Gregory Lancaster dies of pneumonia but when the undertakers arrive the body has vanished, even though his family were in the room below and soon afterwards the body of Lydia Dryfield, the family's former nanny, is dug up from its grave to disappear. Melissa Ackers, the vicar, is not popular with Mrs Lancaster and her daughter Rose, who suspect an affair with Rose's boy-friend Craig Cossley whilst millionaire Sonny Desai, childhood friend of Gregory's heir Felix wants to buy the house from him. New pathologist Kam Karimore presents evidence incriminating both Craig and Felix - Sonny's opportune appearance also puts him in the frame. When two, far from dead, people also disappear Barnaby must identify who claimed on two occasions. Habeas Corpus. Written by don @ minifie-1

After mysterious lights appear over Cooper Hill, apparent location for several UFO sightings forest ranger Felicity Field is found dead and wrapped in black ooze. Ufologists arrive in the area for tours run by enterprising Abigail Tonev and Barnaby learns that one of them, Carter Faulkner, had a run-in with Felicity over parking his trailer in the woods. Before she died she had tried to ring her father, a group captain at a radar station - who denies receiving any call - and she was also having an affair behind her boyfriend's back. The idea of extra -terrestrials seems credible when Abigail has a close encounter of the third kind but following two more slayings Barnaby is able to provide an earthly solution to the incident at Cooper Hill. Written by don @ minifie-1

Cyclist Greg Eddon is killed after winning the local leg of a national race, beating team mate Mitch McCordell at the last minute. Mitch's father Des, who owns the DJM racing stable tells Barnaby the race is make or break for them but there are clearly factions as Mitch's brother Aiden had sent threatening texts to Greg after he was seen kissing Aiden's girlfriend Amber. Local environmentalist Gerry Bleacher opposes the races, claiming that people die because of them and organizer and pub landlady Mary Appleton receives messages accusing her of murder. Des admits that DJM's sponsorship depends on Mitch's continuing success as the company is cash strapped whilst Reece Dexter, who runs rival team Ravondale, accuses Des of corruption and persuades Aiden to cycle for his stable. Another murder follows before Barnaby is able to save a further victim and identify who, in the cycling world, was guilty of literally breaking the chain. Written by don @ minifie-1

Brandon Monkford is found dead on top of a statue created by womanizing artist Lance Auden at the grand opening of Brandon's sculpture park. Suspects abound as his wife Alexandra was having an affair with art critic Daniel Fargo, the park would mean an end to his daughter Rachel's climbing centre and villagers led by Brin Dunne opposed the park on environmental grounds. The person with the most to gain, however, is Brandon's groundsman Tony Pitt, the sole beneficiary in his will, who annoys everybody - including his wife Summer - with his decision to carry on Brandon's vision and who predictably becomes the next victim. When a third corpse is found, like the others attached to a statue in the park, Barnaby must discover who is, literally, practising a dying art. Written by don @ minifie-1

When Zoe Dyer, leader of an archaeological dig to find the remains of St Cicely Milson, is murdered her colleague Penny Henderson suggests that she disturbed robbers after supposed treasure but Barnaby finds resistance to the project by locals who claim they already have the saint's relics on display in vicar Peter Corby's church. The one exception is Peter's brother Christopher who regards his brother 's claim to be false and encourages the dig, falling out with Zoe's husband Alex, whom he accuses of exploiting the situation. Two victims later Barnaby discovers instances of fraud, extra-marital affairs and false identity before he solves the case, differentiating between saints and sinners. Written by don @ minifie-1

Whilst the funfair at Whitcombe Mallet is in full swing arrogant stable owner Harry Wyham, son of local squire Jasper and his wife Serena, is killed with a large dose of ketamine. Harry's plans for expansion angered many villagers, notably Wall of Death owner Butch Nevins and vet Clara Myerscough, mother of Harry's volatile ex-wife Jessica, whom Harry had barred from seeing their daughter. Butch's son Sean is a prime suspect as he is dating Harry's sister Beth, causing the two men to fight and the Nevins family are also in the frame when Jasper's horses are stolen. When two more of Harry's adversaries are slain Barnaby closes down the funfair but a secret affair from the past is then exposed and the vengeful killer takes drastic action. Barnaby must act quickly to prevent further victims of the harvest of souls. Written by don @ minifie-1