London, 1946, is the dynamic, dangerous, and chaotic setting for this stylish new detective drama, with the eccentric Gabriel Book (Gatiss) at the very heart of the story: a self-appointed consultant detective to the local police. The thousands of books that line the shelves of his shop provide him with all the knowledge he needs.
Mark Gatiss’s new detective period‑drama Bookish is a carefully bound gem—a stylish, cerebral mystery wrapped within the rich tapestry of post‑War 1946 London. Gatiss dons the mantle of Gabriel Book, a book‑obsessed antiquarian whose shop doubles as a “mind‑palace” of reference material and code‑breaking clues. The guy’s like Holmes with an Oxford comma—and yes, he may have a sideline with “government work… perhaps spying,” though that cloak‑and‑dagger thread is only gently threaded through the narrative
Plot & Themes
The episodic structure—three two‑part cases—lets Book deploy literary acumen to crack nerve‑shredding mysteries: poisonings, plague‑pit remains, and hotel murders. Beyond the puzzles lie deeper stories: Book’s lavender marriage to Trottie (Polly Walker), their clandestine efforts to shelter reformed ex‑con Jack (Connor Finch), and the lingering shadows of wartime espionage.
Tone & Style
Although Gatiss resists being labelled as cosy crime, he instead nods to the clarity characteristic of Agatha Christie’s style, resulting in a tone that is a warm, witty pastiche of noir elegance combined with emotional honesty. Production design is exquisite—think sepia‑tinged London, intimate bookshop interiors, smoky pubs—rendered with immersive authenticity (Radio Times)
Performances
Gatiss savours the role: Gabriel Book is brainy, measured, and charmingly formal in his deductions (“pipe-chewing” and all), yet he retreats gracefully into private grief and identity complexity. Polly Walker’s Trottie is earthy and enigmatic. Connor Finch’s Jack brings moral grit. Elliot Levey’s Inspector Bliss is a grounded foil, while supporting turns—Joely Richardson, Daniel Mays, Paul McGann—elevate each standalone case.
Strengths & Quibbles
Its strengths? Clever plotting (a fair‑play approach), period ambience, and a central character who’s both bright and vulnerable. The show nails that precarious post‑war blend: optimism tinged with loss, the murk of secrets and the rigidity of outdated mores.
But despite its ambition, Bookish can feel a bit “overstuffed.” Side‑characters like Sergeant Morris and Nora occasionally get lost in the stacks. And some narrative threads—Jack’s backstory, Book’s closeted identity—could be unpacked further.
Verdict
4 stars – Bookish successfully blends cerebral detective drama with emotional postwar character study. It might not revolutionise the genre, but it captivates with its wit, heart, and timeless appeal. For those who relish Holmesian intellect without the baggage of Victorian gloom—this is your library.
Final Word
A second series has already been commissioned prior to its broadcast. “Bookish” shows promising signs of growing into a clever, character‑rich staple of British crime drama. Think sotto voce revelations in a dusty bookshop, moral codes in chalk on blackboards—and a quiet hope that next season will delve even deeper.
Catch it: Double premiere, 16 July 2025, 8 pm & 8 pm and 9 pm on Alibi (“U&Alibi”). Available later on Sky Box Sets, NOW (UK), and PBS in the US
