Un été meurtrier

Am a uk expat in Aus. so i watch anything British in vain hope of decent drama. But They seem to like purchasing tedious dramas instead of decent ones. Haven't read the book. Haven't even finished watching series. Tediously slow, dragging things out like there is no real content. Character of Serena is not likable. Needs a slap by her daughter when in car for sure. Character that was in prison is wet blanket. After 30 mins I jumped on IMDb to see if it was worth wasting my time with. It seems not...certainly at least one review sums up my thoughts on it so far and they advise not bothering. I certainly wouldn't advise anyone bothers given the tedium n dull character acting of episode 1. Life is far too short.

I thought I would give an alternative review as the only other one seems very harsh indeed. Maybe if I read the book I would have been just as disappointed with it but as I haven't I cannot comment about comparisons with the book. But what I can say is that I found the story absorbing and compelling, well acted by all the cast and never less than interesting right up to its unpredictable conclusion. If you like a good mystery thriller then I would recommend seeing this and if you enjoy it enough maybe then read the book afterwards. That's all I really wanted to say but I don't seem to have reached the required ten line rule that is currently being enforced!

My Review- Ice Cream Girls Streaming on Britbox My Rating. 8/10

This 3 part 2013 mini series is probably more topical today than it was 12 years ago with the increase in domestic violence directed towards women by men with severe anger and empowerment issues.

Based on the bestselling novel by Dorothy Koomsen the story follows two vulnerable teenage girls, Serena Gorringe and Poppy Carlisle who in the summer of 1995, are accused of murdering their schoolteacher, Marcus Hansley after becoming involved in a tryst of violence and sexual abuse.

I doubt very much that today either one of the young girls involved would have been convicted however Poppy played by Jodhi May who gives a wonderful performance is convicted and the series opens with her release from prison after serving a 17 year sentence for stabbing Marcus Hanley played by Martin Compston.

Poppy still claims her innocence and sets out to discover the truth as she sees it by pursuing the other girl involved Serena played by Lorraine Burroughs.

Serena was only a teenager at the time as was Poppy and the two actresses who play their younger selves are brilliantly played by Holli Dempsey as Poppy and Georgina Campbell as the underage Serena.

The story traces back the events surrounding the murder in 1995 that led to the murder of the teacher Marcus Hanley and the conclusion really was so unexpected.

Ice Cream Girls is well produced well directed by Dan Zeff some scenes are confronting and depict domestic violence however I found the series very compelling .

First I have to say, that I'm a huge fan of Dorothy's books. They are all well written and the language is just perfect. I love her twisted stories that are full of surprises.

I read the "Ice Cream Girls" two years ago, so I couldn't remember all the details when I watched the series. I didn't mind the change at the end about the real murderer. On TV people want to see a happy ending and in the book you had some unfinished issues at the end, so I can see the need for a more conclusive ending.

I really can't say too much about the acting as I'm from Germany and not a native speaker. So I'm happy if the actors don't overact it.

All in all, it was a good adaption. I was happy to see, that a book I really enjoyed reading, made it on TV. If you enjoyed watching it, maybe you can start reading Dorothy's other books. They are all really great.

The Ice Creams is based on the bestselling book by Dorothy Koomson about two girls who, one brief summer, find themselves involved with an abusive, controlling man. The situation spirals out of control and they are trial for his murder; ultimately Poppy gets sent to prison.

Flash forward 17 years; Serena is married with a daughter in a seemingly comfortable life, returns to Brighton (although it was actually filmed in Ireland) to take care of her dying mother. Poppy has been released and she wants answers....she claims not to have killed Marcus, but if she didn't and Serena didn't....then who did? This three part drama based on the book; a book which worked very well and was beautifully crafted. Instead of embracing the story and being loyal to th characters, this adaptation has systematically destroyed the very essence of what made the novel a bestseller...its elegance, the vulnerability of the characters, the ongoing mystery, the likability of both girls and ultimately the twist, Burroughs was very rigid in her performance as the mother in denial, there was nothing likable about her (unlike the Serena in the book). May's delivery as Poppy was plausible but nothing special; her moping got tiresome after a whole; in the book Poppy had zest and personality who loved her father very much....Poppy in this drama was a wet blanket with a seemingly torrid stepfather, to further highlight her hopeless situation. The only credible actor was Martin Compston who played the ill fated maths teacher, even though his screen time was limited.

The ending change was a let down and I cannot imagine any Dorothy Koomson fan being happy about it. The acting/characters are forgettable, the whole drama was not very thrilling and overall it was a big disappointment.

Don't waste your time....read the book and appreciate it for the masterpiece it is and be done with it. I hope they do another remake one day, one will do justice to the book, the author and all the fans who were mesmerised and gripped by the novel form start to finish.