Episode #1.1

Not familiar with the book, but a quality story is guaranteed with Agatha Christie, the only question being how good it is adapted for screen. From the opening choral music, rugged coast and first dialogue, establishing the setting as Wales, to the shocking final scene, this is excellent.

Lucy Boynton gives a fabulous performance as Frankie, she improves each time I see her.

This Agatha Christie story has a great hook, but is otherwise not one of her most memorable ones; in fact, although I have already watched two screen versions (1983 and 2009), I have completely forgotten most of the important details! I enjoyed the first episode of this new adaptation: it's basically all setup, the direction has a few sweeping camera dives and neat photographic tricks but is otherwise standard and Will Poulter is merely OK (so far) as Bobby, but Lucy Boynton is utterly delightful as Frankie; bright and witty, she brings new dimensions to womanhood (my favorite line of hers: - "is he thick-o?" - "as they come-o"). I hope she gets more screen time in the next two episodes, because in this one the scenes she is in have considerably more life than the scenes she isn't. *** out of 4.

Written and directed by Hugh Laurie who has roped in his old comedian friends for cameos.

Bobby Jones a former officer, the son of a vicar and a caddy who comes across a man who fell from a cliff.

His final intriguing words 'Why didn't they ask Evans?'

Bobby along with the posh Lady Frances better known as Frankie look into the case.

Immediately Bobby notices someone following him, he is later drugged and who was the mysterious man who came running to him just as soon as he found the man who fell.

Laurie makes good use of the rugged Welsh coastline. That drone must have been on overtime.

He also examines class and privilege. Maybe the snobbishness from Christie's books has been toned down with Frankie obviously having the hots for Bobby who is doing all kinds of menial jobs.

A solid opener, some nice visual touches from Laurie but also a bit old fashioned.

Whilst out golfing, Bobby Jones discovers a man who's apparently fallen off a cliff face, he utters his dying words to Bobby, Why didn't they ask Evans?

It's a cracking start I thought, and huge credit to High Laurie, for pretty much going back to basics, the recent trend with Christie's work, has been to amend it hugely, there's something almost a little old fashioned about this, and that is in its favour.

Visually jaw dropping, clothes, cars, that magical Welsh coastline. If you like authenticity, they bailed it here.

Will Poulter was great as Bobby, he did a fine job here, as do the whole cast. Conleith Hill was brilliant too, Magpie Murders, Holding, how incredibly versatile is this guy.

First part done, it felt very faithful to the book, it'll be interesting to see if it continues that way.

Cracking, 9/10.