The series title is misleading as it has little to do with Agatha Christie if you are a purist, but it is entertaining enough for a quick break from reality. I love the sets and costumes in general; the setting is just post WW2. They did not have Botox and filler back then. A number of the female characters are pumped full of the stuff as their eyebrows are situated so high and arched on their foreheads and their cheeks so round and full, they have that all too common permanently surprised or even pained clown look that many celebrities have today. Unfortunately, the art of acting with a natural expression that includes facial expressions is becoming a lost art.

First thing that grabbed me and kept on grabbing me until the bitter end was how bad David Walliams was as Tommy. Wooden, blank, apathetic and I could not figure out how his feisty, fun, bright wife could love him. At all.Jessica Raine played her part well, I think. Having never read the books I can't say for sure but she impressed me.Loved all the period detail.The Uncle - well, unfortunately all I could see was the bumbling character he played in Vicar of Dibley and so I didn't feel his character was terribly believable..The supporting casts in both parts were excellent. Nice to see Commander Dalgliesh back in action (Roy Marsden).The plots were OK but I did have to rewind a few times because I was a wee bit confused at certain elements. Liked "Secret Adversary" more than "M or N".

I'm disappointed that so many did not enjoy this series. I love Walliams and wish he were in more dramas. (Remember his great supporting character in The Body in the Library; Agatha Christie's Miss Marple?). I'm not that familiar with Raine but I thought she sparkled in this comedy/mystery. Along with Steer as the handless chemist they make a great ensemble. It appears some were disappointed because this was not a serious, grim show. Granted it was not Tinker, Tailor Soldier but I can't believe it as supposed to be. I gave it a 9 because the plots could be better but as a vehicle for these wonderful characters it worked.

The male lead is utterly wooden and the pace is tedious at best. In the plot development, ludicrous and foolish choices are often made by him and his wife that no one in their right mind would make and live to tell about it! Perhaps with a different male lead and better directing this could have gone somewhere but as it stands it is very disappointing. Given the quality of murder mysteries (Lewis, Wire in the Blood, etc) and spy stories that come out of the UK (MI-5 for ex) this show is almost amateurish. The technical details are fine--lighting, locations, camera-work but the director and editor should look for other work!