RHYS BOWEN: One of the perks of being part of Jungle Red Writers is that people approach us, knowing our good visibility. Recently we have formed a delightful relationship with BRITBOX, who now sends us news on upcoming features that may interest our JRW followers.
Debs and I were given the heads up on a new series called MURDER IN PROVENCE. Of course with that title I'd have watched it even if the plots were awful. Who wouldn't want to spend a hour in Provence right now? But I did watch the first few episodes and ooh--it's really good. Appealing sleuths, fabulous scenery and plots that may not be the cleverest in the world but are suspenseful.
So the protagonists are a couple, probably late forties or early fifties: not married, but in a long term relationship. His title is judge but that translates more to something like detective chief inspector. A high rank with the police in Avignon. She is a university professor of psychology who has been seconded to the police as a psychology specialist (and of course gets involved in investigating!)
They both come with back-story: she left an abusive husband. His wife committed suicide by jumping off a ferry. We are given tantalizing hints of both of these in the first episode.
The secondary characters are also delightful. His sidekick is a formidable but extremely likable black female detective. Her socialite mother is ever-critical and keeps pushing them toward marriage. They are both from good families with great connections which does help in investigations.
The dialog is witty and then there is the FOOD. And the WINE. They eat and drink a lot during the episode.
And they drive through the Provencal countryside. When they went to Cassis I nearly wept.
"They are in Cassis, look!" I moaned to John. Talk about living vicariously.
So give it a try (and if you haven't got Britbox yet, I highly recommend it. Whenever I'm stressed I relive the old Poirots and Miss Marples and silly comedies.
Here are the details:
Murder in Provence follows Antoine Verlaque (Roger Allam, Endeavour, The Thick of It), Investigating Judge in Aix-en Provence, and romantic partner Marine Bonnet (Nancy Carroll, The Crown, Father Brown) as they tackle the murders, mysteries and dark underbelly of their idyllic home. Their efforts are aided by Hélène (Keala Settle, The Greatest Showman), a detective and Antoine’s trusted confidante who brings her unique flair to the investigations. Each self-contained episode explores a new case with Verlaque and Bonnet's relationship serving as the core element that ties this decadent, escapist series together.
Do let me know what you think!
And I just got some more exciting news: Hugh Laurie is producing a new version of WHY DIDN'T THEY ASK EVANS? One of my favorite Agatha Christies so I hope they stick to the story and don't do fanciful things as they have done with some of the Miss Marples.
