Immerse Yourself In The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries: Watch 8 Full Episodes In Chronological Order

This playlist features eight full episodes of the BBC’s adaptation of the Inspector Alleyn Mysteries, based on the detective crime novels by Dame Ngaio Marsh. The series revolves around Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn, a character from an upper-class background, which is unusual for a police detective.

Alleyn is created by Dame Ngaio Marsh in 32 of her novels. He is the younger son of an upper-class family and was educated at Eton. He is joined by the dependable Inspector Fox and Agatha Troy, a modern independent painter, his love interest, and wife. Dame Ngaio Marsh is known for her clever use of red herrings, which keep readers guessing about the identity of the murderer, the method of murder, and the motive.

The BBC adapted 9 of Marsh’s novels into a television series. The storytelling is leisurely, which allows me to knit as I watch and still follow the plot. In the original novel series, Agatha became Alleyn’s wife after the 4th novel. However, in the television series, she remains his love interest.

The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries (1993 – 1994)

The playlist is sorted according to the publication dates of the novels rather than the series seasons and episode numbers. The quality of the YouTube and Dailymotion videos are not that good. If you are keen to watch the original, both seasons are available on Amazon Prime at https://amzn.to/322isil (affiliate link).

Artists in Crime

The pilot episode, which is based on the novel “Artists in Crime” cannot be found. The audiobook version read by Benedict Cumberbatch is available though. He is a fantastic narrator.

A Man Lay Dead

The novel was published in 1934. It was aired in 1993 Series 1 Episode 1.

Chief Inspector Alleyn cancels his holiday with Agatha Troy at the estate of her uncle Sir Hubert Handesley to investigate a murder connected to a stolen chalice. He was called to Agatha’s uncle estate when a guest was murdered there. Are the two murders connected? All seven suspects had motives and alibis. Can Chief Inspector Alleyn figure it out?

The Nursing Home Murder

The novel was published in 1935. It was aired in 1993 Series 1 Episode 2.

The Home Secretary who has taken controversial stands on Palestine and A-bomb development is murdered during a routine appendectomy. Was he killed because of his political convictions or was there another reason? Both the surgeon and his nurse have good personal reasons to want him dead. Did they kill him?

Death in a White Tie

The novel was published in 1938. It was aired in 1993 Series 1 Episode 5

Alleyn enlists the help of his friend Lord Robert “Bunchy” Gospell to uncover a society blackmailer. After Lord Robert is killed, a murder hunt follows among the world of titled heiresses, gamblers and adulterers.

Death at the Bar

The novel was published in 1940. It was aired in 1993 Series 1 Episode 4.

During a display of dart-throwing in a Cornish pub called Plume of Feathers, a man’s hand is impaled by a dart, and he dies shortly afterwards from cyanide – although no one can explain how. Suspects included a distinguished painter, a celebrated actor, a female graduate, a plump lady from County Clare, and a local farmer. Can Chief Inspector Alleyn find the murderer, the method, and the motivation?

Final Curtain

The novel was published in 1947. It was aired in 1993 Series 1 Episode 3

An egotistical Shakespearean actor, the Grand old man of the stage, gathers his dysfunctional extended family in his mansion on his 75th birthday for the reading of his will. Agatha Troy was present because she was commissioned to paint his portrait to be revealed during the birthday celebration. He was later found murdered. Agatha asked Chief Inspector Alleyn to investigate.

Scales of Justice

The novel was published in 1955. It was aired in 1994 Series 2 Episode 3.

A country lawyer is murdered. Next to him is a freshly killed trout. Does his murder have anything to do with him helping his client, a war hero to publish his memoirs, or his dispute with a neighbouring fisherman in a fierce competition to catch the trout?

Hand in Glove

The novel was published in 1962. It aired in 1994 Series 2 Episode 1

A divorced and disliked man living in a nobleman’s estate is found in a sewer ditch after someone rolled a concrete pipe on his head. The strange thing was a letter of condolence from Mr Percival Pyke, the nobleman, was sent to his house before his body was found. How did Pyke know about his death before anyone else? It is a puzzling crime for Chief Inspector Alleyn.

Dead Water

The novel was published in 1964. It aired in 1994 Series 2 Episode 2.

Chief Inspector Alleyn’s old French teacher sought his help after she received death threats because she wanted to end the exploitation of the healing waters of Pixie Falls. Instead of her, the gift shop owner was murdered. Who killed her and why?