Murder Before Evensong *isn’t* a cosy-crime whodunnit – it’s a powerful critique of ’80s nostalgia

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The TV mystery drama *Murder Before Evensong* is often called “cosy crime,” but it’s actually quite complex. It’s ironic that as fewer people attend Church of England services, shows about solving murders in the church are becoming increasingly popular. Channel 5’s adaptation of Reverend Richard Coles’ popular Canon Daniel Clement book series has been a big success with audiences.

The story takes place in 1988 and follows Clement, portrayed by Matthew Lewis (known for his role in *Harry Potter*), who moves from London to the quaint, fictional village of Champton in the West Midlands to become a priest. However, he quickly discovers a dead body in his church.

He begins acting like a detective, assisting Detective Sergeant Neil Vanloo (Amit Shah) with the investigation into the death, which seems to be one of several murders.

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At first glance, you might think of it as a blend of *Grantchester* and *Miss Marple*, and assume it doesn’t offer anything original.

Although it’s not as intense or realistic as shows like *Happy Valley*, this series is more than just a simple, predictable detective story. It’s beautifully detailed, with well-developed characters and a vibrant portrayal of the 1980s setting. This makes it stand out from lighter crime dramas like *The Marlow Murder Club*, offering a thoughtful look at the decade itself.

Playing *Evensong*, I really got a sense of the upheaval happening in Britain back then. It wasn’t just about the spooky atmosphere; the game really nails the social and political climate of the Thatcher era. You could feel the tension, especially how tough things were for LGBTQ+ people at the time. It’s like the game captured that whole moment in history – the feeling of change and struggle – really well.

Millions of people were negatively affected by a 1988 law enacted under Margaret Thatcher, known as Section 28. This law prohibited local governments from either promoting or teaching about homosexuality.

We first meet Daniel as he wrestles with writing a sermon, with the sound of Bob Monkhouse’s popular game show, *Opportunity Knocks*, filling the room. The scene initially feels like a trip back to the 1980s, enhanced by a modern, energetic soundtrack.

It doesn’t take long before we realize how corrupt the political atmosphere really is. The university principal discovers a relative of the church’s benefactor has been murdered with gardening shears. The suggestion is made that it might have been a case of mistaken identity, and perhaps our part-time detective, Daniel, was actually the intended target.

The university head then showed Detective Vanloo the threatening letters he’d been getting after comforting patients with AIDS. Vanloo explained to Daniel that his familiarity with the area could be a big help in solving the murder, but things weren’t as simple as they seemed.

When Daniel showed his mother, Audrey, a newspaper headline that read “Vicar visits victims of gay plague,” she immediately asked, “What on earth possessed you to show me that?”

Next, we meet Alex, the squire’s son (also known as Alexander Delamain), who is romantically involved with a farm boy. He puts on an artistic performance for the villagers, but they respond by ridiculing him and calling him weak.

To conceal their relationship, his boyfriend falsely tells his grandfather that Alex’s creative and expressive personality is a result of family genetics, hoping to deflect any suspicion about the true nature of their connection.

The author draws heavily from personal experience in this book. Unlike pop stars like George Michael and Freddie Mercury who hid their sexuality due to societal pressures, Richard Coles was openly gay while performing in the popular band, the Communards. He later became a vicar in the Church of England, and his faith and sexual orientation both play key roles in *Murder before Evensong*, his debut novel.

I just finished reading *Murder Before Evensong*, and honestly, it really got me thinking. It doesn’t just talk about the history, it shows how much pain and loneliness that old, discriminatory law caused people just for being who they are. And it also dives into how the AIDS epidemic hit *everyone*, not just cities, but small towns too. It’s a sobering read, but it also made me realize how far we’ve come, even with all the problems we still face today. Things were genuinely *much* harder for people back then.

Murder Before Evensong airs on Channel 5 on Tuesdays at 9pm

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2025-10-08 20:50