Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
5 Episodes 2001 - 2002
Episode 0
A Great Deliverance Pt. 1
Sun, Mar 11, 2001146 mins
When a farmer, William Tey, is hacked to death with an ax in his barn, Scotland Yard assigns Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers to the case. Lynley is the 8th Earl of Asherton and is a graduate of Eton and Oxford; he is on the fast track in the police service. Havers has a working class background and feels that she is discriminated against. Despite the differences in their background - very often, the two simply don't understand one another - they make a good team. As for the murder, there are several possible suspects. Tey's wife had left him many years before and one of his daughters ran away and would have nothing to do with him. A nephew will now inherit his farm, providing a good motive. Throughout the investigation, Lynley has to deal with former colleagues who would like nothing better than to bring him down.
Episode 1
Well Schooled in Murder
Sun, Aug 31, 200390 mins
Inspector Lynley is asked by his old school friend to investigate when one of his pupils is killed. The school in question is Bredgar Hall, a haven for the rich and the privileged with annual fees of £20,000 a year. The dead boy however, 13 year-old Matthew Whately didn't come from a rich family. From all accounts, he was well liked and fit into the school and its unique culture quite well. DS Havers is appalled with the whole concept of parents shipping their children off to a boarding school just when they need parenting the most. Faced with school administrators who seem more concerned with the school's reputation than the boy's death, Lynley and Havers must determine if the threat is from students, staff or someone not at all connected with the school.
Episode 2
Payment in Blood
Sun, Sep 7, 200390 mins
Inspector Lynley (Nathaniel Parker) and Sergeant Havers (Sharon Small) are sent to a remote Scottish mansion house, the home of Sir Stuart Stinhurst (Ronald Pickup), to investigate the violent death of a famous playwright whilst she was helping to rehearse a production of her new play. Initial investigation reveals that practically anybody could have committed the crime but everybody appears to have a convincing alibi and nobody has a motive. As the investigation continues an apparent nearby suicide begins to have a bearing on the case and Lynley believes that is wasn't suicide. The arrival of a new guest, Helen Clyde (Lesley Vickerage), a former girlfriend of Lynley's who is now a lover of one of the main suspects starts to cloud his judgement and raise Havers' suspicions. As the real motives begin to appear and the dark pasts of some of the guests are revealed will Lynley catch the double murderer?
Episode 3
For the Sake of Elena
Sun, Sep 14, 200390 mins
When the daughter of a Cambridge professor is brutally killed while out jogging, Lynley and Havers are assigned to the case. The young woman was deaf and on the evidence, it appears the attack was deliberate. There are any number of suspects: the girl's father is divorced, re-married to a much younger woman who suspects him of having an affair; another Cambridge professor known for being a bit too friendly with students and against whom she was about to make a formal sexual harassment complaint; her ex-boyfriend, with whom she had recently broken up; a student advisor who was very attracted to her, but in whom she had little interest. While in Cambridge, Lynley takes the opportunity to get in touch with Helen Clyde who is staying locally with her sister. At home, Havers continues to deal with the effects of her mother's Alzheimer's disease and the need to provide ever more care.
Episode 4
Missing Joseph
Sun, Sep 21, 200390 mins
While on detachment to the Lancashire police, DI Lynley investigates the apparent murder of the Reverend Robin Sage who is found on a rural path, where he was presumably walking home. The autopsy reveals that he was poisoned with wild hemlock. He had dinner the previous evening with Juliet Spence who was also violently ill through the night, but survived the poisoning. Juliet is involved in a relationship with PC Steve Shepherd, son of the local DCI Kenneth Shepherd and it is apparent that Juliet's teenage daughter, Maggie, is not pleased with her mother's choice. Uncovering a false identity is central to solving the crime. Lynley meanwhile has fallen in love with Helen Clyde, but can't quite bring himself to do something about it. DS Havers is dealing with the aftermath of having placed her aging mother in a care home.