The Cozy Mystery List Blog

Cozy Mystery (and Other Favorite) Books, Movies, and TV

PBS New Sherlock Mysteries…

I was going to absolutely make myself not say anything about this new PBS Sherlock series. I was going to follow Thumper’s father’s advice:  “If you can’t say anything nice…” I REALLY was! And actually, if you think about it, I have been very good >>> PBS just aired the third Sherlock episode last night, and I have “don’t say nothing at all” (second part of the quote) until I absolutely could not contain myself anymore!

I tried. Honest, I tried!!!

I tried to watch the first episode, and did pretty well. Of course, it did take me a whole lot shorter than the allotted ninety minutes. I could not keep my remote “trigger finger” off of that doggone fast-forward key. I tried to enjoy the “Jeremy Brett in the 21st century” action. Remember what they say about imitation being the best form of flattery? And I saw a whole lot of flattery going on!

As for the second episode (last week)… after watching Alan Cummings’ introduction, I tried to stay with the show. I simply couldn’t watch any longer than ten minutes. I decided that fast-forwarding through the whole show just wasn’t going to cut it for me.

BUT… Last night I couldn’t even get past Alan Cummings’ introduction: “Gay, straight, or bi?” WHAT?!?!?!?!?! I imagine that Sir Conan Doyle is rolling in his grave! OR… perhaps I missed all of those sexual references when I read  Doyle’s works of literature. Good grief!!!

I try to make it a policy not to be negative in my entries. So, I am going to offer a positive solution to this very negative entry. Check with your libraries and see if they have the much superior Sherlock Holmes television movies with Jeremy Brett. If they do, check them out!

Inspector Lewis: Your Sudden Death Question – PBS NEW Masterpiece Mystery! (Season 3)

I am going to keep this very brief… Don’t forget that tonight your local PBS station should be showing a new Inspector Lewis episode: Your Sudden Death, which of course, is inspired by the wonderful (non) cozy Colin Dexter mystery books.

And, for all of you Jonathan Creek fans >>> The terrific news is that Alan Davies will be in this Inspector Lewis episode!

The Duchess of Duke Street Miniseries…

The Duchess of Duke Street - The Complete Collection [DVD] The Duchess of Duke Street is a BBC series from the mid 1970s. Masterpiece Theatre aired this British miniseries, which is set in Victorian and Edwardian England… the late 1800s and early 1900s. The series follows Louisa Trotter, a young woman from England’s lower class society – during a time when the possibility of bettering your social standing was pretty much nil to nothing.

Louisa (played magnificently by Gemma Jones) works as a scullery maid (the lowest servants’ position possible for women) but has three very strong traits: ambition, the inability to “hold her tongue,” and intelligence. We watch Louisa go from a very young, almost abrasive girl to a self-assured woman of high society.

Gemma Jones’ portrayal of Louisa Trotter, as she goes up the ladder of British society, is absolutely superb. This period BBC (and Masterpiece Theatre) production will stay with you way after you watch the two-season miniseries.

As you watch the episodes in The Duchess of Duke Street, try to keep in mind that the plot is based on the true life story of Rosa Lewis and The Duchess of Duke Street‘s Bentinck Hotel is based on London’s Cavendish Hotel.

The Duchess of Duke Street miniseries takes us along as Louisa goes from being a scullery maid to a great chef, to eventually the owner of a London hotel. Quite a feat for those times!

This period piece production is (to me) delightful. I enjoyed the costumes, make up, acting, sets, and plot line. Fans of Upstairs, Downstairs will no doubt become fans of  The duchess of Duke Street.

Watching it is addictive, but beware – it is not for young children. (Also, it is not a mystery…)

If you would like to see more TV and Movies suggestions, click here.

Inspector Morse? No… It's Inspector Lewis: Dark Matter – PBS NEW Masterpiece Mystery! (Season 3)

Here’s a quick reminder for all of you who love mystery shows… make that British mystery showws! Tonight, on your local PBS stations, they will be airing Dark Matter, the third episode – of the third season – of the Inspector Lewis shows.

Remember that the Inspector Lewis episodes are inspired by Colin Dexter‘s Inspector Morse mysteries. Unfortunately, Inspector Morse is no longer here, but Inspector Lewis is doing his mighty best to fill the void.

Dark Matter has Inspector Lewis (played by Kevin Whately) and Detective Sergeant  Hathaway (played by Laurence Fox) back at Oxford. What a beautiful setting. And, yes, for all of Reginald Hill‘s Dalziel and Pascoe fans…  Warren Clarke will be guest starring as … let’s just say he isn’t affiliated with policing!

And, remember when Inspector Morse used to sing in the chamber choir? Well, how wonderful is it that Dr. Laura Hobson, the police forensic pathologist (played by Clare Holman) is a clarinet player in the very same orchestra that needs investigating?

PS>>> When are Dr. Hobson and Inspector Lewis finally going to see that they are absolutely perfect for each other? I mean, I can remember when Inspector Morse “dated” every woman around… even the major suspects!

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