Good concept, poorly executed.

It is both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.

Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

Patricia Routledge gives a superb performance as the title character in a crime drama only the British can produce so exquisitely. From visionary producer/creators John Bowen and David Cook, this intriguing, penetrating mystery series is set in the deceptively tranquil, idyllic Lancashire countryside, in a small village where supposedly little happens. A harmless appearing resident homemaker named Hetty Wainthropp discovers a very dark side indeed to her surroundings and sets out to blow this peaceful hamlet wide open. Aided by a young man who she has saved from a life of brutal criminality, she becomes one of the leading private investigators in the UK and the most sought after professional in her field. At first it's a bit of a lark in order to compensate for her husband's lethargy, indolence, and unemployment but soon it's a vocation as well as an all consuming obsession, leading her down dark labyrinths of deadly danger. At times powerful and hard hitting and at others deeply moving, Hetty Waintrhropp Investigates never pulls its punches and is always extraordinarily challenging television.

I have always loved indulging in a good televised mystery such as Matlock, Columbo and even Diagnosis Murder. When I came across Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, it was shortly after learning that the brilliant British actor, Dominic Monaghan was in it. It didn't stop there though because I went on to watching Patricia Routledge in her legendary artistry in Keeping Up Appearances.Hetty Wainthropp Investigates is nothing like the master comedic performance Routledge gives in Keeping Up Appearances. This is a mystery drama, not a BritCom. The first episode introduces Hetty Wainthropp (played by Patricia Routledge) as a no nonsense stay-at-home housewife who even though she enjoys taking care of her loving husband, Robert Wainthropp (played by Derek Benfield), doing the cooking and the cleaning; yearns for something much more. Hetty is celebrating her 65th Birthday, but flat out refuses to be called a senior citizen. After witnessing theft and a possible fraud at her new job as a type of Western Union employee, her curiosity immediately piques and she decides to explore this matter further. She goes to the chief of police and tells him of the speculation of fraud. She also subtly hints that she would like to explore this sensitive matter herself.Well, time for an assistant. Preferably someone younger than her hubby for obvious reasons, Hetty sets her eye on Geoffrey Shawcross (played by Dominic Monaghan) and asks him to come aboard with her. They are one of those fascinating, high quality, investigative duos that will forever be difficult to top.Patricia Routledge and Dominic Monaghan do a spectacular job in this Emmy-worthy T.V. show. After a six year run of epic proportions, there definitely needs to be talk of bringing it back for another series reunion.

What really makes this series is Hetty's demeanor. It's hard to explain but she is comforting and fierce at the same time. I love the humdrum British world it takes us to, a different culture and setting than the one I live in, but I appreciate that it gives me a taste of simpler times. My favorite episodes: Helping Hansi (a German gardener is being harassed by residents of a building complex and pinned as a Nazi. His acting of his isolation was really good.) Woman of the Year (Hetty solves a crime at a home for battered women. It's well done) , Runaways (Again a hard topic is addressed: Hetty finds out where a two mentally disabled young adults who are in love ran off to), Fisticuffs .

Gently amusing, occasionally dramatic, quirky English TV series which features a cast of peerless players who you will soon find warming your heart each week. Recommended as a stress reliever for all sitcom weary viewers and potential travellers to England. 10 out of 10 rating given by this viewer.