International murder mysteries are big business. So unsurprisingly, Amazon Prime Video has gotten on board to bring us the Spanish, A Private Affair (Un asunto privado).
So what is it all about, and is worth investing the time to watch it?
What Is A Private Affair About?
It is the 1940s in Galicia, Spain and Marina Quiroga (Aura Garrido) is a daring upper class girl whose father was a legendary Police Commissioner.
But given the era that it is set in, women are not allowed to join the police, leaving Marina to her own devices as she hones her detective skills.
Her brother Arturo (Pablo Molinero) is now the new Commissioner, and Marina is seen as nothing more than a flighty woman who needs to be married off. That is until she accidentally stumbles across a murder.
With her detective's soul all fired up, Marina follows the clues, along with faithful butler Hector's help (Jean Reno), to track down the killer.
It doesn't take her long to figure out that it is a serial killer at work and all the clues lead to the ‘blue house' and an underground elite prostitution ring.
But with everything and everyone stacked against her, can she figure out who it is in time to stop him from killing again?
A Private Affair Official Trailer
Is A Private Affair Worth Watching?
First off you need to know that the Spanish dubbing is truly awful, so switch to subtitles from the beginning.
Secondly, this isn't a dark and brooding Nordic Noir-style show. It is more of an old-fashioned crime caper.
So expect lots of over the top drama, running along rooftops, dangling from towers and cat and mouse chases as the intrepid duo try to catch the serial killer.
Once you get passed that, as it is very annoying, there is actually a decent mystery to be solved. That is, despite the clues often coming incredibly easy to Marina while everybody stumbles around to catch up.
The casting is solid (who knew famous French actor Jean Reno was also fluent in Spanish!), but the characters are deliberately dumbed down to ensure that Marina comes across as the only intelligent person in the show.
Overall, if you get used to the style, the dramatics and the Enid Blyton style detective, A Private Affair is watchable. Barely.
They may very well make a second season, I just don't know if I would be bothered enough to watch it.
A Private Affair TV Series Cast
Aura Garrido (The Innocent) as Marina Quiroga, a girl with a detective's soul but who cannot join the police force.
Jean Reno as Marina's devoted butler Hector who helps her solve crimes.
Gorka Otxoa as Pablo Zarco, a detective who agrees to let Marina help with the case.
Pablo Molinero as Arturo, Marina's brother and the new Police chief.
Álex García (Unknown Origins) as Andrés Castaño, a detective who believes Marina should have been made Police Chief as she is a better detective.
Ángela Molina as Doña Asunción, Marina's overly dramatic mother.
