As the series gets underway, we see someone typing a letter of sorts. The writer claims that they’re there and they’re watching. The letter is signed ABC. After the intro, we’re introduced to Alexander Bonaparte Cust (Eamon Farren). He pays a visit to Rose Marbury (Shirley Henderson). He pays her for rent. Rose gives him a rundown of the rules. Cust isn’t sure whether he is going to be around long-term or not. It depends on the success of his enterprise. Rose tells Cust about her daughter helping one of tenants. Once Rose leaves, Cust unpacks his items. He has a book with the title The ABC Railway Guide. A letter is written to Hercule Poirot (John Malkovich). He claims that he is trying to roll back Poirot to a time when he was a famous detective.

Poirot arrives at Scotland Yard. He speaks with Sergeant Yelland (Michael Shaeffer) and requests to see Inspector Japp (Kevin McNally). Japp isn’t there. He has retired. Poirot is told to speak with Inspector Crome (Rupert Grint). However, he is out on a case at the moment. Crome returns a moment later, but he ignores Poirot. Hercule visits Japp and shows him the letters. They speak about Crome too. They agree that something is wrong with the letters. Japp invites Hercule to supper. Japp intends to burn the letters. Something startles him. Then, he tosses them into the fire and collapses. Another letter is written to Hercule. Cust is shown packing his books. He grabs his luggage and prepares to leave. The letter ends with It Begins.

Cust is shown traveling through Andover. Alice Asher (Tamzin Griffin) cuts a piece of bread. Cust pays her a visit. He intends to sell her something. Hercule finds the new letter. Crome and Hercule attend Japp’s funeral. Hercule catches up with Crome. He tells him about the potential murder in Andover. They speak in Japp’s former office. Crome does his best to belittle Hercule. Yelland enters and tells them about the crimes in Andover. There is nothing about a murder. Crome believes Hercule has been fooled. That night, Hercule removes the mustache paint and tries to pray. The previous events continue to irk him. Hercule goes through the letter again. He remembers Yelland tell them about Asher’s window being broken. Hercule believes she didn’t answer the door. Hercule heads for Andover.

He visits Asher’s Tobacconist. He breaks in and yells for Alice. He finds her dead on the ground. A book on the ground is opened to a page with the letter A on it. Hercule promises to find the culprit. A slightly bloody Cust wakes up in his room. He watches Lily Marbury (Anya Chalotra) through the window. Hercule watches Detective Bunce (Shane Attwooll) rough up a murder suspect. Hercule insists it isn’t him. Bunce believes the man, Peter (Ian Pirie), is responsible for his wife’s murder. Hercule gives enough evidence to exonerate Peter. Despite it all, Bunce isn’t willing to listen. In Bexhill, we see Betty Barnard (Eve Austin) stumbling around. She hikes up her dress and climbs a wall. She speaks with her sister Megan (Bronwyn James) after climbing through the window.

Megan ridicules Betty for her lifestyle. Betty has been sleeping with Megan’s former boyfriend. Betty rubs it in. Hercule goes through the evidence in his head. He receives another letter. The writer acknowledges killing Alice Asher. Cust arrives in Bexhill. Betty serves Cust. She flirts with him. Cust seems obsessed with her after learning her name. Betty belittles him. Cust sees Betty in a club later that night. He tells her that she owes him for the stockings. Donald Fraser (Jack Farthing) tries to force Betty to go home with him. Megan listens to their argument. Hercule goes through the evidence again. He gets a stack of letters. The letter tells him that B is for Bexhill.

Hercule travels there and learns about the murder of Betty. Hercule learns about the girl. She has a stocking tied around her neck. The book nearby is open to a page with the letter B on it. Hercule tries to finish the café where Betty worked. Cust stumbles over political flyers and tries to recollect himself. Donald meets with Jenny (Lizzy McInnerny) and Betty’s other family members. Megan listens as her mother claims that Betty was the perfect angel. Hercule speaks with her. Megan tells Hercule about her sister being a slut. Next, we jump over to Churston. Sir Carmichael Clarke (Christopher Villiers) prepares for a walk. Thora Grey (Freya Mavor) joins him. Lady Hermione Clarke (Tara Fitzgerald) tells Franklin (Andrew Buchan) to go with them. Cust runs into Lilly. She asks him if he wants to book. She says it is a shilling for ordinary. He claims it isn’t ordinary. She admits it never is. Hermione and the family have dinner. Hermione gets angry and throws her wine at Thora. Franklin apologizes and promises she didn’t mean anything by it. Lilly is forced to serve Mr. Treadgold.

Hercule returns home. He learns that Crome has a warrant to search his property for hiding evidence pertaining to a crime. Hercule tries to convince him that there is a murderer out there. There is a new letter. The postmark is Cricklewood. The letter talks about Betty. The killer reveals they’re going to take a rest before starting again. Thora and Capstick (Suzanne Packer) argue over their duties. Franklin encourages Thora to call the doctor too. Hermione is in great pain. Evidence is hauled out of Hercule’s house. Hercule tries to convince Crome to work with him. Crome tells Hercule that there is no evidence he ever served with the Belgian police. He insists that Hercule’s word is worthless. In a flashback, a small town watches as the soldiers approach. Cust seems to be preparing for letter C.

 

The ABC Murders Review

I know The ABC Murders has gotten terrible reviews on IMDB and elsewhere. Most people complain about the creative liberties being taken by the writers. That is definitely a problem if you’re unable to look past the novel. Myself, I didn’t mind the first episode. It was a little bit everywhere though and the pacing is slightly too fast. The killer has already managed to murder two victims. I figured things would play out a little slower. The good news is that the acting is very good.

I enjoyed the dark, gloomy atmosphere and Poirot being shunned by the newcomers. It isn’t a homerun by any means, but I didn’t mind it. I’d give the first episode a 7 out of 10.