Netflix’s Newest 18-Part Murder Mystery Series Is the Perfect Weekend Binge

If you’re a big fan of TV, then chances are you have your favorite crime procedural on lock. Whether it’s Law & Order: SVU, which has been going strong for 28 seasons, or more recent additions to the genre, like High Potential, crime procedurals aren’t exactly rare on TV, but they always seem to captivate viewers with mystery and suspense.

One recent addition to the genre is Murder in a Small Town, a Fox series that first released on September 24, 2024, and has just arrived on Netflix. Just one week since landing on the streaming giant, the two-season series is already making waves, and has reached #3 in the U.S., per FlixPatrol. Looking through the synopsis and reviews, it’s clear to see why the series has spoken to so many viewers, and with Season 3 already confirmed, its success will likely keep on coming.

‘Murder In a Small Town’ Is a Cozy, Easy-to-Binge Series

Based on the Alberg and Cassandra Mysteries novels by L.R. Wright, Murder in a Small Town delivers a story that is both warm and cozy, and suspenseful with its case-of-the-week mysteries. The series follows the story of Karl Alberg (Rossif Sutherland, son of the late Donald Sutherland), a burnt-out big-city detective who moves from Minneapolis to the quiet coastal town of Gibsons in British Columbia to serve as police chief. While he’s still getting his footing, however, the small town proves that it’s regularly plagued by murder, lies and mystery. The first case, for instance, sees an elderly man named Carlyle Burke (R.H. Thomson) lying dead on his living room floor with a pool of blood under his head. Albeit a shocking sight in the idyllic setting, Karl soon puts on his detective hat and blows the case wide open.

As he investigates and tries to get a grip on his seemingly tranquil new life, he sparks a connection with a local librarian called Cassandra Lee (Kristin Kreuk). Their connection is timid at first, with both characters shy and wary about the possibility of finding love again. But, with their natural chemistry with one another onscreen, it’s clear to viewers that a slow-burn romance is about to start simmering between them. Also important to the story is Karl’s team, including newly hired Corporal Edwina Yen (Mya Lowe), Sergeant Sid Sokolowski (Aaron Douglas), rookie officer Andy Kendrick (Fritzy-Klevans Destine) and Isabella Harbud (Savonna Spracklin), the police station’s unapologetic receptionist who keeps everyone in line. In addition to the central characters, the crime drama is packed with notable guest stars, including James Cromwell, Devon Sawa, Erica Durance, Tyler Posey, Noah Reid, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

The Series Still Brings Something New to the Genre

While the synopsis alone might suggest that Murder in a Small Town is just another crime procedural, what sets the show apart is its main character. As pointed out by Isabella Soares in her review for Collider, Karl is unlike most protagonists in the genre. In shows like High Potential, The Mentalist, Sherlock, and several more, the main character is someone with an inept superpower, someone who doesn’t care to be liked and is a genius others can’t keep up with. With Karl, however, that’s not the case. He’s calm, caring, concerned about his relationship with his daughters and even has an artistic side, a talent he keeps hidden in the confines of his studio at home. “This easygoing stance allows for the main character to be personable and is the unique aspect of this series,” Soares stated, adding that the series is “a predictable murder investigation, but a not-so-predictable lead.”

With all that said, as Murder in a Small Town continues to win over viewers on Netflix, its success should be no surprise. While the crime-of-the-week format is already an old faithful on TV, the series brings something new by leading it with a personable, empathetic detective, and a slow-burning romance that viewers quickly latch on to a root for.

Release Date

September 24, 2024

Network

Global TV, FOX

Directors

amanda tapping