The next day boys from the school are romping around and swimming in the lake. Suddenly, a dead body pops up from the water. ( Thunder peels) Two more murders follow as Barnaby and Troy dig to find out what all these people are hiding, who met Daniel and killed him while he was racing, why did he wander off his route during the race, and why is everyone in the Pudding Club so uptight? Very good mystery with an unexpected ending, one of the better ones in the series. These stories tend to be complicated and require one to focus - it's not easy, mindless entertainment, and I like that about them. For some reason, I've always been partial to Barnaby's first partner, Troy, and it's easy to see why in this episode. He's delightful and very attractive.

Brotherhood of Funny Hats: The Pudding Club is an exclusive club restricted to Devington students who are pursuing careers in diplomacy. On the surface, it's just a "boy's club" that regularly eats "puddings". note In the British sense of the term, which means anything from pies to desserts. In reality, it's a front for an illegal art-smuggling ring, with the members using their positions to smuggle valuables out of foreign countries and into the school proper, to be sold off to finance the school whenever it needs the money.

See also

Barnaby assumes Winch set Paul Starkey up. Or he didn't send the message in the first place. Troy gets a call. It's Anthony Talbot.

As always, the production values are top notch, with to die for scenery, the idyllic look of it contrasting very well with the story's grimness, and quaint and atmospheric photography. The music fits perfectly, and the theme tune one of the most memorable and instantly recognisable of the genre. Barnaby receives the forensic report on the knife. There are no prints. The blood matches Daniel Talbot's. Traces of ammonia, ascetic acid and other chemicals: A common cleaning agent. They arrest Paul Starkey. The police carry the statues and treasures out of the school. Barnaby says, "Charlie Meynell was right. The Pudding Club. He said they were like kids in a gang. In the end it wasn't about money, it was about who was in and who was out. Who was the leader. Who was top dog." Troy shakes his head. He says, "School. Supposed to be the happiest days of your life." Barnaby says, "That's what they say, Troy." Troy says, "I never did get that." They see the sign saying "Keep Off the Grass." They walk on the grass... Conspiracy Theorist: Dudley Carew, who believes that there's a secret and sinister purpose behind the Pudding Club at the Devington School, claiming they're an Illuminati-esque group responsible for murder and mayhem on a global scale.

Sometime later, Julia puts flowers on Daniel's grave. Miranda sees her. "Don't go. You were Daniel's friend, weren't you? I'm pleased to meet you at last. What's your name?" Julia says, "Julia. I'd better go." Miranda says, "You don't have to. Stay for a bit." Julia says, "Alright." There is an echo of a teacher scolding.. " Don't run in the corridor, boy. Why aren't you in lessons, boy?" The production values are usually wonderful here. Beautiful music, clever direction by Peter Smith helps the scenery a lot. The Devington school has a long history of educating the privileged members of society and many have gone on to illustrious careers, such as in the Diplomatic Service. The Talbot family in particular has a long association with the school with three generations having attended. Barnaby and Troy investigate when there is a murder at the school. They find ongoing feuds between the school and villagers, a conspiracy theorist who thinks the school is the centre of criminal activity, students who are having drinking parties at the local pub, and the ongoing affairs of the school's secretive Pudding Club. The discovery of a long-held school secret leads to the discovery of the murderer.

Later Barnaby shows Troy the card. He thinks Arabella Heywood did not write the card. It's the wrong handwriting. He doesn't think she ever went out with Daniel at all. Barnaby tells Troy to go to the school, drop in on Mrs Bosworth, and talk to Dave Winch. See if he really left a message for Paul Starkey at the pub. Come on, Marcus. Don't be a bad loser," says Charlie. Marcus says, "Sorry, what have I lost?" Charlie replies, "Now that Daniel's gone, I'm the one. You thought you'd get the scholarship, but I'm afraid it's going to be me now. Anthony Talbot's as good as told me." Marcus says, "You're wrong. And take your hands off my sister." Charlie says, "Actually, I rather think she's got her hands on me." Marcus and Charlie start fighting.There are times as well when the story gets too naive or childish with the very convenient glove/clue at the door and with leaving a potential witness to a murder alive...

Midsomer murders" has been one of my most beloved shows for few years now, but the series was definitely at its strongest in the Tom Barnaby era. The 5th season belongs to one of the better ones of the show with "Market for murder for me being solid if not great, "A worm in the bud" very entertaining and "Ring out your dead" quite impressive. "Murder on St. Malley's day" ends that season in a pretty high note. Barnaby and Troy go to the pub and can hear the pudding club boys celebrating Charlie's admission to the pudding club upstairs. Barnaby says, "Marcus Heywood and Charlie Meynell have been giving us the runaround since the very beginning, haven't they?" Troy receives the forensic report. There are traces of cleaning fluid on the roller and Carew's clothing. They can release Paul Starkey then. Troy says he knows where Charlie Meynell and Marcus Heywood will be tonight. At night, the pudding club boys go to Charlie's room and carry him to the pudding club room. Anthony Talbot says, "Gentlemen! If I may have your attention, please, for one moment. The police have arrested the man who killed my son, Daniel. He's a villager. But that doesn't mean it's over. Outsiders will see this as an opportunity to snoop and pry into the affairs of the school. But you must remember that your first loyalty is to the Pudding Club. Always. Loyalty is our greatest strength." He looks at Charlie. "Carry on, gentlemen." The pudding club boys start tapping their spoons on the table. Anthony Talbot leaves, but Marcus follows him. "There's something you really ought to know about Paul Starkey, sir. It's about him and Daniel." The Devington school has a long history of educating the privileged members of society and many have gone on to illustrious careers, such as in the Diplomatic Service. The Talbot family in particular has a long association with the school with three generations having attended. When Daniel Talbot is killed during the St. Malley's Day race, the same day as his elderly grandfather died of natural causes, Barnaby and Troy investigate. They find ongoing feuds between the school and villagers, a conspiracy theorist who thinks the school is the centre of criminal activity, students who are having drinking parties at the local pub, and the ongoing affairs of the school's secretive Pudding Club. The discovery of a long-held school secret leads to the discovery of the murderer.

At the pub, a celebration is going on to welcome Charlie to the Pudding Club. Marcus says, "Quiet, please! Quiet! Right. Well we're here today to celebrate Charlie's admission to the Pudding Club. There was a time when I thought Charlie wouldn't come up to scratch. But I'm pleased to say he seems to have come good in the end." Barnaby and Troy drive to the Talbot home. There, Marcus says, "My sister Arabella is in the 6th form at Devington, sir, and she and Daniel were, well, an item. You know, seeing each other. It didn't seem important until I heard that you'd arrested Paul Starkey. He was always pestering Arabella, hanging round the Annexe and so on. He was sort of stalking her. Barnaby asks, "Marcus, do you know someone called Dave Winch? I believe he works in the school kitchens." Marcus says no. He also denies going to the Chalk and Gown. The Chalk and Gown is strictly out of bounds. Dudley tells Barnaby that the Pudding Club is all about money. The acquisition of wealth. That's the true purpose of the Pudding Club. Diplomats enjoy many privileges- Immunity, freedom of movement, diplomatic bag. Sir Walter's health had been deteriorating and with it his influence over the school. And a struggle for control of the Pudding Club has been raging. Archie Bellingham was a victim of that struggle. As was poor Daniel. Then, when Dudley finds out that Barnaby was at the race, he says he can't trust him anymore and tells him to leave.