Ep 6. Safe as Houses

Hetty Wainthropp Investigates is a British television drama series about a middle-aged housewife turned private detective. In season 1 episode 6, titled "Safe as Houses", Hetty (played by Patricia Routledge) is hired by a couple whose house has been repeatedly broken into. Hetty sets out to identify the culprit and put an end to the burglaries.

The couple, Mr. and Mrs. Leeming, are a middle-aged couple living in a quiet neighborhood. They are both retired and spend most of their time at home, which is why they are particularly concerned about the recent burglaries. The local police have been unable to catch the thief, so the couple turns to Hetty for help.

Hetty starts her investigation by interviewing the Leemings and examining the crime scene. She quickly identifies several potential suspects, including the couple's next-door neighbor, a suspicious-looking handyman who has been doing repairs in the neighborhood, and a group of youths who have been seen loitering in the area.

As Hetty delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a complex web of secrets and lies. She discovers that the handyman has a criminal record and has been working under an assumed name. She also learns that the couple's neighbor has a history of mental illness and has been acting strangely in recent weeks. Additionally, she discovers that one of the youths she suspects is actually innocent and has been wrongly accused by the others.

Despite the many twists and turns of the investigation, Hetty remains undaunted and uses her vast knowledge and experience to piece together the clues. She consults with her husband Robert (played by Derek Benfield), a retired police officer, for advice on how to proceed. Together, they devise a plan to catch the thief and bring him to justice.

As the investigation moves towards its conclusion, Hetty finds herself in danger as the suspect becomes more desperate to avoid capture. However, with her trademark tenacity and resourcefulness, Hetty manages to outsmart the thief and hand him over to the police.

In the end, the Leemings are overjoyed to have their home and their peace of mind restored. They thank Hetty for her tireless efforts and even offer her a reward for her services. Hetty, however, refuses the reward, saying that she is simply doing her job as a detective.

"Safe as Houses" is a thrilling episode of Hetty Wainthropp Investigates that showcases the character's intelligence, creativity, and bravery. Hetty's determination to solve the case and protect her clients is admirable, and viewers will be on the edge of their seats as she navigates the twists and turns of the investigation.