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New Ludwig-style British murder mystery is no match for the BBC detective show – here’s why

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Murder Most Puzzling review is based on episode one.

1. Be cautious John Taylor, a fresh enigma-solver is on the scene for enthusiasts of crime fiction. For those less versed in whodunits and murder mystery series, John is the lead character in the popular BBC show Ludwig (portrayed by David Mitchell). In this series, the puzzle master finds himself compelled to delve into unraveling the enigma of his twin brother James’ disappearance (a detective), by adopting James’ persona and employing his abilities to solve the case.

2. John Taylor, beware! A new character is emerging as a mystery-solving citizen for crime genre lovers. For those who aren’t well-versed in whodunits or murder mystery programs, John is the key figure in the highly-acclaimed BBC show Ludwig, played by David Mitchell. In this show, our puzzle guru gets pulled into investigating the puzzling vanishing act of his twin brother James (a detective), by impersonating James and utilizing his skills to crack the case.

3. Watch out John Taylor! A new character is making waves as a sleuth for crime series fans. For those unfamiliar with whodunits or murder mysteries, John is the lead in the popular BBC show Ludwig, performed by David Mitchell. In this series, our puzzle aficionado becomes embroiled in solving the mystery of his brother James’ disappearance (a detective), by assuming James’ role and using his skills to unravel the case.

4. John Taylor, be prepared! A new character is taking center stage as a mystery-solver for crime drama fans. For those not well-versed in whodunits or murder mysteries, John stars in the hit BBC show Ludwig, featuring David Mitchell. In this series, our puzzle enthusiast gets entangled in the enigma of his brother James’ disappearance (a detective), by pretending to be James and using his skills to decipher the case.

5. Be on guard John Taylor! A fresh character is making an impact as a sleuth for crime fans. For those not familiar with whodunits or murder mysteries, John takes the lead in the popular BBC show Ludwig, with David Mitchell portraying him. In this series, our puzzle master gets involved in unraveling the mystery of his brother James’ disappearance (a detective), by masquerading as James and using his skills to crack the case.

Step into the premiere of Channel 5’s captivating new crime series, titled Murder Most Perplexing. Here, the lead character Cora ‘The Puzzle Master’ Felton (Phyllis Logan) takes on the task of solving mysteries herself.

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However, unlike some other stories, there are no swaps between siblings happening in the quiet town of Bakerbury. Instead, Detective Chief Inspector Hooper (Adam Best) seeks assistance from a renowned puzzle expert when a clue reminiscent of a crossword puzzle is discovered in the pocket of a deceased teenage girl found in a cemetery.

However, let’s discuss where the series “Murder Most Puzzling” falls within the cozy mystery genre, and if it’s a good choice to watch.

What place does the show “Murder Most Puzzling” occupy among other titles in the cozy mystery genre? And, above all, is it worth tuning in for?

1. Cora finds herself in over her head, and there’s a hidden truth about her that could bring everything crashing down. It won’t take long for Detective Chief Inspector Hooper to lose patience with Cora, as her unusual abilities are questioned on multiple occasions.

2. Cora is struggling to keep afloat, and she harbors a dangerous secret that may cause everything to unravel. DCI Hooper won’t stay enamored with Cora for long, as her peculiar talents come under scrutiny more than once.

3. Cora is in waters too deep for her, and there’s a hidden truth lurking within her that could sink everything. Soon enough, Detective Chief Inspector Hooper will tire of Cora, as her unorthodox abilities are called into question multiple times.

4. Cora finds herself in over her head, and she has a dark, menacing secret that could bring ruin to everything around her. DCI Hooper won’t remain enamored with Cora for long, as her unusual talents come under fire on more than one occasion.

5. Cora is in way over her head, and there’s a hidden truth about her that threatens to bring everything tumbling down. It won’t take long before Detective Chief Inspector Hooper grows weary of Cora, as her peculiar abilities are questioned repeatedly.

The hidden truth about Cora ought to have formed the foundation of the series, providing a deeper layer of mystery beyond each episode’s individual murder case. However, what could have been captivating turns out to be less engaging when it unfolds on-screen.

As a gamer, I’ve found that there’s nothing quite like the thrill of a well-timed, mind-blowing revelation in a game. However, when such moments are too straightforward or predictable, it takes away from that sense of accomplishment and excitement.

Instead, let me rephrase it in a more conversational style: Murder Most Puzzling starts off weak, revealing its flaws early on. Specifically, it overuses the puzzle gimmick, which is disappointing. The introduction of Cora into the storyline happens too swiftly, making it feel awkward and contrived.

From the start, Ludwig carries a noticeable level of tension that isn’t present in our case. In contrast, Ludwig experienced tension from its debut episode. As for us, beyond the intriguing puzzles, we develop a strong emotional bond between John and his brother early on to amplify the sense of danger. This emotional connection is established before we find ourselves in an awkward situation where being exposed could be inevitable.

In this situation, it doesn’t apply to Cora, as she seems to lack any significant involvement or investment in the matter at hand. Instead, she appears to stumble aimlessly, attempting to involve herself in the case even after being formally excused from it.

To put it simply, Cora’s obsession doesn’t necessarily present a problem; on the contrary, it might introduce an element of humor, reminiscent of the Marlow Murder Club style, provided we had a chance to become more involved in the story.

Despite its flaws, I can’t help but be drawn to the vibrant character of Logan’s Cora. She’s bold and fearless, much like the women in The Marlowe Murder Club who don’t hesitate to bend or break the law for justice. The actress from Downton Abbey truly brings this spirited side of Cora to life, making it hard to look away.

Murder Most Puzzling subtly suggests complex, emotional factors underlying Cora’s occasional imperfections, making it even more intriguing and worth continued viewing.

As a devoted fan, I sincerely hope that the pace doesn’t seem hasty in the upcoming episodes; there’s a subplot centered around romance, but it feels somewhat premature for characters who have barely crossed paths. The couple, who barely seem smitten, navigate through what appears to be an entire relationship’s worth of ups and downs within a single episode, making it feel more like a sprint than a journey.

The heart of the plot should be where suspense and fascination are most intense, filled with unexpected surprises that spark viewers’ curiosity. However, surprisingly, it’s this crucial aspect that seems to lag behind, and the twists fail to captivate us enough to maintain interest.

Maybe “Murder Most Puzzling” started off well in its initial episode, but due to having only three episodes in total, it seems like they might be running out of time to correct any potential issues.

Murder Most Puzzling airs Thursdays on Channel 5 at 8pm.

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2025-06-20 09:20

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