ABSOLUTE Best Mystery and Crime DI Series
Mysteries
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- DirectorGeorge PollockStarsMargaret RutherfordArthur KennedyMuriel PavlowWhen Miss Jane Marple reports witnessing a murder through the window of a passing train, the police dismiss her as a dotty spinster when no trace of the crime can be found.Although Margaret Rutherford only made 4 movies beginning with Murder She Said, you simply canna' be an enthusiast without having seen these 4 Agatha Christie Interpretations.
Murder She Said (1961)
Murder At The Gallop (1963)
and then 2 in 1964, Murder Most Foul and Murder Ahoy! - DirectorGeorge PollockStarsMargaret RutherfordStringer DavisRobert MorleyWhen a wealthy old man appears to have been "frightened to death" by a cat, Miss Jane Marple suspects one of his four relatives, all heirs to his estate, of his murder.The FAMOUS
- DirectorGeorge PollockStarsMargaret RutherfordLionel JeffriesCharles 'Bud' TingwellAfter Miss Jane Marple is made a trustee of a merchant marine training vessel, a fellow trustee is poisoned, and ship's officers are later murdered after she comes on board.The Funniest of The FOUR
- DirectorGeorge PollockStarsMargaret RutherfordRon MoodyCharles 'Bud' TingwellWhen Miss Jane Marple joins a theatrical company after a blackmailer is murdered, several members of the troupe are also dispatched by this mysterious killer.
- CreatorReginald HillStarsWarren ClarkeColin BuchananDavid RoyleSuperintendent Dalziel and partner DI Pascoe investigate murder, and find a bond forming between them despite their blatantly different personalities.AMAZING, no other words for the character Dalziel (DL). Warren Clarke canna be "off-beat" with his performances in this long lived/loved series. Not for the faint of heart...ear, strong Gaelic accents abound and I suggest you watch via a device that can be paused and re-viewed. My daughter still has trouble understanding and she is 50% Scots, not in US years but naturalized when 17, in the 60s.
- CreatorNigel McCreryRoy MitchellStarsDennis WatermanAmanda RedmanAlun ArmstrongThree retired police officers are drafted in to solve cold cases, with a touch of comedy and dramaI came late to this series, only by happenstance and then researched and querried for 2 years until I found the series online. The Funniest and most REAL crew of folks fighting crimes and each other you will ever see.
- StarsKevin WhatelyLaurence FoxClare HolmanDI Robert Lewis and DS James Hathaway solve the tough cases that the learned inhabitants of Oxford throw at them.Lovely Loverly Longing Lewis, adored him suffering through moody Morse episodes and when set out on his own, this series became supurlative!
Lean Lanky Hathaway hopefully will continue this series...Here Comes Hathaway! I will so miss Lovely longin Lewis. Will someone please upload a picture! - StarsRobert CarlyleRalph RiachBrian PettiferHamish Macbeth is a police constable in the small Scottish town of Lochdubh, who occasionally bends the rules when it suits him or when it can help some of his fellow eccentric townsfolk.Adorable
STELLAR CAST OF unforgettable characters.
Too many are me favourites.
John TV takes the cake. - StarsEssie DavisNathan PageHugo Johnstone-BurtA female sleuth sashays through the back lanes and jazz clubs of Melbourne in the late 1920s, fighting injustice with her pearl-handled pistol and her dagger-sharp wit.Another series I kept putting off. MY NEW FAVOURITE SERIES to watch again & again as full of wonderful banter and beautiful details.
However, if you are a FEMINIST and LOVE a MYSTERY, this show is FULL of HISTORICALLY ACCURATE glimpses of not just feminist struggles, but the struggles of Class Discrimination & Human Treatment of HUMANITY
EXCELLENT with not simply a stellar cast but ADORABLE CHARACTERS well acted.
The Butler with only a few scenes & words each show is "can't wait to hear what wisdom he will inject"
Dotty is simply a masterpiece of contradictions, more so than Miss Fisher.
Jack is a DREAMBOAT in my template.
Hugh is CHARMING & INNOCENT, a male portrayal of blatant sensitivity. - StarsDavid JasonBruce AlexanderJohn LyonsDI Jack Frost is an unconventional policeman with sympathy for the underdog and an instinct for moral justice. Sloppy, disorganized, and disrespectful, he attracts trouble like a magnet.Jack Frost...An Acquired Taste. Warm and Fuzzy and not at all Frosty!
As peculiar a silhouette as Poirot. I think I almost enjoy watching him saunter about more than Poirot. His character is a touchy feely ol' school gentleman. He is always kind and generous, scolding an underling for not bringing a 75 year old woman, a proper cuppa tea in a proper cup! - StarsJohn ThawKevin WhatelyJames GroutChief Inspector Morse has an ear for Western classical music, a taste for beer, and a nose for crime. He and Detective Sergeant Robert Lewis solve intriguing cases in and around the Oxford area.I love these more for Lewis than Morse. Morse is a strong cuppa dark tea and took me awhile to taste, while Lewis shines here and in his follow-up series. You must endure Morse to embrace Lewis. There would be no Lewis without Morse. Morse was a magnificent mole.
- CreatorMaureen JenningsCal CoonsAlexandra ZarownyStarsYannick BissonHelene JoyThomas CraigIn the 1890s, William Murdoch uses radical forensic techniques for the time, including fingerprinting and trace evidence, to solve some of the city's most gruesome murders.ADDED BENEFIT...Historical Events Infused into almost each episode, I found this show FASCINATING.
New to this treat...will be moving up to Top 10 - CreatorAndrew PayneStarsRichard GriffithsMaggie SteedMalcolm SinclairDI Crabbe retires from the police force after being shot and sets up his own restaurant. However, his ex-boss, Assistant Chief Constable Fisher constantly calls Crabbe back on duty.Leave it to the UK to infuse a proper shepherd's pie with an aging chef DI. This series is most unique and quite entertaining.
- CreatorCaroline GrahamStarsJohn NettlesJane WymarkBarry JacksonA veteran Detective Chief Inspector and his young Sergeant investigate murders around the regional community of Midsomer County.Everyone loves this countryside and Ben became my favourite.
- StarsStephen TompkinsonJack DeamAndrea LoweTenacious and stubborn DCI Alan Banks unravels disturbing murder mysteries aided by his young assistants, DS Annie Cabbot and DI Helen Morton.Dark, Deadly and Deserving.
- CreatorBlake EdwardsStarsCraig StevensHerschel BernardiLola AlbrightPeter Gunn is a private detective with a knack for finding trouble. His cases often mean he runs into the shadiest characters, most vicious thugs and the most powerful crime bosses. Cool and resourceful, he always gets the guilty party.This NOIR Series is the 1st American Series and first in all American Detective Series, it should BEE! Music and Mayhem.
- CreatorRichard LevinsonWilliam LinkStarsJim HuttonDavid WayneTom ReeseThe son of a police detective solves baffling crimes.Short lived-ahead of its time American series starring that tall drink of water, Jim Hutton, Timothys daddio!
- CreatorRachel FlowerdayTahsin GunerStarsMark WilliamsJohn BurtonSorcha CusackIn the early 1950s, Father Brown, a Roman Catholic priest based in the fictional Cotswold village of Kembleford, uses his distinctive skills to solve various crimes.Hope this new series runs forever...will move up in rank later.
- StarsGeraldine McEwanJulia McKenzieStephen ChurchettAn elderly spinster living in the village of St. Mary Mead helps her friends and relatives solve mysterious murders.Next to Margaret Rutherford, my dearest Miss Marple.
- CreatorJohn BowenDavid CookStarsPatricia RoutledgeDominic MonaghanDerek BenfieldHetty wakes on her 60th birthday and decides to become a private investigator. With assistance from a teenager called Geoffrey and her husband Robert, combined with her own common sense, Hetty is confident she can solve any case.Again...you canae beat the UK for keeping it REAL...I love films, movies, TV from across our pond...WHY?...#1 Reason...Old folks, fogies, farts...I see more real life similarity in almost any of their shows. It's so nice to see folks of all ages interacting together and the quality of beauty is not 10, but an eclectic grouping of folks that look like you & me...It is interesting that with a shows longevity here, the characters achieve popular sexiness. The first time I saw Hathaway...I thought what an odd looking young lad...but his appearance through his talented performance brings REAL sexiness to his less than good looks. Same goes especially for pensioners as they are called in the UK, Hetty, her husband and then there is their young sidekick.
- CreatorBarbara MachinStarsTrevor EveSue JohnstonWil JohnsonDrama series following a team of detectives who investigate unsolved murders using modern technology.Engaging series and cast.
- CreatorNeil CrossStarsIdris ElbaDermot CrowleyMichael SmileyJohn Luther is a brilliant homicide detective with a knack for getting inside the minds of murderers. Unfortunately, his unconventional methods and personal demons put him at odds with his team.Yummy, what else can be said about Idris, simply yummy.
- CreatorColin BatemanStarsJames NesbittDel SynnottClaudia HarrisonAs a maverick cop with a dark past, DS Tommy Murphy fails a psychiatric assessment but is given one last chance by his boss and given a dangerous undercover assignment.I had always wanted to see this series and now it is on Acorn TV...I love Murphy, seriously wicked character. I love the female counterpart too, she is very good. Sometimes I do not like the sub characters...but again, she is interesting and not overly done and is definitely not a whiny woman, but a strong female lead.
- CreatorErle Stanley GardnerStarsRaymond BurrBarbara HaleWilliam HopperThe trials of a master criminal defense attorney handling the most difficult cases in support of the innocent.Viewers made me remember Perry Mason, don't know why I forgot about him when making this list. I usually forget Mr. Frost. When I began watching this I was a very little girl and my grandmother commented that it had been my father's favourite TV Show. He had died when I was 8 and she was amazed that I had conjured it up from my memories.
- StarsDavid SuchetHugh FraserPhilip JacksonHercule Poirot, a famous Belgian detective, who has an impeccable knack for getting embroiled in a mystery, solves crimes along with Captain Hastings and Scotland Yard Chief Inspector James Japp.Poirot..."he's Pixelated" (in the Gary Cooper sense)
- StarsBrenda BlethynJon MorrisonRiley JonesWith her caustic wit and singular charm, DCI Vera Stanhope leads her team as they face a series of captivating murder mysteries set against the breathtaking Northumberland landscape.
- CreatorCath StaincliffeStarsCaroline QuentinIan KelseyPaul LoughranSingle mother DCI Janine Lewis struggles with the problems of bringing up four children while leading her team of detectives in solving high-profile murders.Stellar Cast, should have ran longer.
- StarsRobson GreenMark LetherenEmma HandyA psychologist gets inside of the minds of both killers and victims to aid the police in solving gruesome serial killings in Northern England.Mesmerizing
- CreatorAndy BreckmanStarsTony ShalhoubJason Gray-StanfordTed LevineThe series follows Adrian Monk, a brilliant former San Francisco detective, who now consults the police as a private consultant whilst battling with an obsessive-compulsive disorder.Speaking of MONK.
- CreatorSteve FranksStarsJames Roday RodriguezDulé HillTimothy OmundsonWhen a novice sleuth convinces the police he has psychic powers, he and his reluctant best friend are hired on as consultants to help solve complicated cases.The ABSOLUTE most creative series ever...before The Mentalist, there was these 2 guys. This show was BRILLIANT.
- CreatorPerry ChafeAllan HawcoMalcolm MacRuryStarsAllan HawcoKrystin PellerinMark O'BrienJake Doyle and his father Malachy run a private investigations agency in St. John's, Newfoundland. Their cases involve them in all sorts of dealings - not all of them on the right side of the law.Love all the characters except Leslie.
DES & MALAKEY make the show.
DES is a Delicious Delight.
Malakey is Marvelous. - CreatorRobert ThorogoodStarsElizabeth BourgineDon WarringtonDanny John-JulesCultures collide when British Detective Inspector is transferred from England to the Caribbean island of Saint Marie to head the island's police department.
- CreatorGlenn Gordon CaronStarsCybill ShepherdBruce WillisAllyce BeasleyThe quirky cases of a former model and a smart aleck detective who manage a private detective agency.Yes, absolutely forgot Bruce & Cybil...Bruce Willis was adorable and typically his funny bantering self in this. Genius was his singing. I should not have forgotten this one, as precursor to Psych, to the point that Shawn had Cybil portray his mother as a homage to this show.
- CreatorRichard HarrisStarsPeter DavisonSean HughesRob Spendlove"Dangerous" Davies always gets the cases no one else wants, and no one notices when he eventually succeeds. But his old-fashioned decency and dogged determination have won him legions of loyal fans.Cute
Love him & his sidekick.
HATE his wife & that element of the show really drags it down for me. - CreatorJames DuffStarsMary McDonnellG.W. BaileyTony DenisonThe Closer (2005) spin-off series, which follows Captain Raydor of the Los Angeles Police Department.STELLAR CAST.
Flynn and Provenso crack me up. - CreatorJohn WilderStarsRobert UrichAvery BrooksRon McLartyMystery and suspense series based on Robert Parker's "Spenser" novels. Spenser, a private investigator living in Boston, gets involved in a new murder mystery each episode.Waiting for DVD
- CreatorDouglas Stefen BorghiDean HargroveJoel SteigerStarsWilliam ConradJoe PennyAlan CampbellVeteran district attorney "Fatman" McCabe solves cases with the help of his easygoing private investigator partner Jake Styles.Joe Penny worth so much dough.
- StarsNathaniel ParkerSharon SmallLesley VickerageBritish crime investigation series based around aristocratic, Oxford-educated Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and his working-class assistant Sergeant Barbara Havers.Moody Meandering Lynley...secretly covet him, yet realize this dark character will never be soothing to one's lovelife. Sharon Small makes this series and for a STRONG female sidekick, none compare!
- CreatorJames DuffStarsKyra SedgwickJ.K. SimmonsCorey ReynoldsDeputy Police Chief Brenda Johnson runs the Priority Homicide Division of the LAPD with an unorthodox style. Her innate ability to read people and obtain confessions helps her and her team solve the city's toughest, most sensitive cases.Oops...almost forgot this Excellent Ensemble Cast...Miss this series terribly. Loved this while it was playing...then the spinoff Major Crimes EXCEEDED it's welcome complexity of characters.
- CreatorPeter FlanneryStarsMartin ShawLee InglebySimon HubbardWith the help of DS John Bacchus, Inspector George Gently spends his days bringing to justice members of the criminal underworld who are unfortunate enough to have the intrepid investigator assigned to their cases.Historically Great Mysteries.
- CreatorAnthony WilsonStarsGeorge PeppardRalph ManzaMurray MathesonThe adventures of proud Polish-American freelance insurance investigator Thomas Banacek.
- CreatorHerman MillerStarsDennis WeaverJ.D. CannonTerry CarterA New Mexico deputy marshal gets assigned to Manhattan's 27th Precinct.
- CreatorRichard LevinsonWilliam LinkStarsPeter FalkMike LallyJohn FinneganLos Angeles homicide detective Lieutenant Columbo uses his humble ways and ingenuous demeanor to winkle out even the most well-concealed of crimes.Before Monk there was Columbo
- CreatorStephen J. CannellFrank LupoStarsPerry KingJoe PennyThom BrayThe cases of a private investigations agency run by two Vietnam War veterans and their computer geek friend from high school, armed with toughness, their own helicopter, and the third's technical ability.Geekspeak...way too early, again American Series ahead of time.
- CreatorAnthony YerkovichStarsDon JohnsonPhilip Michael ThomasSaundra Santiago-Resplendent with authentic 1980s music, fashion, and vibe, "Miami Vice" follows two undercover detectives and their extended team through the mean streets of Miami, Florida.
- CreatorRene BalcerDick WolfStarsKathryn ErbeVincent D'OnofrioJamey SheridanThis series focuses on the NYPD's Major Case Squad, a force of detectives who investigate high-profile cases, while also showing parts of the crime from the perpetrator's point of view.DiNoffrio or Noth...hummmn? Vincent takes the cake on this one and Let us all eat cake!
- CreatorAnn DonahueCarol MendelsohnAnthony E. ZuikerStarsDavid CarusoEmily ProcterAdam RodriguezAn elite unit, led by an ex-homicide cop, which is linked to the Miami-Dade Police Department, uses all possible resources and skills at their disposal to solve complex crimes in cross-cultural Miami.The visual views of this show took me sometime to get used to, however HORATIO, a (Mad Capricorn)...you either LOVE him or hate him and I chose to love him...I enjoyed the original and then when the Mississippi Queen went to NY...I watched it, but Horatio is my personal cuppa jasmine tea.
- StarsKenneth BranaghRichard McCabeJeany SparkUnable to unsee the dark crimes he's tasked to investigate, Wallander's job comes at a cost to his family and relationships.Moody yet Beautiful
- CreatorLeonard SternStarsRock HudsonJohn SchuckSusan Saint JamesSan Francisco Police Commissioner Stewart "Mac" McMillan and his amateur detective wife keep their marriage unpredictable while solving the city's most baffling crimes.Rock Hudson and Susan St. James...timepieces
- StarsFelicity KendalPam FerrisRyan PhilpottSet amongst the stunning gardens of Europe, Rosemary Boxer and Laura Thyme, two professional gardeners, find themselves drawn into solving mysterious crimes.
- DirectorRobert HarmonStarsTom SelleckJane AdamsReg RogersJesse Stone (Selleck) is a New England police chief investigating a series of murders, in an adaptation of Robert B. Parker's novel.You must see all (now 9) Jesse Stone (Tom Selleck) Movies...I own them now. It was so hard to wait years for another made for TV movie. These are all moody mystical bits of treasure.
- DirectorRobert HarmonStarsTom SelleckSaul RubinekViola DavisIn this prequel to 'Stone Cold,' Tom Selleck reprises his role as Jesse Stone, an L.A. cop who relocates to a small town only to find himself immersed in one mystery after the other.
- DirectorRobert HarmonStarsTom SelleckViola DavisKohl SudduthA body's found on the shore of a lake. Police Chief Jesse Stone starts an investigation. It turns out to be a pregnant high school student. There's also a case of a persistent wife beater. Jesse starts seeing a shrink and dating.
- DirectorRobert HarmonStarsTom SelleckKathy BakerKohl SudduthPolice Chief Jesse Stone's shrink recommends looking into old, unsolved cases to reduce drinking by staying busy. Of 3 cases before his time, he starts on the killing of a bank teller. He's also investigating an alleged rape.
- DirectorRobert HarmonStarsTom SelleckKathy BakerKohl SudduthJesse Stone and Captain Healy are shot during an unauthorized stake-out in Boston. Meanwhile, a cryptic letter sent from Paradise leads the mother of a kidnapped child to Stone. Though her son was declared dead, she hopes he will reopen the case.
- DirectorRobert HarmonStarsTom SelleckKathy BakerKohl SudduthPolice Chief Jesse Stone's suspended in Paradise. He helps a friend as "temp" with a serial killer in Boston. He gets his first cellphone to avoid calls from his ex. Paradise PD's way over its head with a convenience store robbery/murder.
- DirectorDick LowryStarsTom SelleckKathy BakerKohl SudduthAfter his involuntary retirement, Jesse Stone investigates the suspicious death of a young friend while the Paradise police force deals with the arrogant new chief, who is the son-in-law of a town councilman.
- DirectorRobert HarmonStarsTom SelleckKathy BakerKohl SudduthJesse Stone comes out of involuntary retirement after the new chief who replaced him was blown up, along with another officer in their police car. Jesse is forced to solve the crime on his own since all the other officers have quit.My FAVOURITE of all the Jesse's.
REVENGE is a DISH best served HOT with a car EXPLOSION - DirectorRobert HarmonStarsTom SelleckKohl SudduthGloria ReubenJesse investigates the grim works of a serial killer in Boston and becomes concerned with a wayward teen in Paradise.
- CreatorDonald P. BellisarioGlen A. LarsonStarsTom SelleckJohn HillermanRoger E. MosleyThe adventures of a Hawaii-based private investigator.Tom Selleck Eye Candy Still with his Jesse Stone Series.
- CreatorPeter S. FischerRichard LevinsonWilliam LinkStarsAngela LansburyWilliam WindomRon MasakProfessional writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher uses her intellect, charm, and persistence to get to the bottom of every crime she encounters.
- CreatorJohn HawkesworthStarsJeremy BrettDavid BurkeRosalie WilliamsSherlock Holmes and Dr Watson solve the mysteries of copper beeches, a Greek interpreter, the Norwood builder, a resident patient, the red-headed league, and one final problem.