From Doon with Death
1991: Adapted by George Baker from the Ruth Rendell novel.
Margaret Parsons was a shy, unexceptional woman who lived a Spartan existence with her dour husband in a decrepit Victorian house. So why was she murdered in such a vicious and passionate attack? A search of the Parsons’ attic uncovers a collection of expensive books - all dedicated to Minna and signed with love from Doon. Wexford’s search to uncover the identity of the mysterious Doon takes him back to Margaret’s school days and her friendship with a group of girls who have now all become successful figures in Kingsmarkham society… Continue reading →
Background: From Doon with Death is the first Wexford title adapted by George Baker and was nominated for a Writer’s Guild of Great Britain Award.
Audio Clip: “The thing is…”
Audio Clip: “The thing is…”
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Cast and Crew
- DCI Wexford
- GEORGE BAKER
- DI Burden
- CHRISTOPHER RAVENSCROFT
- Dora Wexford
- LOUIE RAMSAY
- Jenny Burden
- DIANE KEEN
- Douglas Quadrant
- GEOFFREY BATEMAN
- Helen Missal
- AMANDA REDMAN
- Fabia Quadrant
- ELIZABETH BENNETT
- Mr Parsons
- MALCOLM STORRY
- Miss Fowler
- PETRA DAVIES
- WPC
- SASHA MITCHELL
- Clare Clark
- SALLY GRACE
- Di Stevens
- AMANDA MAINARD
- Peter Missal
- JOHN SALTHOUSE
- Dudley Drury
- CHRIS FULFORD
- Moira
- SANDY McDADE
- Margaret Parsons
- JULIA CHAMBERS
- Drury Snr
- NORMAN TYRRELL
- DS Martin
- KEN KITSON
- Janet Tipping
- BRIDGET BRAMMALL
- Young Margaret
- SAMANTHA EDMONDS
- Young Fabia
- RACHEL ROGALY
- Young Helen
- ELENOR CAIRD
- Young Clare
- SOPHIE THURSFIELD
- DCC Freeborn
- DAVE HILL
- Debbie Davidson
- AMANDA WALKER
- Mr Burrow
- DAVID TIMSON
- Bysouth
- WILLIAM ILKLEY
- Mrs Stibbs
- JEAN MARLOW
- Newsagent
- STANLEY PAGE
- Script Executive
- CORINNE CARTER
- Casting Director
- DOREEN JONES
- Original music composed by
- BRIAN BENNETT
- Production Manager
- LARS MacFARLANE
- Location Manager
- MARTIN ROBINSON
- 1st Assistant Director
- DAVID CRABTREE
- Continuity
- GWEN HUGHES
- Production Secretary
- SUE BAILEY
- Producer’s Secretary
- CATHIE WILLCOCKS
- Stage Manager
- KERRY BIGNELL
- Graphic Designer
- JOHN HAMON
- Costume Designer
- RITA ANGELL
- Make up Supervisior
- DEBBIE McKINLEY
- Production Buyer
- ALAN BATES
- Camera Grip
- ALAN IMESON
- Dubbing Mixer
- TONY CUNNINGHAM
- Dubbing Editor
- PETER DANSIE
- Sound Recordist
- MAURICE HILLIER
- Camera Operator
- JULIAN BARBER
- Designer
- MARK WARD
- Lighting Cameraman
- MICHAEL D SMITH
- Film Editor
- NIGEL BATE
- Executive Producer
- GRAHAM BENSON
- Producer
- NEIL ZEIGER
- Directed by
- MARY McMURRAY
- A Television South Production
Principle Characters
From Doon with Death
Inspector Mike Burden visits the home of Ronald Parsons (Malcolm Storry) - who has reported the disappearance of his wife - Margaret (Julia Chambers). Parsons and his wife have been married for six years and recently moved to Kingsmarkham from South London. Parsons is wary of people and the couple appear to have few friends.
Burden searches the house and discovers a collection of expensive, first edition books: all inscribed To Minna… with love from Doon. Parsons tells Burden that Margaret is a shy, reliable woman and dismisses the suggestion that she may have been involved with another man.
Parsons’ worst fears are confirmed when his wife’s body is discovered in a wood close to the Pomfret Road. A lipstick is found at the scene. It’s an exclusive shade; only four have been sold in Kingsmarkham, and Burden is able to trace it to Helen Missal (Amanda Redman), the wife of the local Mercedes dealer.
Investigations reveal that Margaret grew up in nearby Flagford and attended school with Helen Missal and - Fabia Quadrant (Elizabeth Bennett) - the wife of solicitor Douglas Quadrant (Geoffrey Bateman). Fabia tells Wexford that during that time, Margaret had an intense, possessive relationship with Dudley Drury (Chris Fulford) who is now also married and living in Kingsmarkham.
Background notes | Cast & crew »
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