The Murder Mystery Thread (Fictional Foreign Detective)

I watch a lot of detective shows, imported. Walter Presents is a goldmine for all Nordic, French, Italian, German murder mysteries. Each one is great and bingeable.

Walter Presents is a guy named Walter, he's Italian, and decided to start distributing European shows to the US and UK., and he's got great taste in shows. In the U.S., there's a Walter Presents section in the PBS Masterpiece add-on to Prime. But also MHz has shows, as does Netflix.

Anyway, In no particular order, here are my favorites (not all listed are Walter Presents). Wondering if I missed any that you love and would recommend?

Astrid
Annika. (starring the always wonderful Nicola Walker)
Unforgotten (also Nicola Walker)
Vera & Shetland. (both based on Ann Cleaves novels which are excellent)
Inspector Ricciardi
Ice Cold Murders aka Inspectore Rocco Schiavoni. (murders in gorgeous Aosta, IT)
Capitaine Marleau - French, and she's very Columbo-like
Donna Leon's Commisario Brunetti (takes place in Venice, IT, but is a German production - if anyone is interested, there's a reason for this)
Nordic Murders (which oddly takes place in Germany (border of Poland)
Dicte. (remember the romantic lead in the John Cusak's High Fidelity? - she's the star, takes place in Denmark)
The Paris Murders
Dalziel & Pasco (1990s North Yorkshire)
Morse/Lewis/Endeavor (you've probably watched these, but if not - then do)
Vienna Blood (Freudian, literally)
Magpie Murders (Anthony Horowitz adapted his own novel)
Professor T. (Belgian, don't bother with the UK adaptation)


And of course I'm leaving out a ton, and have to mention Poirot, Marple, Line of Duty, Happy Valley, Spiral, Maigret, Broadchurch and other well known mystery shows.

I’ll co-sign these:
Rocco Sciavone: Ice Cold Murders (aka Rocco Schiavoni.)

They are well filmed and the lead actor is fantastic. Many of the episodes were directed by Michele Soavi, who is an underrated Italian director best known for the cult classic Cemetery Man.

Wallander, both the British and the Swedish versions.

Van der walk

Foyle's War

Baptist

Maigret

The Miniaterist

Luther

Dalgliesh

Scott & Bailey

Dookey- they are truly well directed, didn't know about the cult film.

Billy- I agree about Wallander, but have only watched the Kenneth Branagh series. I'll check out the Swedish one.

KQ- I've liked everything on your list, Dagliesh was particularly good and the original Van der Walk was excellent. Didn't like the UK version, only gave one episode a look.

Foyles War is one of the best of all detective stories, I think, because it deals with such a grey area. Murder during wartime - genius.

But- I like all things created by Anthony Horowitz, books and TV both. Watch Magpie Murders if you haven't, he wrote the novel and adapted it for the series
Have never watched the Miniaturist nor
Baptist - tell me more.

I thought young wallender was pretty good too. Hope they make some more

Really liked Endeavor series and the 1 season of Prime Suspect origin reboot

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Originally Posted by yogachik

I like all things created by Anthony Horowitz, books and TV both. Watch Magpie Murders if you haven't, he wrote the novel and adapted it for the series
Have never watched the Miniaturist nor
Baptist - tell me more.

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I am only familiar with Horowitz as the most recent author to be commissioned by Ian Fleming’s estate to write James Bond novels. He has written 3, the first of which I have read and thought was okay. I own the second one he wrote, but have not read it yet. Need to pick up the third and supposedly final one he wrote, only because I am a Bond completist (at least in terms of collecting the novels). :biggrin:

May have to check out his other wares, both written and televised…

Quote:

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Originally Posted by yogachik

Dookey- they are truly well directed, didn't know about the cult film.

Billy- I agree about Wallander, but have only watched the Kenneth Branagh series. I'll check out the Swedish one.

KQ- I've liked everything on your list, Dagliesh was particularly good and the original Van der Walk was excellent. Didn't like the UK version, only gave one episode a look.

Foyles War is one of the best of all detective stories, I think, because it deals with such a grey area. Murder during wartime - genius.

But- I like all things created by Anthony Horowitz, books and TV both. Watch Magpie Murders if you haven't, he wrote the novel and adapted it for the series
Have never watched the Miniaturist nor
Baptist - tell me more.

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Foyle's War is great because of Michael Kitchen. He totally owns that part. That said, the plot lines are well written. I was so bummed when that series ended.

The Miniaterist is a 3 part mini-series but worth seeing. Set in Amsterdam in the 1600s. Intrigue, societal taboos, secrets etc.

Baptist is murder, mystery and the Amsterdam underworld. It is a spin off of The Missing.

Oh...another good one - Silent Witness.

Not a detective show but World on Fire is very well done. WWII set in England, Poland and France.

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Originally Posted by mcski

I thought young wallender was pretty good too. Hope they make some more

Really liked Endeavor series and the 1 season of Prime Suspect origin reboot

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Really bummed they axed the reboot of Prime Suspect.

Got another one (was this mentioned? ):

Worricker - Page Eight (Bill Nighy). So good.

There are 2 others in the series but you can just watch the first and be fine.

Very interesting cast in the later episodes. Christopher Walken and Winona Ryder.

Just started watching the current seasons of The Unforgotten and Shetland; both are replacing the starting primary protagonists, a daunting task, but so far so good. Also, the second season of Hidden Assets - recommend.

I love Unforgotten - an amazing show, even with the new lead who took a couple episodes for me to warm to.

Shetland's new lead - Ashley Jensen - I'll also watch her in anything. Remember her from Ricky Gervais's Extra's? She has the most memorable scene with a doll, I still laugh when I see it. She's also great in Agatha Raisin - a murder mystery set in a clownish world (everything done to an exaggeration), it's a fun romp.

Silent Witness - I've watched one season, there seem to be like 12 or so seasons. Watched Worricker, barely remember it, more of a spy story?

Fool Me Once -on Netflix right now is really good too.
Not sure if that fits in this category or not.

What is the detective show that takes place in Taormina, Sicily?
When we were there, an English couple was touring all the sites from the show. I just can't remember the name.

Monsieur Spade (Acorn): first episode eases in smoothly and then drops the anvil on your head.

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Originally Posted by PB

Monsieur Spade (Acorn): first episode eases in smoothly and then drops the anvil on your head.

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Yep found it very intriguing

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Originally Posted by warthog

Fool Me Once -on Netflix right now is really good too.
Not sure if that fits in this category or not.

What is the detective show that takes place in Taormina, Sicily?
When we were there, an English couple was touring all the sites from the show. I just can't remember the name.

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This?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/irenele...les-to-sicily/

Montalbano, which takes place in Taormina, is a very good show. There's also that Mike White show that takes place in Taormina, White Lotus.

I've loved the new season of Astrid that premiered last week. Such a great show. Takes place in Paris, the actress who plays Astrid is phenomenal.

Prime Suspect with Helen Mirren, I think I watched it on PBS in the 90s?

Time flies. I thought Prime Suspect was more recent but aired 1991-2006.

Plus the single season origin story Prime Suspect 1973

Plus the short lived American version w Maria Bello

It doesn’t seem that long ago. I’ve never seem the American version.

I’ll also add Bodyguard on Netflix.

Not that long ago?? Have you seen Helen Miren lately?!?!? ;)

The Tunnel is great.

We just started Astrid. A little more light hearted, but very entertaining.

Not quite in the same vein, and on Apple TV but I LOVE Slow Horses.

Secret City with Anna Torv was an excellent political/journalist potboiler.

We've watched a whole slew of various Scandinavian shows oveer the years. Great mix of their dark/dry humor with some great acting/production and grimdarkness vibes.

The second season of The Wagner Method just showed up on PBS. Not a new premise but very well done.

Hope there's a second season of Inspector Ricciardi.

I read somewhere that Inspector Ricciardi is currently filming. There's a Walter Presents Facebook Group where I learn things, get recommendations..

As if on cue: tonight (Friday) a bunch of new episodes are available on Prime/PBS. Season 2 of Inspector Ricciardi!