Murder in Suburbia (2004–2005) User Reviews (17)

Addictive

[jsrtheta · 8/10 · 21 December 2017]

I have sampled a lot of series. I can be easily bored, and often I will last through two or three episodes, but then start to lose interest. This is not a slam on the various series, just a quirk with me. (If I'm really going to hate something, I'll know after one episode.)

This show did not follow that pattern with me, as I watched the first six in one sitting. It would be easy, at least as a Yank, to compare this to Midsomer Murders. And it wouldn't be far off to say it is a less over-the-top variation on that show. But that wouldn't be fair, as Caroline Catz and Lisa Faulkner are more believable as partners than either of the Barnabys and their various DSes. One review I saw called this show "wry," and that's a very good word for it. You won't bust out laughing very often (2-3 times per show), but you'll have a smile fixed on your face for the entire viewing.

Murder in Suburbia never takes itself seriously, as one would expect, but it has a certain sophistication nonetheless. Most of all, it is compulsively watchable and as comfortable as your favorite jeans.

Can't miss.

Entertaining pablum.

[ronaldalamascus-90506 · 7/10 · 12 July 2022]

Certainly not "deep" or complicated but at least it's not "noir", violent, politically correct or perverse like so many cop shows of late. The two female leads are charming, funny and carry their respective types quite effectively so a bit of brains and sophistication with a dash of beer and chips which works. Sufficiently entertaining enough to make it through 12 episodes at least.

Very bingeable, great chemistry between Catz and Faulkner

[AlabamaWorley1971 · 7/10 · 10 January 2023]

DI Ashurst and DS Scribbins, a.k.a. Ash and Scribbs, are pals and detectives in the northern community of Middleford. Each episode is about 50 mins long, and it's totally bingeable. The women have terrific chemistry and are very funny. They're also both very single, and a LOT of time is spent talking about men, dating, ragging on the guys they're dating, wondering why they can't find anyone to date. To complicate matters, they both have huge crushes on their boss, the admittedly dishy DCI Sullivan, but are smart enough to not risk THAT HR complication. I slightly preferred more episodes in S2 than S1, but it's a decently amusing watch if you don't get tired out by all the single ladies talk.

One of The *BEST* Episodic Whodunit Shows

[terraphan · 19 February 2005]

For an American saturated with "CSI," "Law & Order," and their spin-offs and clones, "Murder in Suburbia" is completely refreshing. This is the *best* whodunit mystery show that I have scene in years. The show ran on BBC America here in the U.S., in late 2004 and early 2005.

The show revolves around a Detective Duo: DI Kate 'Ash' Ashurst (Caroline Katz) and DS Emma 'Scribbs' Scribbins (Lisa Faulkner). 'Ash' and 'Scribbs' are both single, young women, with 'Ash' having a higher rank than 'Scribbs.' During each episode, the Duo lament about their single lives, which provides for the lighter moments in the show. Jeremy Sheffield also stars as DCI Sullivan, the Duo's boss.

This is not "CSI" or "Crossing Jordan," where in those series, technology tends to 'solves' the crime more than old-fashioned gumshoe brainpower. Each episode (so far) concentrates on a single murder, rather than two separate murders, which is the usual formula of "CSI" or 'Jordan.' This show is concerned with the mystery of the murder and paints a much fuller picture of the victim's life and situation, than most shows. It also helps that the run time for each episodes about 52 minutes (without commercials) compared to the forty-some minutes for most hour-long U.S. series.

The show is very faithful to the whodunit formula, allowing the viewer to try to solve the crime along with main characters. When the Duo interviews someone, this is not one or two questions, but many questions, which can be in rapid-fire succession, packing a lot more information than most mystery series. Fingerprints and DNA do play a role in the mysteries, but they are secondary to the *WHY* of the murder.

The *WHY* of the murder is the most intriguing aspect of each episode. Each episode shows a hidden layer of suburbia, from sophisticated dating services, real "wife-swapping," hidden pasts, and more.

If you prefer dark and gritty "crime dramas" or are looking for developed main characters, this series is probably not for you. But if you are looking for an intriguing whodunit with a bit of humor and where the mystery is the focus of each episode , this series is for you.

Didn't have a clue, at first

[calvind98362 · 7/10 · 6 July 2013]

I have been devouring everything I can find in the Crime/Drama genre with special emphases on those produced in the UK. I had just finished up Trial & Retribution when I came across Murder in Suburbia.

When I first began to watch the program I was expecting to see a murder/cop show. I have never been a fan of or watched the pretty boy/girl crime-fighting shows like Miami Vice or Charlie's Angels, so I didn't even consider that this was the niche that this show was going for; I was ready to slam this show without mercy for being so cutesy and sometimes, just plain silly.

Then I read the review that called the show 'fun' and spoke of the silly cop genre and then it all made sense! So this is a funny little entertainment piece that won't make you worry too much about who dun-it but will charm you with its wit. It is funny and the actors seem to work well with positive chemistry.

I like this show now more than I did at first; it grows on you if you don't judge too harshly, or too soon.

Cagney & Lacey meet the Desperate Housewives.

[keifer-1 · 9/10 · 3 July 2006]

There are always crimes afoot on Wisteria Lane. Suppose you sent a fashionable version of Cagney & Lacey to investigate them. This is the basic effect of 'Murder in Suburbia'.

Just like 'Desperate Housewives', it manages to combine a good story with a generous helping of humor. The crimes are suitably bizarre, and the interplay between Ash and Scribbs as the two single police officers is a lot of fun.

This is not like most American mysteries which are heavy on procedures and tend to be very somber. This one is strong on character and very light hearted.

If you enjoy 'Midsomer Murders' you will probably enjoy this, and if ABC doesn't option the US rights to this show as a companion piece for 'Desperate Housewives', they're nuts.

Murder In Suburbia - Highly Recommended!

[jimmullinaux · 10/10 · 29 September 2017]

This entertaining 2004 British mystery series takes place in the fictional English town of Middleford. Caroline Catz plays Inspector Kate Ashurst and Lisa Faulkner plays Sergeant Emma Scribbins, two well-dressed, wise-cracking, female detectives who must face a variety of grisly murders in the well-manicured suburban homes of Middleford, but who also are facing an unmarried middle age squarely in the mirror. The crimes they solve are clever and bizarre enough to make them interesting, and the suspects are just trendy and snobby enough that you just know they must be Mac users. Kate's romantic subplot centers on her hapless pursuit of their handsome supervisor, Chief Inspector Sullivan, played by Jeremy Sheffield. Emma's love life is a bit more varied with any number of odd sorts, all having dubious qualities. My wife and I have viewed this series many times and find something new and enjoyable with each viewing. Highly recommended!

More comedy than drama

[blake-36398 · 9/10 · 7 November 2016]

We are really enjoying this series. The two main characters - Caroline Catz and Lisa Faulkner are cute and we love the banter between them. It does seem real. The crimes and the way they are solved are pretty light. Oh, there are enough suspects and during the episode we do our usual guessing, but the situation does not get so tangled up as we have seen in other series where they are constantly dropping red herrings into the mix. The episodes seem to move forward in a natural way, not like some of the things we have watched which seem to be scripted moment to moment. The only frustration part, which is the case in so many series is the amount of adulteries that go on. Is this real life - bed bingo? Oh, one of the episodes had this one character whose bosom was just so obscene looking, it almost looked like she was wearing her butt on her chest. The one episode where the blonde is dating this guy and things are just not going right for the couple is quite hilarious. We say that it is worth watching.

Thoroughly enjoyable

[martin-intercultural · 9/10 · 18 August 2023]

In today's age of politicized and weaponized everything, this series is both a breath of fresh air and a throwback to a simpler time. The two leads are sophisticated yet personable and relatable, and not in an aggressive, "gonna run the world" sort of way. The plots involve upper-middle-class folks where dark passions lurk and still waters run deep. The dialog and the characters' psychology are witty, well written, and believable. And unlike most crime shows, the way the mystery unfolds is quite easy to follow, partly thanks to the episodes' compact format and length. This is a lighthearted whodunit that isn't out to confuse and outsmart you.

Women characters written by men

[Wendy_Darling34 · 3/10 · 8 July 2022]

Love the 2 actresses playing the lead roles, unfortunately their characters are written by men who think the only interesting thing about women is who they are or are not dating and that women can't possible be happy or content in life without a man. You have 2 smart, successful, capable women who are never developed properly. They are treated like sad losers in life simply because they are single. It is one of the most shallowest attempt at creating female characters. The who done it aspect of the show is fine and fun to watch but everything else is basic. No character development. It's a shame, could have been a great show.

Unrealistic fun

[mahughes82 · 2 October 2005]

This is a fun series. It bears little resemblance to either real-life murder investigations, or life in modern English suburbia, but it's very entertaining. You should know that, if you're ever murdered on a visit to England, your death will NOT be investigated by a 2 person team of glamorous models. Compared to the USA they don't have many murders in England. When they do, they put a large team on the case, led by senior police officers.

This series follows the American "partner" model, but is otherwise very British, especially in the low key humor. You won't actually care WHO "dunnit", but you will enjoy the banter, and "Scribbs" occasionally disrobes. I recommend it.

a detectives series that is dead in the water

[frieda-92366 · 4/10 · 6 September 2022]

It doesn't take much of a detective to spot the real criminals: the writers of this show. The lighthearted humor is a little lame. I don't mind that. And Caroline Catz is good enough as an actor. But there is so little depth to the characters, both the two female detectives and their supervisor, that I lost interest midway through the second episode. I thought if the first two episodes were a sign of things to come, better to find something else. Seriously, folks, if anyone (especially a female) has what it takes to be a detective they need to have more on their mind than multiple sex partners and whether to dress like the "wedding slut" at their ex's upcoming wedding. What's funny is Catz's boyfriend breaks up with her because all she talks about is murder and he's tired of it. But on the job, all Catz talks about is her boyfriends. So how does she ever catch the perpetrator? Sudden flashes of intuition. And there you have it. I predict, through one of my sudden flashes of intuition of course, that this show will not last long.

extremely light-weight programme but easy to watch

[henry999-1 · 2 February 2006]

An American chap commented earlier that 'This is the *best* whodunit mystery show that I have scene {sic} in years'. He then names some American copper-dramas that he thinks are inferior to this. I don't know the shows to which he refers, so all I can say is, well, if this is 'the *best*' then American television must really be in dire straits. MiS isn't even really a 'whodunit mystery show' at all, is it? I mean, the writing is so weak that it is not unusual for the perpetrator to come out of the attic in the last five minutes of the programme. What ever happened to the principle that the guilty party should be seen -- but not recognised -- in the _first_ five minutes?

Actually, I think the IMDb classification of this programme as Crime/Drama is altogether wrong. I think it should be Crime/Comedy. It's the banter and the inter-personal exchanges that make this programme, not the crime-solving aspect. (Have you noticed, for example, that no one else in the police station ever speaks, except for the three leads?)

This is a fantasy programme and should be appreciated as such. If our Yank friend thinks this is good 'whodunit', then he might well be interested in exploring other of the many -- and many _better_ -- of the British police / crime / mystery series over the years.

cheers,

Henry

Poorly done mystery with HUGE plot holes

[classicrun · 2/10 · 10 July 2022]

I really tried to give this series a decent shot. It was a bit silly and typical light British mystery. I found myself asking if I really was watching a cop show or one of those where residents in the neighborhood solve the crime. It was ok until the second murder which was discovered by blood on the car. They open the boot and a BLOODY corpse is there. Then we get to the end. She was strangled and when put in the boot, there was absolutely NO BLOOD. How did the blood get all over the body and the car?

Then in episode 2, the victim is face down in the pool but froth remains visible on his lips? Did the killer also pull up his pants and belt them again? Nope. This show is stupid and is an offense to cop shows and murder mysteries. It expects you to not have a brain and not pay attention to all the continuity errors. I am so surprised it got renewed for a second season.

I think I know why in 2023 I've never heard of it, when it was made in 2004....

[ourelbi · 1/10 · 29 January 2023]

I've enjoyed watching Catz in the few things I've seen her in, and so when this showed up on Britbox, I thought I'd give it a go. I'd never heard of it before, and so thought it was a new show - until I started watching it. Now I know why I'd never heard of it - it's terrible! It certainly doesn't stand the test of time. I can watch movies and shows from 19 years ago and don't cringe, but this was terrible. The acting by some was woeful, but it really was the dialogue that was the clincher.

I guess it's rated so highly on this site because the majority of people reviewed it 15 plus years ago? Maybe those same people wouldn't be able to watch it now. It's just so bad.

Utter garbage

[osbaba · 1/10 · 23 January 2023]

I can't believe how this series could be so highly rated. The writing is puerile. Dialogs are just banal and trying so hard to be humurous and just falling flat. The acting is childish.

It generally takes a few episodes for a series to get in its stride. Even Cheers's first few episodes look bad, but the promise was always there. I gave it a go for two episodes. Can't waste any more time.

I don't think I have seen Lisa Faulkner in anything else. But Caroline Catz at least did a great job in DCI Banks. So it's really the writing. Can't believe some have compared this to Midsommer Murders!

Much better shows available.

I've seen worse

[moonoverpacific · 3/10 · 7 September 2022]

Reviews with 2 and 3 stars I agree. Holes in plot. 2 women detectives, obsessed with their lack of a man. Women written by men.

But the thing that bothers me is the casting of the male (supporting) lead and the relationship between DS Kate, Carol, & her boss Jeremy. He was a ballet dancer, never married, openly gay. I guessed he was gay. Checked bio. With those 4 big moles on one scheck. There is a constant sort if flirtation. Contant running gag, she keeps saying things, obliquely sexual & getting embarassed. He makes her "nervous", she gets awkward around him. He remains stalwart, with a wry half smile. He gets it, but isnt affected. Till the end. I'd say they were expecting another season.