If you want something to watch before bed that gives you a bit of thrill without getting you too excited to sleep, then Murder in a Small Town might be the perfect choice for you. Plus, it was actually produced in BC!
Murder in a Small Town is a TV series set in the small town of Gibsons, BC, where Canadian mysteries unfold amidst the backdrop of nature, based on the Alberg and Cassandra novels by L.R. Wright. Right from the start, we can tell that this show feels like a cozy, light mystery. It’s not a typical intense thriller; it’s more like a gentle mystery with a dead body in the mix. The murder always happens off-screen, which makes the tone feel softer and less shocking.
In the first episode, we meet Cassandra, who’s on a date with Karl, a man she met online. Their chemistry is immediate, and their playful banter adds something special to the show. However, after their date, Karl ends up at a murder scene. The victim is Carlyle Burke, a longtime local who wasn’t well-liked by many people in town. As the police investigate, Karl, with his sharp eye, notices a clue that others might have missed. His team, which includes Corporal Edwina Yen, Sergeant Sid Sokolowski, and Constable Andy Kendrick, all work together to piece together the mystery.
The murder itself isn’t too difficult to solve. If we’re paying attention, we can probably guess who did it early on. But that’s part of the show’s charm. It’s not about a big, unsolvable mystery—Murder in a Small Town is more about the characters and their relationships. It has a cozy, easy rhythm, similar to shows like Virgin River. The way Karl and Cassandra’s relationship grows, along with the tension between them, keeps us hooked. They are different in many ways: Karl is gentle and patient, while Cassandra is more bold and direct. These differences make their interactions interesting and set up future conflicts.
While the show focuses on a new crime each episode, it’s also about the characters’ pasts and how they shape their actions. We get little hints about Karl and Cassandra’s backgrounds, which adds depth to the story and makes us want to keep watching.
Murder in a Small Town isn’t trying to be a groundbreaking, clever crime drama. Instead, it’s an easy-to-watch mystery with a cozy vibe and a little romance. It knows what it is and sticks to that, making it a fun and entertaining show that doesn’t need to be anything more than that.