The Blackburn Files
Series 1
1. A Case of Making Good
Tracey takes a call requesting miner turned private investigator Stephen J Blackburn to investigate the case of a wealthy woman who has received a mysterious parcel from an anonymous sender. Arriving a day late, he discovers that it is filled with ten pound notes. She suspects that it was sent from her now dead husband, but wants to find out where the money came from. Blackburn and Tracey head to a nearby club and his former school to sleuth, and discover a person from the wealthy woman's past.
2. A Case of Parma Violets
Betty Shuttleworth turns to Blackburn when she suspects her husband Frank is having an affair. Meanwhile, Stephen's mother is on his case about "getting a proper job" while business is on the quiet side. Setting about discovering the situation, he finds that Betty's husband is talking in his sleep and the pair haven't been talking much, while being intoxicated by her smell of Parma Violets. However, problems mount when Frank spots Stephen and Betty out discussing the case.
3. A Cruel Case of War / A Case of Brotherly Love
Canadian Jack Hargreaves asks Stephen to hunt for his long-lost brother Norman, forty-six years after their separation at a home for kids during the war, which resulted in Jack being shipped out to North America. Suspecting the case may be a drag, Stephen takes to heading out to the cemetery with Jack to check if he has since passed away, where he discovers his parents grave. Meanwhile, Tracey has to contend with Stephen's mother questioning her love life. Taking to talking with a journalist, Stephen gets him to publish a story to aid tracking down Norman.
4. A Case of Plagiarism
John Smith, play name Hartley J Newton, comes to Blackburn's to ask Stephen to investigate whether his latest television script has been stolen by a rival Marjorie Oglesby. Stephen heads to a former school where Marjorie is tutoring a writing class to investigate, where he discovers a collection of oddballs sharing their writings. Stephen eventually gets Hartley to confront Marjorie about the case of his manuscript, where they discover she hasn't actually stolen it, and Hartley doesn't have any talent for writing.
5. A Case of Haddock and Plaice
Believing that an elderly couple due to see him have marital problems, he actually discovers they are requesting his services to resolve a time-share con, which may mean Stephen's first case abroad. Deciding to take up the case, the person behind the scam - D.B. Close - has become well known with reporters now covering his cons. Starting on the trail, he tracks the conman to a nearby house, though is too late, which means a trip out to the Algarve, Portugal.
Series 2
1. A Case of Frinks and Moores
Stephen has a new office, and is busy setting it up. However, work is interrupted when he is contacted by organiser of an open-air sculpture exhibition, Rollo, who asks him to investigate the theft of seven art pieces. Setting about sleuthing the international art scene, Tracey however feels left out when Stephen goes to London alone. The case takes a strange turn when Rollo recalls a potential clue - the sound of horse hooves on the night of the theft, with clues pointing to a known scrap dealer and onto a new-age hippy camp.
2. A Case of Hearts and Flowers
In the midst of a business slump and at a family birthday party, Stephen discovers that his brother-in-law Nigel's briefcase has been stolen, while stopped on the way. It contains Nigel's Filofax which he uses to organise his life, leaving him irritated at the loss. The family talks Stephen into looking into the case, and the case takes an intriguing turn when he discovers the item is being held for ransom which involves Stephen and Tracey making a handover of a cash-filled briefcase. However, on the briefcase return, Nigel discovers that not all the contents are there.
3. A Case of a Golden Smile
Betty Ackroyd arrives at the agency with a case for Stephen to investigate. It surrounds her estranged husband, Archie, who left her thirty years ago without any word or trace, and has recently resurfaced - appearing on a television quiz show. Betty hopes to find out what happened, leading Stephen to head down to the television studio to find the address for the contestant, though the host of the show is less than helpful, making the case more difficult. With business also struggling, Tracey looks to leave as her training scheme comes to an end.
4. A Case of Whistle and Run
Tracey's final day has arrived. However, they have another case to handle when they are asked by a wealthy couple to take out two men who are causing them bother. With a lucrative offer on the table, Tracey tries to persuade him not to take it on. Not long after, they receive their first fax which is a threat from 'Dagger' on Stephen's life. He also begins to receive phone calls, but shows little concern. Dagger also takes to threatening Stephen's clients, who decide to escape to Torquay, as someone attempts to run over Stephen and Tracey, and also trashes the office.