Favorite Detective Mystery TV Shows!
I love a good mystery show especially with ones involving super-sleuthing detectives. I’ve seen so many over the years, but here are some picks of shows that I’ve enjoyed and that I continue to watch today. Enjoy!
Synopsis: In this contemporary version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective stories, Dr. John Watson is a war vet just home from Afghanistan. He meets the brilliant but eccentric Holmes when the latter, who serves as a consultant to Scotland Yard, advertises for a flatmate. Almost as soon as Watson moves into the Baker Street flat, they are embroiled in mysteries, and Sherlock’s nemesis, Moriarty, appears to have a hand in the crimes.
I’ve never read any of the Sherlock Homes books, but I’ve always been fascinated by retellings of this classic mystery series. Freeman and Cumberbatch are what truly make this show so entertaining. They have great on-screen chemistry and I like how they portray Watson and Sherlock in their own way. Even though each season has a few episodes, I like that each episode has a very cinematic feel.
Synopsis: Luther is a brilliant but emotionally impulsive detective who is tormented by the dark side of humanity while hunting down murderers. Once the self-destructive detective knows the killer’s identity, it becomes a psychological duel between predator and prey.
What’s interesting to me about Luther is that not only is a very dark detective show, but his character is so conflicting. You want to root for him to solve cases, but you also recognize he’s unhinged because of his anger issues. Elba is a fantastic actor and I feel like his pulls off this character very well. I haven’t watched a lot of this show, but I plan into delve back into this series and finish watching the latter seasons.
Synopsis: Fledgling detective Phryne Fisher is known for her sharp wit and pearl-handled pistol, which she uses to fight injustice in Melbourne during the 1920s. The glamorous sleuth makes her way through the city’s alleyways and jazz clubs while she fights crime
I love period dramas (that’s another TV show list for another day) and Miss Fisher’s stands out among the rest! I love that Phryne is daring, adventurous, witty, and caring. She has a presence that lights up the room and any party she attends. I love that throughout the seasons her and her friends become one big family.
Synopsis: Bored with his success, celebrated mystery novelist Rick Castle teams with NYPD Detective Kate Beckett to solve the case of a copycat killer who re-creates murder scenes from Rick’s novels. While solving the case, the two realize that their unorthodox partnership has its benefits and decide to continue working together. Combining his writer’s intuition with her creative detective work, they investigate strange homicides in New York, all the while building a strong, if complicated, relationship with each other.
Even though Castle episodes can get pretty intense, I like the overall light-hearted feeling of the show. I can always turn on any rerun of Castle and immediately get hooked into the plot. I love the constant banter between Rick and Kate and that they work really well together as a team. Rick is always getting himself into the crossfire to write his latest novels. Sometimes he maybe a little too dedicated, but has a deep passion for his craft.
Synopsis: An elite squad of FBI profilers analyzes the country’s most-twisted criminal minds, anticipating the perpetrators’ next moves before they can strike again. Each member of the “mind hunter” team brings his or her expertise to pinpoint predators’ motivations and identify emotional triggers to stop them. The core group includes an official profiler who is highly skilled at getting into the minds of criminals, a quirky genius, the former media liaison who manages to adeptly balance family life and the job, and a computer wizard.
I could watch marathons of this show even though it’s probably not a good idea (I get too paranoid after a while, lol). The cases are very interesting and they really get into the minds of why criminals do what they do. What I love the most about this show is the casting and how diverse each of the people are on the team. Each person brings their specific skill set to the case and they work as one big family. The earlier seasons of this show are by far my favorite.
Synopsis: A dedicated group of forensic investigators at the Las Vegas Crime Lab works to solve often-grisly crimes in Sin City. Heading up the graveyard shift (an appropriate term in this case) is supervisor D.B. Russell, a “Left Coast” Sherlock Holmes who devours crime novels. Members of Russell’s team include Julie Finlay, Nick Stokes, Sara Sidle (the team’s moral compass), Greg Sanders and Morgan Brody. The investigative team works closely with Capt. Jim Brass — a seasoned detective who is a protector of CSI — Dr. Al Robbins — medical examiner — and quirky lab technician David Hodges.
The original CSI is the best version out of all the other (in my opinion). I enjoy the spin-offs as well, but something about the very first CSI show is special to me. What’s key to this show is not only their unique way of solving cases, but the casting. I loved the main characters so much and even though I haven’t seen this show in long time, they’ve always stuck with me.
Synopsis: Veronica Mars used to be the popular girl with the cool friends and the jock boyfriend. A series of personal and family traumas have made her an outcast – albeit one with a sarcastic side and a snarky sense of humor. Now, she helps her private investigator father dig into the lives of the rich and famous in the messed-up town of Neptune, Calif.
I have not seen the newer episodes as of yet, but I did watch the original series when it aired. The hype for this show is legit. What makes this show stand out is that is not only action-packed, but highly comedic. Veronica may be sassy and snarky, but she also has a kind heart. Once she gets her hands on a case she’s determined to solve it! What makes this show so entertaining is the writing and the depth of the characters.
Synopsis: The detectives are part of an elite task force whose mission is to eliminate crime on the beaches of the Aloha State. Assisting McGarrett and Danno are Capt. Lou Grover, who formerly headed Hawaii’s SWAT unit; Jerry Ortega, the islands’ local conspiracy theorist; and Tani Rey, a bold, recent police academy graduate. The brash unit spar and jest among themselves but remain determined to eliminate the seedy elements from the nation’s 50th state.
I’ll admit I’ve never seen the original version of the show, but I enjoy the reboot which started back in 2010. Like Criminal Minds, I prefer the earlier seasons. I love the setting of Hawaii and all of the beautiful cinematic shots of the beaches and clear blue water. What intrigues me about this show is the characters more than the cases. It also has some eye-candy detectives as well, lol.
Do you watch Detective Mystery shows? If so, which ones do you enjoy/recommend watching? Comment below!
