Five Great British Mysteries

The Brits undeniably produce the finest cop shows. My five favorites are below, but I know there are many more candidates. If you send me your choices (with comment if you like), I will include them in a future column. 

‘Happy Valley’

“Happy Valley” is set in rugged West Yorkshire in Northern England. “Happy” refers to drugs, not joy. Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) is a tough police sergeant dealing with the suicide of her daughter. When the druggie who drove her to suicide is released from prison, Cawood learns that he is involved in a kidnapping, and things quickly turn dark and violent. Like many of the best police shows, the crime is secondary to the characters, all of which are played brilliantly. This is a gritty, graphic show, written and directed by Sally Wainwright 

‘The Fall’

Gillian Anderson, who at first presents more like a supermodel than a cop, plays DS Stella Gibson in “The Fall.” But she quickly gains our confidence, and as a bonus turns out to be a little bit slutty as she tracks down a serial murderer. 

In episode one, we are unexpectedly introduced to the killer, Paul Spector (Jamie Dorman), who seems like a decent chap when he’s not strangling his lovely victims.  

If you like your suspense on the sexy side or if you play guitar, this one is for you. (The characters are named after guitars: Gibson, Spector, Stella.)

‘Foyle’s War’

If you fancy a change of pace, you could not do better than this police procedural set during and just after World War II. Its distinction comes from its attention to period detail and the quiet, courteous and determined character of detective Christopher Foyle (Michael Kitchen). 

He is assisted in his investigations by his driver, Samantha Stewart, played by a British actress charmingly named Honeysuckle Weeks. (Don’t you feel that the actress and character should switch names?)

‘Line of Duty’

“Line of Duty” does not have one central character, but it offers masterful plotting, lots of action, and all the twists and turns expected of a great thriller. 

In series one, Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) and Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure), detectives on the Anti-Corruption Unit, investigate Tony Gates (Lennie James), a decorated cop whose affair leads him into making a huge misstep. 

“If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging,” a pal advises, but Tony can’t stop, and that takes us into some very dark places.

‘Unforgotten’

The chemistry between DCI Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and DI Sunny Kahn (Sanjeev Bhaskar) is part of the appeal of this acclaimed show. 

Each series begins with an historical (cold case) murder, and then introduces several characters that have some connection with the victim. 

As Cassie and Sunny dig deeper, the lives of these characters come into focus, and your job and theirs is to identify which one is the killer. Yes, a formula, but a great one.

 

• I always use closed captions for British shows; you need them for “Happy Valley.” 

• All shows are available on the usual streaming services; “Unforgotten” is also on PBS.

• DS = Detective Superintendent,  DCI = Detective Chief Inspector, DI = Detective Inspector

• You can reach me at eferman2@gmail.com

Latest News

Deputies respond to political dispute at Fountain Square

AMENIA — Dutchess County Sheriff’s Deputies broke up a political dispute between two Amenia residents at Fountain Square in downtown Amenia on Tuesday, July 15.

Kimberly Travis of Amenia was conducting her daily “No Kings” anti-Trump administration protest at Fountain Square at 1:15 p.m. when Jamie Deines, of Amenia and candidate for Town Board in the Nov. 4 election, approached her.

Keep ReadingShow less
East Twin Lake
finds new hope 
as hydrilla fades

Gregory Bugbee, associate scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), where he heads the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species (OAIS), was a guest speaker at the Aug. 2 annual meeting of the Twin Lakes Association.

Debra A. Aleksinas

SALISBURY— A fierce and costly battle to halt the spread of hydrilla in East Twin Lake may have finally paid off.

All but three remaining small patches, one near the shoreline at O’Hara’s Landing Marina and two others in deeper water as boats exit the marina and head out, have been destroyed by this summer’s treatment with the aquatic herbicide fluridone, which began on May 20. None of the remaining plants are thriving.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lisa Mae Keller

LIME ROCK — Lisa Mae Keller of Lime Rock, Connecticut, passed away peacefully at her home on July 26, 2025, following a yearlong battle with cancer. Lisa remained at home between lengthy stays at Smilow Cancer Hospital – Yale New Haven. Throughout Lisa’s ordeal, the family home was a constant hub of love and support, with friends and relatives regularly dropping by. Their presence lifted Lisa’s spirits and helped her stay positive during even the toughest moments. The family remains deeply grateful to the community for their unwavering kindness and encouragement.

Born on June 2, 1958, in Bridgeport to Mae and Robert Schmidle, Lisa graduated from Newtown High School in 1976. Lisa first attended Ithica College to pursue a degree in fine arts concentrating on opera. Drawn to a more robust and challenging curriculum, Lisa transferred to Whittier College, Whittier, California earning a Bachelor of Science degree. It was in 1988 that Lisa met and married Robert (Rob) Keller in Newtown, Connecticut. Together, they embarked on a remarkable journey. The couple started small businesses, developed land in Litchfield County and welcomed in quick succession their sons Baxter and Clayton. The growing family discovered the long-abandoned historic Lime Rock Casino in 1993, while attending a race at Lime Rock Park. The couple found it difficult to commute for work while raising a family and restoring a vintage home. Lisa persuaded her husband that chimney sweeping was a noble profession, leading them to purchase the established business, Sultans of Soot Chimney Sweeps. She later leveraged her role into ownership of the largest U.S. importer of vintage Italian reproduction gun parts. Even as her entrepreneurial ventures expanded, Lisa continued managing the pick, pack, and ship operation for Kirst Konverter, though she sold the remainder of the business prior to her illness. Lisa will be remembered for her business acumen, community service, and being a trained vocalist with the Crescendo Coral Group of Lime Rock. Lisa tended the extensive gardens around the home and curated an art collection that adorns the walls within. Baking cookies was a passion. Countless cookie packages were sent world wide to each son and their military friends while deployed. It is still undetermined in the Keller house whether the Army or Marines leave less crumbs. At Christmas, the Lakeville Post Office staff would post over 80 packages of cookies to lucky recipients, while receiving a tray for their effort. Unable to bake cookies in her last year, Lisa selflessly compiled and self-published “ Pot Luck at The Casino”, a 160 page book of all of her favorite recipes, sent to everyone on her cookie list. It was a true labor of love.

Keep ReadingShow less
John Richard Krupinski

LITCHFIELD — John Richard (Jr.) Krupinski, of Winsted, Connecticut passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Hartford Hospital.

Born on Jan. 13, 1948, in Torrington, Connecticut he was the son of John Joseph Krupinski and Eleanor (Kavesky) Krupinski. John grew up in Litchfield, Connecticut and graduated from Litchfield High School in 1967. While still in high school, John was a member of the Litchfield Volunteer Fire Department.

Keep ReadingShow less