Chemistry of Death

I really wanted to like this because I generally like mysteries, and I'm a fan of Amy Manson. But I don't like shows that focus on the brutalisation of women, and still managed to weather through three episodes, and wow... tedious. Unrealistic script, awful directing and cinematography, and it positively plods along half the time. Far too many closeups of the Doc's tortured face. He's in constant pain and it's simply overwrought, with his constantly invasive thoughts on his family. Nearly everything about the show is clichéd, including his narration of "the chemistry of death". I should've known because the title was not a good choice. Still, I'll give it one thing in addition to the actors doing their best: the scenery is stunning, particularly when we get to the islands.

Having read the books, I was excited to see this had been dramatised.

I was however shocked to reach the equivalent end of the first book by the beginning of episode 3. Everything just felt very rushed, with lots of important events and scenes missed. There was barely any building of characters or their back stories, with some characters completely missing who were important to the story in the books.

I'm not sure whether reading the books made it less enjoyable being aware of these ommisions, but it certainly felt underwhelming and decidedly rushed throughout.

I understand literary and poetic licence, but whilst it wasn't a bad production and the casting and acting was good, this didn't hit the spot if you've enjoyed the books.

A great book with an adaptation that lacks a bit of suspense - What the audience is offered is nothing that you haven't seen in other British crime series in one form or another: from the investigator who is tormented by private demons, to the village one Setting with dense forests and aging pubs where everyone knows everyone else, all these elements have long been seen in much more interesting implementations. The acting isn't particularly good either. What is reproduced in the original book through interesting and professional monologues by a forensic scientist only works like annoying talk in the series.

The biggest weakness of the series, however, is that the pacing is simply not right here. The first episode babbles along lamely, in the second the events roll over - cliffhangers included - before everything is dealt with very quickly in the third and Hunter is sent to his next investigations just as briskly as he is unmotivated. Real tension, for which the name Simon Beckett actually stands for fans, never wants to arise there. Maybe a movie would have been better than a series. All in all an average crime thriller that could have been much better with the excellent book template.

If you're tiring of the Brit Forensic drama Silent Witness then Chemistry of Death should reignite some interest in the genre.

I haven't read the books the series is based upon, nor did I engage with the trailers or blurb - and sometimes no preparation is the best preparation for a whodunnit - and that's possibly the case here.

This is a stylish and moody show that also introduces a back story to give us some context to Treadaway's (Mr Mercedes) lead character. The opening case is suitably creepy to lay a good foundation, and, although I guessed the 'villains', it had done a pretty good job of creating multiple plausible subjects.

It does have the signature Brit vibe and claustrophobic locations and shooting technique which in this case adds to rather than diminishes the intrigue. A strong supporting cast who contribute well to the combination of pace and menace.

The best about this show is undoubtedly the cinematography. Many times, it just takes the breath away. And not just the landscapes, but rather how they use it to depict characters, the scene, the environment they are in, the mood, the atmosphere. That is outstanding, 10/10. The story is arresting, dark from the very start, and just goes on and on to build up the protagonist of the series, a forensic pathologist riddled with guilt about his past. I would say, that's the less convincing - however, vital - element of the character, the theme about it well overused (in my opinion). The score is good, original and well in sync with the cinematography. One of the best English series in recent years. You won't be disappointed if you watch it, for sure.