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Devices and Desires

TV·1991–1991·1 season, 6 episodes·Mystery, Drama, Crime·50m·Created by P. D. James

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A particularly vicious serial killer is stalking the Norfolk coast in the vicinity of the Larksoken nuclear power station. The press have branded him 'The Whistler' because witnesses have heard a hymn being whistled in the vicinity of the murders. His trademark is the letter 'L' carved on the forehead of his victims. L for Larksoken? At first, his victims seem to be chosen entirely at random - women in the wrong place at the wrong time - but then two women employed at the nuclear power station are murdered in quick succession...

Highest-rated episodes all ranked

  1. 01Episode #1.1S01E01 · 7.0At the seaside dealing with his late aunt Jane's estate, Scotland Yard Commander Adam Dalgliesh learns that a serial killer, known locally as the Whistler, is on the prowl. The local policeman in charge of the case, Tony Rickards, seeks his advice. He also meets a number of the locals including someone who works at the local nuclear power plant who alludes to safety issues and an anti-nuclear activist who seems bent on raising a ruckus.
  2. 02Episode #1.2S01E02 · 7.0When another dead woman is found, many assume it is the work of the Whistler. Discovered by Miles Lessingham while on his way to Dr. Alex Mair's home for a dinner party, the woman had been strangled and was lying just off the road. The victim was Christine Baldwin, an employee at the nuclear facility. Still worried about the computer virus and the impact it could have on the safety of the nuclear reactors, Toby Gledhill decides to join the anti-nuclear movement. Hilary Robarts is trying to evict the Blaney family from her cottage. Alice Mair is still haunted by the ...
  3. 03Episode #1.3S01E03 · 7.0Walking home late one night, Commander Dalgliesh discovers the body of Hilary Robarts. The killing has all the hallmarks of the Whistler's work but this is now the second woman from the nuclear plant to be killed. Ryan Blaney was out walking at the time and doesn't have much of an alibi. Likewise, Caroline Amphlett, another plant employee, pressures a colleague to provide her with an alibi. As Chief Inspector Rickards questions the dead woman's colleagues and acquaintances, Dalgliesh learns that Toby Gledhill has disappeared.

Cast

Episodes by season

Season01Episode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode6Episodes1991Aired 7.0Season avg
  1. S01E01Season's bestEpisode #1.1January 4, 1991 7.0At the seaside dealing with his late aunt Jane's estate, Scotland Yard Commander Adam Dalgliesh learns that a serial killer, known locally a
  2. S01E02Episode #1.2January 11, 1991 7.0When another dead woman is found, many assume it is the work of the Whistler. Discovered by Miles Lessingham while on his way to Dr. Alex Ma
  3. S01E03Episode #1.3January 18, 1991 7.0Walking home late one night, Commander Dalgliesh discovers the body of Hilary Robarts. The killing has all the hallmarks of the Whistler's w
  4. S01E04Episode #1.4January 25, 1991 7.0With Toby Gledhill's suicide, there is one less suspect in the mix. No one is quite sure why he killed himself, let alone in such a public m
  5. S01E05Episode #1.5February 1, 1991While strolling on the beach, Adam Dalgliesh comes across a tramp who is wearing relatively new trainers that may match some of the footprin
  6. S01E06Episode #1.6February 8, 1991Caroline Amphlett's true purpose in working at the nuclear plant is revealed and Dalgliesh confers with the Security Service on the next ste

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

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