The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Vol. 4: In Divine Proportion (2005)

PBS's acclaimed MYSTERY! series continues with BBC-produced adaptations of author Elizabeth George's popular INSPECTOR LYNLEY mystery novels. Pairing aristocratic detective Thomas Lynley (Nathaniel Parker FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD) with his working-class partner Barbara Havers (Sharon Small ABOUT A BOY) the British series chronicles the Scotland Yard duo's efforts to crack difficult cases while dealing with each other's class differences. In this first episode of the series' fourth season Lynley and Havers's investigation of a murdered woman leads them to a disturbing decades-old secret about her native village.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: UNRATED UPC: 783421410893 Manufacturer No: WG41089 Product Description

The Best Episode of Series 4

This review was actually written by my wife Melanie: Havers returns to work after having recovered from gunshot wound to investigate with Lynley the shooting of a beautiful woman involved in more than just an adultrous affair in the rural Suffolk village where she was raised. Samantha and husband had recently purchased and begun renovation of an old priory with plans to run an elegant country inn for tourists when murder intervened. When Havers and Lynley begin their investigation, dark secrets emerge about more than the murder victim--there are other secrets in the village that Havers and Lynley must uncover to find Samantha's killer.

The pastoral shots of Suffolk or wherever it was shot are great; I would watch the episode just for those! This episode probes deeper into Haver's soul; you can almost "smell the fear" as it emanates from her in the hostage scene. The hostage scene builds effectively in intensity; I was on the edge of my seat. The relationship between Havers and Lynley matures and deepens as a result of Haver's hostage experience: Lynley expresses real concern not only for Haver's physical safety, but for her emotional recovery after the shooting and hostage experiences. He is not so entirely and narrowly focused on his problems with estranged wife Helen. Lynley and Havers emerge from this episode with a stronger, closer partnership and a better appreciation and respect for one another.

Richard Armitage fans will enjoy a very good performance by him as Phillip Turner, the victim's lover. If you don't know Richard Armitage, he is the very fine actor who was John Thorton in BBC's "North and South" (Amazon sells the DVD, and if you liked RA in this, you'll love him in N&S). By the way, Amazon should have this DVD "In Divine Proportion" listed under "The Works of Richard Armitage" also! November 12, 2006

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