Does anyone know if there are a considerable number of serial killers in Britain?

[Baitball Blogger]

I have been digging deep into the British offerings on cable and streaming channels and realize that they seem to be obsessed with putting out the best cat and mouse detective shows one didn't even realize they wanted to see. And they are pretty graphic about the moral turpitude of the serial killer du jour.

It made me wonder, is this a British appetite because they don't have anything like it on their islands? Or because there is too much of that madness going around?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Check out Scandinavian movies and books if you're looking for serial killers.

For countries with low crime rates there sure are a lot of seriously deranged serial killers running around, at least in some imaginations. They're even worse than the British.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. Do I dare?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. Lots of creative murdering by these authors:

Arnaldur Indriðason, Jussi Adler-Olsen, Karin Fossum, Jo Nesbø, Mari Jungstedt, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir.

[zanana1]

21. Scandinavian literature.

It's so dark and bleak you'll want to kill yourself.

[Wicked Blue]

3. I don't know the answer, but

I love British mysteries. And sometimes I get the impression from reading them that the British adore murders.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. If you watch the series "Midsommer Murders" you might wonder

how there are can be any people left in that town, since it seems to have a worse murder rate than Fallujah.

[Aristus]

9. The first few seasons of Midsomer, the murderers were all either gay,

or had twisted sex lives (mother-son, that kind of thing). I think there was an outcry over it, because they dialed it down later on.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

12. More recently the murders seem to be related to dysfunctional families

with lots of money, and some member of the family is bumped off in a strange way, and the person you assume is the heir and the likely suspect, isn't. And there's always some quaint village festival going on.

[smirkymonkey]

13. I love that series!

The characters are all so quirky and interesting. That's half the fun of it. But now that I think about it, there are an inordinately substantial amount of British crime dramas, and I seem to be drawn to them more than I thought I would.

They seem to be very good at it. All the Agatha Christie spin-offs and they just seemed to proliferate from there. Not only are they good stories with intricate plots (well most of them, not all), but the characters are just so eccentric and delightful, even when they are evil and horrible. They are never dull.

I am always up for suggestions. I just finished watching a series called "Broadchurch" w/ Olivia Colman, David Tennant, Charlotte Rampling, et al. It was a little on the dark side, but I couldn't tear myself away. I think I have seen almost all of the Agatha Christie mysteries and versions, and many other detective shows as well, but I'm always looking for something different.

I especially like things that take place in the past, especially the earlier part of the 20th century up to the 50's.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

15. "Broadchurch" was excellent.

[Baitball Blogger]

16. I'm currently watching, "Luther" and I do see one major flaw.

Does no one ever look through through their peep hole? So many victims are absolutely sure they know who is on the other side, and just let in the people in, who kill them.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

20. If they didn't open the door the story would be over.

"There's someone at the door."
"I'll see who it is."
"Don't open the door. Look through the peep hole."
"I can see a guy with a ski mask and a chainsaw. What should I do?"
"Don't open the door."
"OK. Can I get you another beer while I'm up?"

- The End -

[Wicked Blue]

14. I love Midsomer Murders

Midsomer is supposed to be a county, I think, so the murders are spread around somewhat.

But remember Murder she Wrote with Angela Lansbury? I used to wonder if there were any residents left in that murderous little fictional Maine town Cabot Cove.

I particularly like the way Midsomer Murders highlights various British traditions, festivals, community events and hobbies. Those little festivals are deadly.

[Mary Mac]

4. The are just darn good at mysteries.

Also they have deep bench of excellent actors.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. The writing definitely raises the game.

[unblock]

5. Mrs unblock and I have had the same conversation lol

"We should travel more. Shetland looks gorgeous!"

"Are you kidding? 75 people on the whole island and two or three murders a week!"




In all seriousness, no, serial killers are rare outside the u.s.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. LOL!

[msongs]

11. they have plenty. search youtube nt

[dawg day]

17. I love Brit mysteries--

partly because they are so FICTIONAL.

I don't feel guilty about enjoying all the murders because there are so few actual murders there.

For example, the Inspector Lewis mysteries are set in Oxford. Every weekly episode featured (usually) three related murders (like the murderer killed one person for personal reasons, then another to cover up the original crime, then a third to get rid of some potential witness).

So three murders a week!

Sounds like my own US city (which as at least 3 actual murders a week).

I looked up the Oxford homicide rate, just to see.... 3-4 murders a YEAR.



Another example: Midsomer Murders has at least one murder a week, and a full homicide department in the small town of Midsomer. The town Midsomer is based on (where it's mostly filmed) is Wallingford, and supposedly far from having a homicide unit, it has a part-time constable who mostly collects parking fines.

As for serial murders, the UK has some, but the fact they're all still obsessed with Jack the Ripper (150 years ago) indicates they don't have a whole lot of legitimate serial killer material.

I'd feel bad about enjoying a murder show set in my town because there actually are that many murders, and even a couple working serial killers (we think), but Brit mysteries? Mostly just invented.

[angstlessk]

18. Back in the old days, I looked forward to

Masterpiece Mysteries every Friday night. Either with a cup of coffee, a soda or a beer, I watched fervently.

Now I get to stream all my British mysteries. Which is why I have Acorn and Brit Box on my Prime Video file.

Though all of Peroit is not currently available to stream for free..glad I got it when I could.

[Marthe48]

19. How about audiobooks on You Tube

I love Midsomer Murders, and Inspector Morse. And Inspector Lewis.

I recently found Eliot Gould reading Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe stories. He's the only American author I've listened to. Right now, listening to Christopher Lee read Sherlock Holmes.

Other audio books I liked were written by Simon Brett: Charles Paris is an actor who solves mysteries while he acts in different venues, Mrs. Parteger is a sharp widow, whose husband has made sure she has everything she'll need. In the Fethering series, Carol and Jude solve local crime at their own peril. Simon Brett writes well and his characters are very human.

I came across A Touch of Frost (television series), Inspector Allyen, Inspector Wexford, and Inspector Morse, Allyen, Wexford and Morse are either audio books or television. I' ve come across 2 stinkers, and can't rememeber them.

I love the village life described in the mysteries. And I love the older stories. I've been listening to Lord Peter Winmsey and Albert Campion. Really passes the time when I want to sit. Hope you find hours of entertainmnet!

[IcyPeas]

22. recently watched "Des" a scottish serial killer (true story)

Des is a British three-part television drama miniseries,[2] based on the 1983 arrest of Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen,[3] after the discovery of human remains causing the blockage of a drain near his home.[1] The series premiered on 14 September 2020.[4]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Des_(TV_series)

NOTE: IF YOU watch it you may want to turn on subtitles. his scottish accent is very strong.