Murder by the Sea

To begin with I thought this was going to be a great series. However I must agree with the reviews in that the background music and sounds became unbearable. The storylines were interesting but ruined by the repetitive comments throughout. Another annoying thing is the comment in the introduction that the sea has no respect for human life!!! What a ridiculous statement, the sea is the sea and it is us humans that have no respect for the Sea! The other fact that needs to be clarified is that mental illness does not make a person a murderer. Most murders are committed by people that know exactly what they are doing and are perfectly sane. This should be added to the narrative perhaps look at and quote the statistics on that subject I have tired of this series unfortunately.

Always loved this series, always liked Geoffrey's forthrightness. But my god talk about bias from the start. Only in my opinion of course. But surely the woman had a choice in it. They had a child together for heaven sake. Everything after that was obviously was wrong.

It sounds like there is an orchestra tuning up in the background. It is difficult to hear what is being said. Please stop the loud music in TV programmes, we usually get fed up straining to hear and turn over.

A lack of original footage means plenty of repetition and empty conjecture to fill out each overlong episode. Pace is slow and boring, the presenter constantly dwelling on obvious points like how selfish and lacking in remorse the murderer was and how frightened the victim must have been. Constantly imploring the viewer to imagine this, imagine that, as if they need to be told what to do! The whole thing framed in the ridiculous premise that the seaside somehow attracts murderers more than other possible locations.

I am disgusted with the presenters description of both the island and the islanders. Sanday, pronounced, Sandy, is not a dark, infertile, inhospitable island. The islanders are not uncooperative and secretive and suggestion that all incomers had moved there because they were running away from something is diabolical. I suggest that the people involved in the production get their facts straight. The main island in the group is called Mainland, the main town is Kirkwall. I was on island, visiting at the time of the investigation. I lived there for more than 20 years, so I have a fair insight into island life.

Great (first 5) series about murder cases from late 19th century onwards that occurred in British seaside resorts and coastal towns. Through recreated flashbacks & interviews with various respected crime experts, each episode is presented by best-selling true-crime author & dandy, Geoffrey Wansell. He gives a knowledgeable, intelligent, incisive & well-researched narration as he guides us through each case. Alas, the last 3 series have been awful: presented by dull Nell Darby who frequently misses details when drawing her obvious conclusions delivered in uninspiring & dreary fashion. A great pity.

The story tellers are great, the cases interesting but I avoid watching purely because the music is awful!! The theme tune I guess is meant to be mood setting for the seaside settings of the tales however the only mood setting it provides for me is to switch channel and watch something else. Does the opening music last longer than other programs or does it just feel like it goes on forever because it's so dreadful? The high pitched ships bell needs to go all together and a new theme tune should be considered before I can go back to viewing again.shame as the concept of the program is to my liking.

This interesting programme is ruined by the background noise throughout. Using music or sound to create atmosphere or illustrate a theme is often useful, but this programme just supplies annoying noise, an awful jangling of non-musical sounds. The only reason I can guess for it is that the producers prescribe to a nonsensical notion that noise forces the brain to concentrate more on the programme and thus avoids the viewer's attention wandering. What it does for me is to make it so annoying that I am tempted to switch off. Who on earth is responsible for this dreadful attack on viewers' senses?

Absolutely brilliant series with the incomparable Geoffrey Wansell. Brooding and atmospheric look at some of the nastier seaside happenings! Format now ruined by the producers of the new series replacing Geoffrey with a new female presenter totally without charisma!