Dalziel and Pascoe (TV Series) Houdini's Ghost: Part 1 (2006) User Reviews

A locked room mystery. Excellent episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 17 April 2019]

Andy's love life once again causes problems, as an old flame pops up in a seemingly obvious suicide. It's Peter that pushes the case, seeing the crime as a locked room murder, as opposed to a clever suicide.

A very enjoyable opening episode, it's a very well written, clever mystery. It has some terrific characters, and some fine performances, Cherie Lunghi is always good value, and shines in this episode.

Very clever indeed, a plot worthy of Jonathan Creek. 8/10

A fantastic episode

[lbowdls · 9/10 · 29 May 2023]

So far this is my favourite episode that I've seen of the series. This episode is embedded in the past and present with secrets and lies aplenty including Dalziel re visiting an old love from 20 years ago, who was bashed - we believe by her husband but is it true? Is she the murderer of his now? 0r was it really suicide?

Or is it one of a plethora of other suspects including family or associates from back then and now? Another murder or suicide occurs halfway. So many characters that we very slowly evolve to know identity. Including an old man in a nursing home?

I haven't even finished watching this episode to the end yet I have to say how mysterious and exciting it is trying to work out all the possibilities of this complex story from past and present.

Tricks and some treats

[xmasdaybaby1966 · 8/10 · 9 August 2021]

I know the show was not designed to be bingewatched so watching my fourth episode today was probably a bit much so having the new series being slightly longer than the last was a bit off-putting.

Cheri Lunghi is her usual vivacious self and keeps a slow story interesting.

The mystery of the alleged suicide does give some interest but does have quite a back seat but the ending is intriguing.

Followers of the new style show are probably impressed and this is a slightly better one than of late.

Annoying score

[truekk · 5/10 · 14 September 2023]

The story and cast were overshadowed by an idiotically eccentric and intrusive musical score, similarly ludicrous camera moves, and even bad choices in set design, all of which needlessly distracted from anything of quality in the episode. This applies to both parts of "Houdini's Ghost," which we saw combined as a single episode.

On another note, this is not the first episode in which Andy Dalziel reconnects with a former flame, despite his claiming this was the only time he was ever in love. You can't blame the actors or fault their performances, but you might wish for better consistency from the writers, not to mention their repeated portrayals of Dalziel having beautiful women find him attractive.