Crime Drama Queens

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Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's Harry Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle solving crimes in late Victorian London! Each puzzling crime has a supposed supernatural solution, but are otherworldly powers at play or are the solutions a little more prosaic? 

(Yes, the latter, always the latter.)

However, there are silly hats, giant moustaches, and some crazy green gas, so lots to love. There are no maggots but plenty of suppurating boils!

This episode contains descriptions of fictionalised violence, and, of course, is full of SPOILERS. 

Despite our promises to get our act together, we don't know what we're doing next but we will pop it here when we do! Hang tight!

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

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Apols for the delay on this episode; Lily has been unwell and Lex was concussed. In fact at the time of recording Lily was still unwell and Lex was still concussed. You may be able to tell. 

We cover a lot of ground in this one, and some of it is even about the programme in question. There are nail bars, crow bars, a fake wedding, and Robson Green's character playing Guess Who while Hermione Norris rolls her eyes in the background. All good fun!

This episode contains descriptions of fictionalised violence, and, of course, is full of SPOILERS. 

Our next episode will be on Houdini and Doyle, season one, episode three, "Manus Dei." This is available on ITVX in the UK, on Roku in the USA, but you might have to purchase it elsewhere in the world. If you're a Mangan fan, it's worth it. 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

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Ooh, an ex detective in an exotic location helping the local police on murder investigations? With silly hats? Be still our crime drama hearts! 

But is is this on the "Death in Paradise" scale of delight, or "The Good Ship Murder" level of horror? 

Tune in to find out! You can also enjoy our air fryer chat, elevator pitch for "Ready, Steady, Murder", and Lily's hot take on "The Great Gatsby."

At time of recording, "Benidorm is Murder" is available on My5 in the UK. VPN needed elsewhere - sorry!

This episode contains descriptions of fictionalised violence, and, of course, is full of SPOILERS. 

Thanks to Reelmockery.com for help with the recap.

Our next episode is on "Wire in the Blood," season 2, episode 3, "Right to Silence."

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

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It's the shark tank episode!

And, quite frankly, there's just not enough shark tank. We never learn our lesson.

We do discuss badgers, coconut shies, and the architectural complexities of shark tanks. 

This episode contains descriptions of fictionalised violence and, of course, is full of SPOILERS.

Our next episode will be on "Benidorm is Murder," season one, episode five! This is available on Channel 5 in the UK but requires a VPN elsewhere in the world... sorry!

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

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It's the clash of the Marples! But who is better? Joan Hickson or Julia McKenzie? There's only one way to find out.... 

We will discuss it and come to a considered conclusion! 

Poisoning, stabbing, drowning, and lots of gossiping about high blood pressure; there's so much to love here. Even Lex didn't miss the maggots too much!

We still manage to bring in references to "A Good Ship Murder", "The Marlow Murder Club", "Prime Suspect", "Cracker", "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes", and "McDonald and Dodds." Because, of course we do. 

For further reading on the world of Miss Marple we recommend Dr Mark Aldridge's books, especially "Agatha Christie on Screen" and "Agatha Christie's Marple: Expert on wickedness." Lily has them both. Signed by the author. 

This episode contails descriptions of fictionalised violence, and, of course, is full of SPOILERS! 

Despite what we say at the end of this episode, we will NOT be doing Benidorm is Murder for our next episode! Instead, as Annika is temporarily back on BBC Iplayer we will be looking at season two, episode three - the shark tank episode! Gosh we hope it's a good one! You can find it on PBS Masterpiece and Britbox elsewhere in the world. Exciting! 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

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The school holidays are in full swing and I'm afraid all we have been able to squeeze out is this interim ep. We chat about new crime dramas hitting our screens, as well as digging up some older shows that could be worth a squiz. 

Mainly it's just Lily ranting about the BBC's terrible Agatha Christie adaptations, as ever. 

Next week we will be talking about the Joan Hickson AND the Julia McKenzie takes on a "A Caribbean Mystery." Have a rootle around ITVX, Channel 4 on demand, or Britbox and you'll find them there. 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

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Cooper and Fry are a pair of mismatched detectives, one a blow-in from the city, one local born and bred. They have different ways of doing things and don't get along at first...

Wait! Come back! I know you think you've seen this all before but it's not like that!

Well, it is entirely like that BUT this time we have Screaming Skulls and Hands of Glory! Come for the skeletal remains, stay for the screaming skulls!

And it's worth it for Lex's conspiracy theory regarding "Cooper and Fry" and our old nemesis, "The Good Ship Murder."

This podcast contains descriptions of fictionalised violence and, of course, is full of SPOILERS.

Credit to reelmockery.com for their blog on Cooper and Fry.


Our next episode will be on "Miss Marple," the Joan Hickson one! Specifically "A Carribbean Mystery." This is currently available in the UK on Channel Four in demand, and on Britbox elsewhere in the world.

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

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With opening credits created by a GCSE Media Studies student, a victim with "darkness" in her, a man in a silly hat, and HUGE amounts of spraying blood, this is a bit of a winner. Lex enjoyed it more than she enjoys a piece of toast, and as you will discover, she loves a bit of toast. 

This episode contains descriptions of fictionalised violence, and, of course, is full of SPOILERS. 

Our next episode will be on "Cooper and Fry" season one, episode one. This is available in the UK on Channel 5 on demand, ABC iview in Australia, and is available for purchase on Apple TV elswhere in the world (sorry!). 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

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Behold the Knuckerhold Dragon! 

This one is a bit bonkers but we (Lily) love it anyway. Lex misses the maggots of course, but that's just Lex for you.

How could you NOT love it though? Morris Dancing, liquid rubber, a bloke called Marvellous, AND a blow pipe! Lex was about to go on holiday when we recorded and she is at her giddiest...which is saying something. 

Oh, and apologies for the Dick Johnson of it all. We came across a person with that name just before recording and you know how infantile we are when it comes to names. Sorry Dick. 

This episodes contains descriptions of fictionalised violence, and, of course, is full of SPOILERS.

Our next episode is on "Hinterland," Season one, episode four. This is available on BBC Iplayer in the UK, and on Acorn or Britbox elsewhere in the world. 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

Send us Fan Mail

The Met Police are at it again! DCI Joe Mottram is in Capri to spend time with his daughter and his in laws following the death of his wife. Naturally, the murders come rolling in and he must help the local plod catch the various bad guys. 

The whole thing feels like a deja vu, and we're still not quite sure how the murder happened, but it does have that guy from Coronation Street in it...you know the one. 

We also discuss Gary Lucy, and various different types of pants. 

This episode contains descriptions of fictionalised violence and, of course, is full of SPOILERS. 

Our next episode is on Beyond Paradise, season four, episode three. This is available on BBC Iplayer in the UK, and on BritBox elsewhere in the world. 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov