Morden i Sandhamn

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.

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. :)

/refers to Seasons 1-5/

I am fond of Scandinavian crime series, but as the recent decade has seen so many high-level ones, I have become picky to watch something "around" e.g. Bro/Broen or Millennium... In advance, I was also cautious about the fact that crimes would happen in a limited space, a small and cosy area making it the one of the most violent places in the world (as often perceived in Miss Marple or Lewis, although skillfully accomplished). But no, the felonies committed were rare, suitable and seasonable, and the main emphasis was mainly on human aspects and issues prevalent in a wealthy Western society. The crimes handled were not over-sophisticated, rather realistic, and exiting viewers' interest improved during the seasons (Season 1 crime and it's solution were most trivial).

All the performances were good at least, if not more, most I liked Alexandra Rapaport as Nora Linde and Lotta Tejle as Claire. Moreover, this series helped me better to acknowledge the popularity of Jacob Cedegren (he has participated in several films I have seen but, for me, somehow always remained in the shadow of other male actors). Here, his character's nature was perfectly in harmony with the general mood of the creation and the qualities a Swedish policeman working in a small recreational area could and should have.

Thus, Morden i Sandhamn is a more-than-okay drama, with lots of human aspects and some crime in the background. As for crime level and depiction, it is in the line of e.g. Maria Wern or Anna Pihl, for example.

PS More or less, Seasons 6 and 7 follow the same path. Yet, in Season 7, Nicolai Cleve Broch as a new leading character is a step forward.

PPS Seasons 8 and 9 are just pleasant again, but no next level. But as more seasons are planned, I would still continue to watch them.

PPPS Season 10 shows some signs of fatigue, and I am not sure than a certain addiction would provide additional value to the cases.

A very unusual policeman never shooting even in the most dangerous situations. A wonderful place where peace is menaced by a series of murders. Love relationships intertwined with door to door investigations. Quite different from tough cops and screaming sirens! Enjoyable!

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.