DI Kate "Ash" Ashurst (Caroline Catz, Doc Martin) and DS Emma "Scribbs" Scribbins (Lisa Faulkner) couldn't be more different, but they are the perfect crime-solving team of detectives in the sleepy (and fictional) town of Middleford, England. Ash comes from a wealthy upbringing and approaches everything clinically and analytically, while Scribbs is more working class and relies on her instincts and observations, which are quite good. Ash is all rules and regulations and is quite conservative, while Scribbs is almost always bedecked in brightly-colored sweaters and is not afraid to speak her mind. The pair often find themselves under the scrutiny of their gorgeous boss, DCI Sullivan (Jeremy Sheffield), which is perfectly fine as both girls have their eye on him.
Investigations of the crimes that take place in Middleford are always wrapped in the banter between the girls as they discuss the trials of being single and the ups and downs of their love lives (or lack thereof). It seems ridiculous that these two lovelies have man troubles, while all the housewives in Middleford seem to be getting more than their fair share. The Series 1 murders they'll investigate run the gamut and involve a sleazy singles clubs for the rich, a wife-swapping group, a stag party gone awry, a cheating husband who is burned in his car, a posh private school where parents are dying to get their kids enrolled, and a loud DIY-er who drives his neighbors to the brink of madness. Series 2 has the girls checking out the death of a "witch" at a private school, a slimy real estate agent and ladies man who gets his come-uppance, a wedding whose members are not what they seem, a selfish salsa dancer who has as many enemies as she has dance skills, a dog kennel owner with a number of secrets, and a 50's crooner who was loved and hated in equal numbers by the other members of the old folks' home where he lived. There's also the continuing storyline of Ash and Scribbs and the men in their lives, none of whom stay for very long. Ash has a terrible crush on DCI Sullivan, and he seems to fancy her as well, and this comes to a head in the final episode where the pair is on surveillance together and must kiss each other when spotted by their mark. Naturally, throughout the entire episode, everyone on the force is making fun of the "13 second kiss" and I really would have enjoyed seeing where this relationship would have gone had the series continued, but alas it did not.
Overall, Murder in Suburbia: Complete Collection is a delightful series along the lines of Midsomer Murders. You've got your crime and intrigue, but it's wrapped in a lovely veneer of comedy and clever writing. I'm sorry the show ended, but you can still see all 12 episodes in Murder in Suburbia: Complete Collection and honestly, I didn't realize the show was 10 years old since it seems very current and doesn't feel at all dated. If you enjoy light-hearted British murder mysteries or even the American show Desperate Housewives, Murder in Suburbia: Complete Collection is for you.
