Set in the fictional Ontario town of Algonquin Bay police officer John Cardinal had been investing the disappearance of a girl for some time but his superiors have taken him off the case. As the series starts her body is found and he is back in charge of the case along with his new partner Lise Delorme. It isn't long before her murder is linked to two others and disturbingly to the disappearance of a boy, Keith, who had visited the town. Evidence suggests that the killer kept his victims alive so there is a chance that Cardinal and Delorme will find him in time. If that weren't enough it emerges that Delorme has been transferred so she can investigate Cardinal and his involvement in a case that led to the death of a police officer in Toronto.
This was an enjoyable six-part series that feels very like the so-called 'Scandi- Noir' series that have become popular in recent years; we have a brooding protagonists with some troubles at home and an unpleasant series of murders. There isn't too much mystery for the viewer as we are shown the killer and his girlfriend, who is involved with the kidnapping and could turn out to be just as dangerous. Knowing their identities doesn't detract from the series as every time we see what they are doing to Keith it increases the sense of urgency. The secondary story concerning Cardinal's possible corruption does provide a mystery; we can guess that he will ultimately be exonerated but what he is doing is suspicious so why he is doing what he is doing is interesting. The cast does a fine job; Billy Campbell impresses as Cardinal and Karine Vanasse provides fine support as Delorme; I hope we get to see them in further cases in future seasons. The location adds to the atmosphere; a comparatively small town in a frozen landscape. Overall I'd recommend this to anybody wanting a series with a 'Scandi- Noir' feel without the need to read subtitles.
11 out of 15 found this helpful