User reviews

Reminds me of "Pushing Daisies". Insights to what the characters are thinking, fable like story telling, brilliant, saturated colors. Characters all a bob off plumb. A nice change from the gritty reality of most crime related entertainment.

6 episodes isn't enough. Just as you're getting to know the characters the season is done. I dropped 2 stars for just not giving us enough to truly be hooked.

The narrator definitely gives the Pushing Daisies vibe but the bumbling Auntie's helping Niece is very Agatha Raisin.

With 3 crime writing Aunt's I was hoping for more depth and greater character development.

"Queens of mystery" has only just arrived on British shores, But finally thanks to its producers Acorn Tv's streaming service (availible through Amazon Prime video as an extra or through its own website for a seperate monthly fee) we can now watch the series of 3 feature length mysteries over 6 episodes of 45 minutes in length. First impressions are good. The light hearted murder mysteries are set in twee picture postcard settings in largely rural England - it follows 3 middle aged crime writing sisters that run their own bookshop in a rural English town (played by Julie Graham, Siobhan Redmond & Sarah Woodward) and their attempts to help their late 20-something niece Matilda (played by relative newcomer Olivia Vinall) a Detective sergeant in the Police to solve quirky murders. There are similarities to the too short-lived U.S tv show "Pushing daisies" especially in the manner of narration throughout - which some may dislike, but which I thought added that little bit extra, but it's not a negative comparison like other reviewers have suggested, Its also very similar in tone to "Agatha Raisin" the UK mystery tv show (currently shown on SKY 1 in the UK with a 3rd season starting the week of this review) . I wouldnt say this was a "comedy" as such, more a case of a "lighthearted mystery", very good acting - especially from the aforementioned Aunts and (total MILF) Julie Graham in particular as well as good characterisation. Other reviewers here criticise the somewhat generic mysteries involved, I dont, infact I really like to watch shows such at these where you dont need to have a degree in Criminology to follow the plot. The last episode ended on a little bit of a cliiffhanger, so I'm really hopeful that Acorn TV renews "Queens of Mystery" for another (and longer) season soon. Unless you have access to Acorn's streaming service I dont if you will be able to enjoy the series like I have, It is the sort of tv show that UK cable channel ALIBI would be interested in or BBC1 would air in the early afternoon slot alongside FATHER BROWN & SHAKESPEARE & HATHAWAY. Well worth watching (especially in these times of pandemic lockdown & quarentine) Fingers crossed for further episodes

I love mysteries but am not a fan of the dark brooding detectives that flood American and British programing. There are many more of those than those following in the footsteps of Miss Marple Or Rosemary & Thyme. Just good old detective work with pleasant characters. I was so pleased to see this new one. I have watched the above mentioned and any other I can find multiple times just waiting for the possible new loveable detective. This is a gem that fits that bill. It is so creative and I love the addition of narration. Wonderful - MORE PLEASE ACORN!

Incredibly clever and intentionally over the top at times, Queens of Mystery manages to pay homage to old school murder mystery novels and television whilst adding its own unique charm. Every costume, every set piece seems meticulously chosen, adding to an overall whimsical feel. Incredible female characters who are similar enough to be believable as sisters but nuanced enough to be entertaining make an already entertaining premise work fantastically well. Here's hoping for a season 2!

If you like your murder mysteries "light", "rural" and tinged with comedy then Queens of Mystery will check off all of your boxes. In particular, I enjoyed the portrayal of the three aunts by Julie Graham, Siobhan Redmond, and Sarah Woodward who once again show that actresses of a certain age can still provide enjoyable performances that can compensate for deficits in other areas (see "Rosemary and Thyme, Murder She Wrote, etc.). The last character of Matilda, the police detective niece is well-portrayed by Olivia Vinall in season 1 and Florence Hall in season 2. (The two actresses look so much alike that I didn't realize they'd made a change until viewing the credits). And if you get tired of the mystery shenanigans, just focus on the beautifully photographed scenes of rural England and a really cool windmill. (Warning: those with ornithophobia should probably avoid this program.)

Great cast of characters and solid mystery plots. We hope to see another season!

I think I watched Pushing up Daisies, year ago. I see the comparison. It doesn't hold my complete attention. But I haven't turned it off.

Fun with great characters. The British just know mystery! Can't wait for more episodes.

Entertaining, quirky, and worth a watch. It's odd they don't seem to know about any modern police methods.

Fun characters, great visual appeal, and quirky story! Has a Pushing Daisies feel to it that I love!

As others have noted, it's obvious this series was heavily influenced by "Pushing Daisies" (2007) but it misses the mark set by that brilliant, quirky, short-lived series. It's well-acted, though, and the cinematography is excellent. Just know that the plot isn't what makes the show worth watching.

Ok, I get it, it´s not supposed to be particularly original, just entertaining enough. But it's a bit inevitable to compare it unfavourably with previous products like Pushing Daisies or even Amelie. It's too obvious.

And I know it's fluff. But it's too fluffy without having a particularly interesting insight on the quality of being fluffy.

Queens is just enough quirky to temp you to see more. An ongoing mystery of Matilda's parentage keeps you intrigued. Can't wait for season 2

It took me a bit to get used to the narrator, but this is an enjoyable show with likable characters and stories that make sense. The show has just started, just created the characters and fleshed them out. I hope it returns.

Season 1 was enjoyable light entertainment after hectic work schedules. I found the characters "Matilda" and Dr. Lynch endearing. I was looking forward to Season 2 and paid the price for the earliest release. At the time, I didn't realize there was a new "Matilda." It IS obvious (I read a comment somewhere mentioning it was hardly noticeable). There is a particular "tight lipped" pitch in her speech and I have to select subtitles. Oh well! The original 3 aunts and the inspector remain unchanged!!

Quirky murder mystery fun. Only the Brits can make these great eccentric mystery series. Great for a lazy weekend when you've had enough of the same old same old "gritty" police procedurals. Enjoying it immensely.

Nicely done, intricate and intelligent without being smug. Great cast, engaging stories. Love Juliet Stevenson's narration, her dulcet tones set the scene of mystery and gentle comedy. Incidentally, the opening credits are really clever.

Anyone who has watched Pushing Daisies once would have to be blind and deaf not to see this series has purloined much of its creative energy and art direction from Mr. Fuller's creation. From the uncharacteristically (for BBC mysteries) Technicolor-esque palette to the twee narration, quirky characterizations and stylized re-enactment sequences, this borrows so heavily that it may as well be called theft. This is Miss Marple meets Bridget Jones (another franchise that should be burned to the ground)-leave poor Agatha Raisin out of it.

Let's see: the main character is a young woman detective who solves murders whilst searching for the reason her mother disappeared whenthe detectivecwas a toddler. Her three novelist aunts unofficially assist her. No one owns a pie shop. No one brings murder victims back from the dead. She has no lover/sidekick. No one breaks into song. While the art direction is similar to "Pushing Daisies," it's actually based on a pop-up book and pulp fiction. The graphics have more in common with the recent Marple opening credits and title cards, and graphic novels, than the story about a pie man who raises the dead. These scripts aren't ground-breaking, but they're imaginative, fun and highly entertaining. The performances are solid, production values are high, sound design is clever and the direction is spot-on. The casts are a mix of well-known actors and newer faces. As for thosecwho claimthis is "literally" a "Pushing Daisies" reboot, I'm not convinced they know what "literally" means, or that production design is not the same as story or premise.

Overall, I think this is worth the watch if you're into more light hearted murder mysteries but a few things prevent me from giving it a higher score.

Most notably, it is visually very well done. The settings, sets, clothes, effective use of color lighting over colored filters, and cinematography.

The actors and characters and all likable. Nothing outstanding but none of the main cast / characters bothers me. The main character is played by 2 different actresses that at first seem nearly identical but you should be able to notice differences if you go back and compare. Neither is clearly better but there is a shift in the character from being a bit too serious in the first season to being less so in the 2nd but not drastically so.

The mysteries are varied so it doesn't feel predictable and they are actually around 90 minutes long, it's just each is broken into 2 episodes. Important to keep in mind if you're short on time but I think in general, 90 minute mysteries tend to be more satisfying to watch than those crammed into 45 minutes.

I'm mixed on the narration. I understand how it is helpful but sometimes it feels excessive and I am not a fan of the narrator's voice or delivery.

The background music can sometimes be annoying, though other times it's fine. In general, it's not really impressive.

Sometimes it gets a bit too goofy and comical. It varies by story and character.

I'm not a fan of the raven theme connecting the series. It's more gothic than the actual show and then they try to fit in some spooky scenes at the end to match with that but it doesn't feel right. The raven croaks get irritating. Every time I see the raven on screen I know it's going to croak and move in slow motion.

Likewise, I hope they finally wrap up the raven mystery spanning the entire series so far. It seems pretty obvious where it's going and I just associate it with the actual raven bird mentioned above. Ideally, they wrap that up early in season 3 and some other new season spanning mystery replaces it and it has nothing to do with a raven!

This is a lighthearted version of the classic British murder mystery genre. It involves a detective and three meddling Spinster Aunts who brought her up after her Mother went mysteriously missing. There are no surprises in the series, the humor is predictable, and the characters very formula driven and stereotyped. It is set in the usual British country village with the lead actress driving a trusty Morris Minor "woodie" van. It's all a bit of fluffy nonsense but does pass the time if not taken to seriously!

I love the show I want more episodes plus its a mystery inside a mystery. It is a show that makes my day. I can't wait to watch. Keep up the great work

What a great show! Hopefully Acorn will continue this series!