User Reviews

A better episode with the 3 episodes passing more quickly. Peter Capaldi puts on a good show and ghost appears from the past.

A major music event in Kingsmarkham sees Zeno arrive and perform, a famous star with true charisma. The gig is forced to stop when the body of a young woman is found nearby on a green. Wexford has to tackle the case without his home back up, he and Dora had a holiday booked, she's opted to go alone.

This is one of the best offerings in the Wexford series, I've always loved the story, but the way in which it's brought to life here is quite something. I've been a bit critical of the odd episode for drawing things out, not so here, it's very sharp, gripping and loaded with intrigue. It's a layered story, with plenty of suspects, and enough blind alleys to keep you intrigued.

The success of this story rested on the shoulders of Peter Capaldi, Zeno was very much the star attraction in this mystery, the talisman, and fortunately Capaldi gives a standout performance, he is quite brilliant, and as always has real star quality. Great performances from Donald Sumpter, Gemma Jones and of course the introduction of the lovely Diane Keen. I have also been a little picky with Chris Ravenscroft in the past, this by a mile was his best performance as Mike, he has empathy, showing a very human side, which was too often absent in later episodes, he was excellent here.

Once again, I'm very greatful to the German company that's released several mysteries on DVD.

This one has not aged well at all. It seems to have come from another planet, not a mere 20 years ago. (I'm reviewing it in December 2019.) The music is dreadful, over-the-top, bombastic, unsubtle, and heavily underlines every plot point. At least an hour could have been cut out - the bloated thing is nearly two and a half hours long. I watched it because Rendell is one of my favourite crime writers, but this TV version lacks the pleasure of reading her outstanding prose style.