Murder Most Puzzling

Not by any means the worst thing I've ever seen & I get it's not meant to be too serious but the pretence of a crossword puzzler solving crime is just too far fetched. Phyllis Logan as always is excellent but the basic premise of this show is lame. I tried to stick it out but boredom set in just before halfway & I switched off I no longer cared what she did. A good lead can't really lift a show if the writing & plots are poor. Tho not at the stinkbomb level of Sister Boniface & Death Valley it lacks credibility. Can't see another series of this being commissioned but please find Phyllis Logan something better to do she's wasted in this.

The writing is just not there. I am always happy when finding series of this type, crime solving with a light heart and elements of humor makes my heart sing after I got tired of so many years of twisted plots or real life crime, these days I want light and funny, so this, especially lead by Phyllis Logan whom I love dearly, I was really looking forward to. The idea is great, the cast, or most of them at least, is great, but when the writing sticks to strict on stereotyped characters that keep falling into the same actions.... well, it REALLY, really gets on my nerves. I enjoyed the 1st episode even though it was obvious that it was falling on stereotypes, like for example the policeman reminded me of Father Brown one, sooooooo many episodes (series even!) kept repeating the same lines, same attitude..... now watching the second episode I had to stop in the first quarter of it...frustrating, so much that it makes Phyllis Logan's character irritating.... oh well.... maybe the writers will modify and not let them fall into the irritating mode they are at the moment, hope is the last thing we loose, someone said but, like another reviewer said, please PRETTY PLEASE, get Phyllis Logan a role at the level of her marvellous talent.

I love cosy crime shows-I don't want anything too gritty or unpleasant at my time of life.

When I began watching, I thought the beginning with the puzzle lady being a drunk driver was a bit silly-as were her exclamations to the police etc at the start.

However the character developed-and by the end I was really looking forward to the next episode. The Mayor jarred with me too-but I could see his role developing. I want my murder shows to be bonkers and puzzling-a la Midsummer Murders. Not bloody and violent on screen. I was sceptical for the first 15 minutes or so-but began to enjoy it. Miss Marple she isn't-but I think perhaps this one could stick. Certainly for me. If only there were subtitles!

A gentle paced, easy going mystery. Not the biggest budget spent on it clearly but I enjoyed it anyway. The production values wasn't the normal high quality you get these days, it lacked the digital sharpness we're used to. Maybe the lighting rig and set was a bit less expensive and the colour grading seemed a bit 90's/ early 2000's. But if you added all that in, I think it would have gotten much better reviews. I think we don't realise how much the visual impact influences us also. I'm definitely giving it another go. Cup of tea, cosy mystery drama, I think all the characters will develop very nicely..

To everyone who says it's a rip-off or copy of some other show. There's a book series about the Puzzle Lady. First book is an adaptation of the book printed back in 2000!

I haven't read it, but loved the first episode so much that I ordered the book (author is Parnell Hall if anyone is interested).

I'd compare this to The Marlow Murder Club, but Murder Most Puzzling is much, much smarter. And less ridiculous.

It's a cute cozy mystery with fun characters and pretty solid mystery. Small town, quirky protagonist (Phyllis Logan is fantastic, so is Charlotte Hope who plays her niece), murders are not that gruesome. Just what I wanted this cold evening.

Looking forward to the next episode!