Customer Reviews

Murder in Suburbia - Series 1

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Detective Inspector Kate "Ash" Ashurst and Detective Sergeant Emma "Scribs" Scribbins are a homicide team operating in Middleford, a suburb of London. The murders they usually investigate involve sex and lots of money, with the occasional dive into revenge and jealousy. The six-episode first season is an absolute delight to watch, providing a murder, suspects, and a trail of tricky clues to keep armchair detectives guessing throughout.

Caroline Catz (NEW STREET LAW) plays Ash and Lisa Faulkner (SPOOKS, MI-5) plays Scribs. Both women are veterans of BBC detective and drama series, and their experience shows in their sleek handling of their roles. When you first see them on screen, you immediately buy into their characters.

Created by Nick Collins, the series is as much about the two women as it is the murders they solve. Ash and Scribs lament over the lack of good men left in the world, and the fact that cops don't usually fare well in relationships. Scribs is the more laidback, rule-ignoring one of the pair, while Ash is more image conscious and seems to have rules for everything.

The two characters and actresses are delightful to watch. During the first three episodes they grow and become more comfortable. By the time the fourth episode rolls around, I felt like they were old friends settling in to tell me of their further exploits.

The plots are intriguing and plotted well enough, though without the usual forensic evidence that most series seem to require these days. But it's the characters, the twists and turns of their private lives, thoughts, and interactions, that truly draw an audience in.

My wife and I love the BBC detective series. We've bought several sets (and really recommend FOYLE'S WAR in addition to these) and enjoy a good game of armchair detecting throughout the episodes. If you like fun characters and a mystery plot meaty enough to sink your teeth into, MURDER IN SUBURBIA is a great series to buy or rent.

I watch a lot of mysteries and this series doesn't necessarily stand out based on it's plotlines...they're good, but the great lead characters and dialogue are what make this series worth watching. Ash and Scribbs have some truly hilarious (and memorable) moments. I recommend the first season, and I'm definitely looking foward to future seasons.

This is just to counter the few reviews that more than hint that anyone with the taste and good breeding to like "Poirot" and "Miss Marple", "Morse", "Frost" and whatever could not possibly enjoy "Murder in Suburbia". Nonsense, rot and balderdash, say I. I like all the afore-mentioned, and "Cracker" and "Prime Suspect" and "Midsomer Murders" and "Inspector Lynley" and "Inspector Alleyn" and "The Bill" - and I love this series as well. Definitely not the grit of "Prime Suspect" nor the complexity of "Morse"; closer perhaps to "Midsomer Murders", though with more humour and a lower body count. I love it for what makes it different, and especially the humour in the relationship between the two leads. I frequently chuckle and often laugh out loud - and at the end find my stress level from the day significantly diminished. Laughter - with a bit of vicarious crime - must indeed be the best medicine!

In this day and age of dark mysteries full of serial killers and lead characters brooding over their sad lives, this series is a delight! The plots are basic murder mysteries with clever but not unexpected outcomes. But the two leading ladies with their witty dialogue and very human personalities are just too much fun to watch. This is for those mystery lovers who need a light hearted break from the norm!

what can i say?...the brits have it right; wonderful mystery series...pleeeeeeeeeeeze make more!

3 years after Detectives Ash and Scribbs graced our television screens, Murder in Surburbia still remains one of my favorite shows. Even thought the show was packed full of more humor then drama, it was still very original and very entertaining. The chemistry between Lisa and Caroline can not be beat. And the one liners will surely have you falling over laughing. But what really got me hooked on the show, was the concept behind it. The "burbs" have always been thought of as uneventful and downright boring. Nevertheless, strange things can occurr there and when they do, it makes for wonderful story ideas.

I admit that having models for police detectives somewhat takes the focus off the stories and more on looks, but I don't feel they capitalized on appearances as much as they did the witty banter. In fact, most of the conversations that took place between the girls were normal, every day things women obsess over and I found it hilarious.

Overall, I'm proud to be the owner of the only two season that aired of this show. I would love to see BBC bring it back to audiences. And even though both girls have moved on to other roles, but they will always be my two favorite detectives.

i thought this was a great season when will the next be out. l
i am anxious to see it.

I came across Murder in Suburbia while browsing in my local library because, while television at any given time is sadly lacking, it's especially barren in the summer. What a pleasant surprise! My only regret is the apparently limited run of this series. I can't remember the last time I sat back & actually watched a dvd without having to fill in the boring parts with flipping through a magazine. The characters work well together, not only the main characters, but supporting also. Writing well done also. It was wonderful to just relax and be entertained.

This series is very reminiscent of Midsomer Murders, only with two female detectives and a more suburban (less village-like) setting. So not really at all like it, but similar in many respects...

Now that I have you confused, I'll say that if you like Midsomer Murders you'll probably like this series. It spotlights the more old-fashioned police work, unlike the flashy forensics shows that are all the rage at the moment. Ash and Scribs work mostly with interviewing suspects and gathering information, and while forensic work does poke its head in occasionally, it's never the focus. There are the dead ends and red herrings, and a few fun twists and turns. It does have the predictable 'the suspect breaks down and confesses' problem, which I can't imagine is very realistic, but in terms of a TV show is fairly accepted. The bad guy pouring out everything and explaining how it was done give the viewer so much more of a sense of closure than the suspect just being arrested and taken off to court, without anything being explained. So that unrealistic bit I can certainly overlook.

Plus, the characters are wonderful. Neither is perfect, which is refreshing, and they have such a believable relationship. They're not the best of friends, but they have an easy banter. They're not terribly alike, but nor are they polar opposites. They're witty and a bit acerbic, but not morose or mopey. And as characters, they're both likeable. And there's the attraction to and mystery of their boss. Just enough of a hint of something there to get you hooked.

Last but not least, the mysteries are good, solid whodunits. A keen mind can solve the case along with Ash and Scribs, or you can be lazy and let the story unfold. There's nothing too bizarre about them, and yet they are original enough to be entertaining.

became a fan of this series on tv watching english detectives these two woman take it to another level with wit and charm along with there beauty
hope to see more of there series in the future