Death in Paradise (BBC One)

I realize that the current run of this show is over but I couldn’t let it pass without appealing for a second series.

Not unlike 'Midsomer Murders' in the Caribbean, Ben Miller is joined by a host of guest stars in this extremely appealing crime drama. D.I. Richard Poole (Ben Miller) is dragged from his practical, comfortable existence in an office where he doesn’t seem to have a great many friends to the beautiful (yet fictional apparently) island of Saint-Marie in the Caribbean to solve the murder of his predecessor. Disregarding the circumstances of his posting, many people would perhaps love to be sent to a Caribbean island but for Richard Poole it seems to be a major inconvenience.

Despite the tropical weather, Richard insists on wearing the thick woolen suits that he would wear in England while still complaining bitterly about the heat. His search for a good cup of tea only highlights his stereotypically English demeanor but he can be forgiven his little foibles as he looks very cute in his stripey pyjamas.

Initially his arrival appears to be welcomed to assist in the investigation and be the temporary police chief but somehow he manages to rub people up the wrong way. However, he manages to redeem himself by essentially being very good at his job and solving every murder that is thrown his way – even from his delirium in his sick bed.

His team are a close knit group comprising of D.S Camille Bordey (Sara Martins), Dwayne Myers (the ever entertaining Danny John-Jules) and Fidel Best (Gary Carr). Camille was an undercover agent mistakenly arrested in the first episode and as her cover is blown she is assigned to work with the team. Dwayne is an affable, laid back guy who seems to have a startling knack of being in the wrong place at the wrong time in several of the episodes. Fidel has a pregnant wife and is tasked with collecting evidence due to his methodical nature. Camille’s mother, Catherine(Elizabeth Bourgine) owns a café/bar on the island and seems fond of Richard even though he has put his foot in his mouth on many occasions but he dare not upset her as she is one of the only people who makes a decent cup of tea.

Even though Richard Poole considers himself as something of a loner, his disappointment at not being invited on a night out reveals a small desire to be accepted and despite the job being a temporary post, a series of events get in the way that may prevent his going back to England.

All in all the series has charm and, as I enjoy in any crime drama, the comfortable formula of crime followed by clues and then reveal at the end. Highly recommended series and a must see. Here’s hoping for a series two.