Bookish

Mark Gattis always writes interestingly different stories and his performances are very truthful. This is quite an interesting and unusual series. The London portrayed doesn't quite look like any London that I know on deeper examination It isn't London at all.

Possibly because of economy the production decided to shoot the series in Belgium. Very sad that a quintessential English series is filmed in a foreign country. The streets the buildings the supporting artists all look wrong. I hated the filming.

The lighting was incredibly harsh. I don't know whether this was trying replicate old-fashioned lighting but it certainly didn't work. None of the actors looked at all their best. But well done Mark for bringing us an intriguing series full of humanity.

I wanted to watch that series because of Gatiss as a Sherlock and Doctor Who fan.

But after 2 first episodes I'm bored and disappointed. Sucha a pity. Nice idea of a bookworm solving crimes in post war London.

Firstly the main character is a boring show off. His is constantly acting like "Look at me, I'm a genius". He likes to be in the center of the attention, not carrying about the others.

His wife is acting like some kind of overacting actress from the theatre. There's completely no chemistry between them. Like they just friends, pretending that they are in love, cos he's gay?

And what with that lisping girl from the neighbourhood, acting like 15 years old?!

She's grown up and acting like a schoolgirl.

Jack is completely bland and the series would be OK without him, he adds nothing in the script.

Ok, now the mistery. We have a few red herrings and of course a murderer is a person, which is showed earlier. People with strong motives are innocent like always. Murderer is punished.

But why they wasted 2 whole episodes to solve such an easy mistery?! Why not 1 episode with less dialogues?!

Little less conversation, a little more action! Like Elvis once said.

Believe me, they're better series that that one.

Now you can hate me, I don't care. That's my opinion, and I will keep it.

Gatiss really stepping out of his comfort zone here, portraying a gay, waspish and brilliant bookseller cum detective. I was resistant at first, seeing it as Gatiss's attempt to claim the role Cumberbatch got to before him, but I really warmed to it and I'm glad to see a second series has been greenlit.

The supporting cast are very stage school gorblimey, and there are one or two really bum notes like the diminutive Turkish girl who has, to put it kindly, an unusual acting style. Book's beard, cough, wife is a charming and attractive presence and their relationship is well drawn. The cases are unnecessarily convoluted, but who cares. This is slippers, tea and biscuits TV, and God bless it for that.

I must admit that I had been looking forward to this debuting from the moment I found out of its existence.

I was not disappointed.

I love the characters. Book and Trottie are a wonderful couple, tender and loving. But at the risk of divulging spoilers, I shall say no more on that.

At the time of writing I have only 'binged' four of the six episodes (why are there not more?!). The supporting cast are equally compelling, hinting at depths not yet explored.

The cinematography, direction, set and costume design are all superb.

The storylines are well thought out, with allusions of other famous whodunnits, but with spins on them that only bring them to light during the denouement.

Gatiss is a superb writer, like all of his works he knows his subject matter and he sprinkles Easter eggs and nods throughout whilst creating something truly original.

I am sad that only six episodes have been made. So far. The series, the characters, the mysteries, deserve many, many more outings. If there is any justice, we will see Book and co. Again.

10/10.

I'm not a fan of everything that Mark Gatiss has been in, like "Moonflower Murders" or the "Sherlock Holmes" series, but I did enjoy "Bookish". I've always been a fan of Polly Walker from "Enchanted April" to "Bridgerton", she's great in any role. And Connor Finch is a nice addition.

It's a very English detective series, something to relish like an Agatha Christie mystery. You just need a cup of tea and some biscuits and a comfortable chair. Trottie and Gabriel's lavender marriage wasn't that unique, it had a name. The episodes are different, not recycled plots that have been done before.

It's already been renewed for a 2nd season. I hope season 2 has 8 episodes instead of 6. It's a different take on the amateur detective genre and worth a second season.