Murder Maps

Not only are the recreations top notch, but presenter Nicholas Day makes an already excellent series even better. I have seen multiple murder/mystery shows, but none are presented anywhere near as well as Murder Maps. This is easily my favorite murder/mystery series, partially because of the forensic evidence, and especially because of the production values and the excellent presentation of Nicholas Day. Murder Maps is far and away the best forensic/murder mystery program available! I sincerely hope Murder Maps continues!!

I really enjoy this series and its format. The facts of each case are presented well and accompanied by historical facts regarding the crime scene area to put the case into context, which isn't just interesting (to me at least) but helps give a better understanding of how - and especially why - the murder took place. The presenter, Nicholas Day, does an excellent job and really helps you engage in the report. The commentating experts seem quite knowledgeable and credible, particularly when it comes to forensics and history. The actors have all played their parts well and really bring the people involved to life. This isn't just my favorite crime program, but one of my favorite history shows as well!

The series is well done if a bit cheesy. They do at least once attempt to sway the viewer into a point of view that they as writers etc. obviously believe to be true about the 'rightness' of the death sentence. This takes away from the episode. Otherwise so far all the episodes are told in a fair and balanced manner, I believe.

Don't be fooled into thinking this is some kind of true crime documentary. Most of the details of each cases are inferences, details they have no way of knowing either way.

Instead, it's made up stories that try to rely on poorly acted, and poorly written recreations. Really lousy, and boring too.

I was really looking forward to this series when I saw it on PBS, but was sorely disappointed. I barely managed to get through the Bermondsey Horror, which was a horror for all the wrong reasons. The re-enactment scenes are terrible. When an unexpected guest stays too long, everyone sits around looking all broody and moody and sinister. It's ridiculous and laughable. There is no sense of urgency or tension in the scenes. It's like watching sulky millenials in period clothing. There isn't enough background information at the beginning to set the drama going. I began to have a feeling they were skipping vital exposition in order to dwell on showing the murder itself and I was right. The only thing that keeps me from giving this zero stars is the presence of Donald Rumbelow and other crime experts who attempt to inject actual information and interest into the story, but they are undermined by the terribly written, poorly directed re-enactment scenes. If this is how the series begins, I can't imagine it getting any better. I've taken the Jack the Ripper tour with Mr. Rumbelow and read his book. Both are excellent, so I feel no need to slog through this series until that episode. If you're interested in Marie Manning, better to read the book "The Woman Who Murdered Black Satin: The Bermondsey Horror" by Albert Borowitz and avoid this mess altogether.