Mord im Mittsommer

This is a miniseries in three episodes that is based on the novel "I de lugnaste vatten" by the Swedish detective writer Viveca Sten.

The series is professionally made. It utilises the idyllic scenery of the Stockholm archipelago to good effect and the cast does as good a job with the script as they can. The main performers, Cedergren and Rapaport, do have some chemistry, even if the former is overdoing the "manly-male-who-suffers-in_silence" thing.

The let-down is in the plot, however. It is a rather cliché story featuring a silent cop who keeps on breaking all the rules of policing and yet never gets suspended. His young side-kick still has to learn that a real cop goes by gut feeling and does not bother with methodical work with such boring stuff as, ehm, evidence? By simple elimination the viewer can soon figure out who is the culprit, if only because the plot does not present enough possible candidates, which is deadly for the suspense. Hence, the story very soon fails to engage.

In Sweden the series was a success nonetheless.

I enjoyed this series. I was tired of heavy and dark murder mystery programs. There is good chemistry between all the characters. Enjoy the scenery and plan your next vacation to this beautiful part of Sweden.

Everyone in the series seems to be nice and pleasant. Even the murderers don't seem to be truly evil. There's nothing in Viveca Sten's universe that offends. People we know barely nothing about are the ones who die and subsequent crimes are always attempted murders of characters we've got to know a bit about and are generally saved from death in the nick of time.

There are back stories to the main characters whose lives mesh seamlessly with each other although true romance is always an on/off affair. They have their problems, of course, but these don't generally interfere with the denouement of the plots.

The setting in the archipelago is stunning. I've only been there a couple of times and the series makes me want to go back again one day. It's all so perfect just as Sweden is portrayed abroad.

I've seen all seven seasons and am eagerly awaiting an eighth. It's absolutely not Scandi Noir, more Rosemary and Thyme, but that's not a reason to be critical - the genres are different, that's all. I like them both and this series is a great example of an easy watch that holds the attention.

If you're looking for gripping Scandi Noir this isn't it ... it's lightweight but easy on the eye and once you accept that it's thoroughly enjoyable. Island hopping in your speed boat, standing at the wheel with your hair streaming out behind you (if you have it) seems to be one of the favoured ways to get around ... or maybe a bicycle in Nora's case as you head off for a clandestine meeting over a coffee in the village to discuss the latest crime, suspected crime ... whatever! It's all rather good fun and each hour and a half episode drifts by you in no time at all.

Nicolai Cleve Broch has been a worthy addition to the series and like Nora is quite vapid much of the time but very at home in their roles as are all the cast. :)

Very enjoyable crime series featuring an intelligent woman as the main protagonist.

Established actress Alexandra Rapaport plays Nora, a lawyer living on the the picturesque island of Sandhamn, in the Stockholm Archipelago. Yes, murders happen and Nora gets involved through her sharp-minded curiosity and friendship with police detective Thomas Andreasson. But there is more to the series than just a Midsomer Murders-like repetition of convoluted events in a fictional village

Nora splits with her first husband and becomes a single mother with shared custody. Much of the narrative deals with Nora's relationships and journey to find happiness on an island that is suitable for recluses, but not for Nora who is an attractive, gregarious and well-adjusted individual. Her friendship with policeman Thomas Andreasson always seems to be on the verge of something more intimate except, like her, his past gets in the way .

The murder stories are not perfect or without criticism, but they are acceptable and the character of Nora overrides any plot deficiencies or doubts that may arise. I just enjoyed what was on offer. I believe there will be four more movie-length episodes made next year.