.

As seems to be the norm for this show there are a few subplots revolving around Barnaby & the fact he's left home alone with his daughter by his wife who has to go away because her mother is ill, this one also sees the potential beginnings of a romantic relationship between Troy & Barnaby's daughter. There is a neat little reference to Death of a Hollow Man in this as well if you look out for things like that. This episode looks really nice with the usual assortment of uniquely English country locations, the gorgeous Dorney Court in Berkshire was used for the Fox & Goose hotel & stands out. The murders aren't graphic here but there are several corpses on show including a body in a bath with a fair amount of blood splatter. The acting is top notch from all involved.

Strangler's Wood almost lost me there for a bit it redeemed itself with flying colours & is yet another classic Midsomer Murders, this is episode 2 from season 2 & there hasn't been a bad episode yet, I wonder if the next story Dead Man's 11 will change that?

excellent Midsomer

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 27 October 2013]

When a woman's body is found strangled with a tie in Raven's Wood, it's reminiscent of a case from ten years ago, in "Midsomer Murders: Stranglers Wood," from the second season.

Barnaby calls on the investigator from ten years ago, George Meakam (Frank Windsor); he is not only no help but very negative on whether Barnaby will catch the strangler.

Since a Rolex watch was found near the body, Barnaby is able to trace it to John Merrill (Nicholas Farrell). Farrell is the Director of Marketing of a tobacco company, and the victim turns out to be the face of their "Carla" cigarette commercials.

It looks good for Merrill being the killer, but other suspects appear as Barnaby and Troy try to solve the Strangler's Wood case.

On the home front, Joyce is away caring for her mother, leaving Cully and Barnaby to fend for themselves. Though Barnaby intends to spend some time with Cully, the case keeps interfering.

Very good, intriguing script, with John Nettles, Phyllis Logan (as Mrs. Merrill) and the cast in top form.

Highly recommended.

Excellent, and reminds one of how far the series has slipped

[sawpits67 · 9/10 · 12 April 2016]

Having recently finished watching the most recent season, I have returned to the beginnings. And all that this excellent episode did, besides entertaining me again, was also to remind me of how far the series has slipped. And it isn't merely the fault of Neil Dudgeon, as the series was slipping the last few seasons with the wonderful John Nettles still at the helm. The WPC character with nothing to do was the beginning of that slide. Sure, Nettles was getting up in years, but part of me suggests he also left because of the increasingly bad scripts, and need to always top the previous episodes killings with more bizarre ones.

The scripts have grown banal too often, the setups are mediocre too often, the series is long in the tooth as well. Many of the Dudgeon episodes will not stand up to repeated viewing is my belief, both because of him, and because of the scripts. Though season 18 had several good episodes, the best in the Dudgeon era. But is that saying much?

Anyway, watch 'Strangler's Wood', highly recommended, and holds up to repeated viewings over the years.

BTW..... The matter about the newspapers is much ado about nothing, the character would have been correct to presume that the papers would have the recent murder as front page news, especially after the three previous ones in the same woods years earlier. So I do not see this as any sort of mistake in the script.

A brilliant satisfying Midsomer Murders Mystery

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 27 August 2015]

Barnaby and Troy are called in after the body of a young Woman is founds in Strangler's wood, named by the Sun, a site where ten years ago three other women were murdered in the same grizzly fashion. George Meakham, now retired was in charge of the case at the time, and still suffers with a morbid obsession for the case, as he never managed to solve it.

Some fine performances as you'd expect, Toby Jones is in as mortician Dan Peterson, he proved to be quite fun and would run for Series 2. Phyllis Logan and Nicholas Farrell are great as the Merrill's and Trudie Styler is great as their neighbour. Favourite performance for me is Peter Eyre as Leonard Pike, he's a fantastic actor, and gives such a creepy but charismatic performance.

The Agatha Christie gag was a little uncalled for, haha.

There is so much going on in this intricate and craftily written Murder mystery. I love how Barnaby is trying to spend time with Cully but being scuppered at every opportunity, it provides a little relief from the story which is quite a grim one.

It's one of the best of the lot, interesting characters, great sub plots, lots of mis-direction and red herrings, all in all it's brilliant. 10/10

Not an easy feat to follow one of the show's best episodes, and be just as good, "Strangler's Wood" manages it

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 9 December 2016]

"Death's Shadow" was a magnificent way to start Season 2, and is still, even for so early on in the show's run, one of the best 'Midsomer Murders' episodes.

"Strangler's Wood" had a tough task to act upon. It must have been daunting, and no easy picnic, following "Death's Shadow" and be no less inferior. "Strangler's Wood" is just as good, not one of the best of the show, so perhaps a slight step down but that means nothing at all. It still manages to be just as good.

As always, the production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's grimness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre.

Meanwhile, the script is smart, thought-provoking and suitably grim, with even some nice humour and even some welcome and beautifully done heart with the Barnaby and Cully subplot. Nothing felt inconsequential, everything had a point, everything intrigued. And yes, the references to past cases were great.

The story is not quite as dark or as complex as "Death's Shadow", but is hugely compelling, and never simplistic or over-complicated, nor no less mature. There is a lot going on without being cluttered or rushed, and that nothing is what it seems, or very few people are who they seem adds to the complexity, while there are no out of kilter scenes. The twists and turns keep coming, and never in an obvious or press-the-rewind button.

John Nettles and Daniel Casey sparkle together, with Nettles characteristically superb and Casey a great contrast. Laura Howard brings charm and sympathy to Cully, and Toby Jones excels in a quite unusual kind of role. Phyllis Logan and Peter Eyre are particularly wonderful support, Eyre evokes chills-up-the-spine even.

In conclusion, brilliant follow up episode to one of the show's finest. 10/10 Bethany Cox

"First class murder mystery with all the intrigue and thrills we expect as well as the added depth of a subplot."

[jamesraeburn2003 · 29 March 2006]

In the deceptively tranquil village of Midsomer Worthy, a group of schoolchildren discover the body of a young woman whom has been strangled with a tie in Raven's Wood. Reminded of another case from ten years ago, in which three young girls were strangled in the same woods with ties, Barnaby and Troy go through the files of that case as it looks as if the unmasked killer has struck again after a ten year break. Barnaby visits the former investigating officer of that case, George Meakam (Frank Windsor), but he isn't too helpful remarking that the killer got the better of him three times and that he will elude Barnaby as well. A Rolex watch was found near the latest victim and it is traced to John Merrill (Nicholas Farrell) whom is the Marketing Director of Monarch Tobacco. It then transpires that the victim was the glamorous Brazilian model Carla Constanza whom was hired by Merrill to promote the company's top selling brand of cigarettes, which incidentally is called "Carla". The list of suspects is now beginning to grow as it turns out that Merrill was the only person in England that she really ever came into contact with. In addition, Barnaby and Troy soon learn that George Meakam (though retired) is still obsessed with the case he was unable to solve prone to wandering off into the woods late at night telling his wife that he is trying to get into the mind of the killer. But the most likely suspect is Merrill because there is a lot of circumstantial evidence piling up against him. In addition to his watch being found next to the victim, his wife, the agony aunt Kate Merrill (Phyllis Logan), has discovered a shirt belonging to her husband that happens to be smothered in the victim's lipstick. In addition, Merrill's life isn't a happy one as his marriage isn't a happy one and he doesn't get on with his young son David either. Matters are complicated further when the Merrill's Au-pair Anna is murdered by a lethal injection of liquid nicotine. Barnaby begins to suspect that the double murder has something to do with Monarch Tobacco rather than the home life of John Merrill. And could the link with the murders from a decade before be merely coincidental?

Strangler's Wood was first broadcast on ITV on 3 February 1999 following up the excellent Death's Shadow. Director Jeremy Silberston and screenwriter Anthony Horowitz (the establishing writer-director team of the series) were retained from that film and once again a superb supporting cast was assembled to support John Nettles and Daniel Casey whom by now were really living their roles as Inspector Barnaby and Sgt Troy. They include Frank Windsor who offers a first rate performance as the retired police inspector George Meakam whom is still obsessed with solving the murders that he couldn't all those years ago much to the chagrin of his wife played by Anne Stallybrass. Windsor has been a familiar face on British television for more than forty years most notably playing police detective John Watt in the popular Z-Cars and Softly Softly series'. Also of note is Phyllis Logan who is excellent as Kate Merrill and Peter Eyre offers a suitably creepy performance as involved hotel manager Leonard Pyke at whose establishment two of the victims stayed before they died.

Overall, Strangler's Wood is another first class entry into this wonderful series with fine performances right down to the smallest part, masterful direction by Silberston and another impeccable script by Anthony Horowitz, which delivers all the intrigue and thrills we have now come to expect from Midsomer Murders. In addition, the story is given an added depth here with the subplot about Barnaby trying to spend some quality time with his daughter Cully (Laura Howard) whilst his wife Joyce is away caring for her mother whom has taken ill. We see a side to Barnaby that we haven't seen before. He clearly loves his family but he allows his work to take him over. For instance, every time he and Cully arrange to do something such as a night at the theatre, a development occurs in the case and Barnaby totally forgets that he has arranged to meet his daughter and goes off to interview a witness or suspect in his own time. This has been charmingly worked out into the script by Silberston and Horowitz and Laura Howard and John Nettles are both a joy to watch here. In addition, all technical aspects such as lighting, music and editing are all up to their usual high standards.

Holes in Plot

[kall6695 · 8/10 · 3 May 2022]

A woman's body is found strangled with a tie in Raven's Wood, it's reminiscent of a case from years ago where 3 women were strangled.

Several clues are found to implicate a particular person, but seem obviously to be a frame-up.

One of the best things about Midsomer Murders are the scenic little country towns and the interesting villagers. This episode features some great characters.... We have the hard working, barely home businessman, his boss, his "long-suffering" columnist wife, the son who treats his dad like crap, the local hotel with single hotelier, his ailing mother, and the non-English speaking au pair. Why would you hire an au pair who can't speak English?

What is not realistic:

A. Why would anyone hire a person who speaks no English to the point where they don't understand you at all? What are the chances a Portuguese speaking woman with next to no English would be working in rural Midsomer County??

B. How could a severely ill old woman get out of her bed/chair to do anything?

C. The columnist who answers readers questions and offers tips to people about their problems seems to be totally oblivious to her son's problems. She also jumps to the wrong conclusions pretty quickly. What college did she graduate from? Go back to school. Get some counseling.

I realize that these detective shows can have really ridiculous plots and creative murders. That's part of the fun. I just wish some of the characters had more sense and the plots were more realistic. And, as is many times the case, the person you would least expect to be the killer is. So my motto is to suspect the person that has the least air time and is less involved with the rest.

Not a Good Day for the Tobacco Industry

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 9 February 2016]

A beautiful Brazilian woman is found dead, strangled just like three other women had been ten years previously. The questions, of course, are whether the killer had struck again, it was a copycat, or just a coincidence. This brings into play a whole group of possible suspects. Not obvious one is a guy named Merrill, whose Rolex was found at the scene. He is in a tense marriage with an advice columnist for a local newspaper. There are other culpable characters as well. A man who runs a lovely old hotel, whose mother is kept in a room as she suffers from cancer. There is a tobacco executive who works with Merrill, whose livelihood is profoundly affected by this murder. There is a man who has a drawer full of neckties (the murder weapon in the previous cases). Also, an inspector, a predecessor of Tom Barnaby, who can't let go of a case that was never solved. The pieces are neatly arranged with several other adjacent characters who are carrying on their lives. Once again, the writing is superb and the craftsmanship neat and tidy. There is also a fun subplot where Mrs. Barnaby visits her mother and Cully, the daughter, tries to please her father, dealing with the same tunnel vision that her long suffering mother must put up with.

luke warm

[mymeister · 7/10 · 7 May 2020]

Although I enjoy mysteries, I have only just started watching this series. I have found it bland to be honest and realized recently that I think it is supposed to be of the ilk of Murder She Wrote. A comfortable story and setting that doesn't leave one with any unease or having been challenged in any way. And there is nothing wrong with that: different strokes for different folks etc. I am still watching them and give them a 7 overall as a series : glad i watched but I wouldn't add it to a personal collection if I had one of tv shows ha ha. I find the characters bland. The stories have enough twists in them to keep you guessing. There is something dated about the series characters as well. The sidekick is immature and in one of the episodes was quick to point out to a gay character that he was straight. For this and other reasons the show seems 1980s and dated to me. Another example the main character's wife is underemployed. I don't mean she should be at work but she should be applying herself to something in life. Sitting at home winging about the threat to her wedding because her husband is investigating a murder is a very dated response:housewife of 1980s era. In this episode the daughter takes over as chatelaine when her mom is away. Really? a 20 something daughter cooking for her dad and worrying about him not eating? Bonding in adulthood when they clearly get along just seems weird and put on. Others find this family nice in that the main character is "normal" and has a nice family. I find them odd to be honest.And bland.

Great Fun

[dizzieparttwo · 9/10 · 8 April 2018]

Enjoying this series...music thru me off on first episode of season 1...however I am greatly enjoying these episodes...not easy to figure out who dun it.

Good but Cully behaves like a sulking Teenie

[dazza-80955 · 8/10 · 18 September 2022]

I enjoyed this one and most of the earlier series a lot more than the later ones. Dodgy ones and silly plots occur rarely but after season 9 things went down hill.

The story is good as are most of Anthony Horriwitz's work. Some things were annoying though As others have said - why employ an Au Pair who can't speak the language. I wouldn't Why doesn't the agony aunt recognise her own sons problems The Cully Tom sub plot was silly. Why do they need to bond - they've obviously got a super relationship. She acts like a spoiled teenager. Her father is a DCI investigating murders for Gods sake.

The murderer was a surprise but after seeing reactions from another suspect, I suspected that something was not quite s it seems Apart from the minor discrepancies I enjoyed this a lot.

Top tier episode

[coltras35 · 10/10 · 3 April 2022]

Definitely one of the top tier Midsomer episodes with the usual eccentric characters, red herrings and twists and turns. Cleverly makes you think the strangler is one person, though you know that's a subterfuge- or is it? There's nary a dull moment as our detectives get through the bottom of this mystery.

A downfall for Monarch Tobacco

[hossychristie · 10/10 · 8 October 2023]

"Strangler's Wood" is a wonderful second episode of the second series of Midsomer Murders. The story is not as dark and complex as "Death's Shadow", but it is still a very good episode.

The body of Carla Constanza is found in Raven's Wood with a tie around her neck. As Barnaby and Troy come to the woods, Barnaby realises that the Wood is indeed familiar. It turns out that three young women were strangled in the same woods nine years ago and the woods was subsequently referred to as "Strangler's Wood" among the local population.

Shortly after the newspapers are delivered at The Fox and Goose. Gloria Bradley, an employee the proprietor Leonard Pike, calls DCI Tom Barnaby, and informs him that she can give him an ID. Gloria says Carla Constanza payed for a week's stay at the hotel, but she never came back after the first night. Leonard Pike comes back to the hotel, and Gloria tells him what has happened. Troy finds out that Carla had called Monarch Tobacco before she died, and Barnaby and Troy drive there to talk with the company's managing director, Bill Mitchell. He seems surprised when Barnaby and Troy talk with him, but as the conversation progresses, he seems more interesting in Monarch Tobacco and what her death will do to his company.

Anna Santarosa, an au pair at Kate and John Merrils house is shortly afterwards found murdered as well, and then Leonard Pike is stabbed to while taking a bath. As the investigation comes to a close, it is soon revealed that Leonard Pike was the person responsible for the killings at Strangler's Wood nine years ago. He was never caught, because his mother could not bear to turn him in. She warned him and said that it could never happen again, while she was alive. When Troy had told him about the new Strangler's Wood victim, she thought the worst, and killed his son. Bill Mitchell is found to be the murderer behind the killings of Carla Constanza and Anna Santarosa. Carla Constanza was killed because she had developed the lung disease called pulmonary emphysema, and Bill Mitchell could never risk her ruining his company. Anna Santarosa tried to blackmail Bill because she knew what Bill had done to Carla, after hearing a message Carla left behind on the Merrils answering phone, about her meeting with bill. Fortunately for Anna, the message from Carla was in Portugese, the one language she did understand, but sadly, she made a mistake too many when she tried to blackmail Bill.

Peter Eyre, Jeremy Clyde, Phyllis Logan, Nicholas Farrell and Trudie Styler leaves the best impression from the supporting cast. When it comes to filming locations in this episode, I would say that Dorney Court which features as The Fox and Goose hotel, stands out as my favourite filming location.

"Strangler's Wood" is a wonderful second episode of the second series of Midsomer Murders. "Strangler's Wood" may not be as dark and complex as "Death's Shadow", but is close by. 10/10 Hossy Christie.