Art Detectives

I've watched all kinds of mysteries on Acorn which run the gamut of light to heavier. For most evenings I prefer lighter types, and maybe with some humor involved. Real human type detectives, and not the steely -jawed, give no quarter types who have to solve one or more grisly murders per episode. Art Detectives is perfect for my tastes. I like both leads and their interactions; the scenery and locations are wonderful and the scripts achieve the right balance between murder mystery and humanness, without being silly.

My only complaint is that these are 45 minutes in length and they only made 6 episodes! What????? 10 should be the minimum. And having to wait weekly for a new episode, then Bam! It's over till next year???!!!! No! Unacceptable!

Granted this review is based on the first three episodes, so it could change, but I have to respectfully disagree with Avidviewer-02847 and edyoung-90901.

I found the first three episodes to be intelligent, crisp, deft and witty. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I would encourage others to take a stab at the series.

As long as it is primarily case driven and avoids the temptation to indulge in tick-box family drama, I have high hopes for this. The three episodes thus far have been set in Yorkshire (Portraits and the National Gallery), Gloucester (A Viking dig and artifacts), Cornwall (a listed estate and rock memorabilia).

For those who like comparisons, I would say it's an amalgam of Lovejoy, Dalgliesh and Chelsea Detective. Like Dalgliesh, Art Detectives is also shot in Northern Ireland. What an amazing canvas from which to work.

As the Storyline says, "In the Metropolitan Police's smallest department, the Heritage Crime Unit, an art-loving detective tackles cases connected to the world of art, antiques, collectibles and cultural heritage."

DI Palmer is the head of the Heritage Crime Unit: in point of fact at the beginning of the series he IS the whole of the Heritage Crime Unit. In the first episode, which takes place in Yorkshire, he is paired with DS Malik, a female DS, who is assigned to help Palmer by the regional DI.

DI Palmer reminds me of Bertie Carvel's Dalgliesh, but with a sense of humor to go with gravitas. This is not meant to take anything away from Bertie Carvel's superb portrayal of Dalgliesh -- I am just saying Carvel's is serious, and rightly so, a different variety of the mystery genre. There may also be a bit of Max from Chelsea Detective. Palmer clearly knows his onions, and can notch up the intensity when the case demands it. He is also able to spot talent, separate the genuine from the ersatz (in people as well). He also is willing to listen to input, knows how to be polite, and how to handle hostile forces.

DS Malik reminds me of a combination of Layla Walsh (Chelsea Detective) and Kate Miskin (Dalgliesh). She is keen to learn and has a nascent instinct. It will be fun to watch her grow.

Each episode clearly states why the Heritage Crime Unit are being sent to the case instead of "major crimes or the murder squad." Not sure how edyoung-90901 missed that. Again it is also very clear why in the third episode they were going to commandeer the row boat.

So don't be put off by the other lukewarm reviews. If you like art and mystery, give this a try.

Finally a mystery without a lot of side drama dragging it down. This series has intelligence, good plots and pacing. The two leads, Stephen Moyer (DI Palmer) and Nina Singh (DC Malik) balance each other nicely. As others have pointed out leaving out the tired subplots of troubled/maverick/sex with as many coworkers as possible detectives is very refreshing. Using a backdrop of crimes that connect to the art and collectible worlds adds a layer of interest to the stories. In each of the episodes the supporting cast of local police & suspects have been solid. Well done Acorn! May Art Detectives have a long run.

This is definitely my kind of show. Not a lot of gratuitous violence and gore. But good "who dun it" stories that keep my attention. Love Stephen Moyer. Been a fan since True Blood. Nina Singh is a terrific partner for him. She's young but knowledgeable about art. They play well off each other.

The stories are varied, not just paintings but different forms of art. The episode I'm watching now is about wine. Another is about Viking treasure. And another, rare rock memorabilia. All quite interesting and well done.

I truly hope this gets renewed. Shows like this are quite enjoyable for those of us who just want a good mystery to solve without all the "grit".

I think 5 stars for a review is generous, but this show would be higher if they stayed in their lane. "Art Detectives", but it's the Heritage Crime Unit....so that helps cover more area than just Art...so why not call it Heritage Crimes?

The tropes are over the top. Lone detective, not like by his peers, quirky and intelligent. Know everything about everything...painting, sculptures, wine, music, expensive liquors, archaeology...hmmm...this guys a quirky genius. Oh yeah, he's got issues with his father...a criminal.

Newcomer detective that is young, naive and eager to learn. Plus, to add more, she has issues with her parents.

Always a murder...never just a robbery...but once it's murder, why don't other units get involved?

All suspects have an attitude and don't like the police to ask them questions. (Every imported detective show from the UK has this trope).

It could be better...don't just slap together a show made from other shows and pass it off as new.