Homicide Hills - Un commissario in campagna

I came across this gem of a tv series a number of years ago on "ARD Mediathek". Because I'm bilingual I've been able to watch things in German on places like "Das Erste" which produces this. The setting is a rural town called "Hengasch". It's a play on words...in German it almost sounds like "Hänge-arsch" which is a real concept. (Flabby/saggy bottom, basically). It's deliberate because the main character, Sophie, says "Hengasch" sometimes in a way where it really sounds like 'Hängearsch". The characters are all caricatures, but once in a while there are more serious moments as well. It can be a bit corny, but I think that's its charm in a way. It's pretty light viewing as far as murder mysteries go... Might be interesting to see if an English-language based streaming service might pick it up some day. Compared with Brit series, I'd say it's something like a cross between a little more cynical Vicar of Dibley and a more rural Midsomer Murders. Each episode is under 1 hour.

What's the perfect translation for the show's title? "Murder with a view"? Anyway, this TV show is funny, uplifting, entertaining, captivating and very enjoyable. Hengasch is a strange village with strange people and I absolutely love it! Sophie Haas is a typical mid-thirty woman from a big city and Caroline Peters is just amazing in her role. The other main characters are great as well. Dietmar is such a lovely idiot and Bärbel with her wide-eyed temper is simply adorable. I really enjoy these completely different characters and how they solve the murder cases in awesome Hengasch.

The humour might be not everyone's taste - but I love it. It's not overstated, it's rather understated, snappy and kind of silly and foolish. I love the mixture! The three seasons really hooked me and the concluding TV movie "A Murder With A View" is a very nice conclusion.

Unfortunately, season 3 isn't as brilliant as the first two seasons. I couldn't get over the feeling that the producers (maybe new directors and writers) wanted to put more comedy into this show. It didn't really work for me. Some episodes are just dull and, well, filled with overstated situations. It's such a pity!

Nonetheless, I will visit Hengasch via my TV more than once. It's an enjoyable, fresh and unconventional crime series! Go watch it, folks!

Well one thing is for sure: she didn't write it. And either she gravitated towards it or the murder gravitated towards her. Well that is something you could say or at least conclude. Of course this is a comedy show, so while there is murder, the overall theme and mood is rather funny.

As are the characters and the storylines. Having to move to a small town (or is it a village? I forget when you call what something - population wise), after being rejected a position she was aiming for and at - well it isn't the best start of a new relationship. But it is perfect for a show, with the known fish out of water formula. Or the stranger comes to town. In this case the female stranger ... but one that will learn to live and love that new life eventually ... or will she? Well I reckon there are things that can not be called surprises here.

The humor is spot on, if you like the way it is presented and do not mind dry and weird humor of course. 3 seasons full of mayhem and strangeness ... and a movie that followed after it ... and while the show might have a somewhat satisfying ending for some, the movie does give it all the extra edge. But more on that, on the movies page itself.

So much fun with a good mystery thrown in. I hope there are more than just 3 seasons as it's definitely a mood lifter! Great cast members also. My review was apparently to short so I'll write more.... Does anyone know of there are more seasons of this program? It's a good program with quirky characters which I love. I would like to have seen Sophie and Jan's relationship grow, as well as all the other characters in the show. It would be great to see what the new Mayor does with Hangash. I'm sure I spelled that wrong. I would love to see what Barbel and her baby develop into. Maybe a few new characters moving to town? It's a good show and I would recommend it to anyone who wants something lighthearted, good fun and and fun mystery. Enjoy!

It's funny to watch but there are better series than that. But it's okay. I like Schäffer.