"MS. FISHER'S MODERN MURDER MYSTERIES"
The hugely popular Australian series "Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries" gave us the fabulous Essie Davis as Phryne Fisher, a beautiful, brash, brilliant feminist detective, breaking rules in the 1920s. "Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries," set in the 1960s, gives us the magnetic Geraldine Hakewill ("Wanted") as Peregrine Fisher, Phryne's niece, who displays many similar personality traits and, like her aunt, has a knack for solving crimes.
Joining her in battling killers and corruption are Birdie Birnside (Catherine McClements), who has a background in espionage; her earnest brother Samuel (Toby Truslove); scientific genius Violetta Fellini (Louisa Mignone); and Detective James Steed (Joel Jackson), who not only helps Peregrine illuminate clues, but turns on her love light, as well.
In the first episode, Peregrine arrives in Melbourne and earns a spot in the Adventuresses' Club by figuring out who killed a model at a bridal fashion show. Other plots include a murdered pop singer; the slaying of an old friend of Birdie's, possibly involving extraterrestrials; and the juicy case of a slain chef.
Like "Miss Fisher," "Ms." is zesty and entertaining. It's also visually stylish. Hakewill wears the mod fashions, mini-skirts and bold patterns, quite well. She might well have leapt out of an episode of "The Girl From U.N.C.L.E."
With her plucky attitude, she is consistently fun to watch. And McClements is particularly strong in support, deft at handling the more dramatic moments, as well as the light ones.
The spin-off series of four feature-length mysteries is now available in a two-disc set, Blu-ray or DVD, from Acorn Media. Fans will relish the behind-the-scenes bonus.
"A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES"
This simmering, supernatural, suspense tale proves to be enthralling from its opening episode onwards. All eight episodes from 2018/19's first season are now available on two DVD or Blu-ray discs from Acorn. It brims with all the right ingredients to entice fans of suspense, the supernatural and unorthodox romances.
Based on the "All Souls" trilogy penned by Deborah Harkness, the series is set in modern times. It revolves around an American professor, Diana Bishop, who's doing research at Oxford University in England. A witch who has turned her back on her occult talents, she stumbles upon an ancient book of spells. This mystical tome had been long sought, especially by Matthew Clairmont. He's a geneticist. Oh, yes, he's also a vampire.
Bishop finds herself discovering more about her inner drives, as well as the world of such creatures as witches, vampires and demons. The potential of an interspecies relationship complicates things. Compelling characters, intriguing mystery, tightly strung tension and striking visuals will hold the viewer's interest.
Australian native Teresa Palmer ("Hacksaw Ridge") is effective as Bishop. Matthew Goode ("Downton Abbey," "Watchmen," "Stoker" "Match Point," "Brideshead Revisited"), as Clairmont, radiates enough vampire intensity and charisma to make Lugosi, Lee, Langella, Robert Pattinson and "True Blood"'s Stephen Moyer jealous. The fine supporting cast includes Alex Kingston ("Doctor Who"), Owen Teale ("Game of Thrones"), Lindsay Duncan ("The Leftovers") and Trevor Eve ("Walking Dead").
The two-disc Acorn set includes featurettes that add insights into the characters, mythology and "TV Magic." You should definitely discover this series. You'll find it bewitching!
FACE IT: A MEMOIR
By Debbie Harry [Dey Street Books]
As rock superstars go, Debbie Harry has always been rather enigmatic. That has just made her that much more intriguing. But with her new memoir, "Face It," the Blondie lead vocalist gives us fascinating insights into her personality, life and career.
She talks openly about her childhood, the details of her adoption, feeling like an outsider, her insecurities, her determination not to settle for a conformist, suburban life.
Once she moved to New York, after junior college, the driven Harry explored the underground scene and struggled to find her fit in the arts. Perhaps acting? Marilyn Monroe was a role model. She survived by doing odd jobs, the oddest being Playboy Bunny. Fulfillment came through music, first with 60s folk-rock group Wind in the Willows and then the female-fronted group The Stillettoes.
Along the way, she crossed paths with many fascinating, creative people. In the book, she describes rubbing shoulders with such legends as Andy Warhol, Miles Davis, the Dolls, Iggy Pop and David Bowie (who flashed her). The punk movement suited Harry's rebellious streak. Glam artists also influenced her.
Once she connected with Chris Stein, she generated new wave excitement with Blondie. Harry developed a persona, as Marilyn Monroe did, that people believed was who she really was. Though her natural allure did play a part in the band rising to massive popularity, Harry mentions in the book how she shunned the most blatant attempts by executives to use her sex appeal as a marketing tool. She would create her own image... and quite well, thank you very much. Though she had never been overly impressed with her looks, she knew she possessed a type of beauty that could be an advantage in gaining attention. So she used it.
She documents the group's wild ride, as they rose from the seedy, but inspiring atmosphere of CBGB's to international fame. But the band's success sometimes interfered with Harry's acting ambitions.
She delves into her relationship with Stein, the romantic, as well as the musical; dealing with his debilitating illness; their break-up; and eventual professional reunion in a revitalized Blondie.
Over the course of the band's colorful history, Harry recollects many other brief encounters with luminaries, such as Paul McCartney and Phil Spector (and yes, he did shove a gun into Harry's face). She doesn't shy away from the difficult times -- the drugs; the violent ex-boyfriend who stalked her; a rape/robbery; and financial disaster.
The book, packed with eye-catching photos and artwork, is a can't-put-it-down read. Though we sense that she still isn't dropping all of the veils, "Face It" lets us know what's behind Debbie Harry's famous face, in that sharp and complicated mind of hers, as well as offering a behind-the-scenes look at the rock world of the past 40 years.
ME
By Elton John [Henry Holt]
It's funny, touching, revealing, audacious and wildly entertaining -- what else would you expect from Elton John's autobiography? He delves into the excitement and the excesses.
It's all here -- his lifelong passion for music; the affection and respect for lyricist Bernie Taupin; the triumphant concerts; the historic recording sessions; the path of coming to terms with his sexuality; and his gradual transformation into Elton John, family man.
Along the way, he shares an abundance of memorable anecdotes, recalling a variety of extraordinary escapades and adventures. John offers his impressions of such celebrated friends as Freddie Mercury, John Lennon, George Michael, Rod Stewart and Princess Diana. John can be biting, as well as self-deprecating. But there's also a warmth and charm to his recollections.
A shy lad who struggled through a difficult childhood, he rose to the ultimate heights of pop stardom, becoming a flamboyant icon, renowned for his philanthropy, as well as his inspired and inspiring musical creations.
If the "Rocket Man" biopic whetted your appetite for his story, the frank autobiography allows you to know Elton John in a far more profound way. The singer-songwriter has poured his heart and soul into this resonant work.
