The episode begins with Jean White (Sally Lindsay) giving Andre Caron (Alex Gaumond) a Christmas gift. She asks if he’d like to get a drink. He tells her that his wife is waiting at home.

Sara Caron (Desiree Giorgetti) orders Caron to turn down the music while she works. When he accidentally knocks over a glass, she asks if he could keep the noise down. He asks if chicken with tarragon is all right. Raising her voice, she reminds him that she can no longer eat cream. She asks if it’s his way of saying she doesn’t matter anymore when their neighbor stops by with a bottle of wine. Caron suggests to Sara that they have dinner together. She screams, “Stop.” The neighbor quietly leaves. He slams down his knife before rushing out the door.

Sara working when an armed assailant caps his gloved hand over her mouth.

Archie (Alfie Middlemiss) asks Uncle Patrick (Tony Robinson) if he told Dominick “Dom” Hayes (Steve Edge) the right time. Patrick says of course when Dom approaches. He asks Archie if he knew there was a new black hole near Pluto. Archie says it’s unbelievable.

Gendarme Richard (Jacqueline Berces) tells Jean that Sara didn’t like Caron very much. Jean asks him what happened. He says they probably entered through the back door which he told Sara to keep locked when home alone. She asks where he was at. He claims to have found her with stab wounds to the back after returning home from a walk. He says as a cop, he knew better than to enter a crime scene but she was his wife. Jean suggests he not blame himself. He asks who would commit such a terrible act. Inspector Gauthier (Elsa Mollien) says they attended the academy at the same time. She informs Caron that she’s an inspector no thanks to him. Gendarme tells her that the murder weapon, Caron’s kitchen knife, wasn’t removed from  Sara’s body.

Caron claims to have left for a walk at 5:30pm and returned home at 10pm to find Sara in the chair. Jean asks if she’s insinuating he did it. Gauthier says she heard about an English friend who has being helping Caron solve his problems. She orders Gendarme to arrest him before leaving. He says with Gauthier, he doesn’t have a chance before asking Jean to find the real killer. Jean asks what transpired between the two of them. He admits to leaving Gauthier for Sara.

Celine (Margeaux Lampley) tells Gloria (Sue Vincent) that her father made a recording while touring with Nat King Cole. She says Niall (Aonghus Weber) had the recording integrated into a music box. Vivienne (Julia Montgomery Brown) and Trevor (Paul Chuckle) inform them of their hosting a fundraiser for the theater.

Dom tells Archie that the glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling are in the right constellation. Archie says he can’t wait until it gets dark. Patrick asks Dom if he recalls when he gave him a kaleidoscope. Dom admits to believing it was a telescope when he receives a text about Caron.

Jean tells Dom that Caron needs their help because Gauthier hates him. He asks if she’s going to interfere with a murder investigation. She says they’re only going to inform her employees of her death. They arrive at the Lloyd Gelan Art Gallery to speak with Lloyd Gelan (Philippe Jacq) and Serena (Severine Howell-Meri). Lloyd says Sara was a good friend. Jean asks if there was anyone who carried a grudge against her. He assures her that the art world regarded her highly even with her cold personality. He suggests she spent a lot of time at the gallery because things weren’t great at home. Serena admits to feeling lost without Sara. Jean asks if Sara had any disgruntled clients. Serena assures her that Sara was honorable.

Artwork by an up-and-coming artist named Dolly Angel draws Jean and Dom’s attention.

Patrick pickpockets a passerby.

Gendarme rushes Dom and Jean to Caron’s cell before Gauthier returns. He warns them that the evidence is against him. Dom suggests she’s out to get him since they dated. Caron says Gauthier hated him, even more, when he got hired for a job they both applied for. He utilizes her phone to contact a neighbor to alert her that they’ll be picking up his spare house key. Jean and Dom hide as Gauthier approaches. After informing him of Sara filing for divorce, Gauthier says the house was part of her inheritance.

Archie tells Patrick that he doesn’t remember him being around for Christmas when he was young. Patrick claims to have worked away for several years.

Jean asks Parlez vous Anglais if she noticed anything usual on the night Sara was killed. Angela says she wouldn’t blame Caron if he did it because she was vile to him.

Gendarme admits to believing Caron’s innocent before they enter the crime scene. She asks who decorates their Christmas tree with spiders. Jean says it’s Eastern Europe folklore before asking what’s the French translation for a spider. Gendarme says, “Araignee” which turns out to be the password for Sara’s laptop. In a letter, Lloyd tells Sara that they don’t have any reason to terminate Serena. He says the gallery paid off four trainees that she was happy with. He agrees to terminate Serena because she’s so valuable to them.

Jean asks Serena why she didn’t tell the truth about her relationship with Sara. Serena says Sara tried to take away everything she worked for. She admits to dreaming of killing Sara but couldn’t go through with it before commending the killer. Gendarme asks where she was on the night Sara was killed. Serena claims to have been with her mum.

Niall suggests a “fun run” fundraiser for the theater. Jeremy Lloyd James (Robin Askwith) says that is a fantastic idea. Gloria tells them that a former employer hosted a Secret Santa event. Vivienne says anyone who wants to participate can pay two euros and no more than five euros for gifts. Celine says they’ll exchange gifts on Christmas Eve at the pub. Jeremy asks if he can wear his Santa costume. Gloria says they insist.

Archie asks Dom where Patrick went when was a child. Dom says Patrick spent time in prison for taking things that never belonged to him. Archie asks if his granddad really went to prison. Dom says Eunice always said it was Patrick’s way of showing his love. Archie admits to having a difficult time believing his granddad was in prison.

Gloria asks Jean if she’s interested in joining their Secret Santa fundraiser. Jean says absolutely when a pamphlet at the bar catches her attention. When Celine reports her music box stolen, Patrick tells Dom that he’s not filling well. Dom agrees to take him home.

Jean pulls out the pamphlet from the bar. A photo of Dolly Angel graces the front cover.

Archie’s looking for a phone charger when he discovers Celine’s music box in Patrick’s bag.

Jean tells Dom that Dolly Angel and the doctor on the pamphlet are one and the same. Dom asks if Dolly Angel is an artist and doctor. She says Dolly Angel’s a model named Cathryn Harper. She suggests Lloyd utilized Harper’s stock photo to create a “real person.” Dom admits to being confused. She tells him that an art dealer in England said he never heard of Cathryn Harper when an invoice grabs her attention. The vendor, Leblon Galerie D’Art, and the buyer, Chaumont Design, are part of the same conglomerate. She says the company that sold the painting also purchased the painting.

Archie asks Patrick how he’d feel about never hearing his mum’s voice again. He informs him of Celine’s music box with her father’s voice. He suggests the culprit had no idea how much the music box meant to Celine. Patrick says his stomach is rumbling before they head off to meet Dom for breakfast.

Gauthier tells Jean that she appreciates the tip but the suspect’s in jail. Jean admits to being familiar with money laundering in the United Kingdom. Gauthier says she doesn’t want a “little English woman” helping her with the case. Jean asks if she’s refusing her expert advice because of her personal connection to Caron. Gauthier says she can join the interview.

When Lloyd refuses to tell Gauthier where he was on the night Sara was murdered, Jean admits to being confused by how long he got away with money laundering art. She suggests he drew investors to his art gallery with a fictional up-and-coming artist, Dolly Angel. She says he created pieces of art with “astronomical prices” displayed in his gallery as sold. She tells him that it’s normal to buy and sell art with cash. She accuses him of purchasing the art and cleaning the money. Gauthier says he’s a respectable dealer that never drew attention. Jean ass if Sara found out about his money-laundering scheme. Lloyd assures them that they’ll never prove it.

Gauthier says the police have seized all his assets and bank accounts. Jean warns that CCTV footage shows him near the Caron’s house on the night Sara was killed. He asks how she figured it out. Jean tells him that the charity pamphlet had a photo of a doctor that was also displayed in his art gallery as Dolly Angel. She says when unscrambled, Dolly Angel spells Lloyd Gelan. After admitting to hating Sara. He tells them that he went there to confront her when he discovered the knife. In a flashback, Lloyd muffles Sara’s screams with his gloved hand before driving the knife into her back. Gauthier orders Gendarme to cuff him.

Gauthier tells Jean that she lied about the CCTV footage to produce a confession. She suggests they may be more like than they imagined.

Caron’s released from jail.

Jean contacts her friend Charlie to propose a business deal regarding Lloyd’s art gallery.

Judith holds up a mistletoe for Dom who asks Jean to promise to not leave his side. Gloria’s gift is the first to be pulled from Santa’s bag. Her Secret Santa, Niall, gifts her a “Don’t Panic” mug. Jean receives a bumblebee pin from Dom. Gloria gifts Dom a pair of striped socks. Jeremy gifts Judith a necklace and earrings. Celine’s gift is her music box. Archie smiles at Patrick. Caron greets Jean and Dom with a hug before the episode comes to an end.

 

The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special Synopsis

Caron and his wife, Sara have a tumultuous relationship when she’s stabbed in the back. Gauthier immediately pins the murder on Caron who professes his innocence. Caron and Gauthier have a past that left her feeling hostility toward him. He turns to Jean and Dom to help prove his innocence.

Archie and his granddad, Patrick visit Dom for the holidays. Archie and Dom share one thing in common, they are intrigued with celestial objects, planets and stars.

Jean and Dom start their investigation at Sara’s workplace, the Lloyd Gelan Art Gallery. Lloyd describes Sara as a good friend while Serena’s lost without her. A simple artwork by a newbie in the art world, Dolly Angel grabs their attention.

A letter from Lloyd reveals Sara was behind the termination of four trainees at the gallery. All four cases were settled out of court. Sara’s death spares Serena from being terminated. Jean confronts Serena with the new evidence. Serena dreamed of killing Sara but was at home with her mother.

Celine’s music box with her father’s voice is stolen from the pub.

Archie discovers Patrick spent time in prison for petty crimes. He discovers Celine’s music box among Patrick’s belongings.

Gloria, Judith, and Jeremy plan a secret Santa fundraiser for the local theater.

Jean discovers Dolly Angel isn’t a real person but part of Lloyd’s money laundering scheme. A charity pamphlet inside the pub features the same photo Lloyd utilized for Dolly Angel. The photo is of Cathryn Harper, a model. Lloyd displayed Dolly Angel’s art in his gallery as already sold. He was utilizing two separate companies to sell and buy the pieces. The money would later be laundered.

Gauthier refuses to listen to Jean but agrees to let her set in on the interrogation. After Jean explains her theory, Lloyd admits his guilt. He killed Sara before she could threaten his money laundering scheme.

The Secret Santa fundraiser turns up Celine’s music box.

The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special Review

The show is charming with superior cinematography. The mystery was clever but felt too easy. Sally Lindsay’s a seasoned actor, best known for her role as Lisa in “Mount Pleasant.”

On the downside, the story didn’t quite hold my attention. Some of the actors seemed to struggle with their roles. All in all, it’s a great watch during the holidays.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more The Madame Blanc Mysteries recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.

The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special Cast

• Sara Caron (Desiree Giorgetti)
• Jeremy Lloyd James (Robin Askwith)
• Caron (Alex Gaumond)
• Serena (Severine Howell-Meri)
• Gendarme Richard (Jacqueline Berces)
• Lloyd Gelan (Philippe Jacq)
• Niall (Aonghus Weber)
• Inspector Gauthier (Elsa Mollien)
• Jean White (Sally Lindsay)
• Uncle Patrick (Tony Robinson)
• Archie (Alfie Middlemiss)
• Cooper (Avant Strangel)
• Gloria (Sue Vincent)
• Judith Lloyd-James (Sue Holderness)
• Dom Hayes (Steve Edge)

Where Was The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special Filmed

“The Madame Blanc Mysteries,” written by Sally Lindsay and directed by Dermot Boyd, was filmed in Gozo, a small island in Malta.

Where To Watch The Madame Blanc Mysteries Season 2

“The Madame Blanc Mysteries” season 2 will premiere on Thursday, January 5, 2023, on Channel 5 at 9pm. It also airs on Acorn TV.