C.B. Strike

For my money Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger do a fine job of providing the focal point and anchor for these superb detective whodunnits penned by Galbraith aka. JK Rowling. I suppose it's fair to say that you'll either find chemistry between Strike and Robin (the leads) or you won't.

These shows are based upon crime novels that are crammed with detail and the nuance of relationships and events, which make them a fun read - and that the series' screenplays do a great job of adapting for the screen.

Now on it's fifth novel this series only goes from strength to strength spinning fascinating and engaging tales.

As others have mentioned, locations and style also play a leading role - the result is a satisfying sense of place which complements both the action and backstory.

The Brits have a particular style to how they go about their crime dramas, an angle which places a concentration and importance on drawing out character, a recognition that the journey to the conclusion is as important as the resolution and the untangling of the 'crime' itself. We end up with an understanding of both the perpetrator and their supporting characters, and a deeper relationship with the investigators - and in this sense Strike is as much a highly successful human drama series as it is a crime and whodunnit proposition.

I'd recommend giving Strike a watch if you haven't already done so - but, although each series stands alone covering one novel (except for series one which is two novels in succession), there is a strong cumulative backstory revolving around a central group of characters, so for best results and viewing pleasure start with series one and binge from there.

Holliday Grainger lights up the screen. She is one of the best actors I have ever seen. She conveys so many moods and emotions with slightest glance.

Also, I enjoy the story. It is my cup of tea.

'Strike: The Cuckoo's Calling' is on the Poirot-Marple-Midsomers branch of the mystery tree with its irresistible stars in the lead roles, its slow but never time-wasting character developments, its high-on- thinking and low-on-physical-violence story, and its beautiful camera work. If you like all of the above features and a good, escape-for-an- hour mystery, please watch this. J.K. Rowling wrote the book and I'm glad that the British television peeps had the great good sense to bring this to us as beautifully as they did. I hope they make more.

I have just watched 'The Cuckoo's Calling'. This is a great take on the hard on his heels private investigator gets an opportunity story. JK Rowling's content is as well written as a John Grisham/Agatha Christie with the added frisson of cool London locations and culture. I particularly like the casting of Tom Bell as the rough-round-the-edges sleuth and the engaging Holliday Grainger as his ever so capable assistant; they are both so watchable. I look forward to the next series (and for any critics of this series yes I am perfectly happy to overlook any plot holes).

I really enjoyed watching this show. Each series within the series had a new mystery bringing about a need for great investigative instinct to solve the mysteries presented. The episodes were complex with twists and turns along the way. Watch this when you have the time to really listen to the dialogue or you will miss a clue or two along the way. At first blush and thereafter this is not a glamourous role for the co-stars, but they have tremendous screen chemistry. The only disappointment was the series was too short. This all takes place in England and shows the real streets of downtown as well as the English countryside. A nice mix of cinematography along the way.