Category Archives: Detective/police drama

The Bridge: A Scandi-drama lover’s delight

Excellent new Danish/Swedish Scandi-police drama for everyone missing The Killing. Continue reading

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Scott and Bailey: “If she says it’s Wednesday, then it’s Wednesday”

It’s a good description for how straight-up and persuasive this programme is. Continue reading

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Hidden: People in glass houses…

Twisty turny solicitor turns detective with the wonderful Philip Glenister Continue reading

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TV Drama News: Scott and Bailey ride again

Regular viewers of pauseliveaction (hi Mum!) may remember our love of Scott and Bailey during its run of six episodes earlier this year. We were thrilled by its excellent stars Suranne Jones, Lesley Sharp and the terrific Amelia Bullmore, captivated by the intricate twists and turn … Continue reading

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The Joy of Sets: Life on Mars

Schedulers can be a bit rubbish over the summer months. They seem to think we’re all going to be dining al fresco every night and in no need of decent telly. Clearly they also live somewhere where that’s possible. Malta … Continue reading

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Scott and Bailey: Quality crime

When I saw the previews of Scott and Bailey on ITV, my expectations weren’t high. Sure, it would be decent enough Sunday night telly, but probably leave you with that sense of slight disappointment that formulaic detective dramas often do. I was wrong. This is good stuff. Continue reading

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Case Histories: Whipsmart crime with a sexy twist

A friend gave me Kate Atkinson’s upmarket, super smart ‘crime’ novel when I was having nightmares about completing my case histories at the end of a counselling diploma, because the title was so pertinent. Case Histories became my favourite book since … Continue reading

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The Shadow Line: Distinctly above average drama

There’s always a danger that the praise that people use to try to lure you into watching something new will leave you underwhelmed by the programme itself. The Shadow Line is in this dangerous territory: lauded and praised to the … Continue reading

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Lewis: What is going on?

I’ve tried. I really have. I’ve watched all of the current series of Lewis. There’s much to recommend it – a fine cast, the warm architecture of Oxford, some witty dialogue (at times), and the legacy of Inspector Morse always … Continue reading

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The Killing: Slow TV can be good – but not if it’s Midsomer Murders

How can it be that two hours of subtitled Danish crime drama that reveals little of the detectives’ private lives and barely more of the unfolding story can zip past, while two hours in Midsomer drags by like some kind of cruel and unusual punishment? Continue reading

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