Beloved British cozy mystery series The Marlow Murder Club is returning for Season 3, which means our favorite trio of amateur sleuths is about to find themselves knee-deep in small-town mysteries once again.
Based on the bestselling novels by Death in Paradise creator Robert Thorogood, the series follows retired archaeologist Judith Potts (Samantha Bond), the vicar’s wife and mother, Becks Starling (Cara Horgan), and the dog walker and woman with all the piping-hot tea, Suzie Harris (Jo Martin). With a little help — or perhaps tolerance — from DI Tanika Malik (Natalie Dew), the trio has proven surprisingly good at cracking Marlow’s most puzzling cases.
Before Season 3 brings another round of suspects and secrets, where did we last leave Judith, Becks, Suzie, and Tanika? Here’s a refresher on what each woman was up to when we last saw them.
What happened in Season 1?
After Judith hears a gunshot coming from her neighbor’s yard, she suspects that a murder took place, but local authorities seem wary of her theories. While digging into the possible murder, she meets Becks and Suzie, and the trio decides to team up and “have a little poke around.” The trio discovers they work well together and use their collective brainpower to solve a complex murder.
PBS
In Season 1, the trio discovers that the recent rash of murders in their town are connected by a “murder pact,” essentially a Strangers on a Train scenario involving three people, allowing each killer to have an alibi for the murder they actually wanted committed. Danny Curtis (Mark Frost), Giles Bishop (Mark Fleischmann), and Elliot Howard (Daniel Lapaine) met years earlier as school rowers and agreed to swap targets in an effort to get revenge on their enemies without casting suspicion on themselves.
Danny killed art dealer Stefan Dunwoody (Rufus Wright) for Elliot, who had a bitter feud with him. Elliot killed taxi driver Iqbal Kassam (Umit Ulgen) for Giles after Iqbal discovered that Giles had forged a neighbor’s will. Finally, Giles killed Danny’s wife, Liz Curtis (Phillipa Peak), allowing Danny to sell their highly valuable rowing center.
Judith is eventually attacked by Danny but saved at the last minute by her new friends and DS Tanika Malik. The season wraps up with the trio celebrated as official civilian advisors to the police force.
What happened in Season 2?
Season 2 changes the format of the show, so instead of an overarching mystery, two episodes are dedicated to a single murder.
PBS
Episodes 1 and 2, “Death Comes to Marlow,” feature the death of the wealthy Sir Peter Bailey (James Wilby), who is crushed to death by a bookcase before his wedding.
Episodes 3 and 4, “The Linnet Close Mystery,” follow the discovery of the body of a mystery man who is found in a cul-de-sac.
Episodes 5 and 6, “The Sailing Club Murder,” have the trio attempting to solve the murder of Kit Harcourt (Raphael Akuwudike), a member of the prestigious Marlow Sailing Club.
On a personal level, Suzie’s daughter Zeta (Teagan-Imani) leaves home to university, and the brilliant pooch whisperer suffers from empty-nest syndrome, while Becks struggles with her quiet life in Marlow, leaving her to seek out new friendships and experiences. Meanwhile, Judith discovers that her Aunt Jess had a secret, scandalous love affair. We also find out that Judith’s husband died in Greece under mysterious circumstances.
During this season, Judith is introduced to Darius Gifford (Hugh Quarshie), a professor of archaeology with whom a romance begins to develop.
When is Season 3?
The new season will air on Masterpiece on PBS and will be available for streaming via PBS Passport and the free PBS app.
The Marlow Murder Club on Masterpiece, Season 3, Sunday, September 6, 8/7c, PBS, Streaming via PBS Passport and the free PBS app