Luther: The Fallen Sun

Have you missed the fantastic BBC police procedural, Luther starring Idris Elba? We last saw John Luther in 2019 for Series 5. Now he’s back in 2023 with a film continuation, Luther: The Fallen Sun. Cast members Cynthia Erivo and Andy Serkis compliment Idris well. There’s a lull which happens for the first 20 minutes or so. Fans will think to themselves, has Luther lost it? And then the tidal wave of suspense happens. I literally screamed outloud at one point, it’s so scary. This is not for the faint of heart. Gruesome and diabolical in parts. The tension builds and builds and builds. The story shoots out into the atmosphere. If feels outlandish in parts, but is it? I don’t want to spoil the buzz. Suffice it to say, you wonder could this happen. Unfortunately the answer is probably yes. Because some humans really are pure evil. The hunt for the killer takes the cops to the furthest place possible. It’s fucking crazy and so good and laced with the stuff of nightmares. Is this the end for Luther? It’s been a 13 year run for the series. Maybe? 4 out of 5 for this outstanding film continuation.

Luther: The Fallen Sun currently streams on Netflix.
Luther the first 5 series currently streams on Hulu, Britbox and PlutoTV.

CB Strike

J.K. Rowling writes a series of adult mystery novels under the pen name Robert Galbraith. I read the first one. It was ok. Rowling told more than she showed. I never went on to read the other books. Recently I discovered there is a television series based on the books named CB Strike which is the name of the private investigator – Cormoran Strike who solves the cases. I tried watching and nearly made it through the first two episodes from the first novel, The Cuckoo’s Calling. Ultimately it felt flat to me. Not surprising. And why does every damaged investigator/cop have to drink? Not very creative. 2 out of 5. Next.

CB Strike currently streams on Amazon Prime, Hulu, and YouTube premium.

7 Women and a Murder (7 donne e un mistero)

Italian locked room murder mystery and comedy, 7 Women and a Murder is a remake of the 2002 film 8 Women by François Ozon, and the play Huit femmes by Robert Thomas. Kooky, campy, silly and lots of fun, this film is a perfect antidote to a long week at work or a difficult time navigating the news. 7 Women boasts an impressive international cast including Margherita Buy (His Secret Life), Diana Del Bufalo, Sabrina Impacciatore, Benedetta Porcaroli, Micaela Ramazzotti, Luisa Ranieri and Ornella Vanoni. Full disclosure, I fell asleep during the ending (that’s happening more and more lately) and couldn’t figure out who the murderer was. So I will be rewinding some early evening this week to find out whodunnit. Meanwhile the rest of the film I was awake for was charming, silly, and made me laugh out loud in places. And it all takes place during Christmas! 3.5 out of 5 which means it’s may not be perfect, but it’s worth a try if the details interest you.

7 Women and a Murder currently streams on Netflix.
By the way, have you noticed the outstanding international content Netflix is purchasing? I’m very happy to see that.

Mare of Easttown (take 2)

Wonderful crashing once again through small town Pennsylvania and a murder mystery with Kate Winslet and Jean Smart. Click here or on the image below to read Reel Charlie’s updated review.

Mare of Easttown currently streams on HBO Max.

The Bat (take 4 and now on Blu-ray)

Agnes Moorehead and Lenita Lane in The Bat (1959).

A perennial Halloween favorite. Now on Blu-ray, 1959’s The Bat makes for some silly and campy suspense murder mystery fun. Agnes Moorehead fans unite.
Click here to read the very first review in 2011. 
Click here to read the rest. 

Watch The Bat for free on YouTube.

Wisting: Season 3

Wisting: Season 3 brings back FBI agent Maggie Griffin played impeccably by Carrie-Ann Moss. Sven Nordin returns in the title role along with Thea Green Lundberg, Nads Ousdal, Lars Berge, and Ingeborg Raustøl rounding out the cast. This is pitch perfect police procedural done in the Nordic Noir vein. Based on Jørn Lier Horst’s The Night Man, Wisting: Season 3 packs a lot of secrets and reveals into this four episode season. Nearly every character has some major screwed up personal life arc. Fun to binge and soak in the multiple story lines and the beautiful Larvik, Norway. 4 out of 5.

Wisting: Season 3 currently streams on Sundance Now and is available on disk from your local public library.

Wisting: Season 2

The sophomore season of Norway’s police procedural, Wisting finds the title character fumbling early on while heading a frantic search for not one, but two serial killers. Meanwhile Wisting’s daughter Line’s documentary keeps her a little too close to the investigation for her own safety. Based on the Norwegian novel The Inner Darkness by Jørn Lier HorstKripos, Wisting‘s packed with action and complicated storytelling. Season 2 of this Nordic Noir delivers, keeping viewers in suspense while creating multiple storylines which compliment each other.  Great cast starring Sven Nordin as Wisting, Thea Green Lundberg as his daughter Line, and Kjersti Sandal, Mads Ousdal, Mariann Hole, and Lars Berge. 4 out of 5 for this excellent murder mystery.

Wisting currently streams on Sundance Now and AMC+ and is available on disk from your public library.

Only Murders in the Building: Season 2

Only Murders in the Building gets better in Season 2. Part of me may have embraced this cozy mystery come to life or maybe the scripts and delivery just got better. Whatever the reason, I laughed out loud during every episode. Was shocked by many of the reveals. And had no idea who the killer was until the shocking finale. Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez hit their stride together giving us Jessica Fletcher in on her own jokes realness. Loved so many of the secondary characters including gasp! Shirley MacLaine, Ryan Broussard, Jackie Hoffman, Michael Cyril Creighton, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Andrea Martin. Steve Martin’s character’s arc is particularly smarty pants funny as they make fun of a mediocre 80’s TV star making a comeback. Martin Short delivers potty mouth one-liners that make us sing. And Selena Gomez continues her dead pan parody of an aimless, rich, Millennial. Truly a fun way to spend a Tuesday evening. Upping my score to a 4 out of 5.

Only Murders in the Building currently streams on Hulu.

Queer Writers of Crime Book Recommendation #5

Oh my goodness I forgot to post my Queer Writers of Crime July 2022 book recommendation.

Ep: 133 Before his death, Richards Stevenson wrote what he hoped would be the first novel in a new series Knock Off the Hat: A Clifford Waterman Gay Philly Mystery. In this episode Philip shares his thoughts about the novel, plus he and Brad chat a bit about Richard’s life. Before the episode wraps up Brad shares exciting news with Philip.

Podcast Website:   www.queerwritersofcrime.com

https://www.queerwritersofcrime.com/philip-recommendation-july-2022/

 

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries: Murder Under the Mistletoe (take 2)

For Christmas in July this year, I traveled back 100 years to 1920’s Melbourne and Miss Phryne Fisher, Lady Detective. Click below for the updated review.