Shows to try

An oddball couple of private detectives named Luella Shakespeare and Frank Hathaway investigate crime in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The series comprises adaptations of the works of Ruth Rendell, many of which are based on her extensive range of short stories. In some cases, the stories were expanded from Rendell's original material or elements from a number of stories were woven together into one episode. A smaller number of episodes were based on Rendell's full-length novels, starring James Callis and Front seat, starring Janet Suzman. There were a total of 55 episodes centering on the Detective Inspector Wexford stories, starring George Baker, Louie Ramsay and Christopher Ravenscroft, and an additional 29 episodes did not feature Wexford.

DI Frost is an old-school no-nonsense copper who believes in traditional policing methods. Frost uses what he knows about the street to find answers to crimes as a member of Denton's CID. His home life's complex, but his daily nemesis is the station's commander; Supt. Mullett, who's constantly worrying. He doesn't appreciate DI Frost's rough and ready manner, which doesn't stop him from trotting him out - with his George Cross,bestowed upon him.

Father Frank Dowling, a fine Catholic parish priest in Chicago, drives housekeeper Marie to despair by his habit of being late for dinner as he and his assistant (streetwise nun Stephanie 'Steve' Oskowski) solve numerous neighborhood crimes, usually involving at least one murder. They generally outsmart the police as well as the criminals. The live-in priest Father Philip Prestwick, whose priority is his own ecclesiastical career prospects, takes a very dim view of their crime fighting and on Sister Steve even being there.

Drawing on her love of theatre and art, New Zealand author Ngaio Marsh created elegant crime-puzzlers full of quirky characters with hidden agendas, all brought meticulously to life in this BBC series.

Set in the leafy suburbs of 1950s London, the Beresfords find themselves in need of some adventure in their lives. With Tommy undertaking a variety of business opportunities, and Tuppence trying to dissuade him, the couple find themselves in the wrong place at the right time to solve a mystery - or two - and perhaps save someone's life. They are about to enter a world of espionage and skulduggery guided by Tommy's mysterious Uncle, Major Carter. It is a world which will prove easier to enter than to leave.

First broadcast in 1987, the Inspector Morse series is a crime drama based on the Colin Dexter novels of the same name. The show is based around the exciting exploits of Chief Inspector Morse (John Thaw), a senior officer within the Criminal Investigation Department of the Oxford Police, as he investigates heavy crimes in and around Oxford with his sidekick, Detective Sergeant Lewis (Kevin Whately). Morse is a grumpy classical music aficionado who loves beer, and who frequently loses patience with the earnest, but somewhat slow, Lewis.

The investigations of Sister Boniface of St Vincent's Convent - nun, moped rider, wine maker and part-time forensic scientist.

British crime investigation series based around aristocratic, Oxford-educated Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley (

Supt. Wycliffe keeps the Cornish coastline crime free as he tackles arsonists, kidnappers and the odd psycho. Jack Shepherd plays the eponymous hero in the one hour TV adaptations of W. J. Burley's creation.

The Cotswolds-based PR guru turned amateur sleuth returns for a series of comedic murder-mysteries based on the books by M.C. Beaton.

Supt. Dalziel and partner DI Pascoe investigate murders, and find a bond forming between them despite their blatantly differing personalities.

Based on the stories of G.K. Chesterton, a British Catholic Priest solves mysteries.

Carole Stanwyck and Sydney Kovak have nothing in common; they are the polar opposites of one another. Carole is a former socialite, who lost her fortune and is now making a living as a photographer and a courier. Sydney's father's a con-man, so she knows her way around the streets. She is also a pick pocket and a jazz bass player. The only thing that they have in common is the fact that they were both married Raymond Caulfield, a private investigator. When he was killed he left everything including his agency to them. After apprehending the one who killed him, they decided to run the agency themselves. Helping them is Shain, Raymond's assistant, Raymond's mother, Jeanine, and Police Lieutenant Vronsky.

After her father's death, sensible and cheerful Mma Precious Ramotswe sells her inherited cattle and opens the country's only female-owned detective agency. She hires Botswana Secretarial College graduate (97% in the final exams!) Grace Makutsi as her assistant. Together they solve problems big and small with their wisdom, big hearts, and endless cups of red-bush tea. Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe's best friend, mechanic Mr. JLB Matekoni, hopes for a chance to win her heart... Based on Alexander McCall Smith's best-selling book series.

Lovejoy is a loveable rogue and an antiques dealer with an amazing talent for spotting hidden treasures. When not looking for the odd collectible, Lovejoy spends most of his time using his con-artist skills to help out the less fortunate. His partners in crime are wealthy Lady Jane, his dim assistant Eric, and the genially intoxicated Tinker.

Series inspired by the stories of GK Chesterton; a Catholic priest has a knack for solving mysteries in his English village.

In order to make ends meet, and to stop a local teenage runaway from becoming a juvenile delinquent, Hetty Wainthropp, a sprightly and intelligent 60-year-old pensioner looking for a new challenge, decides to become a private investigator much to the chagrin of her unemployed husband. Once she makes up her mind, she becomes an unstoppable force, and, led by Hetty, the three set forth to investigate crimes of less interest to the local police force in and around their little village in the beautiful Lancashire countryside.