Murder Before Evensong

Our first reaction to this 6-part murder mystery was one of enjoyment, and we couldn't wait for the final instalment to reveal whether or not we had been correct in our guess of whodunnit. In fact, we were, so that was the good news.

The bad news was that we had tried to figure out the motive, but our guesses of that had been badly wrong, and right up until the 'reveal' there had really been no pointers, no clues, almost a total vacuum of relevant information about whytheydunnit.

Others have pointed out a serious confusion of its period setting. Apparently there was some statement of it being 1988, but I missed that, and there was apparently late 80s music being played. One character referred to an event of 1943 as being "40 years ago" so that would place it as 1983. But the sets and the clothing were far more 1960s or even 1950s, as was the very quiet little village where everyone knew everyone, and what everyone was doing before they ever did it. By the 1980s that would have been far less the case. I was born in the 1940s, so I kind of liked the feeling of these sets taking me back to my childhood, and not to the 80s, when I was well into mid-career. I really did have to keep reminding myself that it was not supposed to be 1960 England that I was watching.

One small plus, as a great devotee of 'New Tricks', was having the two 'guvnors' from that series both there, with very opposing views!

Finally when we did get the motive explained, we thought "Oh really?" It made no sense.

It would be fair to give it 7/10 for the way it hooked us in, and the enjoyment we had, but it's impossible to give it more after such carelessness and ultimate weakness of plot.

Rector Daniel Clement finds himself drawn into the murder of a man at his church. Initially a suspect, it's not long before Vanloo, the detective on the case, turns to him for help. Daniel must hunt for a killer while dealing with the arrival of his mother Audrey, a force of nature in her own right.

Daniel is the latest in a long list of crime-solving clerics. He follows in the footsteps of Father Brown and Sister Boniface, but I'd suggest 'Murder Before Evensong' bears a closer resemblance to 'Granchester'. Indeed, if you squint your eyes, you can almost see Will, Geordie, and Mrs. Maguire here.

Daniel is a great character-sharp and brave, without being gung-ho. He's quirky, loves fountain pens, but isn't too zany. A well-rounded, grounded sleuth, he brings something fresh to the clergy detective genre.

Though made by Channel 5, who've carved a niche in 80s drama, this series stands out as an impressive piece of work, successfully following the footsteps of 'Dalgliesh'.

Six episodes of impeccable drama-there's not a dull moment. It's consistent throughout and ideal for binge-watching.

If you love nostalgia like I do, you'll adore this. On the surface, it nails it with Ford Sierras, Vauxhall Cavaliers, and a wealth of Jaeger knitwear. The production team excelled. Not only that, they captured the attitudes of the time, particularly the challenges of village life for a gay man in the early 1980s.

Richard Coles, please ensure your next novel follows suit. This not only needs a follow-up-it demands one. This was quality drama.

8.5/10.

A nice traditional "whodunnit". Well acted and enjoyable to watch. However, I do find the era in which it is set quite confusing. There are definite nods's to the 80's but it seems more post war in its design. Unless the whole village with the exception of a couple of the characters are stuck in a time warp, I cannot see any explanation for some of the costumes and interior decoration.

I've watched quite a few British mysteries. It seems that most of them portray the police as incompetent while the protagonist is somehow brilliant at solving crimes. Father Brown used to be charming but now seems to think quirky characters and politically correct themes are a substitute for good writing. Sister Boniface has the police being nice people who are completely worthless. The Marlow Mystery Club has so many issues that just made it irritating to watch. This show has believable characters and nobody is a super sleuth. I enjoy the 80's background as I was a young man during those years, albeit in the United States. I don't think this is the greatest series ever but it is one that I look forward to every week.

The murder, at this point (the end of ep 1), is fairly incidental. Right now I'm watching because I'm agog to find out whether Stella Harper's flower cupboard is going to be made into a loo!

Anyhow, the characters might be slightly stereotypical but they are well portrayed, and this is looking like a highly watchable series.