Meet the sassiest, sexiest investigative team in the Middleford Criminal Investigative Department. A graduate of a posh girls? academy, Detective Inspector Kate "Ash" Ashurst (Caroline Catz) has a sharp, analytical mind. H... more »er working-class partner, Detective Sergeant Emma "Scribbs" Scribbins (Lisa Faulkner), relies on her instincts. This unlikely pair uncovers the dark urges behind Middleford?s placid, picture-perfect facade. "You know what I like about suburbia?" muses Ash to her partner. "The effortless way it all works?deceit, murder, wife-swapping. And still the hedges get trimmed." Back at headquarters, both unmarried women regard their handsome, bemused boss (Jeremy Sheffield, The Wedding Date) with a mixture of fear and infatuation. Catz (Doc Martin, The Vice) and Faulkner (MI-5, Burn It) sparkle as bickering, bantering crime-solvers. For their hip, ironic humor and unerring radar for middle-class hypocrisy, you?ll cheer Ash and Scribbs as the newest additions to the sisterhood of British sleuths.« less
"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."
Murder in Suburbia
e.marie | CO, USA | 09/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
A light hearted break from the norm!
Jackie Foster | Scottsdale, AZ USA | 09/23/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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!"
Mystery best!
el fed | 11/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"what can i say?...the brits have it right; wonderful mystery series...pleeeeeeeeeeeze make more!"
Shallow? Nonsense!
Esteban Molina | San Francisco | 08/15/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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!"