Really liked the story of the washed writer with his long suffering wife and agent and bit of fluff under the one roof ..plus the interaction between the team with the new inspector is developing very well..a total hoot
8 Reviews
Episode 7.3
Prismark1021 June 2018
What is in a name? Jack Mooney's newly printed police card misspelled his name.
Novelist Frank O'Toole added an O to his name to sound Irish. The washed up writer has a get together on the island with his agent. The next day Frank's body is found on the beach, stabbed.
When Mooney and the team investigate. They find out that Frank was planning to fire his agent, his wife thought he might had an affair with his researcher. The only concrete lead is the mysterious Otis Falconer who no one has seen.
This was an enjoyable mystery which kept me guessing. I also liked how Dwayne was irritated by Mooney as he prepared for his date.
Novelist Frank O'Toole added an O to his name to sound Irish. The washed up writer has a get together on the island with his agent. The next day Frank's body is found on the beach, stabbed.
When Mooney and the team investigate. They find out that Frank was planning to fire his agent, his wife thought he might had an affair with his researcher. The only concrete lead is the mysterious Otis Falconer who no one has seen.
This was an enjoyable mystery which kept me guessing. I also liked how Dwayne was irritated by Mooney as he prepared for his date.
Fine at best!
harrykivi7 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The seventh season of "Death in Paradise" has been decent so far with the first two episodes. "Written in Murder" (for me) continues " the fine, but not impressive" line of episodes . It's far from the worst of the series, but is a bit weaker than "Murder from Above" and "The Stakes Are High".
But let's start with good, shall we?
. The production values are great as usual. The episode is well directed and the music fits the scenery. The acting's fine too. Ardal O'Hanlon gives his best performance as Jack Mooney. He is charismatic and legitimately funny.
. The mystery has some clever twists, quirky humor and the solution to the murder (Ginny is the killer) was satisfying as well.
But...
. The tone of "Written in Murder" is very different from the rest of "Death in Paradise" episodes, and I do not mean it in a good way. Much of the funny interactions between the main characters seems to be gone and replaced with a serious murder mystery, which is not what "Death in Paradise" is supposed to be about.
. The writing is not always top-notch. Some of the dialogue noticeably exposition-heavy and the episode lacks of solid surprises.
Overall, an episode, which takes a step backwards.
6/10 HK
But let's start with good, shall we?
. The production values are great as usual. The episode is well directed and the music fits the scenery. The acting's fine too. Ardal O'Hanlon gives his best performance as Jack Mooney. He is charismatic and legitimately funny.
. The mystery has some clever twists, quirky humor and the solution to the murder (Ginny is the killer) was satisfying as well.
But...
. The tone of "Written in Murder" is very different from the rest of "Death in Paradise" episodes, and I do not mean it in a good way. Much of the funny interactions between the main characters seems to be gone and replaced with a serious murder mystery, which is not what "Death in Paradise" is supposed to be about.
. The writing is not always top-notch. Some of the dialogue noticeably exposition-heavy and the episode lacks of solid surprises.
Overall, an episode, which takes a step backwards.
6/10 HK
This was Ardal's best yet, loved it. Just who is Otis Falconer?
Sleepin_Dragon18 January 2018
After a night with Friends crime writer Frank O'Toole goes for an early morning swim, but is killed with a diving knife, leaving behind wife Valerie, his long term agent Larry and his researcher Gilly. It seems each of them had a motive for Frank's demise.
This was without a doubt the best episode for Ardal yet, more serious in tone, the crime a bit more on the gritty side, and Ardal himself looking a lot more settled in the role. I'm glad to see Florence back in action, one episode of Detective Duane was enough. Simon Callow certainly earned his fee, he was terrific, so incredibly charismatic. Sian Gibson excellent also.
Ardal's humour definitely shines through, some great lines, 'I had four sisters, and they're all big girls.'
Spot on, 9/10
This was without a doubt the best episode for Ardal yet, more serious in tone, the crime a bit more on the gritty side, and Ardal himself looking a lot more settled in the role. I'm glad to see Florence back in action, one episode of Detective Duane was enough. Simon Callow certainly earned his fee, he was terrific, so incredibly charismatic. Sian Gibson excellent also.
Ardal's humour definitely shines through, some great lines, 'I had four sisters, and they're all big girls.'
Spot on, 9/10
Enjoyable Murder Mystery
chiumt31 March 2019
Written in Murder
studioAT18 June 2020
A strong episode from the 7th series of the show, providing lots of twists and turns along the way.
A good guest cast helps too (Simon Callow, Sian Gibson), and I'm getting used to the ways of the character of Jack Mooney.
A 'comic' subplot involving Dwayne can't spoil things either.
A good guest cast helps too (Simon Callow, Sian Gibson), and I'm getting used to the ways of the character of Jack Mooney.
A 'comic' subplot involving Dwayne can't spoil things either.
Another well-crafted solution
prolifik526 March 2022
Like the previous episode, this one didn't have me rolling my eyes about the improbability of the culprit carrying out the murder successfully. The means were simple enough to explain, and the motive lined up nicely with the psychology of the murderer as it's been presented to us. Once I realised the solution to the "Otis Falconer" mystery, everything clicked into place logically. (I probably vaguely remembered it from my first watch, but the point is that the who, how, and why were all perfectly plausible.)
Once again, my only complaint is that they categorically refuse to present their evidence BEFORE affecting the arrest. I mean, DI Mooney even mentions that he's sure they will find DNA evidence to corroborate their theory - why not just have them find said evidence first and then use it to refute the usual "this is absurd" half-denial from the murderer? Now that I've noticed this trend I can't unsee it...
Once again, my only complaint is that they categorically refuse to present their evidence BEFORE affecting the arrest. I mean, DI Mooney even mentions that he's sure they will find DNA evidence to corroborate their theory - why not just have them find said evidence first and then use it to refute the usual "this is absurd" half-denial from the murderer? Now that I've noticed this trend I can't unsee it...
Guest starring Simon Callow and Imogen Stubbs
safenoe17 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
We get two big name stars guest starring in Written in Murder. We have Simon "Four Weddings and a Funeral" Callow, and Imogen "Sense and Sensibility" Stubbs, and there's scandal about a writer and all init. Anyway, I've been a fan of Death in Paradise since it debuted over a year ago, and DI Jack Mooney settles.
I'm being serious here, because I do wonder quite seriously really how the police photograph the suspects for their whiteboard propped up in the police station. Really, at the crime scene do they gently ask the suspects to calmly pose for the whiteboard init, I don't quite get it really. Anyway, more credit should also be given to the two loyal paramedics who turn up at the crime scene to help out DI and his team.
I'm being serious here, because I do wonder quite seriously really how the police photograph the suspects for their whiteboard propped up in the police station. Really, at the crime scene do they gently ask the suspects to calmly pose for the whiteboard init, I don't quite get it really. Anyway, more credit should also be given to the two loyal paramedics who turn up at the crime scene to help out DI and his team.
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