Midsomer Murders announces first ever spin-off project as ITV series returns this weekend

Midsomer Murders returns on Sunday and ITV has thrilled fans with news of the series' first-ever spin-off. The interactive novel, set to be released, will challenge fans to navigate the treacherous waters of Midsomer and see if they can outlast the infamous county.

The blurb of the novel entices readers with a classic Midsomer mystery: "All is not well in the beautiful county of Midsomer. On the eve of its first Villages In Bloom competition, a man lies dead, smelling of damson jam. Who could have done it? Well, that's where you come in."

Inviting fans to step into a detective's role, the novel promises an engaging adventure: "Step into the shoes of Midsomer CID's newest recruit, choose your own path and decide which way the story goes. Will you get to the bottom of the mystery? Will you bring the perpetrator to justice? And perhaps most importantly of all, could you avoid an untimely, and possibly bizarre, death... will YOU survive Midsomer? ".

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With a tone of playful forewarning, the novel sets the stage for an interactive experience: "Your task is to make the right choices, solve the case and - most tricky of all - stay alive! ...Good luck."

Eager readers and fans can look forward to grabbing the paperback version of the novel on May 23. Meanwhile, the 23rd series of Midsomer Murders is set to premiere on ITV this Sunday, offering four new episodes for viewers to delve into, reports the Mirror.

The gripping crime drama's first episode, 'The Blacktrees Prophecy', will see DCI John Barnaby investigating the mysterious death of a survivalist found dead in his bombproof bunker. As Barnaby delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a "dark conspiracy to reveal how far people will go to escape the end of the world."

The plot thickens as it is revealed: "One morning Warren receives the call he was been waiting for - nuclear missiles have launched - vindicated, Warren races to the bunker and radios for the other preppers to meet him there.However, the anticipated apocalypse turns out to be a false alarm: "But as dawn breaks over Blacktrees-on-Marsh, the sun rises over village green serenity, rather than a scorched earth.

"Tragedy strikes when Warren's wife Clodagh finds him dead: "Warren's resentful wife Clodagh arrives at the bunker to tell him it was a hoax but discovers Warren dead. "As detectives Barnaby and Winter start their investigation, they learn from Fleur that: "Warren was suffocated, someone tampered with the air filter and sucked the oxygen out - this is someone with technical skills.

"The story takes a personal turn when Barnaby considers the allure of the survivalist lifestyle, even stocking up on emergency supplies himself after "Sarah reveals that her mother is coming to stay..."The synopsis further reveals: "Warren, who was part of a small doomsday prepper community in the village, had found much comfort being with like-minded individuals... until now. The duo must question if someone was desperate to get their hands on Warren's shelter, or if someone is trying to send a message.

The pressure is on to work out who and why before the killer can strike again. ".