The Marlow Murder Club

I haven't read the original books but decided to watch the show anyway, especially when I saw Samantha Bond as the main lead - I find her to be a wonderful actress.

At first I struggled a bit to find interest in the plot line as it was quite stagnant and there were constant dead ends that began to put me off of watching it altogether. Majority of the acting was well done though which turned me away from turning off the show! It was all very natural and most of the actors did a wonderful job bringing their characters to life. There were however certain parts where I slightly disliked both the dialogue and mannerisms of a couple of the actors but in the end, it didn't bother me too much.

By the second part of the story I became a lot more interested by the sudden plot twists and the pace that the story was now going. It definitely picked up near the end of the show, as the plot was finally coming together which made the ending very satisfying.

I don't watch modern murder mysteries often (between 2020 and present time) as I find that they can sometimes be very lost in translation from the original books that they're originally based on, so I didn't have high expectations but was pleasantly surprised with The Marlow Murder Club! It's a very good show for both casual murder mystery watchers (like myself) and crime fanatics that like a gripping, intricate storyline.

I've read and really enjoy the books this series is based on, but I feel like the characters have been ruined in the series. Judith job has changed, and this I feel has changed her character, her background is different and she doesn't feel like she fits her character. Suzi is great, but I just feel she was a bit rougher around the edges, but barely got to know her as a character. Her relationship was changed with her daughter which I didn't like. Becks was just completely off! In the books she much more devoted to her family and husband. She's also incredibly timid, but gets pushed by Judith to do things, which really brings out a better side of her character.

Overall I feel like they changed all the best parts of the book, and made a bit of a wishy washy series.

Not a bad watch, but it's nowhere near as good as it should been.

Whilst out swimming in the waters by her house, former archaeologist Judith Potts hears a commotion at her neighbour's house, convinced he's been murdered, she begins an investigation of her own.

I had high expectations for this, and it did not disappear, Robert Thorogood has a good pedigree, and has given us Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise, this is similar in tone, lighter, easy viewing.

Comedic in parts, but the balance of mystery and humour is spot on, they got it just right.

Each of the trio offers something, but it's Samantha Bond's Judith who gets the greatest focus, we learn a good deal about her, the other two will hopefully be explored in the future.

Well acted by all involved, it features a really nice cast, all play their parts well. Lots of well known faces.

Wonderful locations, definitely one of those where you get an insight into how the other half live.

All I can say, I only hope they make more of them, there's definitely scope for more episodes.

9/10.

This review is based on season one. Perhaps after I eventually see the next season, I'll update my review.

"The Marlow Murder Club" is a lovely show...far prettier than you'd expect for a murder mystery show. And so it's obvious the people who made this show REALLY wanted to make it look and sound lovely. This is the best aspect of the show.

As for the rest, it's still good...but is also a bit familiar. It consists of three women who become friends who decide to solve a murder in their village...and soon there are more murders. At first the police tell the ladies to stay OFF the case...but after they keep finding good evidence they are hired by the police to be consultants. The entire first season is about a series of murders where the person with the most reason to have committing them having air-tight alibis to prove they didn't do it.

I generally enjoyed the nice plot. Only two things bothered me. First, the very end when the leader of the group tells her friends to get lost...well, that just didn't make sense. Second, although the viewer sees the murder weapon was a German Luger, the police and investigators had no way of knowing this...but they seemed to know anyway. Their logic...the gun fired a Luger round. But the Luger fires (almost always) a 9mm round...the most common bullet in the world and one which fits many, many different guns and even machine guns. A tiny bit of research would have helped them get this right. Still, despite two instances where the writing could have been better, it's still an enjoyable and worthy show.

A nice mystery with an unexpected ending (but aren't they always?). Good acting, good direction, lovely scenes, and classic English small-town setting.

The plot involves three women, ages around 40 - 65, who become involved as amateur sleuths in a series of murders. The leader is Judith, a retired archaeologist who lives in a classic old mansion bequeathed to her by her great aunt. The other two are a vicar's wife and a dog walker.

The police officer in charge of the investigation is also a women, due to a recent retirement or similar change of personnel (frankly I forget exactly). That opens up the well-used plot twist of the new "guy" trying to prove herself. It also makes it slightly more probable that the police would actively enlist the services of the three amateurs. Slightly. But in real life? It's not going to happen. This is one weakness of the plot.

Another is the basic improbability of it all. I won't go into any more detail, as I don't want to reveal any spoilers.

The other big weakness is the heavy-handed "women in charge" aspect. It becomes almost a political tract.

Too bad. The basic idea could have been handled a lot better with these good actors and lovely sets.