Let me start this entry by telling you that I thought for sure I had already written about this terrific television series. This entry is about the original Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime: The Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries which was made in the 1980s. It is a totally delightful series full of witty dialog, absolutely gorgeous and sumptuous wardrobe, and very good mysteries.
There are eleven episodes that follow the private detective duo comprised of Tommy and Tuppence. They are all based on Agatha Christie‘s Tommy & Tuppence mystery novels. I will admit to not being a fan of this series of Christie mystery novels but I love this television series. If I were to pick just two words to describe this mystery series. I would say “fun romp”.
The series starts out with Tommy & Tuppence reuniting after WWI. (No spoilers here->>> so I won’t divulge too much!) The series takes place during the 1920s, which means that Tuppence is able to wear flapper-type attire, including beautiful hats and dresses. Francesca Annis portrays Tuppence, and she’s terrific! Her portrayal brings a young exuberance to Tuppence. She makes us believe she is Tuppence, and we can see how Tuppence is a force to be reckoned with.
James Warwick portrays Tommy. At first I wasn’t quite sure if he would be convincing as someone Tuppence would enjoy being with, but by the end of the first episode, I knew he was perfect as Tommy.
Tommy and Tuppence take over the Blunt’s International Detective Agency after both Tommy & Tuppence were left unemployed after the Great War. The series was made during the 1980s – so don’t expect today’s production values. Although it lacks the bells and whistles of today’s television shows, it is a very superior television series.
My husband and I both enjoy the (original) Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime: The Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries. I strongly recommend this Cozy Mystery television series. I especially recommend it to fans of the Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. These mystery shows have the same delightful, whimsical, fun, joie de vivre as Phryne Fisher’s shows. I should mention there is a more recent series (which will be available on Netflix and is currently available on Acorn). We enjoyed the original series so much that when it’s time to revisit Tommy and Tuppence, we plan on staying with this version.
This series is available on Netflix in disc format. It is also available on Acorn.
For more ideas on movies and television shows, be sure to check my TV and Movie page on my site.
Kim says
I ordered the Miss Marple series…one of the earlier versions…we plan to enjoy this winter…..and now I might order the Tuppence due to your engaging description. Thanks.
Now for another pondering…today I participated in a house tour of a historic area. The homes were largely Victorian in style with large comfy front porches and sweet gardens. Few people seem to desire this look or interior enough to build it in a new home. Many more prefer and decorate in the minimalistic look of a Pottery Barn type decor. But yet so many young folks on the tour seemed to love the style and certainly it is often seen on cozy book covers. So perhaps we selected out a biased group of people by virtue of who would gravitate towards such a tour. But don’t you wonder why so many seem to love this architectural style much as they love the stylish clothing in Downton Abby and the Tommy Tuppence series. Do you all think our 21st century style of decor and clothing is just as appealing? In answer to my own query, I do think today’s ‘look’ offers some appeal but more than anything offers practicality in abundance. I do love my Patagonia polar fleeces but once in awhile go back to good old wool (especially since I enjoy wool fiber arts). And no, I would not build a Victorian home. But yes, I love a cozy occuring in one..please pass the tea and scones.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kim, I’m hoping that the Miss Marple series you’re planning on watching is the one with Joan Hickson as Jane Marple. These are extraordinarily good. I wish the PBS stations would re-air them so that people who haven’t seen them could watch these. (A couple of other shows I wish PBS would re-air are the Sherlock Holmes series with Jeremy Brett and the Hetty Wainthropp series with Patricia Routledge.)
My husband and I DVR House Hunters, and are often amazed at how many young couples want Craftsman homes, with the open floor plan, spacious bathrooms, granite counter tops, and all of the modern amenities, so I can totally see what you mean.
P.S. I wish I could wear wool! It makes me itch, which might be hereditary, since my mom and siblings share this very same trait.
Marla says
I love this series! It introduced me to well-written mystery books and changed what I read afterward. It was originally on our local PBS station throughout the winter, every Sunday at 9pm on Mystery. I loved Tuppence’s lipstick with the 2 points on her upper lip! I will check out Netflix for this! Thank you!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marla, I must admit that Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence series is my very least favorite of her series. However, I find this series delightful. Francesca Annis is a delight to watch in this mystery series.
Ellen Byron says
I’ve always enjoyed the Tommy and Tuppence mysteries. I remember in one – I think it was “N or M?” – Christie describes a woman’s eyes as being “the color of boiled gooseberries.” I’m not even sure what gooseberries are, but I thought that description was briliant. I keep it in mind when I describe characters in my own books.
Susan* says
I actually know this one! Lol! Gooseberries (Usually pronounced guz-berries) are a pale green fruit that grows in England. Somewhere around the size of a grape, IIRC, and often made into jam or similar, though they can easily be eaten fresh.
The name is also a slang term meaning a ‘third wheel’. For instance if a couple are together, and a third person is hanging around, the third can be said to be ‘playing gooseberry’. Lol!
MaryGrace says
Hi Susan,
Not only are gooseberries grown in England, but in southwestern Wisconsin, too. I remember picking them from the bushes on our farm when I was a child. My mom made gooseberry pie, which was a little tart. How I would love a piece of her pie now!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MaryGrace, the holiday season sure brings back a lot of wonderful memories, doesn’t it?
Mary g says
Hi, well since we seem to be chatting about gooseberries…. I live in vancouver, canada, and we have gooseberries here too. Quite an old fashioned fruit, and not as plentiful as it was. I remember gooseberry pies too. Quite tart, a bit like rhubarb pies, and the season for gooseberries is quite short. To me, gooseberries always look like peeled green grapes. Or eyeballs. (Isn’t that where we started this conversation?)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan*, thanks for the Gooseberry information!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ellen, now you’ve got me wondering what those doggone gooseberries look (and taste!) like.
Oh my gosh, I just looked them up on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gooseberry) and I sure hope the woman Christie was describing was either wicked (as in the case with the bright green gooseberries) or Elizabeth-Taylor-like (as in the case of the purple gooseberries)…
Susan* says
Danna, I think Christie just meant that the woman had very pale green eyes. (Gooseberries go very pale, almost clear when they’re peeled and cooked, IIRC.)
Possibly she had slightly protuberant eyes, too, though it’s been a while since I read it. If it’s the character I think it was, she was a very pallid, washed-out sort of woman – in character as well as colouring – and she just had very pale, almost colourless eyes.
It is a lovely description, though, and very evocative. I can picture her very clearly, myself, just from a few phrases. Ms Christie was a genius.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan*, you’re right, however, taking a look at the pictures making them look like pealed, green grapes took me back to Halloweens of youth when the grapes passed for eyeballs, spaghetti as brains, etc.
Mary g says
Hi. Aren’t we mystery and cozy readers a diverse group. I loved this tv series too, much for the same reasons you have mentioned… The clothes, the scenery, the characters’ witty dialogue. They bounce off each other in a way that’s reminiscent of the Thin Man movies. But, I don’t think of them as MY Tommy and Tuppence. For me, they remain the ones in Agatha Christie’s books. Particularly the latter ones. I like to read of the couple in their later years, aged together, wrinkles and a comfortable spread, still the investigating and sharp minds. I like that Christie let us revisit them from time to time, as they, and she, aged. Comfy and intriguing, wiser and older.
That being said, I’ll be sure to rewatch the series on tv. Thanks for the reminder, it’s a good one.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary G, I definitely think this series is one that merits a re-watch!
Rachel A says
OOh, I wish we could have a repeat showing of this on TV! Recently we saw the remake which was awful, truly awful and which was NOT popular so they won’t be doing another season. I read one of the books and was not impressed either but then I wasn’t all that keen on the Miss Fisher books either and love the series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rachel A, I haven’t watched the new Partners in Crime television series, but I did hear that it was not up to the standards of this original one. I really don’t know why they insist on remaking series of shows that were so good. They did the same with Mapp & Lucia. My husband and I didn’t make it through the new version. Why mess with something so good?
Suzanne says
Happy Holiday’s all. I want to tell you all about an author I came across during a Halloween web part hosted by Kathi Daley. The author’s name is Susan Bernhardt. She writes the Kay Driscoll mysteries which take place in a small town in Wisconsin just outside the twin cities. She is in her early fifties and has two best friends Elizabeth, a college librarian and Deidre, a lover of yoga, herbs etc. who is opening her own shop. In the first book Ginseng Conspiracy Kay witnesses a murder and the conspiracy will keep you guessing. Her second book, Murder Under the Tree, is perfect for this time of year and brings you into Kay’s family and hidden secrets of friends. The third book, Murder by Firecracker is focused on a wedding reception for Kay’s son in her backyard, an apparent suicide of a man no one will miss and a troubled 12 year old. These are wonderful books. I think they are only ebooks right now but I know she will be featuring them either this week of next. I Have to admit I never pay full price for a book, I stick with the free or $.99 ones but I was so hooked I paid the $3.99 for the 3rd book in the series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Suzanne, thanks! Susan Bernhardt’s mysteries are on my holiday lists: Halloween, Christmas, and Fourth of July.
Elaine R says
I watched them when they originally aired. I enjoyed them.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Elaine R, I sure wish PBS would re-air them!
Anne says
A last word on gooseberries? In the North of England they’re pronounced “gooz.” As well as pies gooseberry sauce is traditional with grilled mackerel (lovely) and is also made into a “fool,”i.e.folded into sugar, cream and custard. They are very easy to grow; when I was young everybody grew them at the bottom of their garden, which is probably why parents, when asked the awkward question “where did I come from?” used to say “we found you under the gooseberry bush.”
Oh, the old days…..
MahrieG says
I agree with many of the above comments – re Victorian houses (grew up in one on the east coast), the older Miss Marple series and Tommy and Tuppence. I studied Agatha’s books and biographies and present a workshop on her writing styles and use of clues etc. I was not as taken with her T & T books, but after your description of the TV series plan to watch it. I did find that several of the Marple TV series did not follow the books. In fact, Toward Zero is substantially altered in the newer TV version. I am certainly looking forward to the Dec 26th release of Then There Were None – not sure it will be available in all areas though. Cheers
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MahrieG, Agatha Christie’s daughter insisted they stay true to her mother’s books. After she passed, things seemed to start changing…