User Reviews

There is no doubt that "Death in Paradise" has become one of my favorite shows in the last half a year, but I have had a feeling: the show was at its best when Sara Martins and Ben Miller were around. Not to say that Kris Marshalls era was bad, it wasn't, but started very unimpressively and got progressively better. DI Mooney's era though has been pretty good so far with only some entries of the eighth season being quite disappointing. The ninth season however starts with one of the best premieres of the show- "La Murder Le Diable'". It's not an amazing entry, but is very close to being one.

Let's start with good aspects first, shall we?

. The episode looks and sounds great as usual. The acting's strong all around. Elliot Cowan, Nell Hudson and especially Samuel West being very good in their roles.

. The murder mystery is hugely compelling with clever twists, turns, intriguing characters and with a very satisfying solution. Also liked the horror vibes the episode gives at times.

. The subplot about Mooney's new relationship with Anna was extremly sweet and, most of all, believable.

But..

. There are moments, when some clues are a bit too obvious for its own good.

Overall, a very good episode .

8,5/10 HK

It is New Years Eve but celebrations are put on hold. The wife of a prominent tycoon Aaron McCormack has been found stabbed to death. There was a message left behind written in lipstick.

Aaron had a recent public argument with his estranged brother Donald McCormack who is having financial problems with his own business.

Donald is a suspect but a man with a devil's mask soon attacks him and a message in lipstick is also left behind.

Donald survives but it seems someone has a vendetta against the McCormacks.

A gruesome opening but Death in Paradise still manages the balance or murder, mystery, sunshine and humour. In this episode Jack Mooney tries to learn some dancing which causes havoc. There is also a beginning of a romance for him.

Why didn't they do a handwriting survey to find the killer? This omission made the story less credible. Yet, the characters are generally likeable.

I don't think I've ever seen an episode of Death in Paradise begin with such a bang, it was like something from a horror film, a new direction for the often light mystery series.

That mask was gruesome looking, the horror undertones worked terrifically well here. Moments of silliness were at a minimum.

I thought Madeline was excellent, she has settled in incredibly well after starting off in somewhat prickly style. A terrific character. A great cast, Elliot Cowan, Ade Edmondson and Samuel West were great.

I've looked forward to this so much, it's been much publicised with the departure of Ardal, and they delivered, if it carries on in this form we're in for a treat.

I loved it, a very good mystery. 9/10

I agree with most, Ruby is painful to watch, and every scene she is in halts the flow of the story. This episode is no different. But still, even though it isn't the most difficult murder to solve, it is still enjoyable to watch the characters just being themselves. I Believe that Moody is by far.....by far....the best Inspector of the 3. I am afraid that when he leaves the show will spiral downward quickly. It has been a good run, but I imagine that season 10, if it does happen, will be the last. And probably for the best.

Someone is stabbed on NYE. I always thought New Year's Eve can be bad. This is especially true for the one whom got stabbed

While the characters themself are very much themselves, there is nothing much to complain about that.

The case, however, is bad. Apart from being rather obvious who commited the murder and how, the feeling that the authors thought themself to be clever cannot be escaped. Especially the resolution is really bad, as Mooney only shows how the prime suspect is not the murderer, he does not actually provide any evidence against the real murderer. Not a single piece of real evidence, apart from him telling how the crime was commited. And even him proving it was not the first suspect could easily countered by a good lawyer. In short, the idea was nice, but the resolution so bad, a backwater lawyer could bail the real murderer since there is not a single piece of evidence presented apart from a nice tale from the inspector.

I've been a fan of Death In Paradise since the very beginning and have (for the most part) enjoyed all the episodes. We've had some great actors as guest stars, some great stories, beautiful scenery. But the introduction of Dwayne's replacement has seen the series spiral downwards. The character of Ruby Patterson is truly irritating and pointless. Every scene with her detracts from the enjoyment of the show. Since her introduction, I have lost all enjoyment of the show. Get rid of her and replace her with Harry the lizard. He's far more of a valued member of the team.

It's just not comical, it just lowers the quality of the show to have such simpletons included as main characters and police of all things.

I understand the show is trying to keep the initial format with the quirky Chief Inspector and a comedic relief character, but this new Ruby character is over acted to the point of just plain silliness and detracts from the show. In addition, current DI Mooney (Ardel O'halan) is annoying and has no appeal, so glad he has left the show. As for DI Goodman (Kris Marshall), I thought he over acted, but he grew on me, but was becoming trying -- DI Poole, Ben Miller was the best of the DI's, while he had his character idiosyncrasies, he character came across as competent and believable, where his replacements have just overacted and portrayed the role as a simpleton.

I'm hoping the new DI, Ralf Little is better portrayed and raise the standard of the show back to when Miller was the lead. However, if Shyko Amos' character, Ruby continues to overact and adds nothing to the show, but rather detracts from it Season 9 it may be the show's final chapter.

Ardal O'Hanlon is as loveable as usual, and the island still looks lovely but thos is one of the most obvious and easily solved episodes yet. Plus I really could do without another awkward British romance.

Good mystery: A murderer in a devil mask kills a businessman's wife and brother. But in the middle of the double murder investigation, Mooney and Dumas, the only detectives on the island!- take time out for an afternoon dance class! Awful. The slapstick couldn't save this. After solving the case, JP accepts Mooney's invitation to his dance class. JP shows up later without his wife, a gorgeous fashion model. JP's wedding was the climax of a great episode a few seasons back, but the doofus writers just tossed out his backstory- lazy writing. Getting tired of the music always being 60 years old.

Characters are as expected apart from the new side kick who seems generally disconnected. Cut work very poor. Not at all as inspiring as earlier seasons.

Throughout the show the DI has been a quirky, but instantly likeable oddball. Unfortunately this isn't the case with Ralf Little's character. He's annoying and whiney. There's nothing likeable about him. The writers are trying to be too clever with the plots to the point where I really don't care. Male characters all being replced with female ones and of course the male characters that remain are suddenly incapable of doing their jobs without female intervention. Just going through the motions now for contractural reason. I reckon it's a shoe in for cancellation after the next series. Another good show killed by the BBC