Written in Blood (novel)


Written in Blood is a crime novel by English author Caroline Graham, the fourth book in her popular Chief Inspector Barnaby series, which has been adapted into the equally successful ITV drama Midsomer Murders.

Plot summary

The Midsomer Worthy Writer's Circle, a group of amateur novelists, invite celebrated author Max Jennings along as a special guest. However, host Gerald Hadleigh is vehemently opposed to the idea but refuses to explain why, so he is promptly overruled by his peers. After the somewhat uncomfortable event, Hadleigh's companion Rex St. John is tricked into departing, leaving Hadleigh alone with Jennings. The next morning Gerald is found savagely murdered with a candlestick, his corpse stripped and all his clothes stolen, with no sign of Max.

Major themes

A dark and compelling mystery with horrific overtones, Written in Blood explores several challenging themes, including child abuse, transvestism, insanity and the nature of unconditional love.

Publication history

Written in Blood was adapted on 22 March 1998 as the second episode of Midsomer Murders, the first being The Killings at Badger's Drift. The two-hour film starred Anna Massey, Una Stubbs and David Troughton, alongside John Nettles and Daniel Casey in their usual roles of Barnaby and Troy. The character of Rex St. John is omitted from the TV programme.