New! Updated 8/20/08

Blue Murder

Janine Lewis is newly promoted to the rank of Detective Chief Inspector as her marriage is falling apart. She is thrown into the role of single mom. Her boss is not supporting her. He hints that she was given the job because she is a woman. At home she has four children, ranging in age from 15 to newborn. Finding good child care while she works is a real challenge. One of the most interesting aspects of this series is watching Janine solve some of Manchester's worst crimes while trying to be a good parent. Caroline Quentin, who is an award winning comedy actor, does an outstanding job in this dramatic role. (As a side note, do not confuse this series with a Canadian series of the same name.)

Pilot - 2003

(DVD set 1)

"Blue Murder Part1 & 2 "

We are introduced to the characters. DCI Lewis is given a highly publicized case. A man is found stabbed to death in his allotment garden. Janine assembles a suspect list: two young men with criminal records and the wife. The Superintendent wants the case solved quickly and is second guessing DCI Lewis's every move. At home, Janine's husband has moved out. She has not been able to arrange for any permanent child care for her three children which will soon be four since Janine is very pregnant.

2nd Season - 2004

(DVD set 1)

"Hit and Run"

A young woman's body is pulled from the river. She had been strangled. Her face was mutilated and a tattoo was removed to make identification difficult. On her way to the crime scene, DCI Lewis drops her son of at school. While in front of the school, she witnesses a hit and run that leaves a girl from her son's class in serious condition. In addition to the murder, she also takes on the investigation of the hit and run.

"Up in Smoke"

A woman commits suicide by hanging herself. Immediately after her funeral, her husband and a friend turn up missing. Both worked together at the crematorium where her body was cremated. It was widely believed that the dead woman and the friend were having an affair. When the accountant at the crematory discovers while preparing reports for the British air quality department that the woman's cremation produced twice as much bi-product as would be expected, she reports it to DCI Lewis who is already investigating what appeared to be a routine suicide.

"Fragile Relations"

The home of a popular Muslim cleric is set on fire. The young man dies in the fire. There is an immediate outcry from the Muslim community which threaten to erupt into serious riots. The community blames a racist group for the arson. During DCI Lewis' investigation, she discovers that the young man may have been seeing the daughter of a local man. The girl is missing. Janine worries that the girl may also be dead for other reasons.

At home, Janine become aware that her teenage son is sleeping with his girlfriend and arguing with the nanny.

"Lonely"

A young woman is found stabbed to death. There did not appear to be a struggle. She did not even show any signs that she had tried to defend herself. The only apparent witness to the murder is a 12 year old autistic boy who does not communicate with anyone. The victim had been taking care of the boy. The three suspects DCI Lewis has are a lonely landlord, an abusive old boyfriend and a recent date from a quick dating service. Janine is certain the boy witnessed the crime.

3rd Season - 2006

(DVD set 2)

"The Spartacus Thing"

A man kills his wife by strangling her with a dog leash. He is given a short sentence which enrages the dead woman's family. The murderer is released after serving only 18 months in prison. He is found murdered in the same manner as his wife a few days later. It is obvious to DCI Lewis that is was a revenge killing. Family members are prime suspects and in a surprise turn of events most of the family members individually confess to the murder. Janine must prove the innocence of each family member to find the true killer.

"Make Believe"

A small boy vanishes from a playground when his mother is distracted for a moment. Several days later the body of a small boy is found in a drain. Is this the missing boy? If not, who is he and where is the missing boy? Is there a predator on the loose? DCI Lewis is under tremendous pressure to solve the case.

"In Deep"

A body is found at the bottom of lake along with an engraved flask. The flask does not belong to the victim, but does belong to a man who use to fish on the lake often with a small group of friends. When DCI Lewis investigates the man she finds that the lives of the fishermen have changed since the estimated date of the victim's death and that one of the fisherman has died in a mysterious accident.

"Steady Eddie"

A 14 year old girl is hit by car used by a gang of thieves as they race from a jewelry store burglary. The girl dies. The driver of the getaway car is then assassinated while in police custody and the police officer with him is also killed. Is this a revenge killing by someone who knew the young girl or is the killing related to the burglary? The death of the police officer affects DCI Lewis and her team greatly.

4th Season - 2007

(DVD set 3)

"Not a Matter of Life and Death"

A rising football star is found stabbed to death outside a bar. It appears to have been the result of an altercation over a spilt plate of chips. During the course of the investigation, Janine's team discovers evidence that the young athlete may have been living an double life. He may have succumb to the temptations available to a football star.

"Desperate Measure"

A popular doctor whose practice included the treatment of drug addicts is shot dead in front of his office. Within a few hours, it is discovered that his partner's apartment has been ransacked and that doctor is missing. When they go to notify the victim's wife, they discover that the doctor's car had been damaged on his driveway the night before the murder. Janine's team needs to sort this out quickly and determine the motivation behind these events.

"Crisis Management"

An army sergeant major is found dead on the street outside the post recreation center. He was killed by a blow to the head. His unit is in the process of packing up to go to the Middle east. Shortly after the murder another soldier is found beaten and another is found dead. There is tension between the police and the military investigators. However, DCI Lewis finds herself working closely with a Major she just met at a local pub hours before the original crime. The Major seems to be very attracted to her making Richard jealous.

For a full list of available DVDs see below!

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Blue Murder

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Series created by Cath Staincliffe