Peter Hammond	...	(Director)
	...	(Writer)
Isabel Dean	...
John Thaw	...
Kevin Whately	...
Lionel Jeffries	...

Summary: As Morse has commented on several occasions, the motivation for criminal activity usually involves sex, money, or both. In this particular mystery, the driving forces are much more pecuniary in nature rather than carnal. This entry in the series focuses on a family owned brewery which has fallen on hard times due to family mismanagement; consequently, a large corporation has bid to take over the brewery--- but at a price which (on the surface) seems unrealistically low. The mystery opens with the murder of the brewery manager, who was a member of the family and who was inclined to accept the takeover bid. Morse has to consider whether his murder was related to the takeover bid (since the family is divided over the issue) or to some other matter. No clear suspect emerges, although Morse has to consider the possibility that the dead man's brother (who frequently argued with the victim and was having an affair with his wife) might have committed the deed. Shortly afterwards, however, the brother, himself, is found murdered at the brewery. Eventually, one more murder victim is added to the mix for a total of three different homicides. Elements such as blackmail, financial fraud, preservation of family reputation and status, and revenge related to inheritance claims figure prominently among the factors which motivated the actions of the principal characters. It is fascinating to observe the dynamics of the family which owns the failing brewery, as they seem to be less affected by human loss (the murder of two sons) than they are by the prospect of financial ruin. Only at the end of the story do we learn the identity of the character who committed the final murder; moreover, I must admit I was surprised by this plot twist. Had I been more astute and attentive, I might have reached a correct conclusion earlier. In any event, Morse succeeds in solving crimes by attention to details (documents from the 19th century and the choice of words during a phone conversation) which might have easily been overlooked by a less imaginative detective. The performances are generally very good, with Isabel Dean delivering an excellent portrayal of the resolute family matriarch.