British Mysteries

I can remember as a child always being fascinated with mystery stories. I guess it was the unknown at the end that did it. I read every Trixie Belden book I could find and if you found me in the school library checking out a fiction, you can bet is was a mystery.

So, taking in my interest of vintage and period pieces, you can imagine how much I enjoy some of the BBC mysteries that have been produced.There are some excellent ones produced in current times but my favorites and the ones I watch over and over are the ones set in earlier times.

Sherlock Holmes

I never watched any of the old Sherlock Holmes movies but one evening I caught Jeremy Brett's rendition on TV and I was hooked. The Victorian ambience coupled with Jeremy's brilliant performance made Sherlock Holmes alive to me. Jeremy added just the right manic/arrogantness to Sherlock to make him believeable but likeable all at the same time. Sadly, Jeremy is no longer with us but his legacy lives on in Sherlock Holmes, clearly a tribute to his author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Miss Jane Marple

Another brilliant British mystery writer - Agatha Christie gave us wonderful characters. As well as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, she could weave a story until you had no idea who did it in the end! My favorite Agatha Christie character has got to be Miss Marple. She is a little old lady from a sleepy English country village who under her plain clothes and even plainer demeanor lives a brilliant mind. Of all who have portrayed her, my favorite is easily Joan Hickson. She is loveable and sweet as well as very believable. She is no longer with us but she left a brilliant stage and screen career as well as Miss Marple to remember her by.

Hercule Poirot

Hercule had to grow on me but again, Agatha Christie created a very likeable and unique detective. Hercule is along the lines of Sherlock Holmes, brilliant and knows it. But he also has his quirks that make him loveable and you would trust him with your life. David Suchet is so good at his portrayal. These stories are set in 40's time, near the time of Miss Marple and to my knowledge, are still being filmed.