Category Archives: Murder

2018, Abortion, Abuse of Women, Adopted child, Adultery, Amazon Prime, Antique Cars, Blackmail, Bloody scenes, British, British Mystery Series, Brother-Brother relations, Brother-Sister relations, Clever Plot, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Dysfunctional Lives, Emotional child abuse, Extramarital Affair, Family Conflict, Father-daughter relations, Father-son relations, Illegitimate Child, Jealousy, Marital Infidelity, Mental Illness, Mother-daughter relations, Mother-son relations, Murder, Murder Investigation, Personal Betrayal, Police Corruption, Revenge, Romance, Sex with underage girls, Sister-sister relations, Soap Opera, Stepchild, Unmarried mother

Ordeal by Innocence (2018)

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From Amazon Prime:

When wealthy philanthropist, Rachel Argyll, is murdered at her family estate, her adopted son Jack is arrested for her murder. He vehemently protests his guilt and eighteen months later, the identity of the murder is thrown in doubt. Now it is up to the rest of the family to decipher a killer amongst them.

From Amazon Prime you can stream the 3 episodes of this complete story. Each episode lasts about one hour.

Only at times did the drama seemed to drag a bit. But the plot and the characters are so well developed that we could not resist bingeing.  Have fun trying to spot the killer in this unhappy family in which the 5 children (all adopted) have all been mistreated by Rachel, their witch of a mother.

Several of the British actors may be familiar to you. Rachel, the murdered victim, is played by Anna Chancellor. Her husband Leo is played by  Bill Nighy.  Philip Durrant, the bitter son-in-law is played by Matthew Goode.

Included in the plot are one of the best pieces of revenge I have seen in a film.

For what it is worth, in the United States only Virginia prohibits the marriage of step-siblings.

If you are a fan of mystery soap operas, DO NOT MISS!

 

 

1996, Abduction, Adopted child, Alcoholism, Amazon Prime, Assisted Suicide, Bloody scenes, British Mystery Series, Bullying, Child abuse, Cold Cases, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Drugs, Emotional child abuse, Ethical struggles, Failing Marriage, Father-son relations, Forensic pathologist, Gay Bashing, Homophobia, Jealousy, Mental Illness, Mother-son relations, Murder, Murder Investigation, Prison, Psychological Drama, Revenge, Romance, Serial Killer, Sex Scenes, Sexual Tension, Sister-sister relations, Stepchild, Suicide, Suspense, Teenagers, Theft

Silent Witness (1996)

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From Amazon Prime:

Forensic pathologist Dr. Sam Ryan has an all-embracing, passionate notion of justice that can lead to trouble in her personal and professional lives, but to Sam, each dead body deserves the truth.

Believe it or not, this detective series which takes place in Cambridge, England has twenty-two (22) seasons.  In fact from Amazon Prime you can stream seasons 1 through 21. Season 1 offers 4 complete stories, each about 1.5 hours. In seasons from number 2 onward  each of the 4 stories consists of two shorter episodes (about 45 minutes) instead of one long episode.

Normally I don’t review until I have finished all the seasons but 21 seasons could take a long time to get through.  Unfortunately every story we have seen so far has been so good that we are tempted to binge watch. When wife Kathy wants to continue watching “NOW!”, that is a sign we have latched onto something worthwhile. “Law and Order” was another example of years of watchable entertainment.

Amanda Burton, born and raised in Northern Ireland, plays the stunning and determined forensic pathologist Dr. Sam Ryan (yes, HER name is Sam). Many other actors survive from season to season but Burton is the shining star.

Running through the seasons are her relations with her sister and working colleagues and her love affairs. As is often the case in detective stories (she is not a member of the police department) there is the usual conflict of her personal life with her professional life. An added complication is that she gets emotionally involved not only with her cases but also with various colleagues with whom she has serious differences of opinion regarding her cases.

FIRST AMENDED REVIEW: Sam last appears in Season 8 episodes 1 and 2 entitled “A Time To Heal”. She leaves the job eventually a young woman takes her place.  From then on the series goes somewhat downhill: first the plots start to look like any old American gangster story, and secondly the episode descriptions found on the Amazon web site and the descriptions that you download with the episodes are misplaced. We stopped watching at that point.

SECOND AMENDED REVIEW: My advice is now to continue with Season 8. When a story seems boring or mediocre, just skip to the next story. Remember each story consists of 2 episodes. It won’t be long before the stories become better. As of this amendment I am on Season 11 and it is dynamite.

THIRD AMENDED REVIEW: In Season 8 Episode 5 we first meet Dr. Nikki Alexander as a young woman just starting her career as a forensic pathologist.  From then on through all of Season 22 she remains in the series whereas almost all the other actors are replaced.  For the 15 seasons you actually see the actress Emilia Fox age as do the other actors. This character is wonderful to the very end of the series.

Sometimes grim but always engaging drama! DO NOT MISS!

2010, Abduction, Acceptable for teenagers, Boating, Cold Cases, Corruption, Detective, Drug Dealers, Drugs, Ethical struggles, Failing Marriage, Family Conflict, Father-daughter relations, Father-son relations, Flirting, Forensics, Interest in cats, Jealousy, Lesbian Theme, Love Story, MHz Choice, Military, Murder, Murder Investigation, Nudity, Romance, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Swedish, Swedish crime series, Swedish Detective

The Sandhamn Murders (2010)

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From IMDB:

Viveca Sten’s popular novels come to life in “The Sandhamn Murders”, a perfect mix of Nordic crime and the beautiful surroundings of the outer Stockholm archipelago.

Addendum: There are now 8 seasons on MHz Choice. Whereas the first 5 seasons were not too harsh,  the remaining 3 seasons could be tense and wrenching to watch.   Nora’s marriage choices are surprisingly bad while her true love interests change from season to season.

From MHz Choice you can stream this Swedish mystery and romance series. Each of the 5 available seasons consists of 3 episodes, each lasting approximately 45 minutes. There was a season 6 produced in 2018.

Recall that MHz Choice offers only foreign language programs with English subtitles.

Of all the many characters, only the two main characters appear consistently in all the episodes. Thomas the detective is played by Jakob Cedergren whom we mentioned in the review for “Those Who Kill”.  Nora is played by Alexandra Rapaport.  Thomas and Nora are strongly attracted to each other.  Thomas starts out as a divorced and grieving father. Nora starts out in an unhappy and picture-perfect marriage.  Throughout the series the theme is “will they get together or not?” which adds to the soap-opera-as-mystery-series.

Stories are good. Acting is just fine. Scenery is appealing because the filming takes place always in the summer holiday islands.

Here is a human series without a lot of gore. Not a serial killer in sight. Suitable for teens.

 

Abduction, Abuse of Women, Bloody scenes, Cancer theme, Car Chase, Could Be Hard To Watch, Danish Detectives, Danish Police, Divorce, Drama, Failing Marriage, Father-son relations, Forensic Psychologist, Gory, Grim, Grisly, MHz Choice, Murder, Psychological Drama, Psychopath, Serial Killer, Suicide, Suspense, Violent

Those Who Kill (2011)

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From MHz Choice:

A criminal investigator and a forensic psychologist team up to track down serial killers in Copenhagen.

From MHz Choice (foreign language only, always with subtitles) you can stream 12 episodes of season 1 which is the only season available . Each episode lasts approximately 45 minutes. Each of the 6 stories encompasses 2 episodes.  Season 2 (2019) is mentioned in IMDB with another 8 episodes, but IMDB gives no further information about season 2.

Overshadowing all the other actors in the series are the criminal investigator Katrine (played by the very striking Laura Bach) and the forensic psychologist Thomas Schaeffer (played by Jakob Cedergren).  Oddly enough Jakob Cedergren also plays a character named Thomas in another MHz Choice offering The Sandhamn Murders. 

Once again, these stories are grim. Someone dreams up really gory crimes for the serial killers to commit. Expect lots of blood. Unfortunately the productions are excellent, well-acted and gripping. Is this some kind of guilty pleasure?

There is another series about serial killers from Acorn TV called “Wire in the Blood” starring Robsen Green as a forensic psychologist Dr. Tony Hill. Whereas Dr. Tony HIll is portrayed as a socially awkward, cleverly intuitive, and very eccentric misfit, Thomas Schaeffer is a loving family man torn between a normal life and his brillantly helpful involvement in horrible cimes.  Both series are downright gory.

Noone is perfect. One of my flaws must be watching this awful stuff.

 

2015, Acceptable for teenagers, Amnesia, Brother-Brother relations, Drama, Extramarital Affair, Family Conflict, Father-daughter relations, Father-son relations, Forensics, MHz Choice, Murder, Murder Investigation, Mystery Film, Norwegian, Norwegian Soap Opera, Romance, Small Town

Acquitted (2015)

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From MHz Choice:

After having success in Asia, businessman Aksel Borgen is asked back to his hometown in Norway to save an important local firm despite it being 20 years since he was sentenced and later acquitted for murdering his high school sweetheart.

IMDB gives a better summary:

Acquitted follows the story of Aksel Borgen, a Norwegian business man who has worked his way to the top during his 20 years in Asia having left his native town after being acquitted of the murder of his high school sweetheart. When his home town’s cornerstone business is threatened by bankruptcy, Aksel returns to save the place that once turned its back on him. The past has not been forgotten. His arrival tears old wounds apart and new conflicts arise as the past meets the present. Acquitted shadows a battle of guilt, revenge and hope of reconciliation, the man who pleaded not guilty is still judged by society.

From MHz Choice you can stream this Norwegian soap opera disguised as a mystery. Season one consists of 10 episodes and season two consists of 8 episodes. Each episode is approximately 45 minutes.

Revised review:

Perhaps the devil made me do it, but I watched Season two.  In this glorified soap opera the story details become more and more “revealing”, or should I say “outrageous”. Therefore, if you watched season one, don’t assume you know any outcome.

Season one is devoted to discovering who murdered Aksel’s girl friend. In fact for the entire season Aksel, who has amnesia surrounding the event, agonizes over finding the answer. In the final episode of season one you may think you know the identity of the killer.

But hold on! What tangled webs we weave ere we practice to deceive. WARNING: if you binge watch to end of season two (as I did) you might not be happy!

And why would I waste so much time? Because I LOVE TRASH!

 

 

 

 

 

2017, Acorn TV, Big Pharma, Conspiracy, Contract Killing, Corruption, Detective, Drama, Ethical struggles, Harmful Medicine, International thriler, Irish Detective Series, Mother-daughter relations, Mother-son relations, Murder, Murder Investigation, Personal Betrayal, Police Corruption, Police Politics, Sister-sister relations, Sociopath, Suspense

Acceptable Risk (2017)

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From IMDB:

When her husband, Lee, is murdered, Sarah Manning comes to realize that she knows nothing about his past. Sarah begins to question who Lee actually was and what he did in his work for a powerful global organization. And why did Lee, a salesman, need to carry a gun?

From Acorn TV you can stream 6 episodes of this international conspiracy mystery based in Dublin. Each episode is about 50 minutes.

Sarah Manning (played by Elaine Cassidy) is the mourning but puzzled widow. Detective Sergeant Emer Byrne (played by Angeline Ball) is the  member of the Irish Guard (i.e. police) who despite the obstacles placed before her by her formerly honest Chief Superintendent James Nulty (played by Lorcan Cranitch)  is determined to pursue the murder case. Sarah is surrounded by relatives, police officers, and pharmaceutical employees all of whom have something to hide.  Hans Werner Hoffman (played by Morten Suurballe) presents one of the coldest sociopaths I have seen in a drama.

Such a binge-worthy plot is well worth your time.

 

2005, Acorn TV, British, British school girls, Bullying, DO NOT MISS, Family Conflict, Father-son relations, Forensics, Mother-son relations, Murder, Murder Investigation, Serial Killer, Suspense, Teenagers, Wrongful Arrest

Like Father Like Son (2005)

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From IMDB:

Life for Dee Stanton is improving at every turn. Her legal career is blossoming and her boyfriend Dominic unexpectedly proposes to her. Things were very different 11 years ago when her husband Paul was jailed for the brutal murders of four girls and Dee was hounded from her home. Dee has kept all this a secret from her 15-year-old son Jamie. Now he has discovered the truth about his father and demands to see him.

From Acorn TV:

Dee Stanton (Jemma Redgrave, Holby City) seems to have a perfect life, with a blossoming career and a handsome fiance (Robson Green, Grantchester). But Dee’s tragic past comes back to haunt her when her son learns his father is a convicted serial killer. After a girl’s murder, Dee fears history is repeating itself. This gripping psychological thriller also stars Tara Fitzgerald (Game of Thrones).

From Acorn TV you can stream the 2 episodes of this British TV drama. Each episode is about 68 minutes long.

When you have such British actors as Jemma Redgrave (who plays Dee Stanton), Robson Green (who plays Dominic) and Phil Davis (who plays the imprisoned father serial killer), you know you are in for a treat.  Although the plot is somewhat like a soap opera, the tension and threat of a wrongful arrest are so strong that it is a blessing that there are only two episodes. Moreover, I would be surprised if you get to the near end and have correctly identified the killer.

For plot surprises and good acting let’s call this a DO NOT MISS!

2003, Acorn TV, British, British school girls, Dysfunctional Lives, Extramarital Affair, Failing Marriage, Family Conflict, Jealousy, Mother-daughter relations, Murder, Murder Investigation, Narcissistic Personality, Nothing special, School Teacher, Sex with underage girls, Sister-sister relations, Stepchild, Suspense, Teenagers

Lloyd and Hill (2003)

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From  Acorn TV:

Inspired the beloved characters created by Jill McGown, former lovers and detectives, Chief Inspector Danny Lloyd (Philip Glenister, The Level, Outcast) and Inspector Judy Hill (Michelle Collins, Coronation Street) investigate the death of a 15-year-old schoolgirl found strangled and deserted in a public park.

DCI Lloyd and newly arrived DI Hill (who were lovers years before) investigate the murder of a schoolgirl. The girl was possibly having a sexual relationship with one of her teachers, one of whom is receiving anonymous love letters which puts his marriage at risk. This adds the man’s wife to the list of possible suspects.

From Acorn TV you can stream the 98 minutes of this full-length, one episode film.

Both quotes above from Acorn TV tell you enough about the plot which was clever enough that I twice guessed wrong about the identity of the killer.  Because of the way the two former detectives and lovers parted at the end, I suspect more episodes were planned.

Nothing special, but acceptable.

 

2018, Alaskan wilderness, Creepy, Dark, Dysfunctional Lives, Frontier Life, Gloomy, Grim, Grisly, Gritty, Murder, Netflix Streaming, Nudity, Police Story, Psychological Drama, Revenge, Slow, Violent

Hold The Dark (2018)

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From IMDB:

After the deaths of three children suspected to be killed by wolves, writer Russell Core is hired by the parents of a missing six-year-old boy to track down and locate their son in the Alaskan wilderness.

From Netflix you can stream this 2 hour film.

S L O W !  and D A R K ! is the flavor of this story set in dark Alaska (did I mention “dark”?) where the sun comes up at 10AM and sets at 3:30PM.

Russel Core (played by Jeffrey Wright) is a wolf expert who travels to a remote spot in Alaska at the request of Medora Slone (played by Riley Keough) who wants Russel to kill the wolf that abducted her son Bailey. Meanwhile Medora’s husband Vernon (played by Alexander Skarsgård) gets shot in Afghanistan and is sent home. Just before Vernon arrives home, Russel returns from a wolf hunt to find Medora gone and discovers the body of Bailey strangled in the basement.

In Afghanistan we were introduced to Vernon’s brutally murderous side. It would seem now that his intent is to find his wife and avenge the murder of his son. From here on in I reveal no more only to say that the story takes a shocking, unexpected, and violent turn. You have to stick around to understand the local hatred toward the police, the local superstitions, and what makes Vernon tick.

Just be aware that despite the unusual plot, which kept me interested, this film is VERY VIOLENT!

 

2013, Acorn TV, Australian, Australian Aborigine, Corruption, Detective, DNA, Drug Dealers, Failing Marriage, Father-daughter relations, Illegitimate Child, Lawyers, Missing Person, Mother-daughter relations, Murder, Murder Investigation, Racial Prejudice, Rape, Small Town Atmosphere, Suspense, Unmarried mother

Mystery Road (2013)

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From Acorn TV:

Two-time Oscar nominee Judy Davis (Feud, Life with Judy Garland) and award-winning actor Aaron Pedersen (Jack Irish) star in this Acorn TV Original drama set in the Australian outback. When two boys go missing from a cattle station, Detective Jay Swan (Pedersen) teams up with local cop Emma James (Davis) to investigate. But solving the mystery could expose other crimes that haunt the remote town.

From Acorn TV (all British empire) you can download this Australian series of 6 episodes (each roughly 50 minutes).

In 2013 Judy Davis was 58 and her character Emma James looks really weather beaten, which is probably appropriate for the Australian outback. After 6 episodes I finally accepted that Ms. Davis was right for the part: terse, tough, and determinedly honest.

In 2013 Aaron Pedersen (born in Alice Springs, Australia) was 43. He played Cam Delray in the 2018 Jack Irish series. His role shares many characteristics with the role of Emma James, especially his manner of talking as little as possible.

Injustice and its hopeful righting are often enough to keep me interested. Besides a wrongful conviction and jail sentence, the theme of racial prejudice against the indigenous aborigines is part of the injustice. Stay tuned to see if the bad guys get their comeuppance.

While enjoying this series very much, I also came to appreciate that I would NEVER live in such a remote area.