Ruth Rendell Mysteries: A Case Of Coincidence (ITV 1996, Keith Barron, Ronald Pickup)

In A Case of Coincidence Detective Chief Inspector Moore and Inspector Masters investigate the murders of five women in the Cambridge Fens during the mid 1950’s, when they catch mentally subnormal Edward Brannel with evidence linking him to the crimes it seems they have their man, Brannel though, is insistant he only commited four of the murders and Inspector Masters is also sure that the fifth murder, that of surgeon’s wife Sarah Quin is a different kettle of fish altogether.

Quite a change of pace for this Ruth Rendell Mysteries entry, a rare period piece and pretty good too. An air of repression hangs over the characters and even though it is pretty clear from the get go who has murdered Sarah Quin, it is still an enjoyable entry in the series.

production details
UK / ITV – Meridian – Blue Heaven / 2×60 minute episodes / Broadcast Broadcast 22 – 29 March 1996

Writer: Geoffrey Case / Short Story: Ruth Rendell / Executive Producer: Graham Benson / Music: Brian Bennett / Title Music Performed by Ingrid Wu / Costumes: Rita Angell / Production Design: Mark Ward / Executive Producers: Graham Benson, Colin Rogers / Producer: Neil Zeiger / Director: Gavin Millar

cast
KEITH BARRON as Inspector Masters
RONALD PICKUP as Chief Inspector Moore
GARRY COOPER as Sergeant Holt
DON HENDERSON as Ray Brannel
KATE BUFFERY as Dr Lucas
CAROLINE BLISS as Sarah Quin
MICHAEL FITZGERALD as Edward Brannel
KEN WYNNE as Frank Preston
PIP TORRENS as Michael Quin
BRYAN POYSER as Freddie Wyatt
ROGER BRIERLY as Defence Barrister
AMANDA POINTER as Female Student
ANDREW MACLACHLAN as Tony English
ANGELA CURRAN as Chambermaid
THOMAS WHEATLEY as Dangerfield
JACK KLAFF as Stockton
ROSEMARY MARTIN as Mrs Cutforth
HELEN LINDSAY as Mrs Quin
CHRISTOPHER JAMES as Police Constable
GEORGE RAISTRICK as Farmer
MICHAEL PARKHOUSE as Solicitor
ROBIN SUMMERS as Barman