The Top Ten Mystery Television Series

[@sealfan1000]

Jinkies!!! Love this listing. Joan Hickson is My Miss Marple and I am so glad you included Murdoch Mysteries, which I need to finish...I think I made it to season 8. Poirot is still on rotation in my home.

[@summationgathering]

That's about where I left off too because it was on Netflix up until that point but now its on Acorn TV which I will eventually subscribe to finish watching.

[@nethansingbeil356]

I didn't know you were a fan of Midsomer Murders, though it makes perfect sense. I strongly believe the first 10 seasons (and especially the first 7) are some of the greatest television - mystery or otherwise - ever put to screen. So many of those earlier episodes are iconic. The series has declined slightly in quality in recent years (specifically after Nettles' departure), but I thought season 22 was a solid return to form with some truly exceptional episodes; "For Death Prepare" comes to mind as a fantastic episode that deceived me better than some Agatha Christie novels. As a Canadian, I was also delightfully surprised to learn that you watch Murdoch Mysteries and rank it so highly. Personally, I would say Midsomer is slightly better overall, but you really can't go wrong with either. The first 7 seasons of Murdoch, similarly to Midsomer, are some of the best television I have ever watched. I have to admit that I have not watched the last 2 or 3 seasons because I thought the 2 or 3 seasons before that already showed signs of rather serious decline (more decline than Midsomer, in my opinion). Still, those early seasons bring me such a smile when I rewatch them.

[@DaleRibbons]

Honestly, I have enjoyed every season of Midsomer Murders.

[@summationgathering]

Yeah I think that's why Murdoch Mysteries is above Midsomer Murders is because I haven't seen those later seasons so if the quality did decline, I haven't been made aware of it. I still think Midsomer Murders is very good. Just not as good as it had been which is perfectly normal with how long it's been running.

[@kkitao217]

Thank you so much for this list and your commentary. Really interesting. The problem with choosing only 10, of course, is that you leave off a lot of deserving shows, even when you include honorable mentions. Maybe you should do a list of your top 100 shows. 😉 Probably even then, some people would complain about what had been left off. Of the ones I was familiar with, I thought your choices were really good. There were some, though, that I was surprised didn’t even get an honorable mention. The Cadfael mysteries for example would be something I would think you would like. Foyle’s War is another really good British mystery that I would’ve expected to at least get an honorable mention. Perhaps The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency was too short-lived for you to consider it. I don’t know if you’re familiar with it, but there’s a really good British series called Waking the Dead. And I was really surprised that Colombo didn’t make the list. I haven’t seen the Father Brown series, but your comments inspire me to look it up. Anyway, you can’t please everyone, and it was a very enjoyable exercise. Thank you for your efforts.

[@summationgathering]

Thank you! Limiting it to 10 was hard. I probably could have done 30, 40.

[@DaleRibbons]

Good list. Thinking about it, this must have been hard work, as there has been many mystery shows over many decades, and you had to narrow it down to just ten. All my favorites either made the list or the honorable mentions, so I'm satisfied. Next week sounds good. I have the Chinese Orange novel in my collection, so I look forward to what you have to say about it.

[@summationgathering]

The Honorable Mentions list is even longer. I just picked out a few of them.

[@coffemuse]

Joan Hickson is #mymissmarple too! And certainly, Jeremy Brett is my Sherlock. Both have brought the definitive character to screen. Thanks for some cool recommendations here! I've seen many but not all of these top ten. Sorry you had to do this while you were sleep deprived and stressed - I hope things are better for you now.

[@summationgathering]

I think because actors like Hickson, like Brett, like Suchet and others have become the gold standard for those detectives, its led to these other odd and not nearly as good adaptations because the newer one realizes it cannot compete with the older one so it has to do something different which usually means off the rails.

[@tripleg6]

Kudos for adding Scooby-Doo. I need to watch some of these.

[@shanigribben9158]

Love the inclusion of Scooby Doo! It's probably the show that got me into the Whodunnit genre

[@summationgathering]

I can't even remember what got me into mysteries first. I've been watching Scooby-Doo probably my whole life. I think - and I could be wrong about this - the first mystery show I watched was when I was a toddler was the Busy World of Richard Scarry which had some mystery segments. I'm not entirely sure which I saw first that or Scooby-Doo.

[@sciagurrato1831]

An excellent analysis especially considering the enormous ground you had to cover - thank you. A note on Father Brown adaptations: there’ve been at least two prior series which are admirable and probably truer to the complexity of Chesterton’s thoughts. Invariably much darker and more complex emotionally than the breezy whodunnits of the current series, the earlier series do not exist in good prints, sadly. But the eerie atmosphere and characters of some of these episodes seems a more accurate mirror of Chesterton’s ambiguity on the moral core of humanity. I, for one, also appreciate the subtlety of these older productions versus the bright theatricality of modern adaptations (think of you-know-who).

[@summationgathering]

I think the 1974 Father Brown is good. It's on Tubi for free so that is available. And I know the current series is quite a distance away from Chesterton's but I really enjoy it and I think the old sort of style just wouldn't resonate with a lot of viewers today. I would say my biggest criticism of the current series that I didn't really bring up is that Father Brown isn't really acting at all like a Catholic priest from that era would, even someone in his mold.

[@sciagurrato1831]

@@summationgathering I agree, that approach would not work with the audiences today. From the episodes I watched (probably not the earlier ones you enjoyed) the series seemed too cutesy/hammy. Contrasts with other Brit Empire series like Dr Blake (did you mention this?) which seem edgier. While Chesterton wrote some 50 stories, I think (and perhaps the critical concensus also) think the most striking and unforgettable stories are quite strange and multilayered. You make an enormous effort and it is greatly appreciated.

[@janew2938]

I really enjoyed this episode. I've never seen Nero Wolfe in the UK. One thing - it's David SUCHet, stress on the first syllable. (It's not French, his family was originally from Lithuania) I'm looking forward to your next piece.

[@summationgathering]

I'll keep the pronunciation in mind for the future! Thanks!

[@DadgeCity]

It's /soo-shay/. I've not heard that his father ever pronounced it /such-et/ but it is possible.

[@azizcammioneur7311]

Law and Order franchise deserved a spot on the list. I love that Poirot was number 1!!!

[@summationgathering]

I completely forgot about Law and Order. Shame on me! It wouldn't have made my top ten but it should have been an honorable mention.

[@kkitao217]

I had exactly the same thought. I wondered if you excluded at least the original series because it was more a legal drama than a mystery, though of course there were always elements of mystery. If I could classify it as a mystery, I would certainly include it in my top 10.

[@AmyBennett-kd2nb]

"Scooby Doo! Where Are You?" is absolutely elite! Much better than subsequent "Scooby Doo" franchises!

[@summationgathering]

A classic!

[@JenMaxon]

I think I would have put Jazzer Brett and Joan Hickson higher but then I'm British and loved the series when they were first broadcast. I really liked the British TV Wexfords too - though they're nowadays very hard to get on video/DVD

[@summationgathering]

I believe they are on Britbox. They were the last time I checked. I've sort of moved on from a lot of the physical DVDs because everything is streaming now and I think that's just the way it's going to be unfortunately.

[@justhereforthetragedy]

Great suggestions! I had never heard of Murdoch Mysteries, definitely giving it a go. Thanks!

[@TheSuzberry]

Good show. Recommend.

[@justhereforthetragedy]

@@TheSuzberry thanks. Any idea where I can find it?

[@TheSuzberry]

@@justhereforthetragedy BritBox Or Acorn. One of those.

[@justhereforthetragedy]

@@TheSuzberry , thank you!

[@TheSuzberry]

@@justhereforthetragedy 👏

[@dancekeb1308]

Wow. Cadfael, Vera and Shetland don't even get an honourable mention. If I were to make a similar list, I'd make it a "top 20" to ensure that at least some of the above three plus the three Morse series (Endeavour, the prequel; Morse, the original series; and Lewis, the sequel) get on the list.

[@summationgathering]

Don't @ me but I've never seen Vera. It's another that's lingered on the to be watched list and gets brushed aside so I can watch the others again and again.

[@keldaogg2157]

Watch Vera, Pet!

[@lorannamoody7011]

I was just about to add Vera. My favorite actress Brenda Blethyn

[@lorannamoody7011]

Yeah. But there’s no Jimmy Perez in the new season of Shetland. You can’t have Shetland without Jimmy. So sad this was the last season of Vera.

[@seto749]

Not even an honourable mention for Rumpole? Alas!

[@summationgathering]

I'm embarrassed. That really should have been an honorable mention - at least.

[@kathysimpson3249]

Great list. My top 4 are - 1 Nero Wolf 2 Poirot 3 Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) 4 Miss Marpole (Joan Hickson)

[@summationgathering]

That pleases my heart. The gold standards. I don't think there will ever be a better version for any of those four.

[@frankcorredine2475]

Thank you. Appreciate your videos. This one found me entertained, nodding in agreement, and surprised. I’ve come across some others, which are brilliant at times, but short lived and inconsistent. Anything original is very, very hard to sustain.

[@summationgathering]

I was surprised how few of the top ten are true originals.

[@frankcorredine2475]

@@summationgathering And Dame Agatha, justly so, is the only one to appear twice.

[@savroi]

I was wondering if you have considered Vera (based on the Vera Stanhope novels by Ann Cleeves) played by Brenda Blethyn or if you think it doesn't have enough merit. At any rate other than Scooby-Doo (which I find a tad irritating) I agree with your list and yes, Suchet's Poirot is also, in my opinion, superb whilst Kenneth Branagh really misses the point by a long shot. Peter Ustinov is not bad but he hardly seems Belgian or lets say more broadly "continental"

[@summationgathering]

I haven't seen Vera. It's on my to be watched list but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

[@beyondthefilmfatale145]

No Columbo? It is my number one with Poirot directly behind it.

[@summationgathering]

It was an honorable mention. I love Columbo. This was list was so tough to make but Columbo just simply didn't make my list unfortunately.

[@AnOldFashionedWoman]

I'm another Midsomer Murders fan and I do agree with you that the quality is in decline. I think it started after the original producer got the sack and they strarted caring more about the characters' skin colour than a good story. Murdoch Mysteries also starts going downhill around series 13. I still watch both but it's more out of habit now. I do often return to the older series, though. Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes is excellent, although it's sad to watch the actor's health decline. I also love Rathbone but some of his films are an entertaining WWII propaganda. I feel that many modern i.e. 21st century adaptations are only schlepping themselves on Christie's name. Many people will watch something if it's based on books of an author they like, and Christie still has many fans. If those "adaptations" were sold as originals and didn't use Christie's name or characters, they would be harder to sell. You're right about Father Brown, the quality does deteriorate, first a little, and more so after Mrs McCarthy's departure. And I didn't even like her character. Anyway, I agree with your list (again), although some of the later Poirots aren't all that faithful (and Murder on the Orient Express is criminally bad).If you haven't yet seen it, I would highly recommend Taggart, the McManus and first half of MacPhearson eras of which are superb. Bergerac, starring young(er) John Nettles, and A Touch of Frost are also excellent.

[@summationgathering]

I've seen A Touch of Frost which I liked. Taggart has been on my tbw list for a while.

[@djhutchison]

It's funny, I want to say that the theory about Jessica Fletcher being the actual killer, originates from an old issue of Mad Magazine!

[@summationgathering]

I did not know that. It's funny to me that theory has stuck to Jessica Fletcher and not for the hundreds of other amateur detectives who find murder wherever they go.

[@BooksandRadioPlays]

I'm enjoying My Life is Murder with Lucy Lawless.

[@summationgathering]

I haven't seen that one. But I heard good things about it.

[@BooksandRadioPlays]

@@summationgathering It is a fun show, you get to see the fun side of Lucy, the silly side. The mysteries are good, and the casts are wonderful.

[@shanigribben9158]

I tend to like the more modern shows like Veronica Mars, Rizzoli and Isles, Castle, Bones, Criminal Minds, The Mentalist, Will Trent. Most of those are probably less to your taste but one that I would suggest for you specifically is the 8 episode, 2023 Netflix series, Bodies. It takes place across 3 timelines in a really interesting way and while it has sci fi elements it still has all the charm of a murder mystery, plus it's a super quick watch. Since you like Scooby Doo, you'll probably enjoy Veronica Mars as well though

[@summationgathering]

I haven't even heard of Bodies. I'll check it out sometime. Castle and Bones should have been honorable mentions. I've never seen Will Trent or Rizzoli and Isles. Criminals Minds scared me as a kid. My mom loved that show and I which this episode where there was a search party for a woman and a cannibal had killed her and served her as soup to the search party members and it absolutely freaked me out.

[@shanigribben9158]

@@summationgathering Will Trent is fairly new. Very loosely based on the books by Karin Slaughter. Rizzoli and Isles is loosely based on the books of Tess Gerritsen. Bones, of course borrows from Kathy Reichs but really only the name and occupation of the lead character. I also read the Scarpetta books by Patricia Cornwell, which is apparently getting adapted soon

[@shanigribben9158]

@@summationgathering fair enough, that specific CM episode scared a lot of people but I’m pretty sure that was the only one with Cannibalism

[@summationgathering]

@@shanigribben9158 I did see a few others but that is the one that resonated with me.

[@shanigribben9158]

@@summationgathering not surprised

[@rebeccamacleanmezzo-sopran7903]

I agree with a lot of your choices, especially putting Marple, Poirot, and the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes at the top. I totally agree with your dislike of the Cumberbatch Sherlock. It is too much like sci fi rather than a mystery. For an updating I think Johnny Lee Miller in Elementary was better, or rather the story lines were better because they were more believable. Would have put Midsomer Murders higher up. Am disappointed that Morse (the original) didn't make the top 10. I would have put him there. I was born in 1950 so have no memory of Scooby Doo other than as a comic strip character? Is that correct? Don't know that a cartoon belongs in the top 10. I also don't think I would have included Murdoch. I like a lot of the episodes but not the ones with real historical people because I always wonder what is historically accurate and what is not. Also there are a lot of "duds", particularly episodes that are a bit sci-fi-ish. When you mentioned loving the characters (which I do) I was disappointed that you left out Miss (suddenly called Mrs. in the later episodes) Hart. I find her one of the most interesting characters. Unlike the characters of color in the new Midsomer Murders who are sort of shoe-horned in with no reference to their race (which is not realistic), Miss Hart's story as a black female coroner is fascinating. I also liked the way the small middle class black community in Toronto was portrayed. That said I always enjoy your videos!

[@martinw6371]

I was enjoying Sherlock but then they unveiled their Moriaty and I never got back into it. Even now I'm getting irritated just thinking of him lol

[@summationgathering]

Same. It takes a bit of a dip pretty quickly.

[@lorannamoody7011]

Have you seen the fairly new series “Darby and Joan”? I really liked the first season, but in Season 2 it’s already getting bogged down.

[@summationgathering]

No, I haven't. I'm very bad at keeping up to date with TV shows. I usually wait until a few seasons are out and binge.

[@lorannamoody7011]

@ what I really wanted to ask you about is Death in Paradise. Another modern tv series. I thought of it because someone compared one of its episodes to Cards on the Table. I also don’t pay much attention to tv. I do have a subscription to Acorn tv and BritBox so I can watch tv versions of some of my favorite series.

[@summationgathering]

@@lorannamoody7011 I've seen one (maybe more) episode of Death in Paradise and I enjoyed it. My subscription ended so I haven't watched much.

[@thierrypacull6139]

Did you wath the new T.V show Poker Face ? INSPIRED BY COLUMBO

[@summationgathering]

I haven't but I heard it was really good. It's on my watch list.

[@WinSnyder]

No Foyle's War?

[@summationgathering]

That's a good one.

[@MrToryhere]

I can’t agree with Father Brown. It was a dreadful travesty of the original. In what part of rural England would there be a Catholic parish church with such a large congregation?

[@summationgathering]

That's one of those things you just have to go with in mysteries. Kembleford has to have a higher death rate than Cabot Cove at this point.

[@baldbuiltstache]

One of the most unforgettable mystery series I have ever seen is Wire In The Blood (2008). It is very, very dark as the main character, Tony Hill, is an academic psychologist who solves murders by entering the mind of the murderer. By extension, so do we as viewers.

[@summationgathering]

I've never seen that. It sounds intriguing.