Crime Drama Queens

Detective Superintendent Peter Boyd and the newly formed Cold Case Unit are investigating (and solving, goddamit) cold cases in this here London town.  People shout in each other's faces, tell each other not to f**k it up, and breath heavily, showing the weight of the task in hand.  It's intense. 
 
This episode is all about Lex's massive crush on Trevor Eve. We try and pretend it's not, but it is. 

At the time of recording Waking the Dead is available in the UK on BBC Iplayer, and on Britbox elswhere in the world. 

This episode contains descriptions of fictionalised violence, and, of course, is full of SPOILERS. 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

A duffle coat, a windmill, and a whole load of implausible plot... Yep, it's Jonathan Creek! 

This week we have a slightly robotic woman who gets clonked on the head, a man who gets shot through a spyhole, a woman wearing pvc in summer, a MASSIVE video camera, and a whole bunch of high jinx with VCRs,  VHS, and a wardrobe. Oh, and some of you will get the elephant bit, and some of you won't. 

Once again Lily misspoke and this week's correction is: 
SARAH Alexander, not Sally Alexander. Tsk. 

Apologes for trailing off at the end; we were we were distracted by trying to work out which well spoken Radio Four presenter Lex's husband has a crush on this week. 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

Endeavour has aged into Morse and this time he's investigating a murder in a low security prison. He's supported by an absolutely steller cast of actors, most of whom are sporting their most misjudged hairdos of all time. We do dig into the story and the characters,  but mainly this is a review of people's hair in 1992. 

At time of recording this episode was available in the UK on ITVX, and on Britbox elswhere in the world. 

This podcast contains descriptions of fictionalised violence and, of course, plenty of SPOILERS. 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

Channel Five's answer to the question nobody asked: What would you get if you did a  mash up  of Eldorado and Acorn Antiques, and made it a whodunnit? 

You get Shayne Ward as an ex serious crimes detective working as a singer on a cruise ship, that's what. 

If you're looking for a serious appraisal of C5's forat into the genre, maybe don't listen to this episode. This is basically an hour of us corpsing. 

This episode is available on My5 in the UK, but currently it looks like you might need a VPN to access it elsewhere. 

This episode contains descriptions of fictionalised violence, and, of course, lots of SPOILERS.

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

It's Oldham, it's 2011 and Rachel Bailey (Suranne Jones) is worried that people think she's a "shag bandit rubber knickers".  Whether she is or not is not really our concern, but she could spend less time shaking up bottles of coke and obsessing over her scumbag ex, and more time on the scumbag whose wife just died under mysterious circs. 

However, this is a fabulous programme, with clever, competent women, and Janet Scott (Lesley Sharpe) is the work mum we all need. Moss and Forst have nothing on these two. 

Enjoy!

Oh, and Steve*, if you're listening: you're a dick. 

*a very specific Steve. Probably not you, Steve. 

This episode contains descriptions of fictionalised violence, and is of course, full of SPOILERS. 

At time of recording "Scott and Bailey" is available on ITVX in the UK and Prime video, Apple TV, and Britbox, elsewhere. 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

It's the 100th episode of Death in Paradise! How could we let this one pass us by? 

AND it has Sean Maguire! Dear lord, such excitement. 

This episode sees Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, the boss, the police veteran, get shot, and the team having to solve his attempted murder. There's no goat, but there are turn ups, dungarees, handwritten ransom letters, and a pesky cufflink. 

We also give the 1998 film "Return to Paradise" an accidental plug, so for all those Joaquim Phoenix and Vince Vaughn fans out there: YOU'RE WELCOME. 

At time of recording this episode is available on BBC Iplayer in the UK, and on Britbox elsewhere in the world. 

This episode contains mentions of fictionalised violence, and, of course, is full of SPOILERS. 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

Mes amis! It's here! Welcome to the world of Agatha Christie's Poirot, and it's simply delightful (gruesome murders and even more gruesome fake beards aside). 

We have a locked room mystery, unbreakable alibis, and a bit of fancy dress. It's golden age detective fiction at it's finest and we loved it. 

Lily once again misspoke so this weeks corrections are:
Granddad Dog
and 
The Adventure of the Clapham Cook. 

If you are left panting for more Poirot action after this, we highly recommend the podcast "All About Agatha." Parfait. 


At time of recording this episode was available on ITVX in the UK and BritBox in other locations. 

Contains descriptions of fictionalised violence, and of course, plenty of SPOILERS.

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

Welcome to Morse's origin story! 

It's Oxford in 1965 and young Endeavour is somberly pursuing villains left, right and centre. However, in a world where child abuse is normalised, Morse upsets people by attempting to fulfill his job description, and one character takes victim blaming to a whole new level, we won't blame him for rarely cracking a smile. He's still getting over "Wendy who liked to be called Susan," for pete's sake. Cut him some slack. 

He might not be enjoying himself, but we loved this. Lily did call Rebecca Front, Rebecca French though, so that's embarrassing. Sorry Rebecca...Becky...Bex? Sorry. 

Never mind, pour yourself a craft IPA or a small babycham and get stuck in. 

At time of recording this episode was available to watch on ITVX in the UK and Masterpiece on PBS in the US. 

Contains description of fictional violence and is full of SPOILERS. 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

The January blues are upon us and the atmospheric gloom of DI Annika Strandhed's Marine Homocide Unit feels apt. We discuss what to do with a whale carcass, Lex's in-laws get another roasting, and Lily loses patience with a fictional teenage girl. In many ways it's not our finest hour, but at least we didn't harpoon anyone. 

No whales nor harpoons were harmed in the making of this podcast. 

At time of recording this episode was available to watch on BBC Iplayer in the UK and Masterpiece on PBS in the US. 

Contains descriptions of fictionalised violence, and of course, plenty of SPOILERS.

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

Merry Christmas one and all! Welcome to our first Christmas episode! We're on planet Midsomer for this one and, naturally, it's completely bananas. A slightly low body count for our liking, but there are magicians, murders (both actual and attempted), a magnificiently bad cracker joke, and a someone accidently shooting themselves in the face. 

Oh, and John Nettles in novelty earrings. 

God bless us, every one! 


At time of recording Midsomer Murders, "Ghost of Christmas Past" is available on ITVX in the UK, and on Pluto and Plex in the USA. 

This podcast contains mentions of fictionalised violence, including suicide.

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

Ah, it's the 1950s in Cambridgeshire and we're with the lovely Reverend Sidney Chambers. Swoon!  We have some exhausting adultery, confusing whisky swapping, and impressive hair styling, so what's not to love? We also have Robson, without Jerome. 
And Amanda, WHO WE'RE NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT. 

Grantchester is available to stream on ITVX in the UK and PBS Passport in the US.

Contains descriptions of fictionalised violence, and of course, plenty of SPOILERS.

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

'Tis the season! Not for Christmas, calm down, but for coughs and colds and all things poorly making. If you have been affected by one of these season snifflies you could do worse than curling up on the sofa with your lemsip and binge watch Shakespeare and Hathaway. There's marriage, betrayal, a disguise, lutes, and plenty of silly hats! Actually, plenty of costumes in general, so grab your doublet and hose, don your jerkin, and off we go!

At time of recording and publishing Shakespeare and Hathaway is available on BBC Iplayer in the UK, and Amazon Prime, and Britbox elsewhere in the world. 

Contains descriptions of fictionalised violence, and of course, SPOILERS. 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

Welcome to 2003! It’s Blue Murder with Caroline Quentin. There’s disembowelling, lots of laundry, some confusing logistics relating to a sanitary bin, and a potential attack using breadcrumbs. Truly, in the world of DCI Janine Lewis, danger really does lurk on every corner. 

We really enjoyed this one and we hope you do to. Apologies for the bit where we forget how to use the word “catharsis.” In our defence, we were very, very tired.  

At time of recording you are able to watch "Blue Murder" on ITVX in the UK. It’s also streaming on BritBox Amazon Channel, Sky Go, Amazon Prime Video or for free with ads on STV Player. It is also possible to buy "Blue Murder" as download on Apple TV, Amazon Video. 

This podcast contains mentions of fictionalised violence and is full of SPOILERS.

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

A bit of housekeeping and a few Q&As from our lovely listeners. If you have a question or comment for us you can email us at crimedramaqueens@gmail.com or find us on Instagram @crimedramaqueens and Facebook on our Crime Drama Queens page. 

We are unwilling to go mushroom picking at this time. 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

It's Bath, it's 2018, and, much to Lex's dismay, Robert Lindsay is breaking the fourth wall. 

There is a LOT to discuss in this episode, not least:

1. Why is Bath being treated as if it has seceded from the UK?
2. Why are the met police sent it to solve crimes EVERYWHERE?
3. Why would you commit a murder this way?? WHY???

And then there's the hats. So many hats. 

At time of recording this episode was available to watch on ITVX in the UK and on BritBox in the US

This podcast contains descriptions of fictionalised violence and is full of SPOILERS.

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

Welcome to Denton: a world of child abduction, bank robbery, murder, and the slut shaming of a fourteen year old. It's fun!

It's a depressing dollop of gritty realism and despite hating it, we sort of loved it too. Join us, DI Frost, Linda Love, and more, as we journey together towards the  most grotesque barbecue ever shown on prime time tv. Buckle up, it's time for "A Touch of Frost."

(PS. We recorded this in the summer, hence the references to the "scorching" weather. We know it's autumn, you needn't call anyone.)

At time of recording this episode was available on ITVX in the UK, and Britbox in the US.

This podcast contains descriptions of fictionalised violence,  and is full of SPOILERS.

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

The one where Lily recorded in the kitchen and it sounds like she's in tin can. Join us as we dive head first into the unnerving world of Midsomer Murders! 

As usual with Midsomer there is a high body count, bizarre characters, and some fairly unpleasant twists. Unpleasant characters and bizarre twists? All of the above. 

Apologies for the rubbish sound; this really is as bad as it gets, so hang in there. 

But enough of that! Grab yourself an iced sombrero and get stuck in! 

At time of recording this episode was available on ITVX in the UK, and Britbox and Acorn TV in the US. 

This podcast contains descriptions of fictionalised violence, including mentions of suicide and incest. And, if you can stomach that, it's also got SPOILERS.

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

Welcome to our first episode! This week we are covering Death in Paradise, season one episode one. If you're new to Death in Paradise don't worry, Lex is too. This episode is all about the joys of locked/unlocked room mysteries, people smuggling, and Sean Maguire being locked in a cell with a goat. What more could you want? 

(please don't say better audio quality...we're working on it!)

At time of recording this episode was available to watch on BBC IPlayer in the UK, and Britbox in the US.

This podcast contains descriptions of fictionalised violence, and is full of SPOILERS.

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov

Welcome to Crime Drama Queens! Join hosts Lex and Lily as they watch, or rewatch, their favourite crime dramas and murder mysteries. Get those little grey cells ready, the game is afoot! 

Original artwork by Mike Luckie
instagram.com/mikeluckieillustration/

Music: Mystery Box by V. Draganov