The Ruth Rendell Mysteries

I love this series, if you're after heavy drama, action, blazing guns, forget it, this wouldn't be for you, but if you're a fan of clever, engaging, character driven mysteries, this series could well be for you.

It's a real shame that the vast majority of this series has never been made commercially available, but I'm sure if you look hard enough you'll get to see them. I believe there are contractual issues, some are available from Germany though.

Of course Wexford is the main focus, he appears in some truly wonderful episodes, among my favourites are A Sleeping Life and Achilles heel, both are excellent, unique mysteries. Sometimes they can be a little drawn out, but such is the style of the mystery. I'm not such a lover of the much later episodes.

Baker and Ravenscroft to a fine job, watch out for Peter Capaldi and Annette Crosbie.

I have always thought this series would be a great one to revive, they could add a real touch of magic to it.

We read the reviews and thought it would be a great series. The first story was carried over 4 episodes. Could have been done in an hour and still not with it! After the first episode, we were stunned and underwhelmed. However, we continued to watch (and FF where possible) to get to the merciful conclusion of the storyline. The worst "police" we've seen in any series. No focus. No passion except when they overacted. We read that Ruth Rendell based Wexford on herself. Passionless (except when overacting), no real ability to reason or solve crimes - so how was she able to write if she's like her character??? We will not waste our time on the remaining 44 episodes.

Terribly slow. No action. Boring. Very few supporting actors. Waste of time.

Why no cast list for this very popular TV programme of the 90's. It should really have been called ' Wexford ' The star, Detective Chief Inspector Reg Wexford is played by George Baker a very experienced and accomplished UK actor. The programme is set in rural England, probably Hampshire. Wexford is a good old fashioned reliable solid British Policeman. We are not talking here about gruesome murders or car chases. We are talking about traditional detection methods and a Policemen who has integrity and the trust of the public. In truth Baker looks that he is old enough to retire for the whole of the series. He is assisted by a younger Inspector Burden ( Christopher Ravenscroft)and his attractive wife played by Diane Keen.

I can't believe I actually watched 2 episodes. I love Colin Firth, so I thought it might get better. It's not only terrible, it's a travesty. I'm sure Colin in embarrassed by it. I would be. Not only is the directing terrible, so is the acting! How anything so terrible makes it to the final screen. It has to be the worst I've ever seen. And the writing ... no one speaks like that. It makes me angry that something so beautifully visual could be that bad. Such potential. And for what? I'm moving on & will try to forget that I even considered watching the 3rd episode of this disaster. Sorry Colin! I think you're a great actor, but I guess we all have to have our failures. It's how we learn to move on!