If you enjoy a puzzle and a good crime drama, you’ll be pleased to hear the two are colliding in an ingenious new Channel 5 series. That’s right, Downton Abbey star Phyllis Logan is playing a puzzle-solving sleuth in the broadcaster's brilliant new crime drama, Murder Most Puzzling - and with a baffling murder to solve at the heart of it, it really is the ultimate guessing game.
You see, Cora, also known as the 'Puzzle Lady', has been roped into helping DCI Hooper (Adam Best) and the Bakerbury police solve its first murder case; the body in this case has a crossword clue pinned to it, after all. But it seems Cora might not be quite as well-equipped to do it as she’s led people to believe. Cue an investigation that’s as mad as it is mind-boggling!
Ahead of the drama’s arrival on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about the latest crime series we can’t wait for.
What is Murder Most Puzzling about?
Based on the best-selling books by American author Parnell Hall, the six-part crime drama begins when a rather unusual murder takes place in the sleepy market town of Bakerbury. The local police are baffled by a crossword puzzle left on the body, and it calls for one thing: the help of Bakerbury’s recent arrival, Cora Felton (Phyllis Logan), the eponymous Puzzle Lady.
So can help she help DCI Hooper and the Bakerbury police solve its first murder case? Well, if you’ve read The Puzzle Lady books, you’ll know that the eccentric Cora isn’t exactly who she claims to be. Or as good at puzzle-solving as she claims to be, to be more specific. And, as she throws herself into a murder case that has the town’s residents baffled, she starts to gather allies and enemies in equal measure.
Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 and Paramount+ says: “We’re very pleased to bring Murder Most Puzzling to Channel 5, a compelling, cosy crime drama that will keep viewers guessing and entertained equally. Phyllis Logan will be excellent as Cora Felton, our Puzzle Lady.”
Emily Dalton, Managing Director, Factual Fiction adds: “With Cora Felton, Dominique Moloney has written a character that leaps off the page and we are so happy that the wonderful Phyllis Logan will bring The Puzzle Lady to life.”
For a taster of what's in store, you can watch the trailer for Murder Most Puzzling below.
Who's starring in Murder Most Puzzling?
The cast of Murder Most Puzzling includes:
- Phyllis Logan as Cora Felton
- Charlotte Hope as Sherry Carter
- Alistair Brammer as Anton Grant
- Adam Best as DCI Hooper
- Nick Danan as DS Sam Brody
- Jack Weise as PC Danny Finley
- Richard Croxford as Mayor Firth
- Conor Sánchez as Jimmi Potter
Are The Puzzle Lady books any good?
Yes – and, needless to say, you’ll especially enjoy them if you’re a crossword fan. The concept alone is pretty brilliant, but the books (there’s now 20 of them!) keep you intrigued throughout and Cora Felton is the most brilliantly entertaining character. In fact, she’s been described as Miss Marple on steroids!
How can I watch Murder Most Puzzling?
Good news - we have a release date! Murder Most Puzzling starts on Channel 5 at 8pm on Thursday 19th June. It will air weekly for three weeks, before being available to stream.