“How Are You?” “Well, Apart from Standing Next to a Dead Body, I’m Good, Thanks.”
The producers behind The Marlow Murder Club decided to do something different for season two. While season one spent four episodes bringing the first novel to life on the screen, season two would bring us three different stories. Each would unfold over two episodes, which gave us a total of six episodes for season two. While two of the stories were quite entertaining, one fell flat.
If you’ve missed the series or the books, it revolves around three unlikely friends in the British town of Marlow. There’s retired archeologist Judith Potts (Samantha Bond), dog walker Suzie Harris (Jo Martin), and the Vicar’s wife, Becks Starling (Cara Horgan). Rounding out the main characters is DS Tanika Malik (Natalie Dew), who has come to recognize how helpful these three amateurs can be to solving the crimes in their community.
The first two episodes are pulled from the second book in the series, Death Comes to Marlow. It kicks off with Judith being invited to a party celebrating a wedding, scheduled to take place the next day. But when the groom-to-be dies in a locked room, it’s up to our characters to solve the murder.
I’d read it about a month before the episodes aired, so I was very familiar with it. In order to cover the story in two episodes, they had to cut out a few things, most prominently some sub-plots, but a twist or two got rushed as well. Overall, it was a decent take on the story, although it’s easy to say the book was better in this case.
Up next, we have the case of a dead body in the middle of the cul-de-sac. There are only two houses still occupied since the rest have sold out to a developer who wants to build in the area. But neither of the couples will admit to seeing anything that morning. Who is the victim?
I really enjoyed this story as well. Since this was an original story, I didn’t know for sure where they were going with it, and I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. They manage to have time for a good sub-plot or two involving the main characters as well, which I enjoyed.
The final story of the season involved a murder at the local sailing club. When one of the members is found dead, it looks like an accident, at least at first. But the trio soon uncover evidence that it was murder. Can they navigate club politics to find the killer?
Honestly, this was the story I struggled with. While the set up was good, there were just too many suspects and motives, and we didn’t see enough to cement the relationships and their motives. And that’s without any real subplots. While things did make sense at the end, we got a long monologue from Judith explaining what had happened as she accused the killer. That’s only slightly better than the villain monologuing.
One thing I loved from the first season is the chemistry of the main cast. That holds true here again, and it’s only gotten stronger. While they were just forming their friendships in season one, here, they are established, and you can feel how much they care for each other. The supporting actors and guest stars are just as good at bringing their characters to life.
The show is filmed in Marlow, which is also fun. The locations are lovely. If I ever make it to England, I’d enjoy visiting.
While the final third of the season is disappointing, I highly recommend the first four episodes of season two. They show just how fun The Marlow Murder Club can be.
I prefer Season 1 because it is just one story. Season 2 is three different stories. They seem too short for the viewer to get into the plot and figure out whodunit. Judith always ends up solving the mystery, just as Jessica Fletcher did. I do like that in Season 2 we don't see as much of Becks' obnoxious children and her uncaring husband, though.
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