December lineup

Watch

Black Doves on Netflix: Keira Knightly is back (!) in a spy thriller that’s festive and funny. Yes there is violence - it can’t be a spy thriller without violence - but I didn’t find it too gruesome. Knightly stars as Helen, mother of twins and wife of a British politician. In reality, she is an undercover spy for the Black Doves, a group that sells intel to the highest bidder. When she learns that her lover has been murdered and is determined to find and kill the person responsible, old friend and ‘triggerman’ Sam is brought in to protect her.

This show is full of mystery, intrigue and humour. The Christmas elements throughout added a Love Actually vibe - this coupled with the banter and humour brought lightness and balanced the serious, tense elements.

I didn’t actually find Helen all that likeable, especially by the end, but her complexity drove the show and made compelling television (and we love a complex female character). Sam on the other hand is incredibly likeable and garners empathy, despite being morally questionable - he is a hired gun. You see him wrestling with what he does for a living and finding ways to justify it to himself through is ‘moral code’.

Listen

Homicide prosecutor Matt Murphy on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard: Okay stick with me here - in the first instance you might think an interview with a homicide prosecutor would be a) bland and boring or b) too intense - but it is neither. Matt Murphy is a former homicide prosecutor who has just released his first book, ‘The Book of Murder’. Matt talks about how he got into the profession, the experience of attending his first crime scene and the psyche of serial killers (plus what it’s like to interact with one). This episode is FASCINATING and I wish it was longer. Matt is a great storyteller who speaks about delicate topics with respect while still being engaging. I will definitely read his book - might be one for a future review!

I’ve listened to a lot of Armchair Expert episodes - some people complain that Dax and Monica interrupt guests too much, but if a guest is interesting enough I don’t pay much attention to that. Also I only listen to the interview portion of the episodes, not the ‘fact check’ portion of the podcast at the end.

Sentimental Garbage * bonus recommendation for summer *: This podcast is one of my absolute favourites and it would make perfect, easy holiday listening. It’s hosted by Irish author, Caroline O’Donoghue and is about “the culture we love that society can sometimes make us feel ashamed for”. During COVID Caroline reviewed each season of Sex and the City with her good friend and fellow author Dolly Alderton (!) which then progressed to movie reviews (here’s the episode covering Season 1). These two serve up top notch banter and laughs as well as smart, interesting insights.

That is the hallmark of this show and what sets it apart from general pop-culture podcasts - it’s hilarious and silly but also provides surprisingly smart and insightful musings about content that is generally considered ‘silly’. As the show’s tagline suggests, it really does provide justice for dumb women.

There are so many amazing episodes to choose from. From discussing America’s Next Top Model to Coyote Ugly, Mamma Mia, Save the Last Dance, Taylor Swift, Charlie’s Angels, Josie & The Pussycats, Wimbledon, Avril Lavigne, Chicago, Gilmore Girls, Bring It On, Twilight and more… there is truly something for everyone. Do yourself a favour and listen to them all. Each episode features a guest and they always bring energy and banter.

Read

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman: This is the first book in a new series from the author of ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ (worth reading if you haven’t already - it’s being adapted to a movie for Netflix - but the two series are completely separate so it’s not a prerequisite here).

We Solve Murders follows Amy, a private security officer, her father-in-law and retired detective Steve and Rosie D’Antonio, the world-famous crime writer. Amy, Steve and Rosie get caught up in a murder investigation when Amy becomes implicated in the deaths of some minor influencers who are client’s of her employer. Someone is trying to pin the blame on Amy - and kill her. The trio travel the world encountering hired killers, drug lords and movie stars trying to find the killer before the killer finds them.

Amy is reserved, Steve is serious and thoughtful and Rosie brings them both our of their shells - she is bold, hilarious and delivers wild tales of her encounters with other celebrities.

This book is full of Osmand’s trademark joy, warmth and humour. These books are a bit more about the characters and how their relationships evolve than the murders, but it’s still features mystery, suspense and gun fights. It’s a perfect holiday read. I can’t wait for the next book in this series and to see what Amy, Steve and Rosie get up to next.