Inspector Marie Brand looks like she could be anyone's friendly aunt, but her nondescript look belie phenomenal mental abilities. Her thinking is out-of-the-box scary: she sees physical inconsistencies at the crime scene immediately she's constantly collecting details about everything and she always has a unique take on situations. Add to the mix that she's good at sensing when she's being lied to, and you've got the ideal murder investigator. But after the death of her policeman father, she said goodbye to homicides or so she thought. She finds herself back on the murder beat when she's called in to consult on a difficult case, working with the self-described ladies' man, Inspector Jurgen Simmel. Simmel can't wait to be rid of her, but his disdain turns into appreciation. It's a May/December pairing that works; he's tolerant of her eccentricities once he comprehends the scope of her brilliance, and she needs a little protection along with the common sense and physicality he brings to the equation. She's also happy to bring a blast of reality to his overblown perception of himself as the city's finest lady whisperer. Together, they're an entertaining German dream team, catching the murderers, criminals and crooks of Cologne.
T**Y
It grows on you
Excellent plots but weak character development in the beginning. Didn't quite create the tension between main characters that was expected and that tension that was there dissolved quickly. The male lead ended but being a caricature instead of a character, almost the classic comic relief found in early films (Charlie Chan comes to mind) against the mature, highly qualified female lead. Both played well against US stereotypes of German efficiency.
D**T
An interesting example of German Television's portrayal of the law ...
An interesting example of German Television's portrayal of the law enforcement culture.Some real-life aspects of the former East German ethos are sometimes apparent or implied.Enjoyable series! Marie's Mind for Murder (English Subtitled)
B**Y
... the women in some of these murder mysteries dress like they are going out to do the gardening
It must be really popular to have the women in some of these murder mysteries dress like they are going out to do the gardening. Sloppy.The show is ok and would get a higher rating from me if the male counterpart wasn't such an idiot most of the time. Maybe it will improve but I'm not holding my breath. Give her a new partner with common sense and dress her better!
M**N
English Title Tells More than the German One
Good criminal investigation series with an often amusing relationship between the two police detectives. Marie Brand is more observant than most, which helps her solve murders. In addition, she has some unusual skills such as being able to write with both hands simultaneously, though it's not terribly believable that she would be able to submit handwritten reports in this day and age. However, these abilities help gain the trust of her new partner. My only problem is the sometimes odd subtitles. I bought the DVDs in order for my mother to see the show on her big screen TV. We both speak German, and translating greetings as "Howdy" or "Mom's the word" show that the show was translated for an American audience, but by someone who didn't really know modern American English. I hope the translation is better for the next set.
R**D
Outstanding entertainment in this German production
Wonderful chemistry between two German homicide detectives located in Cologne. They are English subtitled and offer a refreshing change of scenery and plot from most American and English mysteries. They are not for all your family, but offer a great blend of mystery, action and humor for mature audiences. I just wish there were additional years available!
R**K
Predictable, Superficial and a Disappointment
This series is very weak compared to other German police procedurals like Bukow & Konig and Anatomy of Evil. The stories are predictable and superficial. The writing is marginal. The characters are assemblies of surface traits and stereotypes instead of having interior lives and conflicting emotions. There is nothing contradictory about these characters. At the end they are exactly the same as they are at the beginning.This series is a disappointment. The bar for drama was set high by the previously mentioned shows, which Marie's Mind for Murder doesn'tcome close to.
Z**A
Good characters in a lighter cop show. It is a little silly but entertaining.
This is not a gripping who done it. It is character driven. It is on the light side. The main character Marie is very likable. More like Colombo or Angela Landsberry than a European cop show.
R**G
Four Stars
A good way to bone up on your German and get entertained at the same time.
C**S
great easy watching
Love it, each episode gets more humourous watched them all in a week, completely hooked, hope they release the new episodes on dvd :)
A**R
I enjoyed the series!
I got the set for my sister, but I really enjoyed the series, too! Now we have detective series coming from a lot of different countries, but all of these shows are more designed to keep your interest than about real police work. This is the only set of "Marie Brand" with English subtitles.
H**N
A good German televison detective show
If you live in Canada or America and you are German and would like to watch a good detective type of television show in German - this is a good choice. Acting and production is good. You can watch this with your family. It is interesting and will remind of those little things you remember in Germany. It is exactly this and nothing more.
B**E
Entertaining Series; I would definitely purchase the next Series, if, and when it becomes available.
Even with the English subtitling of this German-based Series, the Plots are reasonably-based, the acting quite acceptable, and the unexpected humorous 'inserts' within the storylines quite brilliant.
A**R
À truly extra good police investigation germane tv serie
À truly extra good police investigation germane tv serie.I enjoy every épisode and planning for buy the neXT dvd.I find many of the crime tvq shows brillant as well as very differenq from our ôwn tv crimes drama.
