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Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
10 Must-Read Historical Mystery Books Set in Europe!
Dazzling details about the past, long-buried secrets, sweeping dual timelines, intricate puzzles separated by decades…there's something irresistible about getting lost in historical mystery books. This subgenre of historical fiction blends the intrigue of bygone eras with the fast-paced suspense of a whodunit—and in recent years, it's one of the more popular literary genres. And when these stories are set against the vibrant backdrops of iconic European cities like Rome, London and Paris, they provide an even richer reading escape. So if you are looking for a standout historical mystery book set in Europe, you're in luck! Here, we rounded up the 10 best historical mystery books set in European cities from London to Paris and beyond. Want to stroll the streets of post-WWI London as part of an all-girl thief group? Pick up Heather Webb's Queens of London. If being transported to 1934 Paris to solve a decades-old murder sounds exhilarating, dive into The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel. Fellow bestselling author Fiona Davis raved about Harmel's latest novel: 'Colette's feisty spirit makes this story joyous and ultimately triumphant. I loved it.' Keep scrolling to find out more about these 10 historical mystery must-reads! 'Last Twilight in Paris' by Pam Jenoff Readers are transported to 1953 London and 1943 Paris in this captivating tale. Louise is still adjusting to her postwar role as a housewife when she discovers a necklace in a secondhand shop. She's sure she's seen the necklace before—and it's linked to a time in Nazi-occupied Europe when her friend Franny died mysteriously. Following clues to Paris, Louise and her former boss, Ian, uncover old truths. A sweeping, dual-timeline story! What readers are saying: 'Pam Jenoff is a talented historical fiction writer, and I always learn new things about WWII and the Holocaust from her. In her latest novel, Last Twilight in Paris, she talks about Lèvitan, a department store in Paris that was used as a concentration camp. I never knew about this and found it and the mystery so interesting.' 'Bird With the Heart of a Mountain' by Barbara Mariconda The Spanish Civil War serves as the backdrop for this sweeping historical fiction tale written by bestselling author Barbara Mariconda. All 16-year-old Drina wants to do is dance flamenco, but her mother forbids it. Desperate to know why, Drina begins to investigate who her mother was before she was born. Soon she stumbles upon something that changes the way she views herself and her family. A thrilling blend of mystery, self-acceptance and family drama. What readers are saying: 'This story, set during the Spanish Civil War, follows a young girl who longs to dance," says Melissa D'Agnese, Woman's World, Senior Editor. "I found the premise unique and enjoyed watching Drina's story unfold across a stunning Spanish backdrop." 'The Making of Her' by Bernadette Jiwa From bestselling author Bernadette Jiwa comes another dazzling historical fiction tale about marriage, motherhood and the tender moments in between. When Dublin factory girl Joan Quinn decides to marry the rich Martin Egan in 1966, she thinks all her troubles are behind her. Until one day, she receives a mysterious letter from a girl named Emma, who claims to be the daughter Joan gave up for adoption right before getting married. Joan finds herself involved in a life-or-death matter that could be the end of her perfect life. A wonderful read for fans of family sagas and mysteries. What readers are saying: 'This book drew me in from the first sentence and captivated me until the end. People and relationships are so very complex, and I loved how Bernadette captured all of that messy complexity in an utterly absorbing story. I can't wait to read her next novel.' 'Queens of London' by Heather Webb Heather Webb's Queens of London provides an exhilarating ride through the criminal underworld of 1925 London. Alice Diamond is the leader of the Forty Elephants, a network of all-girl thieves in 1920s London—and she's the target of Lilian Wyles, one of Scotland Yard's first female detectives, who wants to prove herself by putting Alice behind bars. What follows is a scandalous series of events about crime, sisterhood and the meaning of justice. What readers are saying: 'This story, although historical fiction, is based on actual people in post-World War I London. In this way, the author provides an interesting and imaginative perspective on the lives of these individuals—and the people they may have touched through their actions. Overall, the book really brings the Roaring Twenties in London to life!' 'The Marriage Portrait' by Maggie O'Farrell In 1550s Florence, Lucrezia—the third daughter of the grand duke—enjoys a simple and creative life focused on art and quiet observation. But when her older sister dies on the eve of her wedding to the ruler of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio, Lucrezia is pushed into the spotlight and forced into a marriage with this ruler named Alfonso. As she navigates the political court and her mysterious new husband, she realizes her primary role is to secure the future of the Ferranese dynasty. In this enthralling story, bestselling author Maggie O'Farrell crafts a vivid portrait of a young woman's struggle for survival amidst power, duty and danger. What readers are saying: 'Beautifully written and imagined, you're transported right into the world of the Dukes of Renaissance Italy. I found the protagonist compelling and the plot pacing was just right. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and couldn't put it down!' 'Queens of Crime' by Marie Benedict Danger and intrigue come to life in this tale set in 1930s London and inspired by a true story. The five greatest female crime writers, including Agatha Christie and her legendary rival Dorothy Sayers, form a secret society with one goal: to show their refusal to be treated poorly by their male counterparts. To prove it, they'll solve the actual murder of May Daniels. But the culprit targets Sayers next and threatens to expose a dark secret. What readers are saying: 'This book is a captivating blend of magical historical fiction and suspenseful mystery. From the very first page, I was hooked, especially by Dorothy's unique perspective. I admired how the women in the story supported one another, harnessing their individual strengths—both as women and as authors—to unravel the murder.' 'The Gown' by Jennifer Robson With dynamic characters and a unique premise, this novel—told throughout different points in time—first brings readers to 1947, where embroiderers Miriam and Anne receive the honor of helping create Princess Elizabeth's wedding gown. Then in 2016, a girl named Heather finds a set of royally embroidered flowers in her grandmother's things and begins unraveling long-lost family secrets. A richly detailed saga. What readers are saying: 'I thoroughly enjoyed The Gown for several reasons, not the least being my fondness for anything that centers around the British Royal Family. Getting a glimpse of the Royals from the vantage point of an embroiderer is totally unique. Fans of the Royal Family and of historical fiction/romance are sure to enjoy this one, as will those who enjoy family sagas.' 'The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau' by Kristin Harmel Dazzling drama, a decades-old murder, sweeping charm…this dual-timeline saga has it all. In 1934 Paris, 10-year-old Colette Marceau's mother teaches her how to steal—but they can only take from the cruel. Then one night in 1942, chaos erupts—and Colette loses her family and a precious bracelet. Seventy years later, the bracelet appears in a museum and Colette must find a way to face her past. What readers are saying: 'A deeply touching novel that blended mystery with historical fiction, The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau had me under its thrall from the very first word. With flawless character development, two mind-blowing timelines, and a family saga for the ages, I could not put this book down and ended up reading it in one single sitting. Bravo, Ms. Harmel, you crafted a novel that is sure to be one heck of a blockbuster hit that's just perfect for summer.' 'When We Meet Again' by Caroline Beecham Set in the publishing world of World War II London, this evocative novel tells a wartime tale full of love, mystery—and books. In 1943 London, Alice Cotton is a young editor at Partridge Press whose star is rising as the demand for books—and escapism—increases in the face of war. But just as her career gets going, she becomes pregnant. Being unwed, her family promises to help raise her daughter, Eadie. But to Alice's horror, her mother sells the newborn. Alice embarks on a desperate search for her child. Then, Alice's world collides with American editor Theo Bloom, who is tasked with helping Partridge Press overcome the publishing obstacles of the war. Alice and Theo grow closer during this time and their connection is a testament to the power of love, hope and life-changing books. What readers are saying: 'I thought the author captured World War II in London well with the bombings, the feelings, and the shortages. And I enjoyed learning more about publishing in London and the paper shortages during this time.' 'The Memory Dress' by Jade Beer This captivating mystery begins in England in 2018, when Jayne meets her elderly neighbor, Meredith, who has little to no memory and can't find her husband. Jayne tries to help her, but her only clue is a mystery itself: a gown with a note saying it's a gift to Meredith from Princess Diana. The dual-timeline saga takes readers to 1988, when Meredith is a seamstress for one of the most iconic women in the world. A dazzling read! What readers are saying: 'A heartfelt haunting story that brings dementia to the forefront. Meredith has an interesting past, but cannot remember where her husband is. Her neighbor Jayne is trying to help her, she cannot bear to see Meredith hurting. This is a very moving story and a must-read mystery.' For more book picks, keep scrolling! From BookTok to Hollywood: 12 Book-to-Screen Adaptations You'll Be Obsessed With This Year The Best F1 Romance Books, According to Top Authors From BookTok's Raciest Reading Trend Jeremiah Brown From 'Love Island' Launches Book Club With 120K Fans: 'It's Just Crazy' Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
5 Things We Love About The Latest Music Drop Of The Country's P-POP Royalties
Sis, haven't you heard? The hottest track combining P-Pop royalties, Sarah Geronimo and SB-19 is out! More than just a collaboration single, 'Umaaligid' is a music film that centers around a thrilling whodunit story when a messy house party turns sour and ends with a murder investigation. Produced by Sarah and features the SB-19 boys dipping their toes into acting, wink wink, the collaboration between these two iconic forces of Pinoy Pop has everyone non-stop talking about it on any platform you can get your hands on. As you are reading this, it has just recently debuted as #1 and #3 on iTunes PH! 1. The most iconic collision of two P-pop Royalty generations With Sarah Geronimo being a household name for the millennials and SB-19 being household for the Gen Z's in the P-Pop space, it is no wonder that this music film is one of the coolest comebacks of all time, with some people calling it 'the best collaboration in PH history!' Twitter: @iamcalvinken Related: Twitter: @louiereyasher Her fans, fondly known as Popsters praise Sarah for being a pioneer for producing her own work, whilst still making room for other artists, like SB-19, to shine and create art with purpose. 2. SB-19 boys' swoon-worthy acting. Who wouldn't swoon with seeing our favorite P-Pop boys going out of their comfort zone and trying out acting for size? They popped off with this film, with each character being different archetypes and having a different motivations to 'murder' Victor. A few people pointed out how the characters they were assigned reflected them as people. Twitter: @woxihuanyien Twitter: @INIHOUSEniJOSH Twitter: @keunified Everyone is picking their favorite performances and naming stand-out favorites in the band. The most popular ones are about Josh, Justin, and Ken's acting. Who would your favorite be? Who made you the most kilig watching? Related: Twitter: @Summersiren_P14 Maybe the boys will have more acting stints after this too. Who knows? No one can deny that they are not triple threats now. 3. All the buzzing theories on who the real culprit is! The most fun thing to come out of this music film is the storytelling. Both A'Tin and Popsters are all coming alive online to debate and test their theories on who the real culprit was. From the mysterious figure who seemed to hide a darker side, to the character with the strongest motive — the whodunit storyline has everyone guessing, and even more so, talking. Twitter: @mummaa_mary Twitter: @slicindicinzone Related: 4. Absolute Cinema. Goosebumps! The music film's cinematography, writing, direction, production design, costume and makeup was absolutely giving cinema vibes. It was immersive and fun and made people feel like they were watching a 10-minute part of an actual movie. Twitter: @vesternipau Twitter: @atinkuyadrei Twitter: @multi_tin The music film bookends the beginning and end with the same shot– a dead body on the floor and the six suspects surrounding it. Talk about chills! 5. Big brain energy behind the lyrics At first glance, the narrative unfolds as a gripping mystery, with SB19 and Sarah Geronimo cast as suspects in a stylized music film. But beneath the surface, the lyrics weave a more intimate tale — one that speaks of unseen tensions, hidden truths, and the quiet presence of those who don't always reveal their true intentions. It's a reflection on perception, trust, and the shadows that linger just beyond the spotlight. Lyric Excerpts 'IDILAT ANG MATA, WAG KANG BABASTA-BASTA' Fake news, they shake views and make fools And snakes choose to taint clues to make truth Hanggang mabulag at katwiran, magkalamat Pipilayan ka ng gustong magpalakad Related: A'tin online are praising SB-19 for the intelligence of the lyrics and the play on words. One of the songwriters, Thyro Alfaro went onto X to share more about the double entendre's and messages in the song. Twitter: @jungchanwoo1326 Twitter: @jungchanwoo1326 It is clear that more than just giving their fans a song to listen to and a cool video– this is not about clout chasing at all– but a genuine pursuit of making intentional art that causes discourse and conversation. Have we convinced you enough to give it a listen? What are you still doing here? Go stream! We'll help you out: Written by: Philomena Yap Also in BuzzFeed: Also in BuzzFeed: Also in BuzzFeed:
Khaleej Times
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
'The Residence', 'Mandala Murders', 'Platonic' and 'The Romantics': Our top picks for the weekend watch
A person dies in the White House, during a state dinner of all occasions, setting of alarm bells, speculations and scenarios straight out of an Agatha Christie novel. Like, for instance, everyone's a suspect. Enter Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), an eccentric but meticulous detective whose reputation precedes her, who is met with hostility from the word go. She must race against time for bilateral relations are at stake, while also fending off barbs from irked staffers and senior officials of the US President's official residence. There are dollops of intrigue, satire and laughter as the show winds down to its finale. Giancarlo Esposito may have made quite the impression as the ruthless smuggler of illegal substances in Breaking Bad, and he does an encore here too, albeit in a small role. For fans of: Mystery shows sans gore, whodunits like the Glass Onion franchise, Agatha Christie novels (or movies). Mandala Murders Netflix | 1 season | Thriller When superstition and supernatural collide in a small Indian town, where a series of murders echo the mysterious killings that took place decades ago, police officer Rhea Thomas is deployed to investigate matters. Here, she must deal with clues that point her to a religious cult as she deals with strange happenings; a fellow cop with his own agenda (which leads to missing evidence at times); a patriarchal society where women must live by their wits; dangerous goons out for blood; and a mysterious dream that haunts her day after day. There are also some allusions to Frankenstein's monster and Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. But for all that layering, this is a slow burn, so don't get annoyed if you need to wait a few episodes to figure out what's happening. For fans of: tales where nothing is ever as it seems. By Karishma Nandkeolyar Platonic Apple TV+ | 10 Episodes | Comedy / Drama Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen reunite — and once again, their chaotic best-friend energy just works. In Platonic, they play former college friends reconnecting in their 40s, trying to keep things strictly platonic as they crash through each other's lives with hilarious, sometimes painfully relatable consequences. It's fast, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt. Think midlife crisis meets party vibes — all in neat 30-minute episodes. You'll laugh, cringe, and maybe text that one friend you haven't spoken to in years. Season 2 drops August 6, so this is your perfect catch-up weekend. For fans of: Shrinking, messy friendships The Romantics Netflix | 4 Episodes | Docuseries With Saiyaara bringing back the magic of old-school Bollywood romance, there's no better time to revisit the legacy of the studio that made us believe in it in the first place. The Romantics is a fascinating four-part docuseries that pulls back the curtain on the Yash Raj Films empire — one that defined Hindi cinema's most iconic love stories. But at the heart of this series lies an even more elusive figure: Aditya Chopra. Known for never appearing on camera, he epitomises the phrase 'the man, the myth' as the current head of YRF and the creative force behind iconic films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. And through understanding his psyche and the YRF legacy, we begin to see why Bollywood's love stories continue to resonate with today's youth. For fans of: Bollywood love stories that stand the test of time
CBS News
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Club Calvi spotlights the 2nd book in the private eye "Vandy Myrick Mystery" series set in N.J.
Please consider joining our Facebook group by CLICKING HERE. Find out more about the books below. The author of a 2024 Club Calvi FicPick is back with a follow-up book that reviewers are calling "an absorbing whodunit" and a "twisting mystery." Delia Pitts kicked off her "Vandy Myrick Mysteries" with "Trouble in Queenstown." Her new book "Death of an Ex" is being released on July 15th. Vandy Myrick is her hometown's only Black woman private investigator. Pitts told CBS News New York's Mary Calvi that she knew she would write this sequel as she was writing the first book. "I knew I wanted to include issues about Vandy's past life and I wanted to get into a little bit more detail. I thought the best way to do it is to look at her ex-husband," Pitts said. Pitts says her cousin in Chicago is the inspiration for Myrick. "She, back in the '70s, formed with her husband a small security agency. She was a private eye in a narrower sense. And I'm sure her security agency did not deal with murders or kidnappings or any of the dire things that I put [Vandy] through," said Pitts. Pitts lives in New Jersey. The Vandy Myrick mysteries are set in a place called Queenstown, New Jersey. Pitts says it's close to, but not exactly, her hometown. "I live in central New Jersey, in Hightstown" Pitts told Calvi. "Though there are no murders that I know of in Hightstown, the real Hightstown. But the diversity and complexity that I saw in my hometown, I wanted to bring into this book." Pitts has a doctorate in African history and was an administrator at Rutgers University before she started writing fiction. "I've been writing all my life in one way or another," she said. "But once I left academia, I got to focus full time on my fiction writing. I did some independent publishing, self publishing, before I got into this series. I've always loved film noir. I've always loved detective stories. It seemed a natural for me to go and try to write my own." Pitts says Myrick will be back, as she's now writing the third book in the series. You can read an excerpt, and purchase the book, below. The CBS New York Book Club focuses on books connected to the Tri-State Area in their plots and/or authors. The books may contain adult themes. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ From the publisher: Queenstown, New Jersey, feels big when you need help and tiny when you want privacy. For Vandy Myrick, that's both a blessing and a curse. Now that Vandy's back in "Q-Town," her services as her hometown's only Black woman private investigator have earned her more celebrity—or notoriety—than she figured. Keeping busy with work helps Vandy deal with the grief of losing her daughter, stitching the seams, cementing the gaps. The memories will always remain, and they come crashing back to the surface when her ex-husband, Phil Bolden, walks back into her life. Promising everything, returning home, restoring family. Until she answers her door to the news that Phil has been murdered. And Vandy decides Phil is now her client. It's hard to separate the Phil that Vandy knew from the one Queenstown did. She sees him—and their daughter—in Phil's son, who attends a prestigious local high school. She sees the layers of a complicated marriage with his wife. She sees all of Phil's various roles: parent, husband, businessman, philanthropist. But which role got him killed? Delia Pitts Lives in New Jersey. "Death of an Ex" by Delia Pitts (ThriftBooks) $22 Chapter 2 The rain subsided before I parked my Jeep at the graveyard's black iron gate. The entrance to Bethel Cemetery was a spindly structure, fragile spikes dividing the uneven path from the sidewalk. Now, bars of late October sun slanted through the fence, shedding stripes of brass and copper on the lawns and gravestones. The Flats was the Black section of Q-Town, and Bethel Cemetery, five blocks from my childhood home, was the pride of our neighborhood. The gold-and-red canopy of oak trees, the curving paths, fat squirrels, and brazen deer made the park seem like an enchanted empire when I was young. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was my mother's favorite retreat. My father, also Evander Myrick, never attended with us, which diminished Bethel's value in my eyes. My father claimed my Saturdays for baseball or football games, museum visits, and chess tournaments. Now retired after twenty-seven years on the Queenstown police force, Evander lived in a nursing home. He was the robust, cheerful, and eternally oblivious victim of advanced Alzheimer's. I stepped onto the cement track winding through the cemetery. Water glinted like lost coins in the chips and crevices of the path. My family's graves occupied a plot of balding turf in the northeast quadrant of the cemetery. As I dawdled, I studied the older graves, flattened mounds barely discernible in the grass, their headstones buffed smooth by decades of caresses. When I reached my goal, I sat on a stone bench beneath an oak tree before the double-wide family plot. Splashes of sun turned the marble headstone from gray to ocean white; chiseled script announced the precious names below the square blocks forming our shared plot: MYRICK ALMA MARIE, LOVING WIFE DEVOTED MOTHER MONICA ALMA, BELOVED DAUGHTER I pictured them lying side by side, arms entwined, my daughter resting her head on my mother's breast. Alma smoothing Monica's fuzzy hairline the way she used to stroke mine. The dimple flashing in my baby's cheek as my mother's hand flexed. I knew Monica's entire life from lonely beginning to ugly end. But I wished I'd known more of my mother's life. Her drives and desires, her creations and conquests. As a certified daddy's girl, I'd never tried to know my mother. This visit to her grave made me want to learn about that Alma. The one I'd ignored for so many decades. Now, before our time burned to cinders. "I've been away too long," I whispered. Settling elbows on knees, I spoke louder. "But I've been thinking about you. Always." I meant them both, but Monica most of all. I touched a thin gold chain around my throat. I adjusted the dangling letter M so it nestled within the notch of my collarbone. Monica's necklace, now mine. Inheritance inverted. As often happened, visiting Monica here summoned thoughts of her father. My ex-husband, Philip Bolden, had quit me before our baby was born. Did he ever visit her grave? Did Phil even mourn her loss? Was I gone from his life and forgotten, too? Reconstructing our split, I felt the decision was all mine. Philandering Phil was more than a catchy nickname for an ex. But sometimes I worried he'd wanted the divorce just as much as I did. Where did that balance teeter in my heart? That tilt between pride and desire that kept Phil's image scratching at my memories even twenty years after the death of our marriage. I tugged from my coat pocket a folded white envelope. Shaking it helped scatter unruly thoughts of Phil. I read the return address out loud. "That's the name of the fraternity, Mama. And Monica, that's their national headquarters." I pulled out the crumpled stub and ran a finger along the edge where the check had hung. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I tried the "two," but didn't get further. I wouldn't recite the numbers out loud. No point. Alma and Monica already knew. Overhead, a squirrel scolded. I looked up at the orange quilt of leaves when he repeated the chatter. Of course, they knew the fraternity had paid me two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to forget Monica had drowned in her own vomit on a chintz-covered sofa in the parlor at a party in the campus house they owned. The fraternity bought a quarter million dollars of my forgetfulness. Blood money settled on my blood kin. I felt filthy. Dirty and rich. I stood from the bench. "I can do this much." The squirrel yipped in reply, but I was talking to my family. "Not enough. But I'll make this money mean something. Watch me." I clawed a hole in the bare soil on Monica's side of the grave. From the back pocket of my jeans I pulled the green Bic lighter, then knelt. The lighter's flame leaped to the stub in my hand. When it was well torched, I dropped the sheet into the hole. As fire consumed the papers, wind caught a plume of smoke, carrying its gray feathers toward the church. After the fire guttered, I patted dirt into a mound over the ashes. The scent of burnt paper drifted around my head as I walked to the car. When I reached the end of the path, I saw a Black woman standing at the gate. Her posture was stiff, like a sentry. She wore a navy blue pantsuit, her fists buried in the lapels to pull the jacket tight across her chest. No coat or gloves, a fuchsia blouse buttoned to her throat, as if she'd run from inside the church to intercept me. I hitched my shoulders, then offered a semi-cringe. I had every right to visit the cemetery; but still I felt like an invader. The woman said, "You shouldn't start fires here, you know." She cinched her lips. When I didn't reply she added, "Any spark could set off the grass." "It was a small one." I thinned my voice. "I smothered it before I left." She raised her eyes to the sky, as if she could see smoke scrawled on the clouds. Then she looked straight to my face. "I know you." Thrust lip, no smile. "You're a Myrick, right?" Nailed, but how did this newcomer know my business? From "Death of an Ex" by Delia Pitts. Copyright (c) 2025 by the author and reprinted by permission of Minotaur Books, an imprint of St. Martin's Publishing Group. Return to top of page
The Review Geek
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Under a Dark Sun Season 1 Review – A twisty French thriller that can't outrun its flaws
Season 1 Episode Guide Episode 1 -| Review Score – 3.5/5 Episode 2 -| Review Score – 3/5 Episode 3 -| Review Score – 3/5 Episode 4 -| Review Score – 3/5 Episode 5 -| Review Score – 3/5 Episode 6 -| Review Score – 3/5 Under a Dark Sun is a fast-moving thriller that hooks you early but struggles to stick the landing. Despite an intriguing mystery and some tense moments, the story gets bogged down by contrivances and dated tropes that hold it back from greatness. As far as murder mysteries go though, Under a Dark Sun has a decent premise but it's also quite rough around the edges, in desperate need of some rewrites to sharpen how long-lasting its compelling central mystery cuts. The setting is certainly intriguing though and takes place in the idyllic flower fields of Provence. Alba Mazier is our protagonist, a young single mother with a criminal record. When she takes a job on a rural farm run by the wealthy Lasserre family, trouble ensues. When the patriarch, Arnaud Lasserre, is found murdered, Alba becomes the prime suspect. To make matters worse, it's then revealed that Arnaud secretly changed his will to include her. But why? As the investigation unfolds, shocking truths come to light as it becomes clear that the Lasserre family are anything but saints themselves. With this familial feud boiling over and a whodunit veil hanging over everything, the main bulk of the show centers on Alba investigating a series of clues while we learn more about the main Lasserre family members. The wild matriarch, Beatrice, has her own fair share of problems and she becomes entangled with her lawyer, Jacques. There's also the seemingly timid Lucie, the black cat of the family who wants out, while son Mathieu is next in line to inherit the estate but he's not exactly a capable leader. He clashes with one of the workers, Valentin, whose motives are also unclear until late in the game. On top of all this, there's also a strange assailant that seems to be stalking Alba, dramatic sequences that involve a character buried alive, car chases, escapes from police and stealthy hacking work, to name but a few. All the hallmarks of this genre are stuffed into these 6 episodes, and this French drama certainly can't be faulted for throwing everything and the kitchen sink at the wall. When the show clicks, it really clicks and there are some genuinely thrilling moments and great twist thrown in. For every hit, there's a miss. The show's enthusiasm for twists eventually becomes its downfall, introducing increasingly implausible turns that stretch believability and lead to frustrating plot holes. At one point, a character is rescued by someone who appears out of nowhere, offers a vague explanation and moves said player from point A to point B, and is never mentioned again. Who are they? What do they want? It's a jarring deus ex machina that underscores the show's tendency to bend logic for drama. The police, for example, are only as competent as the writers make them. At one point, they search the same house several times across 3 episodes, and each time they miss key pieces of evidence until the script tells them to look again when they miraculously find what they're looking for. These sort of moments, intermingled with the classic misunderstandings and 'withholding key information' tropes make this feel quite a dated mystery, even with its quirks. Where its writing falters though, the characters in Under a Dark Sun do make up for that somewhat. Alba is a decent protagonist and easy to root for, complete with a dark past that's slowly unveiled over time. Similarly, the Lasserre family members are interesting and their dynamics have enough spice to make for some heated exchanges and fiery encounters. Each episode zips along at a decent pace too so you never really dwell on one plot point for too long. The acting is solid across the board, which certainly helps, and the musical score is excellent. As far as technical aspects go, this one has a lot going for it. However, the amount of mileage you get out of Under a Dark Sun will rest solely on how much forgiveness you can give to its plot. There are undeniable contrivances and annoying plot holes ere that are hard to shake off, even when the characters try to hide those shortcomings or another twist is thrown into the fold. Despite its messy execution, Under a Dark Sun is an easy binge with strong performances, a compelling lead, and just enough intrigue to carry you through. If you can overlook its plot holes, there's fun to be had—just don't expect a flawless mystery here.
