Class Barriers fall in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries - based on the best-selling novels of Elizabeth George - as Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers solve cases of murder that would challenge the savviest of detectives.

The third series of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries was originally broadcast in 2004 and contains four episodes.

In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner: Nicola Maiden has been bludgeoned to death, and her camping companion Gerry Cole stabbed. Lynley and Havers soon uncover dark secrets and find themselves in a murky world of prostitution and revenge. This episode features an impressive collection of guest stars including Timothy West, Sorcha Cusack, Simon Williams and Fiona Gillies.

A Traitor to Memory: Lynley and Havers are called away from DCI Webberley's wedding anniversary when Eugenie Martin is killed on a quiet London street. She had deserted her husband and son after the death of her daughter - but that death may hold a clue to her murder. Notable guest stars include David Calder.

A Cry for Justice: It appears that Morag MacNichol has committed suicide, but Havers feels something is wrong and calls for assistance. When proven right, it sets Havers and Lynley in search of a killer and the answer to a large bag of money found hidden at the scene. Notable guest stars include Jenny Agutter and Terence Harvey.

If Wishes Were Horses: Lynley and his pregnant wife Helen attend the funeral of Professor Finnegan, a forensic psychologist and Helen's former mentor. Could the killer be a murderer Finnegan put away? Or one of his many lovers, a list of which seems to include Lynley’s wife?

Extras are a little thin on the ground. All we get are text based extras on the cast and the character's author Elizabeth George, as well as a picture gallery.

One additional thing I wanted to comment on is the packaging Acorn are using for their DVD releases. It's practically impossible to release the first disc. It's easy to see how it's supposed to work - there's a small tap on the spindle keeping the disc in place - but it still doesn't release the DVD fully. And, you end up bending the disc a little while you try and release the disc. In fact, I ended up cracking the DVD - a good inch from the hole to just before the writable portion of the disc starts. As most people won't be as careful as me, I can see a potential problem for purchasers who will soon have discs that are unplayable.

Overall, this 2-disc collection represents another four quality episodes.

8

Nick Smithson