Madame Blanc Mysteries Season 1 – Review: Antiques Expert Turns to PI
Director: Dermot Boyd
Writer: Sally Lindsay, Sue Vincent (Screenplay)
Writer: Sally Lindsay, Sue Vincent (Creators)
Cast
- Sally Lindsay (Pond Life)
- Sue Vincent (Waterloo Road)
- Steve Edge (Bank of Dave)
- Alex Gaumond (Hampstead)
Plot: Antiques expert moves to France suspicious of how her husband died and uses her skills to become a PI aiding the local police and simultaneously bonding with the town’s popular taxi driver.
Runtime: 50 Minutes Episodes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict on The Madame Blanc Mysteries Season 1
Episode 1 (D. Dermot Boyd)
This episode starts when Jean White (Lindsay) learns her husband Rory has died in an accident in France. She is forced to travel to France to sell off the business and learn the life he had there. However, Rory’s death looks suspicious, and the killer is watching her every move. Jean teams up with local cabbie (Dom (Edge) as they search for answers, which includes a missing ring Rory was carrying. However, the village is filled with more mystery about Rory and another life he might have been living.
This is a strong opening episode for the series. It gives Jean a massive mystery to figure out a clue or two. While learning about the secrets from her husband’s secret life. It gives us a great introduction to a host of locals we are going to be joining throughout the series. (4/5)
Episode 2 (D. Dermot Boyd)
This episode follows Jean starting to learn more about the locals, while a TV producer arrives in town. Elsewhere, Jean is recruited to help an elderly resident learn about an item left by her mother. It sends Jean and Dom on a treasure hunt involving the Nazi treasure hunt. All while the village gets swept up with the chance of stardom.
This episode gives Jean a reason to stick around waiting for a chance to learn about her husband’s killer. Without giving away anything behind the death. Instead, we get to see the personal connection she can have with people. It shows that items can have a connection to people and brings a moving story. All balanced with a comical side story to lighten the mood in places. (4/5)
Episode 3 (D. Dermot Boyd)
This episode starts with a mysterious death at Judith’s (Holderness) anniversary party. It rolls back to see her guests arriving in town for the party, creating a host of potential suspects. However, it shows the complication with Judith and Jeremy’s family as the village comes together to celebrate.
This gives us a chance to see Jean becoming part of the community. She gets involved in solving a murder working with the local detective, using her antiques knowledge. Once again, we get a nice comical side story involving Gloria and her visiting father. It is starting to become an enjoyable series of stories waiting for the truth. (4/5)
Episode 4 (D. Dermot Boyd)
This starts when a local art dealer is attacked during a robbery, only one piece is stolen. Jean is called in to help figure out what the missing piece could be worth and uncover why he might have been targeted. Elsewhere, Jean helps another art dealer who is struggling with buyers returning fakes.
This is an interesting mystery going on, which is fun to see unfold. However, it does start to take away from the bigger mystery going on about Rory’s death. The village is filled with colourful characters who have their own secrets going on. This continues to grow the world and the bigger villain known only as the dealer affects many lives. (4/5)
Episode 5 (D. Dermot Boyd)
This starts well when a strict local priest is murdered in his church. A relic is stolen during the murder and Jean is called in to help uncover who could have taken it. It sees her getting into religious material which faces a different market. Meanwhile, a family visit sees a gentler side to the story through this episode.
This episode gives us more of a proper murder case (not saying the others weren’t) that Jean takes front and centre in solving. It offers the most twists along the way and prepares us for the final episode. (4/5)
Episode 6 (D. Dermot Boyd)
This starts when Jean gets her missing ring back, facing the reality the murderer could get away with it. Her sale on the villa is coming together, while Dom realizes Jean might be leaving soon. However, Dom’s estranged wife returns with more breaking news causing greater tension within his family. Meanwhile, Jean gets to learn the shocking truth about her husband and must decide whether to stay or go.
This is a nice conclusion to the series, showing Jean getting some closure about what happened. It also leaves the show open to return (Spoiler, it does) but also gives it a rounded finish if it didn’t. With this ending the series is on a high, it completes a well-rounded show throughout. (4/5)
Overall
This is an entertaining series using another style of detective. By using antiques expect, adds another layer to uncover the truth behind the crimes. The show creates a welcoming community while having an overarching mystery for the series. It reminds me a lot of how ‘Monk’ was solving crimes while searching for answers about his murdered wife. The show keeps things light, never being gory when it comes to any of the murders. Sally Lindsay and Steve Edge are great to watch. While guest appearances from the late Paul O’Grady and Paul Chuckle give the UK fans someone to watch shine.
Where to Watch
The Madame Blanc Mysteries Season 1 Coming to DVD on 26 February.
Final Thoughts – The Madame Blanc Mysteries Season 1 is a cosy, enjoyable mystery series.
