Případy detektiva Murdocha

Murdoch Air

Detective Murdoch finds that the man behind a flying machine that crashes in Toronto is none other than his old nemesis, James Pendrick. He learns that Pendrick is hoping to win a $1 million prize for the first controlled flight. A body is found in the rubble of the crash but someone is clearly out to steal his invention. Murdoch also has to deal with Ottawa-based spymaster Terence Meyers who says it's all a national security matter. Meanwhile, Julia returns from Vienna intent on practicing psychiatry. She's also hoping to have her marriage to D'Arcy annulled. 

2.           

Winston's Lost Night

The police are called to a local hotel where Detective Murdoch finds the body of Reginald Mayfair who, it appears, has been run through with a sword. Also in the room is his unconscious friend - none other than Winston Churchill, who is in Toronto to give a lecture. Churchill and Mayfair been out the night before and were both quite drunk - which perhaps explains why he can't remember a thing. Murdoch and Churchill set off to trace his steps and hopefully find the murderer in the process. Meanwhile, Murdoch faces a dilemma when Julia Ogden is unable to lie in court in order to obtain her annulment.

3.           

Murdoch on the Corner

Detective Murdoch investigates the murder of Edgar Leeman who was shot by someone when he answered a knock at the door. His last words, overheard by his wife were 'I'm sorry no'. There's soon a second victim Thelma Green and then a third, Robert Grimsby. They have little in common except to have perhaps come into some unexpected money. When constables Crabtree and Higgins find a wallet with $10 inside, they return it to address they find inside. They soon after learn that several such wallets have been returned to that address and Murdoch concludes that the killer is punishing those who don't. Murdoch devises a new camera that takes a photo every four seconds and sets it it on the street to see who might be leaving the wallets. 

4.           

A Study in Sherlock

Det. Murdoch investigates a robbery of bank safe deposit boxes that were being transferred. The masked thieves make off with two boxes but the driver of their getaway cart is killed. While investigating the scene, Murdoch receives some helpful information - from someone who claims to be Sherlock Holmes. Dr. Ogden determines that he is actually David Kingsley, a one-time mental patient. Regardless, he has the uncanny habit of assessing an individual or a situation much as the fictional Holmes would do in his books. It all leads to a crime that had occurred when Kingsley was just a boy of 13. 

5.           

Murdoch Au Naturel

After two boys find a human skeleton in the the Don Valley woods, Detective Murdoch finds himself investigating the nearby residents of a naturist colony run by Helmut Lindemann and his wife Irene. From what they've been able to retrieve Dr. Grace determines that the skeleton is that of a male, approximately 40 years old, who was shot through the heart. Murdoch wants to find the bullet and uses his induction balancing machine - a metal detector - for the task. When they find a prosthetic arm near the river, Dr. Grace is reasonably certain it belonged to the victim. Dr, Rico, a prosthetics maker identifies it as belonging to an American gentleman, Zacharia Marsh. They learn that Marsh was a famous Pinkerton man who years ago took down the infamous Rooster gang. They decide to send Crabtree under cover, so to speak, at the nudist colony to see what he can learn. At the station meanwhile, Inspector Brackenreid is doing all he can to avoid Jean Hamilton, the protector of Toronto's morals, who wants the police to do something about a Paris revue that is coming to the city. 

6.           

Murdoch and the Cloud of Doom

Det. Murdoch is surprised to be called into a meeting with Chief Constable Giles and the mayor of Toronto. They've received a film from someone apparently gassing his dog. The city has also received a demand for $100,000 - or the entire city will be gassed. Using some of the evidence found in the film, Murdoch is able to locate the site where the extortionist killed the dog and the police find evidence of a very powerful poison having been used. They think they've solved the problem when they find and dismantle a gas bomb but Murdoch determines that the extortionist likely has sufficient gas to create many such bombs. They decide to evacuate the city - and only then does Murdoch realize they have it all wrong. 

7.           

The Ghost of Queen's Park

Murdoch and Crabtree investigate the death of Reginald Chilton, the Member of Provincial Parliament from Toronto East who died from a fall from an upper floor at the Provincial legislature, Queen's Park. The guard on duty at the time, Briggs, swears he saw a ghost push Chilton over the railing. Samuel Jenkins of the Toronto Gazette informs the police that he was investigating Chilton's unscrupulous business dealings. Crabtree for his part wants to explore the supernatural elements of the case but Murdoch dissuades him. Dr. Grace says Chilton definitely died from the fall but it appears that he fell backwards over the balcony as if he had been pushed. A second man, Dr. Ansel Fraser, dies in a similar fashion and the police focus on the Provincial Secretary, Thaddeus Walsh. As far as the ghost is concerned Murdoch is convinced the apparitions are very human. 

8.           

Murdoch in Ladies Wear

Detective Murdoch investigates the murder of Preston Monk, manager of the ladies-wear department at Eaton's department store. He's found dead on top of the store's elevator cage and Dr. Grace's autopsy reveals that he had been likely struck on the head. Monk had been hired from Harrod's in London and was a difficult task master as far as the young women who worked for him are concerned. One in particular, Eva Pearce, seemed to meet his exacting standards and is named acting manager after his death. A burly man with a large mustache was seen speaking to him around the time he died. Murdoch realizes he is being manipulated by one of the suspects.

9.           

Victoria Cross

Detective Murdoch investigates the murder of a pawnbroker, Samuel MacGinnis, who was killed while working late one night in his shop. One of his clients, Louise Butler, witnessed the robbery but is traumatized and now finds herself unable to walk. Inspector Brackenreid meanwhile gets a message from an old army friend, Reg Pullen, to visit him in prison. Reg saved Brackenreid's life and the lives of several other soldiers and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery. He fell on hard times and into a life of petty crime and had his medal taken away. He arrives at the prison too late as his friend is found hanging in his cell. Dr. Grace however determines that he was actually strangled and then hung to make it look like a suicide. Murdoch and Brackenreid soon realize that their two cases are connected. 

10.         

Twisted Sisters

Detective Murdoch investigates the death of young woman, Judith Winslow, found on the waterfront at the Toronto Athletic Club. Dr. Grace determines the young woman died from drowning though she was struck on the head before going into the water. She worked as a secretary at a financial firm run by Alvin Storey but had ambitions to be a journalist. According to her roommate Sophia Lucas, she had no enemies. The police soon have a second murder when Ethel Morgan is found dead in a alleyway - also having drowned. A third victim - Virginie Rousseau - is found before Murdoch finds the connection between the three. Emily Grace - champion croquet player for two years running - returns to the athletic club - she was not welcome there once she broke off her engagement - after hearing that Canada will be sending a croquet player to the Paris Olympics.

11.         

Lovers in a Murderous Time

Detective Murdoch investigates the murder of Tobias Pincher who is found run through with a pitchfork in the stables of the Imperial Hotel. The police have yet to finish examining the scene of the crime when they are approached by a woman, Felicity Dawes, claiming to know there's a dead man inside. She also claims to Pincher's fiancée. When Julia has a chance to talk to her she recounts seeing the murder - and then realizes she is the murderer. Julia doubts she is the killer and believes is delusional. Murdoch links shoe prints in the stables with a Spanish visitor, Carl Rodriguez, who readily admits having had an altercation with Pincher the night before but denies killing him. When Dawes also confesses to Murdoch, Rodriguez does the same. The solution is to follow the money. 

12.         

Crime & Punishment

Detective Murdoch investigates the murder of Julia Ogden's husband, Dr. Darcy Garland who is found on his living room floor with a bullet through the head. No murder weapon can be found and there is no sign of forced entry. His housekeeper, a somewhat hostile Mrs. Weller, confirms that Garland kept a gun in the house. She also says she had been given the day off by Julia who, according to the neighbor Mrs. Smythe, arrived a short while later. Chief Constable Giles removes Murdoch from the case given his relationship with Julia and takes charge of it himself. As the evidence mounts, Julia is arrested and goes on trial. Murdoch is convinced she is being framed. 

13.         

The Murdoch Trap

With Julia Ogden in jail awaiting execution for the murder of her husband, Murdoch, Brackenreid and Crabtree work to locate James Gillies who they are certain concocted this devious plot. Murdoch and Brackenreid have to work from home and Chief Constable Gillies has suspended them both. Crabtree and Dr. Grace try to figure out why there was no gunpowder residue on the dead D'Arcy Garland. They manage to show how Gillies could have pulled it off but Judge Matthews remains unconvinced and refuses to issue a stay of execution unless there is direct proof of Julia's innocence. As the clock ticks down toward her execution, Murdoch revisits the murder scene and is taken prisoner by Gillies who gives him a choice: Julia can die or he can die and she will live.