As specified, Cribb is the story of one of Scotland Yard's early CID men. Most of the stories revolve around Sgt Cribb and his Contable Thackery outsmarting their boss Detective Inspector Jowett. They are the "Real" police who get their hands dirty in the sewer that was the Victorian underworld whilst Jowett is a pompous social climber who was only appointed (it seems) because he went to a "good" school. Jowett has no understanding of the real world whilst Cribb and Thackeray came up from the streets themselves so know the underclass.
The best episodes (for me) are: Abracaver - which takes place in a Victorian Music Hall (there's a late night performance in which members of the social elite are invited to witness *shock, horror* naked women. A distinguished Royal personage is present in the audience when one of the acts gets killed); Murder, Old Boy takes place at Jowett's public school reunion. In A Case of Spirits, Jowett goes to a séance with his social chums and someone unexpectedly drops dead. In all cases, Cribb and Thackeray have to impose themselves on Jowett's social world and he is most aggrieved at them doing so.
The stories are based on Peter Lovesey's books (and VERY good they are too).
If you like early Victorian crime, this is for you. DGC.
The best episodes (for me) are: Abracaver - which takes place in a Victorian Music Hall (there's a late night performance in which members of the social elite are invited to witness *shock, horror* naked women. A distinguished Royal personage is present in the audience when one of the acts gets killed); Murder, Old Boy takes place at Jowett's public school reunion. In A Case of Spirits, Jowett goes to a séance with his social chums and someone unexpectedly drops dead. In all cases, Cribb and Thackeray have to impose themselves on Jowett's social world and he is most aggrieved at them doing so.
The stories are based on Peter Lovesey's books (and VERY good they are too).
If you like early Victorian crime, this is for you. DGC.