Series 1

Well-Schooled In Murder

8 April 2002, 8pm, BBC One

Detective Inspector Lynley and Detective Sergeant Havers are drawn into the closed world of prestigious public school Bredgar Hall when a promising young pupil, Matthew Whateley, goes missing.

Lynley brings Havers along, knowing that her frank, no-nonsense attitude will cut straight through the school's elaborate facades and archaic traditions. She seeks out Matthew's friend, Harry Morant, but is frustrated to find that that the school code prevents him from opening up to her – even when Matthew's dead body is discovered in a nearby churchyard.

Lynley and Havers' investigation penetrates the heart of this exclusive institution and they uncover a Mafia-like society run by the school's élite sixth-formers. It is an underworld of drug taking and dealing, bullying and blackmail, a twisted reaction to the relentless pressure placed on the boys to fulfil the expectations of family and society. When Harry Morant disappears, the race is on to find Matthew's killer before he too is harmed.

Guest stars included Bill Nighy as Lockwood, Martin Jarvis as Cowfrey Pitt and John Sessions as John Corntel.

Payment In Blood

15 April 2002, 8pm, BBC One

Lynley and Havers travel to the Highlands of Scotland, where an eminent playwright has been murdered. The suspects are glamorous stars of the film and theatre world, who have been rehearsing their new play in impresario Sir Stuart Stinhurst's remote country pile.

Lynley is astonished to find old friend Helen Clyde among Stinhurst's guests and less than pleased to discover that she's in love with director Rhys Davies Jones, a prime suspect. When a young handyman is also murdered, Lynley discovers that Stinhurst, Davies Jones and David Sydeham – manager and husband of the leading lady – had all had relationships with the boy's late mother.

Lynley and Havers then unearth a complex web of sexual jealousy and betrayal that playwright Joy Sinclair was ready to expose. In a terrifying race to unmask the murderer in their midst, Havers has to remind Lynley that his desire to protect Helen might be affecting his professional judgement, and Lynley has to confront his true feelings for Helen, while luring the killer into a trap.

Guest stars included Ronald Pickup as Sir Stuart Sinhurst, Jonathan Firth as Rhys Davies Jones, Camilla Power as Joanna Sydeham, and Lesley Vickerage as Helen Clyde.

For The Sake Of Elena

22 April 2002, 8pm, BBC One

In the rarefied world of Cambridge, Lynley and Havers investigate the murder of Elena Weaver – a stunning young deaf student, bludgeoned to death on a morning run. When it emerges that she was pregnant, Elena's life seems to have been a mystery to even those closest to her.

Lynley and Havers build up a picture of a promiscuous, playful girl with many admirers, including Gareth Randolph, pillar of the deaf community and tortured by unrequited love for Elena; lascivious English tutor Dr Thorsson; and Victor Troughton, the family friend to whom Elena was secretly engaged. Her father is eminent historian Dr Phillip Weaver, an ambitious man who abandoned Elena and her mother, Glyn, for young and stylish Justine. But Weaver has recently had an affair with Sarah Gordon, a passionate and well-respected artist, who discovered Elena's body.

Helen is staying in Cambridge with her sister, Pen. Desperate to repair the damage he did to their friendship when they last met, Lynley seeks Helen out and, as she reflects on the selfishness of love and desire, he gains insight into the confusion surrounding Elena's death.

Lynley and Havers become divided in their pursuit of the murderer. But when another student is killed, a dizzy chase ensues with Lynley's convictions proving sound, as he pursues Weaver to a dramatic, final confrontation with the killer.

Guest stars included Tim Pigott-Smith as Phillip Weaver, Sophie Ward as Justine Weaver, Cherie Lunghi as Sarah Gordon, and Lesley Vickerage as Helen Clyde.

Missing Joseph

29 April 2002, 8pm, BBC One

In an apparently tranquil Lancashire village, Lynley investigates the mysterious poisoning of vicar Robin Sage.

Local herbalist Juliet Spence has fed Sage water hemlock instead of wild parsnip, but was it a tragic mistake or a deliberate act? Spence's vegetable store is easily accessible, which means that there are any number of suspects.

Lynley and Havers are helped by local policeman Steve Shepherd but soon discover that Shepherd and Spence are having an affair. Shepherd's attempts to put spurned lover Polly Yarkin, the vicar's housekeeper, in the frame don't wash with Lynley, who is more interested in Juliet's obsessive devotion to her only daughter, Maggie.

A investigation into Robin Sage's background uncovers a tragedy in his past. His wife, Suzanna, committed suicide after the death of their baby son but her body was never found. Lynley and Havers track down Kate Gutterman, the social worker sister of Robin's late wife, and a photograph of Suzanna Sage proves to be none other than Juliet Spence herself.

Lynley and Havers deduce that Juliet faked her own suicide, then abducted another woman's baby and began a new life. When Robin turned up on her doorstep, she took drastic action to keep her secret safe.

In an abandoned railway building, Lynley uses all his skills of diplomacy to persuade an armed and desperate Juliet to give herself up, leaving Maggie devastated and alone.
Meanwhile, Lynley's friendship with Helen finally crosses the line into love, but Helen panics and bolts. In the midst of this challenging case, Lynley faces rejection but refuses to give up hope for the future.

Guest stars included Pippa Haywood as Juliet Spence, Jason Merrells as P.C. Steve Shepherd, Charlotte Salt as Maggie Spence, and Lesley Vickerage as Helen Clyde.