Robert Thorogood on 'Death in Paradise', 'The Marlow Murder Club', and French Audiences

The Master of Gentle Murder Mysteries

• 💡 Robert Thorogood is celebrated as a creator of gentle murder mysteries, distinct from darker, more violent fiction.
• 🎯 His work is heavily inspired by Agatha Christie, aiming to emulate her style of 'fair play' murder mysteries.

'The Marlow Murder Club' Series

• 📚 Thorogood's latest book, 'Murder on the Marlow Bell' (French title: 'Meurtre sur la Tamise'), is the fourth installment in 'The Marlow Murder Club' series.
• 🎭 The new book is set in the world of amateur dramatics, featuring a performance of Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest'.

'Death in Paradise' and French Influence

• 🏝️ The BBC series 'Death in Paradise' is set in Guadeloupe, a French department, chosen for co-production with France Television.
• 🇫🇷 The French partnership influenced the show by encouraging more jokes and a specific French cultural element, leading to clashes between British and French characters.

Popularity in France

• 📈 Thorogood notes his significant popularity in France, where his books are taken very seriously.
• 💬 French audiences tend to focus on the political undertones and character dynamics, particularly the roles of his three female protagonists, more than UK audiences.

Writing Mediums: Books vs. TV

• ✍️ Thorogood enjoys the total control and lack of budget constraints when writing books, despite it being a lonely process.
• 🎬 He prefers television writing for its collaborative nature but acknowledges limitations due to budgets, weather, and actor availability.
• 🔄 He balances writing one book and one television project per year to stay fresh and engaged.