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I've read all of C J Sansom's Tudor novels and have long been hoping to see Shardlake on the small or large screen. Now here he is, and this version has a lot going for it. It is atmospheric, and Shardlake and Barak are well cast. Barak has been introduced a book earlier, an understandable substitute for an earlier character, particularly if the other books are to be adapted?

The multiculturalism represented mirrors the books - Sansom's monk physician is a Moor.

I appreciate it would have been impossible to find an English monastery or priory still intact for the purpose of filming, so the choice of a castle is understandable, but it is a bit jarring. I believe Sansom's Scarnsea was based on the Franciscan monastery of Greyfriars at Winchelsea in East Sussex. At the time Winchelsea was a port, and is still surrounded by marsh.

I hope Shardlake and Barak get a second outing with Dark Fire also being adapted for television.

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Spotted this on the Drama Channel and have now watched all three episodes. Thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly the unfussy relationship between Emilia Fox's character and the Carabinieri chief played by Giovanni Cirfiera.

There are no strident characters. It is the subdued nature of Signora Volpe's relationship with her family members - particularly her sister (Tara Fitzgerald) - and with other characters, which appeals to me.

The plots potters along at a leisurely pace, but that just gives the viewer more time to admire the scenery! I hope there is a second series. In the meantime, I may just watch the first series again.

Among friends and family this is a Must Watch programme, and Series 2 has been every bit as enjoyable as Series 1. It puts me in mind of the TV Series 'Blandings' from a few years ago, and the film 'Galaxy Quest'. Both of these creations boasted large casts of wacky characters whose interactions drive the stories and provide the humour and the heart. The icing on the cake is the fact that 'Button House' itself feels like a character rather than just a location. 'Ghosts' is so inventive and witty that although each episode is only half an hour long, it rewards the viewer every time it is re-watched. There's something Shakespearian about the fact that six of the 'ghosts' not only created the show but also write the screenplays. Well, a big thank you to them and to everyone involved in the series - some of the support actors are just wonderful. The last two episodes were sublime. It's praise indeed to say that if in the future on the BBC schedules 'Ghosts' clashes with 'Strictly Come Dancing', I might just have to watch 'Ghosts'.