Plot

Barnaby and Jones investigate whether competition between ornithology enthusiasts led to murder.

When bird-watcher Ralph Ford claims to have seen a blue-crested hoopoe--thus winning him the year's list contest--other members of the Midsomer-in-the-Marsh ornithological society are angry, especially society chairman Patrick Morgan who, later that night is lured to his death by a call on Ford's stolen phone. Morgan was generally unpopular in the society, and farmer George Napier benefits by the death as Morgan intended to save wetlands he intended to drain; meanwhile, his Russian widow Nina, a former ballerina, is pregnant, and since her husband had a vasectomy he is not the father. The real father is the next victim--will a third person meet death at the hands of one who has killed two people as well as a rare bird?—don @ minifie-1

DI Barnaby and DS Jones investigate the murder of Patrick Morgan, president of the Midsomer-in-the-Marsh ornithological association. Morgan wasn't likeable and was downright nasty to people, including his wife Nina. He suspected her of having an affair after she announced she was pregnant; he knew he could not be the father as he had a vasectomy some years ago. He had also challenged Ralph Ford's claim of having seen a blue-crested hoopoe, a bird that is native to Uganda, and had threatened to sue local farmer George Napier if he went ahead with a drainage project. Nina was a former prima ballerina and with former professional musician Michael Hipsman, now a bookshop owner and member of bird-watching society, teaches ballet classes locally. Nina hasn't been truthful with the police and finally tells them who fathered her coming child. When he too is killed, the police must look elsewhere for the culprit.—garykmcd

Unpopular businessman Patrick Morgan, president and perpetual champion of the Midsomer-in-the-Marsh ornithological association, was caught in a bird net, beaten on the head with a stick, and thrown into the lake. It's in the forest nicknamed Stranglers Wood after a series of same-MO murders years ago. Having had a vasectomy, he definitely suspected his pregnant wife Nina of adultery with studly farm laborer Dave Foxely. Ralph Ford, Morgan's rival for the club's spotting record, was furious to see his claim rejected of having seen a blue-crested hoopoe from Uganda, which had put him ahead at last. Morgan threatened to sue Foxely's employer, farmer George Napier, for a planned drainage in the protected habitat of rare species. Spotter Michael Hipsman, a retired concert oboist who runs the bookshop, admires Russian prima ballerina Nina and plays the piano at her local ballet class, where single father Tim Whitley and his daughter Aimee have a special bond with Nina. The murderer strikes twice more, but can't keep up his MO, while Barnay and Jones combine clues to check alibis.—KGF Vissers