The Chemistry of Death premieres on January 19, 2023 on Paramount+. The six-part series will stream new episodes weekly.
Synopsis
The Chemistry of Death is a thrilling, psychological crime series based on Simon Becket’s bestselling novels following forensic anthropologist Dr. David Hunter. After a tragic loss in his family, Hunter, formerly a renowned police consultant, has started a new life as a general practitioner in the tranquil English countryside. But when a mutilated corpse is discovered in the woods, the local police come to an initially reluctant Hunter for help. Quickly, a race against time begins as another body turns up and a woman disappears. The first season covers events of the first two novels in the book series.
Review
“Not another crime drama!” I hear you screaming as I’m twisting your arm to watch the brilliant The Chemistry of Death on Paramount+. Based on the books by Simon Becket, the series puts an exciting new spin on the classic British crime drama. I’m not just talking about the Norfolk setting either…
The series stars Harry Treadaway, the tearaway Romulan from season one of Star Trek: Picard, as Dr David Hunter. Hunter is a forensic anthropologist, like Temperance Brennan but more serious, with a tragic past. When we first meet him he’s been working as a GP in a rural practice for a number of years. Running from his past though it generally catches up with him in his dreams. When the idyllic village is rocked by a murder is begrudgingly drags David back to his former profession as he aids the authorities in unravelling a gruesome crime scene.
Firstly, it’s great to see a British crime drama set outside of a major city. I’m ignoring Midsomer Murders here because The Chemistry of Death is not a show to be scoffed at. Every bit as serious and heavy hitting as its terrestrial counter-parts, the series has an excellent balance between character and drama.
This first, six-part series will cover books one and two in the series. Book one makes up much of the first three episodes, with the latter parts of episode three perfectly transitioning to a new story. This ability to slide between stories feels unique for a show based on a book series. Thinking back to Bones, that show never outright adapted Kathy Reichs books but, like most other crime dramas, was procedural and episodic in nature. On the other side of the coin, the British limited crime drama will often focus on one case per season. The Chemistry of Death is neither of those things.
It’s clear that Paramount is gunning for a water cooler moment with this series. I found the episodes I saw entirely binge-worthy. In fact I watched them all in one day as I couldn’t stop. But with the series rolling out weekly it’s clear the aim here is to keep the audience talking as the twists come thick and fast.
I don’t want to get too deep in to the story and ruin the surprise. But certainly the execution of book one – also called The Chemistry of Death – is entirely compelling viewing. There are clues, misdirections and reveals all in the right places. The tone is incredibly consistent, never veering too dark or too light in trying to balance its varying elements.
The cinematography is superior than many of the series counterparts. Elevated further by the beautiful locations. As book one gives way to book two the location shifts to a remote Scottish island and the series gets even more stunning. The escalation in scenery does also beget a similar escalation in the criminal case under investigation though…
Verdict
However you choose to consume The Chemistry of Death its intriguing mystery and depth of character will ultimately reel you in and keep you hooked.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
