User Reviews

With "The Christmas Haunting" beginning season 16, Ben Jones is gone, now promoted to Inspector in Brighton.

The Barnabys are expecting a baby.

And there's a new sergeant in town.

The new sergeant is Charlie Nelson, a young man overwhelmed by the work but managing to keep up. He's also bright and industrious. Barnaby and Nelson are called in to investigate the death of Conor Bridgeman, which happened in a house where "ghost hunts" are done.

Actually, the married Conor was using the hunt as an excuse to have a tryst. Also, he had attempted to buy the house, but the owner, Simon Fergus-Johnson, refused to sell to him. No love lost there.

The list of people who had something against the womanizing Conor goes on -- the local historian hated him because Conor had seduced his daughter.

So although the murder takes place in a so-called haunted house, there's nothing ectoplasmic about it. But someone is sending out pamphlets warning residents not to disturb the spirits, who will get their revenge.

Then at a second ghost hunt, there is another murder. This time it's a pub landlord, Ross Clymer. He is the lover of Simon Fergus-Johnson's wife. He's also an enemy of Ollie Tabori, who is AWOL from the army. Ollie is Simon's sister Valerie's old boyfriend.

Well, with all that, Barnaby decides these murders have something to do with the family and using ghosts as a cover.

Underlying all this is Christmas, the very pregnant Mrs. Barnaby, and Nelson getting adjusted in a new town at Christmas. Despite her pregnancy, Barnaby's wife has a lot of questions about the new sergeant and seems to want to fix him up with someone. It turns out to be a warm and sweet episode. I wish I had seen it during the Christmas season - it does put you in the mood.

Jones has gone, and gets the honorary mention, and in steps DS Nelson. Gwilym Lee is destined for big things, and I imagine that Midsomer Murders had a big hand in launching him.

The story is very good, it has a creepy vibe, it feels very up to date, it has some great characters, and deals with many relevant issues. The story is not Christmassy per se, at times it feels like bits are added on. Who cares, it's a great story.

Elizabeth Berrington and Les Dennis are the standouts for me, both wonderful. Nelson started off very well, he's blunt, abrasive, and ballsy, a real departure from Jones. He should have continued in this way.

I'd imagine if a Christmas special were made bow, itv would transmit it the following Easter, such is the channel's treatment of the show.

When in its prime (a vast majority of Seasons 1-9), 'Midsomer Murders' was a great show and one that is watched and re-watched frequently. Seasons 10-13 became more uneven, with three of the show's worst episodes coming from Seasons 11 and 13, but there were a few solid episodes and "Blood Wedding" and especially "Master Class" were gems.

After John Nettles retired and Neil Dudgeon and the new character of John Barnaby took over, 'Midsomer Murders' just hasn't been the same on the most part. Season 14 was a disappointment outside of "The Oblong Murders" and "A Sacred Trust", with "Echoes of the Dead" and "The Night of the Stag" being show low-points. Season 15 was inconsistent, being a case of starting promisingly and then took a three-episodes-in-a-row strange turn with "Written in the Stars" before finishing on a good note.

Season 16 gets off to a good start with one of its better episodes. "The Christmas Haunting" may not be a 'Midsomer Murders' classic, but as far as the John Barnaby-era episodes go it is one of the better ones and the second best Christmas themed 'Midsomer Murders' episodes (not as good as the near-classic "Ghosts of Christmas Past" but much better than the tedious "Days of Misrule").

Production values cannot be faulted as usual mostly, apart from some rather amateurish camera work at the start. It's mostly beautifully and atmospherically shot with suitably picturesque scenery. The music fits perfectly, with some lush jauntiness and sometimes an ominous quality, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre. The script is better balanced and more interesting than most John Barnaby-era episodes, not taking itself too seriously, with some nice gentle and quirky humour sorely missing in a lot of previous John Barnaby-era episodes, while not being outlandish.

The story is not the tightest or detail-filled of all 'Midsomer Murders' episodes, but it is much less padded and tedious than "Days of Misrule" and is not simplistic or convoluted. The characters are a return to the more eccentric ones rather than the pantomimic and bland ones seen for a while previously, and the murderer and their motives were nicely surprising. Despite the murder theme "The Christmas Haunting" has a nice mix of ghost story (which wisely doesn't dominate the episode too much) and the Christmas spirit, which is so much fun and makes one feel warm and cheerful inside and out.

Neil Dudgeon is much more comfortable, and Gwilym Lee as Barnaby's new partner Nelson fills big shoes more than competently. They work well and cohesively together, that it was good to be spared Jones being written like a dumbed down idiot and Barnaby's disdainful and overly-smug attitude towards him. The supporting cast are all strong, adorable and comedically gifted Sykes continues to steal scenes and it was great that Sarah is written with more development and charm and that her chemistry with Barnaby is here more loving. Effort is also made to develop Kate, to me however she is still a bit bland and lacking in personality.

To conclude, surprisingly a very good episode and a promising start to Season 16. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Truly a favorite spirited episode. One of the best of John Barnaby. The progression of John B guiding, trusting and acknowledging the new DS Nelson is fun to watch. And I must say, this episode has a plethora of absolutely beautiful women.

I really enjoyed Ben Jones' (Jason Hughes) work on MM. But, probably was due for a change. Change can be tricky. DS Charlie Nelson (Gwilym Lee) was outstanding for a first episode. An instant tense rapport with John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon). JB shows arrogance with Nelson early. Even with a steady flow of bodies falling like flies continually under his watch. Pretty Sarah (Fiona Dolman) is a mismatch for chunky toupeed JB. Very entertaining tense story that had stand out guest sctors. A virtual Ms England beauty pageant again. Wish there was more lovely Kate Wilding (Tazmin Malleson) who is a wonderful actress. The Christmas pulling at the heartstrings theme was coordinated smoothly with the ending.

Not a review but a question. What month was this filmed in. I've seen other episodes with snow and you can see it's frigid. This just looks like they filmed in cool vivid. It's blue looking but not cold, nobody's breath is showing. It's nit picking stuff l know but it still bugs me 🤷‍♀️

The plot is plausible. The new assistant is better written. He actually has some better lines. Poor Jones was written has merely a hindrance with poor theories. I wish they wouldn't make the chief detective so negative. His unconcern for his new assistant and how he can't managed to help a new fellow settle in is off putting...must be funny for the Brits. While the Christmas theme offers a nice backdrop and adds to the plot, it is odd seeing professed atheists celebrating it.

Spray fake frost on buildings, shoot everything through a blue filter (indoors and out) to simulate cold and add a dull new character (put on a suit for cripes sake, you're a DS, not a DJ) and what do you get? A perfect recipe for ruining one of the most charming, quirky, wonderful shows on the air. Thanks a lot...

I can't believe the high ratings here as I've never been able to get into this episode. I can't keep up with the plot or the characters and quite frankly I don't want to get into any of the characters who are ordinary at best and abhorrent at worse. Zero care for the victim nor fascinated by the murderer.

This had to be filmed at the height of summer. I've never seen so many mufflers, scarves and sweaters in people who clearly were sweltering.

Also the story is slow and boring.

Whenever a show enters free fall, enter pregnancy or a small tot- nothing in previous seasons even suggest John or Sarah Barnaby have children on their minds, plus they've been married for 15 years... a feeble attempt to drum up empathy for unlikable characters who are difficult to identify with- they should have adopted a sibling for Sykes instead.

The new DS looks more of a scruffy undercover cop trying to finger drug lords than a community officer; however, he does have striking blue eyes.

Midsomer should have kept DS Jones and found a new Barnaby cousin to try and fill John Nettles DCI shoes.

Midsomer has been going downhill the past few seasons The introduction of DS Nelson was the final straw. The guy looks completely unprofessional...he needs a shave and some decent clothing for crying out loud !! He looks like he is on probation from an alcohol abuse center. Every time he comes on camera I am thrown off by his appearance.. Bye Bye Midsomer.