Lewis Series Five   Starring: Kevin Whately, Laurence Fox, Clare Holman and Rebecca Front ITV Studios Home Entertainment RRP: £24.99 3711534633 Certificate: 12 Available 25 April 2011

Kevin Whately is back, bringing his usual charm and experience to the role of Detective Inspector Robbie Lewis, ably assisted by his young sidekick, the sharp and intelligent D.S. Hathaway played by Laurence Fox, in the fifth series of this hit detective drama.

In the historic and beautiful city of Oxford and its university campus, Lewis and Hathaway are faced with a series of puzzling crimes that will keep viewers guessing all the way through. Whately and Fox are joined by a star-studded cast including series regulars Clare Holman and Rebecca Front, as murder, jealousy and revenge all befall the quiet English city.

The series follows Lewis and Hathaway as they work their way through a series of crimes in four gripping episodes; Old, Unhappy, Far Off Things; Wild Justice; The Mind Has Mountains; The Gift Of Promise which were originally broadcast on ITV in April 2011.

Old, Unhappy, Far Off Things: When a woman is murdered a college reunion seems to be the main focus of attention for Lewis and Hathaway's investigation. This case appears to bear similarities to a 10 year old unsolved case at the same college. This was the case that Lewis left due to the sudden death of his wife.

Wild Justice: When a visiting bishop is found dead, from drinking poisoned wine, Lewis and Hathaway are called in. When further deaths occur the detectives soon discover that the killer appears to be copying murders from a Jacobean revenge tragedy.

The Mind Has Mountains: A group of volunteers are undergoing clinical drug trials. The drug is an antidepressant, but when one of the participants appears to have committed suicide Lewis and Hathaway must get to the bottom of the mystery.

The Gift of Promise: Lewis and Hathaway investigate the murder of a woman who appears to have been blackmailing someone. When the bodies start to pile up the investigation starts to look into MI5's involvement.

There is an extra in the form of an interview with Kevin Whately (11 min, 11 sec).

So, another solid collection of episodes. Lewis fans will love this.

8

Nick Smithson