Alleyn Mysteries

When it comes to crafting intelligent and entertaining television mysteries, the English simply do it better than anyone else. This excellent 1993 BBC1 series takes place in post-WWII England (c. 1948), even though Dame Ngaio Marsh's novels were set prior to the war. The production effectively captures the rather gray atmosphere so prevalent throughout the country after the war, from the drabness of the period's clothes to the exhaustion in the character's personalities. Patrick Malahide plays Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn, and Belinda Lang portrays his love interest Agatha Troy, both remnants of Britain's post-war fading upper class. William Simons rounds out the cast as Alleyn's working-class assistant Detective Inspector Fox. The crimes are clever and their solutions sensible, surely to satisfy any mystery fan. My wife and I have viewed this series many times and find something new and enjoyable with each viewing. Highly recommended!

Someone asked me what is are good English murder mystery to read and to watch. He had seen a lot of Agatha Christies' novels on the screen but was quite sick of them. I told him about Alleyn mysteries written by New Zealander Ngaio Marsh. The books are great and this short series are brilliant. Patrick Malahide is a perfect Roderick Alleyn and when I read the books I immediately picture Patrick as the main character. Belinda Lang suits the role as Troy and Inspector Fox is a likable person. The cases are terrific, my personal favourite being a man lay dead but they are all good. You'll find yourselves glued to the screen and as I said to my friend, this is what traditional English mysteries are like... a must watch.

Malahide is an excellent Alleyn. I think the restraint, classiness, and beauty of these productions are unparalleled. I wish there were more of them. The actor playing Fox is a little scary at first but he grows on you. I wish that he had been bearded, though, as in the books.

Lang as Troy is wonderful. She's not as young as I imagined, but that does not detract from the attractiveness of the character at all.

The sets and settings are beautiful. The conversations well-transferred from the books to the screen.

I just love this series. I think anyone who loves the books will love them. Even though certain things are changed from the books (like the introduction of Troy in A Man Lay Dead) they are so well done it doesn't spoil the stories a bit. Every bit of it from beginning to end is believable.

I am a compulsive reader and collector of books and DVD's. I disagree with any of the comments that state Patrick Malahide is not cast right as Inspector Alleyn. He is perfect in the role, as is Lang playing Agatha Troy. Having studied English actors for many years, I can't think of another pair that could have done a finer job in these roles. They are akin to the castings of Lord Peter Wimsey (Edward Petheridge) and Harriet Vane.

I have read all of the Alleyn novels, the Dagliesh novels, the Morse novels, the Wimsey novels, the Agatha Christie novels (yes all of them), and too many others to name. Each time I play the character in my head as I read - and Malahide is perfect, as is Lang. They play well off each other, their acting skills equal.

We are avid consumers of BBC mysteries, and the Alleyn Mysteries are one our favorites. The acting from the lead players is subtle and involving (and far better than anything on American TV) and the usual variety of excellent British actors appear throughout the series. The stories are well written, the dialogue is convincing, the character development is enjoyable, and the directors respect the intelligence of the viewer. Highlights are the nuanced development of the relationship between Alleyn and his love interest Agatha Troy, and the delightful exchanges between the aristocratic Alleyn and his middle class next-in-command, Inspector Fox. The only disappointment is the limited number of these shows.