The Good Ship Murder (2023– ) User Reviews

Fun murder cruise

[jefferons · 7/10 · 13 October 2023]

I didn't expect much from this show,and I wasn't disappointed. Its basically 'the love boat' with murder and romance attempts. Shane ward can sing as opposed to Adrian Dunbar in 'ridley'.

I guess a murder mystery show on a cruise liner was bound to happen eventually. The acting is very soap opera class. They could have used the ship more,but I'm not complaining I've only seen one episode so I can't tell if it's going to improve but most series do as the actors find their feet.

If your expecting poirot,you'll be disappointed. It could be improved by adding Johnny Vegas and sian Gibson for a bit of light relief. But overall its fine a nice gentle murder mystery at sea.

Fantastic cheesy fun

[chunky15 · 7/10 · 17 November 2023]

I really can't understand some of the bad reviews about this programme?

Shane and Catherine are superb actors, and the on off relationship with the two is predictable but very watchable the storylines are a little suspect but easy to watch, the settings are good, it isn't going to bamboozle any viewers, it is just good old British humour; and to shoot ot on an actual cruise ship while filled with holidaymakers takes some skill, i wish i had been on there at the time i would have loved being an extra lol. And Shane's singing at the end is well worth waiting for.

Just enjoy it or what it is Good cheesy fun.

Cheap and cheerful cosy crime in sunny climes

[JRB-NorthernSoul · 6/10 · 15 October 2023]

Its a syrupy and soapy confection that will appeal mainly to fans of the cosy crime genre. Shayne Ward and Catherine Tyldesley play the amateur sleuths chasing murderer's at sea.

Yes its a bit naff and won't win any awards but it does what it says on the tin. Its an escapist show with nice scenery and songs. The sharpest things about it was probably Shayne Ward's designer stubble.

On the negative side the plot had more holes than a fisherman's net and there was no chemistry between the leads.

If you like Agatha Raisin, Death in Paradise etc. Its worth a look - if you prefer more serious whodunnits it won't be your cup of tea.

The Ship of Death.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 12 January 2024]

A Luxury Mediterranean cruise ship sets sail, stopping at all the major destinations, but at each stop, murder, and on the case is former Detective now crooner Jack Grayling, and first officer Kate Woods.

If you're a fan of shows such as Mallorca Files, Shakespeare and Hathaway etc, I am sure you will enjoy this series. Don't expect anything too serious, and expect to be made to believe some rather impossible scenarios.

Gorgeous location work, it really does emphasise and make the most of The Med. I spent a fair bit of time in Malta, and I may be wrong, but did Malta double up?

Shayne Ward absolutely makes this series, he has that combination of being talented, likeable and charismatic, he really does help to make this show pretty good. Jack is a bit of a bad luck charm, he's The Jessica Fletcher of The Mediterranean, wherever he goes, murder follows.

Shayne's songs are really good, especially his version of True Faith by New Order.

Some nice guest performances along the way, and the regular cast are all very good.

As it stands series two has been commissioned, looking forward to that.

7/10.

My God but this is awful

[markfranh · 5/10 · 30 October 2023]

My wife and I laughed at one of the credits which had the phrase "based on an original idea ....". Seriously? It's "The Love Boat" meets "The Mallorca Files" (or any other male/female unlikely partnership you care to name). Nothing at all original about it.

MY wife kept asking if what's-her-name (we didn't even care in the end) was supposed to be the 1st officer training to be a captain, then why didn't she spend any time on the bridge or involved in anything to do with sailing the ship? Ships often do have an officer assigned to security but it's a specialist position and not likely to be the first officer who spends all her time while in port on land (sorry, that just impossible to believe) and while on the ship spends the time with our male co-star.

Writing? Terrible and unconvincing. To be fair, it's hard to squeeze a credible plot into 44 minutes roungly and especially when you have to subtract out a bit at the beginning and end for opening and closing credits and for our hero to belt out a song to the audience for a couple of minutes as well.

We were pretty disappointed after the 1st episode but thought maybe it was bad because of the need to develop the characters and set the scene for the series. Sadly, episode 2 was even worse.

So that's it from us. It really was as bad as the reviews are saying so we won't be pursuing any more.

5 stars is probably generous.

Where have I seen this before........?

[Samthesham67 · 7/10 · 21 October 2023]

Started to watch this series as I have been on this actual ship and they are visiting some of the ports I visited on my last cruise. The stories are quite simple and don't take too much brain power to work out, but they are entertaining. If you are a fan of dramas such as Midsomer Murders, Bergerac, Lovejoy or any other 'lighthearted' murder mystery from the 1980's-1990's, then you are going to enjoy this series quite a lot. The only thing that is a lot off-putting is, at the end of each episode, Shayne Ward sings a song which, on the whole, isn't really a bad thing, but it does give the impression of being a bit of a vehicle for Shayne's singing career.

DULL DULL DULL!

[mandynewman-05062 · 1/10 · 15 October 2023]

The acting is as wooden as a forest and the script is so dull and predictable.

Why would the first mate of a cruise ship who has been put in charge (because apparently (so she says) the actual Captain doesn't like to do any work and prefers to "delegate") have so much time on her hands to run around trying to solve a murder that didn't even happen on the cruise ship?

We never get to hear Shane Ward sing even though that's his only job on the ship!

Apparently he used to be a detective (serious crimes) but gave it up to become a lounge singer!! I mean! Seriously!! It's utterly laughable and inconceivable!!

Do yourselves a favour and avoid at all costs!!

Great scenery

[danblack6789 · 8/10 · 29 October 2023]

I'm enjoying this show. It's lighthearted following in the steps of Death in Paradise, and the scenery is amazing.

The cinematography at the various locations is superb and really makes me want to visit all the ports they've been to.

It doesn't take itself too seriously and this is all for the better.

We don't always need dark, gritty crime dramas every time.

The sunshine helps too, especially in the middle of a UK year of mainly rain.

When it's miserable outside it's good to watch a show like this.

Shayne Wards wardrobe is full of multi coloured linen clothes and they look great. The costume designer has done well.

The stories have been varied and some of the dialogue has been funny.

What's not to like.

I hope there are more series.

Escapism

[nikkivideos · 7/10 · 21 October 2023]

It is a nice cosy murder mystery and you get to see other European countries. The locations chosen remind me of a trip to Europe.

The music is nice. The actor sings beautifully. And the music matches the vibe of the show.

With respect to how she is able to work on crimes, maybe it is her day off or something. Tv shows are escapism and this is cute escapism.

Would love to have some other recommendations for the cosy murder mysteries other than Death in Paradise, Harry Wild, Mrs. Marple, Ms Sidhu Investigates, My Life is Murder. I must say love me some Acorn TV and Britbox they provide such good recommendations.

Tripe, but watchable tripe

[malpasc-391-915380 · 5/10 · 5 December 2023]

This show is absolute tripe. Predictable, ridiculous, cliched, with acting at a level seen in village halls across the country. But it is quite watchable because its a very easy watch with nice scenery, and a good bit of humour along with the lightweight drama. You'll work out who the murderer is in every case way before our two onboard sleuths do!

Most of the main actors are basically soap opera level. You're not going to see any of them getting an Oscar put it that way. Claire Sweeney kind of stands out as quite good, because she seems to play her role with tongue firmly in cheek which adds a bit more humour to proceedings.

The worst performance comes from Catherine Tyldesley who plays First Mate Kate. She just comes across as very wooden and delivers her lines with no emotion or conviction. Also I'm not sure where her character is from because the accent she puts on for this veers from Made in Chelsea to Coronation Street and back again!

Apparently this show is "based on an idea Ben Frow had" or something like that according to the opening credits. I can just visualise the meeting he had with other Channel 5 management members for that..

I can't imagine this show cost an awful lot to make seeing as though no studio sets were needed (thanks to being on an enormous yet seemingly mostly empty cruise ship) and all the land-based scenes were shot on Malta which seems to be Channel 5's favourite stand in for any European location their shows "based on ideas by Ben Frow" seem to take place.

If you like lightweight, predictable, sunny drama then this is a good watch. It even makes Channel 5's other lightweight sleuthing series The Madame Blanc Mysteries look like an episode of Cracker.

Its good in a so bad its good kind of way.

Love it. Lovely easy watching

[family-91149 · 8/10 · 7 November 2023]

Love watching this. Easy viewing and nothing too taxing, which in todays world is a big plus. Great Sunday night viewing before the start of a hectic week.

Some of the plots are a little predictable. But I've watched a huge amount of Agatha Christie's and Death in Paradise etc etc. So coming up with new plots I haven't seen is hard.

Like the lead characters especially Shayne Ward as Jack and it good to see Claire Sweeney back on the TV. The change of scenery from the ship to the land also adds interest.

Really hope there is a second series and I can see that there is a possibility of a long run similar to Death in Paradise.

OK so it's not ground-breaking telly, but...

[keysam-02610 · 6/10 · 17 November 2023]

First the good things: Shane Ward (who I had never heard of before) can sing and his acting actually isn't bad, especially given it isn't his first job. There are other decent actors in the cast too. The show also gets extra points for - as far as I can tell - using the real locations and for including some characters who at least try to speak languages other than English. Last time I looked, Madame Blanc, for example, hadn't even started trying to speak French!

But that's about it. The plots are a bit average, some are better than others and as has been pointed out the involvement of Jack, Kate & the rest of the ship-board characters in the crimes isn't really credible. However, this is NOT the only TV crime drama that stretches credulity like this, especially at the moment.

This is not great, ground-breaking telly, but there's nothing really wrong with it. It's lovely to look at and it actually doesn't always shy away from the realities of life - episode 3 is particularly good here.

It's a perfectly nice way to spend a winter evening.

Wooden and totally lacking in credibility

[robin-abbott-1 · 4/10 · 21 October 2023]

Plots which wouldn't challenge the famous 5, and feel like one of those murder mystery parties, and very wooden acting. But the biggest issue is how the ships crooner and first officer are allowed to investigate murder with no intervention from the local police who are not shown nor do they seem to care about the deaths in their cities. Multiple murders on the ship and No one notices the coincidence. Loved the 6 inch thick rope burned through with a box of matches. I'm certainly not going to continue past episode 2, so apologies if some mistake occurs and it gets good.

Above all Shayne Ward - an ex DI turned cruise ship crooner - simply cannot act.

Pure TV cheese

[ianest · 7/10 · 9 December 2023]

It's a mix of Hetty Wainthrope Investigates and Cruising with Jane Mcdonald however it is so cheesy it watchable. Sometimes you don't need Succession or Killing Eve to enjoy tv.

The plots are standard whodunit fayre, with a couple of red herrings in each episode. The characters have the emotional depth of a puddle in summer but it provides something nostalgic feel.

Filmed on a strangely empty cruise ship which is supposedly sailing the med but the sky when on board always looks grey. I half expected Kate O'Mara sunbathing on the bow. (yes i am old enough to remember Triangle) To top it all former XFactor winner Shayne Ward sings a pop tune at the end.

It is what it is

[Condor27 · 5/10 · 28 October 2023]

On the plus side this is family friendly series set on a luxury cruise liner allowing each episode to be set in different beautiful location, which means on the down side as each episode goes by it stretches credulity that one liner could have so many murders associated with it. However this is light entertainment and there are plenty of other series that suffer with the same problem that many are happy to overlook. Unfortunately the acting is very poor and the solution to the murders contrived, a poor man's Agatha Christie. All that being said I suspect that is exactly how it was meant to be written. It stars amongst others Shayne Ward who is a singer and ex winner of the X Factor, so appropriately each episode concludes with him in his role as ship's entertainment officer singing a song. It is what it is and if you take it as that it is a pleasant enough show.

A missed opportunity

[keith-hewle · 22 October 2023]

A murder mystery set on a vessel isolated at sea has worked well for both Columbo and Murder She Wrote. So when I saw this series. Despite being cast with actors and actresses you are quite unknown. It sparked my interest.

Sadly it did not live to my minimal expectations.

Despite being set on a ship. The ship seems to be permanently moored. So therefore it is not isolated and removes the frisson present in earlier maritime mysteries.

The ship itself is one of these modern cruise ships. But it seemed rather like a man-of-war of the Napoleonic era. Constructed entirely of timber. That feeling was engendered in me by the performances of the actors and actresses. Which were wooden in the extreme.

And the identity of the murderer or murderess is telegraphed in the opening scenes.

Have the scriptwriters not heard of ' Red Herrings ' ? The stock in trade of all mystery writers back to Conan Doyle.

And at the end of the first episode. As if I hadn't suffered enough. I would have been subjected to further pain by one of the actors. Performing a skit by believing he could sing.

I ceased watching at that point because I knew I was not going to see anything which would rival Enrico Caruso.

Don't waste your precious time

[trishajcs-72505 · 7/10 · 20 October 2023]

I really wanted to enjoy this new series I hoped for cosy autumn viewing. The script is dire. The acting is so wooden I suspected I had multiple splinters by the first ad break. Catherine Tyledsley being by far the worst culprit. I stuck it out to the end in what turned out to a vain hope of improvements- it just got worse. The premise could have worked so I understand why the series was.commissioned but then Eldorado was also deemed a good idea. I will be very surprised if the show is renewed. The ship should sink without trace. Actors raise their game when working with good actors- so I forgive those character actors trying to earn a living- the failure is not on them.

Dreadful/Watchable

[matt_sole-372-208203 · 3/10 · 12 November 2023]

I am really torn here. I watch the show, I even sometimes enjoy watching it, but also appreciate it is a dreadful piece of television.

It is clearly inspired by Death in Paradise, but The Good Ship Murder makes Death in Paradise look like it was written by Shakespeare.

It's some lazy formatting by Channel 5, they've seen the success of Death in Paradise and sprinkled in some Jane McDonald (down to having the lead character close every episode with a song) and try to pass it off as entertainment.

Storylining is primary school level. Totally unbelievable. Tenuous links. The lead character, Jack, would be arrested for the way he inserts himself into cases, ruining crime scenes and evidence. His Moroccan assistant (5 episodes in and I still haven't learnt his name) is omni-present, one day working in housekeeping, the next day behind the bar, the next day room service, but always has copious amounts of shore leave to be Jack's sidekick.

They've shoe-horned in a "will-they/won't they" romance as well. It really is painting by numbers television. Even by Channel 5 standards, this isn't good quality TV.

That being said, I've watched every episode. Admittedly, most of my time has been spent screaming at the TV about plot holes, inaccuracies, poor scripting and continuity issues. The main redeeming feature is that Shayne Ward is actually fantastic in it. He comes across really well and actually manages to deliver a dreadful script with some kind of sincerity. He deserves an award.

IT IS VERY GOOD FOR WHAT IT INTENDS TO BE!

[newmymythos · 10/10 · 21 November 2023]

One of the biggest problems with reviews is that sometimes people say that something is bad just because they don't like it, like, people who don't like chocolate (yes, they do exist). If you give them the best chocolate in the world they won't like it, because they don't like any kind of chocolate. The same I think happens with shows like this. If a person only likes highly intense dramas and overly complicated mysteries they will no doubt say this a bad show. But if you are like me, who also enjoys, and needs, something to relax your mind and spend an hour in a beautiful setting with a nice uncomplicated, yet quite enjoyable story, then this show is for you. My only complaint is that there are too few episodes in the season. I hope this series gets renewed for many seasons.

The plots vs the acting

[Leon-106 · 6/10 · 18 December 2023]

I gave this crime series a 6. I would have given a 7 if the acting of nearly ALL actors would have been better. The city location of each episode is quite decent and perhaps even tempting for future vacation destinations. All of the ship's locations (eg, auditorium, bar, restaurant, rooms) are an unnecessary distraction. Actually, who would like to book a cruise on a ship that is constantly involved in murders??? The 1970s Love Boat series was - at the very least - appealing to consider a cruise. This series enables the very opposite thinking. That very thought warrants an overall 6 rating. The plots are, however, too decent to warrant the overall 5.4 average rating.

Not what IIt might have been

[bluedog-06340 · 1/10 · 26 October 2023]

I, like some of the other reviewers was looking forward to a bit of light entertainment. Something that would satisfy me for a hour, sadly this was not the case. Trying to understand why the ships lounge singer feels the need to get involved with a murder investigation, apparently we are informed that he use to be a copper, oh that's all right then. He certainly isn't hindered by the police who are not around very much. A victim was launched from the top of a tower, a crime scene, he goes straight up there touching evidence. I don't need gritty realism but it should have some of the basic rules of TV shows and that's one of the problems with The Good Ship Murder. There would be no story if reality had to be used. The acting is just dreadful. I have watched two episodes and at the end of each of those episodes Shayne Ward sings a song, it's like a dream sequence, he is facing an adoring audience clapping and cheering to show their appreciation of his massive talent. Wow, I won't be watching, two is enough.

Great feel good show

[jdmole · 9/10 · 4 December 2023]

I love this show. Is it a bit cheesey in parts? Yes. Is it often predictable? Yes. Is it a bit far fetched? Yes. But let's be honest, aren't lots of murder mystery shows? Yes. I think Death in Paradise has become a springboard for Brit detectives abroad and this is one of them. This is a light murder mystery show, with fun characters, beautiful scenery and what is really great is that Shayne Ward in his guise as the ship singer, sings a full song at the end of every episode. If you want a hard hitting challenging who dunnit then this isn't for you. If you want a feel good 45 minutes then get watching.

Cruising

[safenoe · 7/10 · 10 May 2024]

As one imdb user reviewer said, The Good Ship Murder is what it is, and I think if you're entertained by the unbelievable and statistically impossible murder investigations of amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote, then surely you can enjoy The Good Ship Murder. I know that Gogglebox UK trashed the opening episode, especially where Jack sings Daydream Believer, but The Good Ship Murder isn't supposed to be one of those gritty noirish crime dramas set in the untouristy parts of London or anywhere in Scandinavia. But enjoy The Good Ship Murder for what it is, fun, sun and romantic tension between the two leads.

Never seen such rubbish

[yrdckbb · 1/10 · 19 November 2023]

This programme is so false, a shop singer who knows cops personally all over Europe, a first officer who never sails the ship and a cabin cleaner who does every job on the ship.

None of these people should ever be classed as actors ( or singers) Hope we never see another season.

Who ever made this series has more money than sense.

Shane ward can't act and can't sing anymore, his hair graft looks pathetic Kathryn Tydlesley has signed a wish to never act again, in this series she is looking down her nose at everyone and has a face like a slapped backside Please bring back Majorca muders 100% better than this rubbish.

Easy fun beautiful locations

[evanmierlo-61492 · 7/10 · 21 January 2024]

I liked it, I like the concept and I like the ship. I mean is it great acting, not really. Is it in any way realistic, nope. But hear me out, it was a fun voyage, the locations are beautiful and the characters grow on you. It is just uncomplicated cruising with an unfortunate murder victim here and there... it is slow paced, with a bit of romance and fun. No need to overthink things. No huge dramas, no gory death details, just a nice Mediteranian cruise, and well sometimes a murder for our two unlikely partners turned on board crime fighters to solve. So I am doing my part in trying to get this one a better rating as I would welcome a second season.