Christmas Specials

Update: Britbox has new Vera and Death in Paradise Christmas specials!

British made series often have Christmas specials. Among the detective mysteries, these include Midsomer Murders, Poirot and Death in Paradise. So if you/re in the mood for a little holiday “cheer” in your detection quest, here are six you may enjoy this season.

Midsomer Murders, Ghosts of Christmas Past (season 7, episode 7), first shown December 25, 2004. This one with the original Inspector Barnaby features an unpleasant Christmas cracker, snow and a visit from Joyce’s parents. (My rating: 5)

Midsomer Murders, The Christmas Haunting (season 16, episode 1), first shown December 24, 2013. Okay, it’s with the dour Inspector Barnaby and no snow but includes ghosts, ice and the coming birth of a child. (My rating: 4)

Agatha Christie's Poirot, Hercule Poirot's Christmas (series 6, episode 1), first shown January 1, 1995. Poor Poirot doesn't get the quiet Christmas with his box of chocolates he expected but does get some central heating and the opportunity to team up with Inspector Japp (who thereby gets get relief from continuous Christmas caroling by his wife’s Welsh family). (My rating: 5)

Agatha Christie's Poirot, Murder on the Orient Express (series 12, episode 3), first shown December 25, 2010. Okay, this is not an explicitly Christmas show but it was first shown on Christmas and there is a murder and a whole lot of snow. It’s very good and you’ll want to curl up under a blanket and watch. (My rating: 5+)

Death in Paradise, Christmas in Paradise (Christmas Special 2021), shown December 26, 2021. Detective Parker never gets to his traditional Christmas dinner back in England (which includes Brussels sprouts!) and almost but not quite admits his infatuation with his Sergeant. Misleading clues in a tropical holiday setting. (My rating: 4-)

Death in Paradise, The Death Ghost (Christmas Special 2022), shown January 6, 2023. Parker helps Commissioner Patterson close an old case that includes a new murder and gets to eat his Brussels sprouts. This episode has a nice holiday twist by the end and also an unfortunate beginning. (My rating; 4+)

Midsomer Murders, Poirot and Death in Paradise may be watched on Britbox (running a three months for $10 Black Friday special just now) and/or Acorn TV (with a seven day free trial). But in my experience you can also catch these series by simply searching and finding on YouTube. BTW, Death in Paradise reportedly plans another Christmas special this year.

I will be off for the holidays but back sometime in January with a blockbuster.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!