Strike

'Strike: The Cuckoo's Calling' is on the Poirot-Marple-Midsomers branch of the mystery tree with its irresistible stars in the lead roles, its slow but never time-wasting character developments, its high-on- thinking and low-on-physical-violence story, and its beautiful camera work. If you like all of the above features and a good, escape-for-an- hour mystery, please watch this. J.K. Rowling wrote the book and I'm glad that the British television peeps had the great good sense to bring this to us as beautifully as they did. I hope they make more.

I'd already read the book, but Strike as portrayed was more convincing than my own prior vision.

You get a nice range of people in one limited slice of London, as well as a series of puzzles that get solved.

They improve the ending, giving a better excuse for the murderer doing something I can't detail without giving away the plot.

For my money Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger do a fine job of providing the focal point and anchor for these superb detective whodunnits penned by Galbraith aka. JK Rowling. I suppose it's fair to say that you'll either find chemistry between Strike and Robin (the leads) or you won't.

These shows are based upon crime novels that are crammed with detail and the nuance of relationships and events, which make them a fun read - and that the series' screenplays do a great job of adapting for the screen.

Now on it's fifth novel this series only goes from strength to strength spinning fascinating and engaging tales.

As others have mentioned, locations and style also play a leading role - the result is a satisfying sense of place which complements both the action and backstory.

The Brits have a particular style to how they go about their crime dramas, an angle which places a concentration and importance on drawing out character, a recognition that the journey to the conclusion is as important as the resolution and the untangling of the 'crime' itself. We end up with an understanding of both the perpetrator and their supporting characters, and a deeper relationship with the investigators - and in this sense Strike is as much a highly successful human drama series as it is a crime and whodunnit proposition.

I'd recommend giving Strike a watch if you haven't already done so - but, although each series stands alone covering one novel (except for series one which is two novels in succession), there is a strong cumulative backstory revolving around a central group of characters, so for best results and viewing pleasure start with series one and binge from there.

Based on the books by Galbraith (pen name of JK Rowling of Harry Potter fame).

The books (as books often can) delve more deeply into characters and backstory. That said, the balanced focus between Strike and Ellacott and their cases, provides a fairly complete picture of two star-crossed would be lovers who navigate their own relationship while solving crimes. It's a grim version of the "will they or won't they" trope made popular in the 80's.

Season 6 (or 4 if you're looking at HBO MAX's different numbering approach as opposed to the original BBC schedule) was well worth the wait. I found the plots much easier to follow, and there were fewer confusing side plots.

The two leads, Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger, are well cast and very believable.

The crime stories, like in the books, have one or two too many twists and turns to follow easily. So this isn't your typical paint-by-the-numbers detective show. You have to be engaged while watching or you'll miss a lot.

My wife finds some of the casework occasionally too grisly, but she is drawn back to Robin's and Cormoran's tortured romance.

The acting is top notch, with only a few brief supporting roles hitting sour notes. The slowly developing background on Strike and Robin is compelling and leaves you anxious for the next episode.

Highly recommend.

Holliday Grainger lights up the screen. She is one of the best actors I have ever seen. She conveys so many moods and emotions with slightest glance.

Also, I enjoy the story. It is my cup of tea.