Murder Most Puzzling is the latest cosy crime to land on our screens and, like most TV shows, it has divided Channel 5 viewers – but here’s a message to the haters in our review.

The three-part series kicked off this week (Thursday, June 19, 2025), with its first feature-length episode. In it, Phyllis Logan portrays ‘The Puzzle Lady’ Cora Felton, an amateur sleuth who finds she has quite the knack for tracking down killers… And stepping on toes in the process.

After the show, some viewers gave the series an absolute roasting. But here’s why they’re wrong in our Murder Most Puzzling review…

Alistair Brammer as Bakerbury Gazette journalist Anton in Murder Most Puzzling [Credit: Channel 5]

Viewers ‘stop watching’ after one episode

After the first two-hour episode aired, some viewers were super critical of the cosy crime drama. A fair few declared they’d already ‘binned’ the show, and wouldn’t be watching the subsequent two instalments.

One griped: “I just tried the murder mystery TV series #MurderMostPuzzling starring Phyllis Logan. I gave up in less than 10 minutes because it’s cheesy [bleep].”

Another chimed in: “The format and scenic styling is very similar to all the amateur detective US (and some Aussie) shows. For all their faults, at least the likes of Murder She Wrote and Columbo had charm. Murder Most Puzzling and Death Valley consigned to the bin after one episode.”

A third wrote: “I’ve removed my series link as this is yet another badly written series. I’m just surprised that Phyllis Logan agreed to do this! #murdermostpuzzling.”

“Love Phyllis Logan, but Murder Most Puzzling is not great,” said another. “To have a police force that discloses all the details of a murder case to the public – clearly for plot purposes is irritating. Like Death Valley, this just misses the mark and, at two hours, it plodded along. Script needs sharpening up.”

Others called the series “daft”, “shite”, and just plain “bad”.

Murder Most Puzzling review – is it worth watching?

But hang on, these armchair critics are missing the point. Cosy crimes aren’t supposed to be forensically accurate like Silent Witness, or serious detective dramas such as Karen Pirie. They are supposed to be light-hearted fun! That. Is. The. Point.

Cosy crime by its very nature is characterised by its gentle, light-hearted approach, often featuring amateur sleuths and close-knit communities. These stories typically “avoid graphic violence, excessive gore, and explicit sexual content, focusing instead on puzzle-solving and character-driven narratives”.

Yes, yes, and yes! That’s exactly what Murder Most Puzzling delivers. It’s funny, has likeable, quirky characters, and a central whodunit mystery every episode. If you like cosy crimes, this is exactly what you’re looking for. If you don’t, turn over.

While some viewers criticised the “wooden acting”, we call them out as snobs! The cast is largely made up of actors who aren’t as well known as Downton Abbey star Phyllis. But they hold their own – not least Adam Best’s grumpy DCI Hooper.

Viewers must approach Murder Most Puzzling as they should approach all cosy crime – with tongue firmly in cheek, and disbelief fully suspended. Cynics beware.

There’s a reason cosy crime is so popular at the moment. Series such as The Marlow Murder Club, The Madame Blanc Mysteries, and The Good Ship Murder offer a comforting and escapist experience… If you want gritty, true to life drama, this isn’t for you. Stick to The Gold.

Phyllis Logan as Cora Felton in Murder Most Puzzling [Credit: Channel 5]

‘A bit of light-hearted murder solving’

Some viewers thoroughly enjoyed the series for what it was, though, with one typing: “A bit of light-hearted murder solving. Murder Most Puzzling was easy watching and fun. If you enjoy the books, then this will likely tick the boxes!”

Another added: “This is so bad, it’s great. Loving it. The crime scene howling. #murdermostpuzzling.”

A third said: “Murder Most Puzzling was a fairly decent cosy crime piece.”

We couldn’t agree more. Murder Most Puzzling is charming. It’s fun, funny, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s also a will-they-won’t-they storyline between two very likeable characters, and Phyllis Logan is brilliant as the eccentric Cora.

Yes, it’s exaggerated, silly, and a bit cheesy, but that’s exactly what it’s trying to be! Oh, and it’s based on the Parnell Hall books, so maybe the hate viewers need to take it up with the author!