This show is for people who like mysteries set in quaint, small towns with a likeable protagonist and charming, recurring characters. It's for oriole who like she's like "Midsomer Murders", "Doc Martin", "Father Brown", "New Tricks", etc. Light entertainment and (after the first episode) I've grown to really like the two leads.
81 Reviews
Intriguing
brendahardiek13 June 2021
Nice!
jannelavik20 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Sweet series, nice like Father Brown and M-Murders. I cannot believe the comparisons here to Shetland and Vera; both very high quality series in my book.... Especially Vera, one of the best crime-shows ever and in a completely different league!! Agree on the lack of romantic chemistry between the main characters though, better kept colleagues...
Enjoyable Viewing
skyefan-1965625 May 2021
Well done, enjoyable
suze-126318 June 2021
I disagree with the reviewer who said it was boring, I found it enjoyable and engaging and the characters as well as the actors who are playing them were all very good. Highly recommended and cannot wait until they bring out more seasons.
Enjoyable cosy Murder mystery
Katherina_Minola22 July 2021
Really liked this
wbqhdct1 June 2021
I thought this was a really enjoyable Show! Three episodes in and hope thy do more. I found it just as entertaining as Father Brown, Vera or Shetland... everything doesn't have to be as deep as Broadchurch to be entertaining.
I wish I had enjoyed it more
bpirwin4 June 2022
I am five episodes in. On the plus side, this series has good acting, a pleasant seaside setting, and nice family dynamics. On the downside, the mood is slightly morose and the storylines feel flat. I am finding that is not holding my interest.
Love it
lordgee-3004311 June 2021
... solid "7"
bjarias3 August 2023
... now heading into its third season, has been a most enjoyable two season series so far... seems all pieces fit very well together... good-script-cast-production-values... all are some of the best for the genre
... his character's a bit weary-wearing lots of times, but not sure how it could be toned-down and still remain true to the storyline... overall all of the leads are amiable-people... one critic writing.. "Like so many series on Acorn, this one's about good people doing their best. Even the criminals have good reasons for what they do, sometimes unintentionally. The scenery along the coast of England is beautiful, the characters are mostly kind and good, the series is charming. Take a look if you can." ... sounds about right.
... his character's a bit weary-wearing lots of times, but not sure how it could be toned-down and still remain true to the storyline... overall all of the leads are amiable-people... one critic writing.. "Like so many series on Acorn, this one's about good people doing their best. Even the criminals have good reasons for what they do, sometimes unintentionally. The scenery along the coast of England is beautiful, the characters are mostly kind and good, the series is charming. Take a look if you can." ... sounds about right.
More than just cosy village murders.
Sleepin_Dragon31 March 2024
Pearl Nolan runs a restaurant and a Detective Agency, her investigations often cross with those of Detective Inspector Mike McGuire, a straight talking, grief stricken cop.
This show is the reason I pay my Acorn subscription, one of the best shows on the platform. It will definitely appeal to fans of shows like Mallorca Files, Father Brown and Midsomer Murders, it's light, but definitely intriguing and suspenseful.
It must have done wonders for the tourism in Whitstable, it looks incredible in parts, very picturesque.
The cases are always intriguing, but the characters just offer a little bit more than most shows, they're so well realised.
Kerry Godliman and Howard Charles are both terrific, and their relationship becomes one of the show's most interesting elements, they really play off one another very well.
The supporting cast are very good, especially Frances Barber, Dolly is wonderful, shades of Patsy Stone.
8/10.
This show is the reason I pay my Acorn subscription, one of the best shows on the platform. It will definitely appeal to fans of shows like Mallorca Files, Father Brown and Midsomer Murders, it's light, but definitely intriguing and suspenseful.
It must have done wonders for the tourism in Whitstable, it looks incredible in parts, very picturesque.
The cases are always intriguing, but the characters just offer a little bit more than most shows, they're so well realised.
Kerry Godliman and Howard Charles are both terrific, and their relationship becomes one of the show's most interesting elements, they really play off one another very well.
The supporting cast are very good, especially Frances Barber, Dolly is wonderful, shades of Patsy Stone.
8/10.
Was a good start, still watching
canterburybella-6806 February 2023
Episode 1 of season 1 started off with a great dynamic between Pearl and Mike. It's not easy to have a (semi) private detective and police officer work together in a small town, and see the potential for a romance at the same time. It all happened too soon. The relationship would have been better left as a professional one, much like Grantchester, Father Brown, etc. You wouldn't see these amateur sleuths falling in love with a police officer and so you don't even think about the potential.
If this series is to continue, I wish the writers would just make up their mind what direction they want Mike and Pearl to have. Mike's character needs to go back to series 1, episode 1, with his dry sense of humour and sarcasm. That's when it worked the best. The stories are a refreshing change from your usual bloody violent sexual assault British dramas. It has more of a small town crime feel, which I like. I'll hold out hope for this series, as I very much like the lead actors and location. I searched for other shows that Porthos (Mike) had been in, as he's a great actor, funny and charming. Let's see more of that shine through.
If this series is to continue, I wish the writers would just make up their mind what direction they want Mike and Pearl to have. Mike's character needs to go back to series 1, episode 1, with his dry sense of humour and sarcasm. That's when it worked the best. The stories are a refreshing change from your usual bloody violent sexual assault British dramas. It has more of a small town crime feel, which I like. I'll hold out hope for this series, as I very much like the lead actors and location. I searched for other shows that Porthos (Mike) had been in, as he's a great actor, funny and charming. Let's see more of that shine through.
Potential but missing something
sophiewood1-116 June 2021
Kerry Godliman is very watchable. Beautiful scenery. At times I found the series entertaining but there's just something missing. It's almost as if bits of the plot got cut out in editing and some of the acting isn't great. Not awful but there are better crime drama out there.
Blah
drednm2 July 2021
Dull stories and dull leads make this a scenery show and there's not even much of that.
Plot has restaurant owner (Kerry Godliman) working part-time as a local private detective. Moving into down is a sullen London cop (Howard Charles) and of course they get involved in each other's lives. He's the cop but he needs her local knowledge to solve the various crimes. It's notable that there's zero chemistry between these two.
There are a few other regulars but they have nothing to do other than Frances Barber as the mother with a few secrets. This main plot plays in the background of a series of limp crime stories and finally washes up on shore in the final installment.
It's one of those shows where the local girl (Godliman as Pearl Nolan) knows nobody in town, which is the size of a shoe. Comparing this to shows like VERA or SHETLAND makes this look like a school play.
A couple of interesting guest actresses like Cathy Tyson and Annette Badland help but they can't save this, and a few of the plot surprises are totally unbelievable.
Blah.
Plot has restaurant owner (Kerry Godliman) working part-time as a local private detective. Moving into down is a sullen London cop (Howard Charles) and of course they get involved in each other's lives. He's the cop but he needs her local knowledge to solve the various crimes. It's notable that there's zero chemistry between these two.
There are a few other regulars but they have nothing to do other than Frances Barber as the mother with a few secrets. This main plot plays in the background of a series of limp crime stories and finally washes up on shore in the final installment.
It's one of those shows where the local girl (Godliman as Pearl Nolan) knows nobody in town, which is the size of a shoe. Comparing this to shows like VERA or SHETLAND makes this look like a school play.
A couple of interesting guest actresses like Cathy Tyson and Annette Badland help but they can't save this, and a few of the plot surprises are totally unbelievable.
Blah.
Enjoyable Watch
iagodsell2 November 2022
Watched the first episode because my wife and I are Aussies and have visited Whitstable twice because we enjoyed the first visit and the quaint little town so much the first time, we had to go back. It is an enjoyable but not over-taxing watch, in the vein of The Coroner. Would like to see even more of the town and surrounds. Enjoy the main characters and their interaction but could do without Mum so much.
Would like to know a bit more about the background of the police officer to get a little more perspective. Would hope that happens soon. Pleasant enough watch and hope it develops further. There is scope there, needs a little more plot development.
Would like to know a bit more about the background of the police officer to get a little more perspective. Would hope that happens soon. Pleasant enough watch and hope it develops further. There is scope there, needs a little more plot development.
Very enjoyable
maryann451017 June 2021
Boring storyline & characters, nice scenery
rosemaryandthyme16 June 2021
The good - lively intro, seaside location and Kerry Godliman. The bad - boring, lacklustre storylines with not enough mystery. It's all been done before, horny mother living with adult daughter who is single with a kid (shades of The Coroner), brooding detective with tragic past and zero personality (just about any cop show in the last 20 years). There is no spark between the two main characters and the romance feels forced. What on earth has Frances Barber done to her face, it doesn't move? The Coroner was much better.
Getting better
pat-446751 June 2021
A couple of huge problems.
sigworth18 November 2022
Let's get right to it. Pearl doesn't look like a mid-thirties women because she's not. Will be fifty soon. Yep, 50. The male lead is in his thirties and lost his significant other a year previously. Photos of her appear to show a very young women who is no less than a nine and a half.
So you want me to believe he's going to be interested in a women who looks and is ten years his senior? There are female leads who could pull it off. Unfortunately, Kerry Godliman isn't one of them.
The male detective most certainly could be interested in his police partner detective. She's just a few years younger and very attractive.
I was hoping that other reviewers would point out this issue, but I couldn't find one.
Another problem, in at least the first three episodes, is that the editing drops the ball at least once or twice in each show. You're following the story line and all at once something seems totally off. You can stop the tape and rewatch that section, but it still does make sense.
So you want me to believe he's going to be interested in a women who looks and is ten years his senior? There are female leads who could pull it off. Unfortunately, Kerry Godliman isn't one of them.
The male detective most certainly could be interested in his police partner detective. She's just a few years younger and very attractive.
I was hoping that other reviewers would point out this issue, but I couldn't find one.
Another problem, in at least the first three episodes, is that the editing drops the ball at least once or twice in each show. You're following the story line and all at once something seems totally off. You can stop the tape and rewatch that section, but it still does make sense.
Such an awesome show
Datgul15 June 2021
So far I agree with that something is missing
melee33 September 2022
In the first episode I kept thinking I had missed an episode or two. Then I figured out they like to just explain as you go along. I can work with that, but I can't work with sudden jumps in the crime solving. It's a good show, I like it, and will continue to watch. The only really big issue is the sound. I hate it when the music is louder than the actors, and I know it's not my system as I have to turn it down for many other shows on Acorn via Roku. This one I have to turn it way up. Other issues with using Acorn via Roku, but that is something they are hopefully going to resolve after numerous complaints. It is all of the Acorn shows, not just this one.
Great new show
owenpaulnicholls3 June 2021
First up, Kerry Godliman is great. I'd watch her in anything. Second, this is a really well-written show that deserves your time.
By episode three (the best of the bunch so far) you'll be hooked. It starts out with a simple "unexplained death/investigation" and quickly blossoms into a show with great characters you care about and interesting, original setups.
Can't wait to see where it goes next.
By episode three (the best of the bunch so far) you'll be hooked. It starts out with a simple "unexplained death/investigation" and quickly blossoms into a show with great characters you care about and interesting, original setups.
Can't wait to see where it goes next.
Mediocre mystery detective story
dklecan14 June 2021
The first thing that comes to mind is that this show is "pokey." It is hard to explain except by maybe comparing it to wonderful detective, Vera. Vera has a tremendous actress who provides dramatic, funny, intense scenes with her sidekick and co-workers, interspersed with gorgeous sweeping vistas of the area.
Here we see a few shots of the beach or a boat, some interactions that are, in summary, mediocre. Chemistry is mediocre. I'd rather have the male detective with the usual drug or alcohol problem than what he is given: moping around for the entire season looking at fotos of his dead wife on his iphone or swimming in the icy waters. Even the scenes of him without a shirt swimming are mediocre, He could use a few more hours at the gym. (note: see the great striptease of Duke in the far more interesting, Miss Scarlet and the Duke....plus that striptease had a purpose later on in that show. Here there is no purpose to watching him swim, except for watching a mediocre male torso. Don't miss Miss Pearl and the Duke!!!!).
The other actors: the mother, son, son's girlfriend could be a lot more interesting if given more roles, or quirkiness(?). They were all very funny when they all got together for a stakeout.
The only salient feature of this show is the set background. The kitchen and restaurant are wonderfully constructed and my mouth waters for the dishes Pearl makes. But, having worked in a restaurant in college, I don't see how Pearl can solve mysteries by owning, cooking, and waiting tables full-time at a restaurant.
Here we see a few shots of the beach or a boat, some interactions that are, in summary, mediocre. Chemistry is mediocre. I'd rather have the male detective with the usual drug or alcohol problem than what he is given: moping around for the entire season looking at fotos of his dead wife on his iphone or swimming in the icy waters. Even the scenes of him without a shirt swimming are mediocre, He could use a few more hours at the gym. (note: see the great striptease of Duke in the far more interesting, Miss Scarlet and the Duke....plus that striptease had a purpose later on in that show. Here there is no purpose to watching him swim, except for watching a mediocre male torso. Don't miss Miss Pearl and the Duke!!!!).
The other actors: the mother, son, son's girlfriend could be a lot more interesting if given more roles, or quirkiness(?). They were all very funny when they all got together for a stakeout.
The only salient feature of this show is the set background. The kitchen and restaurant are wonderfully constructed and my mouth waters for the dishes Pearl makes. But, having worked in a restaurant in college, I don't see how Pearl can solve mysteries by owning, cooking, and waiting tables full-time at a restaurant.
WHAT IS THE..................
jreeders51824 June 2021
Emoji for Yawning? This is pretty dull. Beautiful setting but the actors/characters are dull, cases are dull. The stories are not that interesting. Moving on......Kind of like watching a less less interesting Father Brown.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
