The Distant Echo: Part 1

D. S. Karen Pirie is tasked with reopening the cold case, of murdered barmaid Rosie Duff, who was found by three students on a night out.

Firstly, it's encouraging to see ITV reverting back to two hour dramas on Sunday nights, giving us something a little different from just Vera and Midsomer Murders.

It's a solid first episode, I think it's fair to say it's an enjoyable opener, there's nothing out of the ordinary, nothing particularly unique, but it was watchable enough, and provided us with an engaging enough mystery.

Very nicely produced, they did a good job creating the 90's. Solidly made, with some great music, who doesn't love hearing Pulp.

I'm a big fan of Emer Kenny, so was keen to see how she did as a writer, she's clearly got writing talents, as well as acting talent, she looked so different here than she does as Bunty in Father Brown.

Lauren Lyle did a good job in the title role, well acted. She's an interesting character, but I'm sure there's more to come.

I look forward to next week's, 7/10.

Another Val McDermid series of books gets adapted for television. This has been written by Father Brown actress Emer Kenny who has had experience of solving crimes in Father Brown.

The first episode looks at the murder of a barmaid Rosie Duff in 1996 in Scotland. She was strangled with a deep stomach wound.

Three students were arrested but never charged.

25 years later a podcaster Bel Richmond (Rakhee Thakrar) has brought attention to this cold case.

Karen Pirie (Lauren Lyle) is called into investigate and needs to track down the three men. One is now a surgeon, another is a university lecturer and an artist with zero social media presence.

There are hints that she only got the job as she is a woman or else has been set up to fail.

The first instalment was fast moving. The three suspects all seemed to be hiding something and haunted by the events from years earlier. Then there are Rosie's hard men brothers who have been looking for revenge.

Karen Pirie is feisty enough but I was not impressed by her relationship with her cop partner. It looked forced and unconvincing.

The drama cuts back and forth with flashbacks but it was not too irritating. Although I was not sure where the narration was leading to.

Given that this murder mystery will stretch to 3 x 2 hours episodes. There is a fear that it could turn out to be a slog and it could all had been done in 3 x 1 hour episodes.

So far, Emer Kenny (Bunty in Father Brown) has done a good job with this 'Unforgiven'-style script ie cold case that runs across the entire season. It isn't too graphic, with violence and gore mainly in the dark, little swearing and sex scenes off screen/no nudity, allowing the emphasis to be more about psychology etc. Whilst I understand Pirie being annoyed she only got the promotion because she is a woman, as a member of the public, I think it is better having a woman's perspective involved with the case. One thing I disagree with though is recommending women talk on the phone as they walk home - did that with my friend and she got mugged for her phone! Lots of viewers have people have complained about the poor sound balance, and we did have the volume up a bit higher than normal even though we always have the subs on, but much of the time I was looking down at my other task and followed the show fine, despite all the flashbacks, which were well done here.