Category Archives: Murder Investigation

2000, 2005, Abduction, Acorn TV, Alcoholism, Ambiguous Conclusion, Based on a Book, Bloody scenes, Child abuse, Child Molestation, Conspiracy, Crime thriller, Dark, Detective, Drug Dealers, Dysfunctional Lives, Father-daughter relations, Gangs, Grim, Grisly, Gritty, Ian Rankin, Murder, Murder Investigation, Police Corruption, Police Culture, Prison, Prostitutes, Revenge, Scottish, Suicide, Suspense, Thriller, Violent

Rebus (2000)

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From IMDB:

Set in Edinburgh, the mercurial Detective Inspector John Rebus’s investigations lead him through the city’s ancient beauty and into its more sinister quarters.

From Wikipedia:

Rebus is the title of the detective drama TV series based on the Inspector Rebus novels by the Scottish author Ian Rankin set in and around Edinburgh. The series was produced by STV Productions (previously known as “SMG Productions”) for the ITV network.

Four series have been aired; series 1 starred John Hannah and was made for STV by his own production company, Clerkenwell Films. A new cast featuring Ken Stott as DI John Rebus was introduced for the second and subsequent series (which went into production in 2005, made in-house by STV).

From AcornTV:

Adapted from the novels by acclaimed writer Ian Rankin, the Rebus stories have been applauded for their intricate plots, keen characterization, and flawless sense of place. CC Available.

Acorn TV offers all 4 series.

Just be aware that these excellent productions are grim. It seems that a divorced, unhappy, obsessive detective is a standard cliché. But that does not stop the suspenseful, well-acted stories from being a real treat for lovers of the genre.

Never, never expect a happy ending!

2014, Abduction, Confusing Plot, Detective, DNA, Drugs, Family Conflict, Father-daughter relations, Forensics, Icelandic, Icelandic Detective, Murder Investigation, Netflix Streaming, Suspense

The Lava Field (2014)

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From IMDB:

When Reykjavik crime detective Helgi Marvin Runarsson is called in to investigate a suicide case on Snaefellsnes Peninsula, the case turns out to be far from simple. Pulled into a sinister trail of evidence, Helgi’s own deeply hidden secrets are unearthed. Will Helgi turn a blind eye to murder in order to save the life of his daughter?

From Netflix I was able to stream the four episodes, each lasting about 45 minutes. Icelandic with English subtitles.

When was the last time you watched a police procedural based in Iceland?  Indeed, except for its Iceland connection, there is nothing special about this mini-series. As usual, the detective is divorced and needs to relate to his daughter, etc. etc. Sometimes I had trouble keeping all the characters straight.  At least the acting is good.

Only so, so!

 

2013, British Mystery Series, Child abduction and murder, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Extramarital Affair, Family Conflict, Father-son relations, Murder Investigation, Murder Trial, Netflix Streaming, Pedophilia, Police Culture, Serial rapist, Small British village, Trailer Life, TV Series

Broadchurch (2013)

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From IMDB:

The murder of a young boy in a small coastal town brings a media frenzy, which threatens to tear the community apart.

REVISED REVIEW 2020:

From Netflix you can now stream 3 seasons of this British crime series.  Each season consists of 8 episodes where each episode lasts about 45 minutes.

Yet another wonderfully constructed British detective procedural set in Dorset, England. Details may be found in Wikipedia. As the summary above explains, the major emphasis in the Season One 8-episode story is the conflict between families due to the murder. It takes 8 more episodes in Season Two to close the Sandbrook murder case.

Season 3 consists of two plot threads:

  • Mark Latimer (played by Andrew Buchan) has never gotten over the murder of his son. His obsessional desire for revenge is hurting his marriage to Beth Latimer (played by Jodie Whittaker).
  • Broadchurch is now threatened by a serial rapist. Trish Winterman is the first rape victim we meet. She is played by Julie Hesmondhalgh who also played Jill Weadon in the British TV series The Trouble with Maggie Cole.  Her physical appearance in Broadchurch is so different from her physical appearance in The Trouble with Maggie Cole that it took me a while to even recognize her.

David Tenant as Inspector Alec Hardy and Olivia Colman as Detective Ellie Miller carry the story.  Secondary themes are their personal problems.

In the entertainment area of British detective TV shows, this series is a DO NOT MISS!

 

1987, Abduction, Acorn TV, Adultery, British Mystery Series, Brother-Brother relations, Conspiracy, Detective, Divorce, Extramarital Affair, Father-son relations, Missing Person, Mother-son relations, Murder Investigation, Pedophilia, Photography, Plot Twist, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Uncategorized, Violent

Ruth Rendell Mysteries (1987)

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From IMDB:

From cold, rock-strewn moors to comfortable suburban estates, award-winning writer Ruth Rendell explores the dark fissures between friends and family members that motivate murder.

Acorn TV offers this series which includes:

Master of the Moor, Parts 1,2,3
Colin Firth as outdoors loving loner.

Vanity Dies Hard, Parts 1,2,3
Newly wed woman searches for her vanished friend.

Simisola, Parts 1,2,3
Daughter of Nigerian surgeon is missing.

The Secret House of Death, Parts 1,2
How exactly did the next door neighbor die?

A Case of Coincidence, Parts 1,2
Surgeon’s wife murdered in the fens.

Road Rage, Parts 1,2,3,4
Young German tourist goes missing.

The Lake of Darkness
Generous lottery winner.

Harm Done
Pedophile,abduction,missing daughter

2007, Abduction, Acorn TV, Adultery, Alcoholism, Corruption, Crime, Cynical, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Drug Dealers, Dysfunctional Lives, Extramarital Affair, Family Conflict, Father-son relations, Forensics, Irish Detective Series, Mildly Violent, Mother-son relations, Murder Investigation, Pedophilia, Physical child abuse, Police Corruption, Prostitutes, Rape, Revenge, Self-Deception, Sex Scenes, Sexual Tension, Small Town Atmosphere, Suspense, Teenagers

Single-Handed (2007)

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From Acorn TV:

Transferred from Dublin to his hometown on Ireland’s windswept coast, Sergeant Jack Driscoll faces challenges he never expected.

Acorn TV offers Set 1 (with 3 episodes, each an hour and a half) and Set 2 (with 6 episodes, each about 50 minutes). IMDB, on the other hand, breaks down the exact same collection into 4 seasons.

For the most part, we humans seem to have a lot of traits in common the world over. But if you are influenced by this series, you will come away with a vivid impression that the Irish are a somewhat dishonest, clandestine group of people that maintain silence over nasty past events. In other words Jack Driscoll must fight an uphill battle to get to the truth in every case.

Jack Driscoll himself is no saint. Even he must be on guard not to adopt some of the rough tactics of his forebears. Somehow during the episodes he manages to sleep with a lot of women. Considering what pieces of work he has for parents, it is a wonder he turned out to be an honest cop.

For me a sneaky, plotting villain motivates me to keep watching and hoping that the evildoer eventually loses.

When my wife Kathy approves of something we watched, then you know we are on to something worthwhile.

DO NOT MISS!

2004, Acorn TV, Airline pilot, Bloody scenes, British Mystery Series, Clever Plot, Detective, Extramarital Affair, Family Conflict, Father-son relations, Forensics, Mental Illness, Mother-son relations, Murder Investigation

DNA (2004)

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From Acorn TV:

Brilliant but troubled criminologist Joe Donovan returns from a psychological breakdown to lead Manchester’s Forensic Investigations Unit.

From Acorn TV you can stream the five episodes from season one of this British TV detective series.

Personalities, family relations, and personal problems are as important if not more important than the crimes themselves. Joe Donovan is so obsessed with his job that he ignores his beautiful wife which leads to great problems. Notice how often this theme of job versus family occurs in so many detective procedurals. On the other hand the detective gets along well with his son Seth, despite all the family difficulties.

Suspicion moves rapidly from character to character as the well-designed plots keep us guessing.

Besides photo shots of dead bodies there is nothing particularly grim about these stories. Add to this the fact that Joe Donovan has a smiling and calm personality that lends an adult gentile air to the series.

Not at all a waste of time.

1997, Acorn TV, Bloody scenes, British, Bullying, Coming-of-age, Crime, Detective, Fascists, Father-daughter relations, Father-son relations, Insurance Fraud, Marital Infidelity, Mother-daughter relations, Murder Investigation, Sexual Harassment, TV Series, Violent

The Broker’s Man (1997)

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From Acorn TV:

There’s never a dull moment in the world of insurance investigation at least not when Jimmy Griffin is involved. An affable ex-cop, his cunning and insight are well-suited to the business of exposing the criminals of insurance fraud.

Kevin Whately is Jimmy Griffen in this series from 1997-1998. You will recognize him when he was 36 years old as Detective Lewis the sidekick to Inspector Morse during 1987-2000.  Ten years later he is Jimmy Griffen in “The Broker’s Man”.  Later when he was 58 years old he had his own series as Inspector Lewis in 2011,2012, and 2015.

Whereas “Grantchester” is civilized, “The Broker’s Man” has a bit more graphic violence. People are beaten, sent to the hospital, and look pretty awful as a result.

Series 1 has 3 episodes. Series 2 has 6 episodes. Each episode runs under one hour. Continuing through all the episodes is a thread in which Jimmy Griffen is trying to get back with his kids and with his wife from whom, at the beginning of the series, he is separated.  In fact his family life is a big part of the series. For example, his daughter entering adulthood has social and school problems.

Nothing special, but watchable.

 

2015, 2016, British Mystery Series, Cambridge University, Church of England, Ethical struggles, Gay theme, Murder Investigation, Murder Trial, Quiet, Religious Theme, Unmarried mother

Grantchester (2015)

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From IMDB:

A Cambridgeshire clergyman finds himself investigating a series of mysterious wrongdoings in his small village of Grantchester.

Currently we can see this  British TV Series on PBS. There are seasons for 2015,2016,and (in the future) 2017. For a really good summary see the Wikipedia discussion. My best reason for recommending this detective series is that despite there being murders, the atmosphere is gentile and pleasant.

All the episodes revolve around the two main characters Sidney Chambers (the priest played by James Norton) and Geordie Keating (the detective played by Robson Green).  Sidney’s guide is his religion whereas Geordie is guided by his hard-bitten cynicism. Sidney and Geordie complement each other, work together well, but are often ethically at odds.

As astounding as it may seem, James Norton also starred in the wonderful but grim British TV series “Happy Valley” where he portrayed the warped, evil, and vengeful Tommy Lee Royce.  Sidney Chambers is as appealing as Tommy Lee Royce is repellant. If you are into “grim but great”, then do NOT miss “[Un]Happy Valley”.

Robson Green is also worth watching in the TV series “Wire in the Blood” in which he is a psychologist who gets inside of the minds of both killers and victims to aid the police in solving gruesome serial killings in Northern England. Be careful, however, because the first episode in that series is a bit ugly.

Again Robson Green is worth watching in the TV series “Touching Evil“, another twisted and gritty series in which he was brought back to life through the miracle of medicine, now walking a tightrope on the edge of sanity as the semi-suicidal detective hunts down serial killers and other perps through his gift for thinking like they do.

In summary “Grantchester” is  civilized whereas so many other British detective series can be grueling to watch.

 

2002, Assisted Suicide, Contract Killing, Detective, Forensics, Murder Investigation, Plot Twist, Serial Killer, Suspense, Terminal Disease

Killing Emmett Young (2002)

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From Amazon Prime:

Detective Emmett Young (Scott Wolf) is determined to rid Philadelphia of a psychotic serial killer.

One hour and 44 minutes of twists, turns, and near misses that will keep you pinned to your seat. Streams from Amazon Prime.

Scott Wolf plays the young detective. Although I can find no mention of Scott Wolf in association with “The Good Wife”,  I am convinced he played the young lawyer that kept jumping law firms.  Nonetheless he has an impressive resume.

Originally this film was called “Emmett’s Mark” whose IMDB writeup states:

In order to avoid the debilitating effects of a terminal illness, a young detective orders a hit on himself.

At any rate the entire film is a series of chagrining twists of fate that are maddening to watch but compelling.

One of the villains in this story is none other than Gabriel Byrne a con man who takes out Emmett’s own contract to kill himself, i.e. Emmett, so that he does not have to linger in a fatal disease.

Highly recommended suspenseful detective story.

 

2013, Acorn TV, Based on a Book, Canadian Mystery Series, Canadian Police, Detective, Forensics, Gay theme, Made For TV, Murder Investigation, Small Town Atmosphere

Still Life: A Three Pines Mystery (2013)

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From IMDB:

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team arrive in Three Pines to solve the unusual murder of a much-loved woman and find dark secrets shadowing this usually peaceful village.

Canadian author Louise Penny has written a series of eleven mystery novels set around the life of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache (a Wikipedia article) a member of the provincial police force for Quebec. The first of these novels “Still Life” was presented as a 1 hour 25 minutesTV movie in 2013.  Most of the stories occur in the fictional town of Three Pines. To quote from the above linked Wikipedia article:

The Chief Inspector Armand Gamache book series contains little or no sex or violence and has been referred to as a kinder and gentler alternative to modern crime fiction.

Chief Inspector Gamache is played by Nathaniel Parker whose resume is quite long. Perhaps you remember him as Inspector Lynley in the 2001-2007 “The Inspector Lynley Mysteries” TV series.

Recall that Acorn TV presents British entertainment: Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and (in this case) Canada. Stream this film from Acorn and enjoy the hour and a half.