Each episode of A Most Mysterious Murder is completely self-contained. The only character appearing in each is Julian Fellowes, who narrates the episode and presents the possible solution he feels most fits the evidence available. He also has writing credits on each episode. The rest of the acting stands up as well.
Production values are very high. The periods shown feel authentic, the costuming, sets, and language all giving a strong feeling of immersion in the appropriate atmosphere to the time. According to what I’ve read elsewhere, the actual locations where the crimes were committed were used when possible, leading to an extra level of authenticity that would be hard to beat.
So far I’ve only seen the first two episodes of the five episode series, but what I’ve seen so far leaves me confident in recommending this for most cozy fans. A Most Mysterious Murder isn’t completely fiction, so it isn’t a cozy but the episodes so far have shared a lot in common with cozies.
The first episode was a bit better than the second, and the solution provided seemed a bit more clever. That said, the other episode I’ve seen was also very good, just not quite as strong as the first.
Overall this seems like a series I would definitely recommend. I’ll post in later if the rest of the episodes go downhill, but for now I feel confident in saying that most cozy fans interested in some real-world unsolved murder cases should find a lot to like in Julian Fellowes Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder.
P.S. >>> Julian Fellowes won an Academy Award for his writing and original screenplay for the 2001 movie Gosford Park. He also is the creator, executive producer, and writer for the very popular Downton Abbey television series.
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LindaG says
Thanks for the tip! I found them on Netflix!
Susan says
Thank you I had no Idea about the show..will check BBCAmerica,PBS Enjoy your Great Trip ..It’s so Beautiful there..I tweeted your post so people will know.. VTCozy on twitter
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan, I hope you are able to find these shows. We enjoyed them a lot.
"Auntie" says
Thank you! Sounds like a reason to get NetFlix again.
Happy Full Pink Moon…
“Auntie”
Diane says
Sounds interesting. Just watched the first episode of a mini series called The Bletchley Circle on PBS. Set in the fifties, it’s about a group of women who worked as code breakers in WW II who use their skills to solve a series of murders. Love the characters…
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Diane, I missed the first The Bletchley Circle, but we bought it and watched it really quickly so that we could follow it on our PBS station. I have Masterpiece Classic, Masterpiece Contemporary, and Masterpiece Mystery! set up on our Sage (recording device) but unfortunately our PBS station is not calling these new shows any of those titles. I am going to have to start watching our PBS line up for Sunday nights from now on. We also missed the first season of Call the Midwife because of this same problem. (It takes me a while, but this old dog can sometimes learn new tricks!)
Susie says
I never heard of it either; looks great! thanks!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susie, I mentioned to you that I pre-bought the Kindle copy of your mystery book (A Murder at Rosamund’s Gate) and was so excited on April 23 – when it was released. I cannot wait to read it!
(Since my husband didn’t set my Kindle up to get WiFi, I had to wait until we got home for A Murder at Rosamund’s Gate to “magically appear” on my Kindle. It is my next mystery to read, and I am SO looking forward to it!)
Patrick McIntosh says
I have seen two episodes online of this excellent series and I hope that more are put online very soon.
The cases reminded me very much of the three part ones mentioned in the BBC series The Art of the English Murder by Lucy Worsley
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Patrick, we certainly all enjoyed it as well. And thanks for the suggestion as well!