Detective Inspector Kate ‘Ash’ Ashurst and Detective Sergeant Emma ‘Scribbs’ Scribbins share at least one thing in common: It’s their job to pursue crime wherever it lurks - and it lurks in the leafy glades of the suburbs...

Murder in Suburbia sadly only ran for two series between 2004 and 2005. I say "sadly" because this is an interesting series which has plenty more mileage and it was cut short way before it reached its prime.

Series Two follows on from Series One with the same basic set up. Ash and Scribbs work together to solve cases - Ash is the serious and intense one, while Scribbs is the happier, more carefree of the duo. The funny lines are shared between the two characters.

Series Two was originally broadcast on ITV between 28 May and 15 August 2005 and is comprised of six episodes:

Witches: The body of a murdered teenager leads Ash and Scribbs into a girl’s school and an unexpected world of witchcraft.

Estate Agent: When the corpse of an estate agent is found in his office, the list of suspects is endless. It soon transpires that the dead man was hated by his colleagues, slept with a lot of his clients, and attempted to make a quick sale on the majority of his clients' properties. Just where do the detectives start? This episode also stars Ewen Macintosh as Jeremy Stamford. The Office fans will better remember Macintosh for playing Keith Bishop.

Wedding: A party gets out of control when the father of the bride gives his daughter away and topples to his death in a carp pond. As the detectives snoop around they soon discover a long list of people who have motive enough to kill him. This episode also stars Lynda Bellingham as Milly Goodman.

Salsa: When a salsa dancer winds up dead at her home Ash and Scribbs are led on a merry dance as the murder tries to get away.

Dogs: When a dog watcher is killed Ash and Scribbs are called in to follow the leads (sorry, couldn't resist that one). But are they barking up the wrong tree (no stopping me now) with their chief suspect - a dog whisperer who was also employed by the dead woman? Neil Stuke makes an appearance in this episode as Steve the dog whisperer. Game On fans will best remember Stuke for his role as Matthew Malone in the show's second and third series.

Oldies: When a 50s singing sensation is murdered in the retirement home he lives in, our detectives are sent in to find out who could want an old man dead - just about everyone it seems. Guest stars include Michael Jayston, Olivia Colman (Peep Show) and Michele Dotrice (Betty in Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em).

Extras are a little disappointing. All we get are text based cast filmographies and a picture gallery.

While some might crave more in the way of extras, to be honest the episodes were enough for me. They've got everything: great storylines, impressive guest stars, comedy, mystery... It's a shame that this is where the series bows out.

8

Darren Rea