I enjoyed this series. I was tired of heavy and dark murder mystery programs.
There is good chemistry between all the characters.
Enjoy the scenery and plan your next vacation to this beautiful part of Sweden.
32 Reviews
Light Cozy Mystery Series
kasester24 August 2020
Surprisingly pleasant and versatile human relation narrations
BeneCumb24 January 2016
/refers to Seasons 1-5/
I am fond of Scandinavian crime series, but as the recent decade has seen so many high-level ones, I have become picky to watch something "around" e.g. Bro/Broen or Millennium... In advance, I was also cautious about the fact that crimes would happen in a limited space, a small and cosy area making it the one of the most violent places in the world (as often perceived in Miss Marple or Lewis, although skilfully accomplished). But no, the felonies committed were rare, suitable and seasonable, and the main emphasis was mainly on human aspects and issues prevalent in a wealthy Western society. The crimes handled were not over-sophisticated, rather realistic, and exiting viewers' interest improved during the seasons (Season 1 crime and it's solution were most trivial).
All the performances were good at least, if not more, most I liked Alexandra Rapaport as Nora Linde and Lotta Tejle as Claire. Moreover, this series helped me better to acknowledge the popularity of Jacob Cedegren (he has participated in several films I have seen but, for me, somehow always remained in the shadow of other male actors). Here, his character's nature was perfectly in harmony with the general mood of the creation and the qualities a Swedish policeman working in a small recreational area could and should have.
Thus, Morden i Sandhamn is a more-than-okay drama, with lots of human aspects and some crime in the background. As for crime level and depiction, it is in the line of e.g. Maria Wern or Anna Pihl, for example.
PS More or less, Seasons 6 and 7 follow the same path. Yet, in Season 7, Nicolai Cleve Broch as a new leading character is a step forward.
PPS Season 8 is just pleasant again, but no next level. The final episode ends in an intriguing manner, so Season 9 is possible.
I am fond of Scandinavian crime series, but as the recent decade has seen so many high-level ones, I have become picky to watch something "around" e.g. Bro/Broen or Millennium... In advance, I was also cautious about the fact that crimes would happen in a limited space, a small and cosy area making it the one of the most violent places in the world (as often perceived in Miss Marple or Lewis, although skilfully accomplished). But no, the felonies committed were rare, suitable and seasonable, and the main emphasis was mainly on human aspects and issues prevalent in a wealthy Western society. The crimes handled were not over-sophisticated, rather realistic, and exiting viewers' interest improved during the seasons (Season 1 crime and it's solution were most trivial).
All the performances were good at least, if not more, most I liked Alexandra Rapaport as Nora Linde and Lotta Tejle as Claire. Moreover, this series helped me better to acknowledge the popularity of Jacob Cedegren (he has participated in several films I have seen but, for me, somehow always remained in the shadow of other male actors). Here, his character's nature was perfectly in harmony with the general mood of the creation and the qualities a Swedish policeman working in a small recreational area could and should have.
Thus, Morden i Sandhamn is a more-than-okay drama, with lots of human aspects and some crime in the background. As for crime level and depiction, it is in the line of e.g. Maria Wern or Anna Pihl, for example.
PS More or less, Seasons 6 and 7 follow the same path. Yet, in Season 7, Nicolai Cleve Broch as a new leading character is a step forward.
PPS Season 8 is just pleasant again, but no next level. The final episode ends in an intriguing manner, so Season 9 is possible.
A surfeit of niceness
laduqesa29 August 2021
Everyone in the series seems to be nice and pleasant. Even the murderers don't seem to be truly evil. There's nothing in Viveca Sten's universe that offends. People we know barely nothing about are the ones who die and subsequent crimes are always attempted murders of characters we've got to know a bit about and are generally saved from death in the nick of time.
There are back stories to the main characters whose lives mesh seamlessly with each other although true romance is always an on/off affair. They have their problems, of course, but these don't generally interfere with the denouement of the plots.
The setting in the archipelago is stunning. I've only been there a couple of times and the series makes me want to go back again one day. It's all so perfect just as Sweden is portrayed abroad.
I've seen all seven seasons and am eagerly awaiting an eighth. It's absolutely not Scandi Noir, more Rosemary and Thyme, but that's not a reason to be critical - the genres are different, that's all. I like them both and this series is a great example of an easy watch that holds the attention.
There are back stories to the main characters whose lives mesh seamlessly with each other although true romance is always an on/off affair. They have their problems, of course, but these don't generally interfere with the denouement of the plots.
The setting in the archipelago is stunning. I've only been there a couple of times and the series makes me want to go back again one day. It's all so perfect just as Sweden is portrayed abroad.
I've seen all seven seasons and am eagerly awaiting an eighth. It's absolutely not Scandi Noir, more Rosemary and Thyme, but that's not a reason to be critical - the genres are different, that's all. I like them both and this series is a great example of an easy watch that holds the attention.
Beautiful to look at, but...
LauraAnnG24 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This is just such a strange series.
Let me be honest that I love Scandinavian mystery series. Some of the best television ever made (Beck, Wallander, etc.) come from Sweden and are amazing. The Danes, Norwegians and Finns make very good television as well.
This is not quite that. It is beautiful to look at, to be sure. Especially (if I can be honest) the hunky male lead who has gorgeous blue eyes that match his beautiful blue shirts.
There's a lot of the male lead (police investigator "Thomas" -- played by the fine actor Jakob Cedergren) handsomely strutting around on docks in his sneakers, and flying over the water in his motor boat. It's okay. Really. It's kind of "harmless" TV that you forget about once the show is over (unlike another series Cedergren is in which gave me terrible nightmares).
The female lead annoys me. She's too perfect and yet sort of useless. The men she surrounds herself with (other than Thomas) annoy me. The "other" woman in Thomas' life annoys me. The crimes are sort of annoying (especially the one involving the horrible teenagers during Midsommer). So I'm not really quite sure why I continued to watch this. I can only say that I was entertained enough to get past my annoyances. Plus... there are those beautiful blue eyes.
There's also a lot of Moonlighting here -- will Thomas and Nora (the female lead) ever get "horizontal"? Who knows? Do we care? Maybe. A little. I am just vapid enough to hope it happens before they end the show.
So, this is just kind of fun but obviously not to be taken as a top-shelf example of the genre. I wish watching Cedergren speed around in his boat was enough to give this ten stars, but it is not.
I am grateful for my membership in the MHz streaming service that makes these gloriously subtitled series available to me. No matter how much I criticize in a review like this, it is true that in general these shows far outshine most US shows of this genre.
Let me be honest that I love Scandinavian mystery series. Some of the best television ever made (Beck, Wallander, etc.) come from Sweden and are amazing. The Danes, Norwegians and Finns make very good television as well.
This is not quite that. It is beautiful to look at, to be sure. Especially (if I can be honest) the hunky male lead who has gorgeous blue eyes that match his beautiful blue shirts.
There's a lot of the male lead (police investigator "Thomas" -- played by the fine actor Jakob Cedergren) handsomely strutting around on docks in his sneakers, and flying over the water in his motor boat. It's okay. Really. It's kind of "harmless" TV that you forget about once the show is over (unlike another series Cedergren is in which gave me terrible nightmares).
The female lead annoys me. She's too perfect and yet sort of useless. The men she surrounds herself with (other than Thomas) annoy me. The "other" woman in Thomas' life annoys me. The crimes are sort of annoying (especially the one involving the horrible teenagers during Midsommer). So I'm not really quite sure why I continued to watch this. I can only say that I was entertained enough to get past my annoyances. Plus... there are those beautiful blue eyes.
There's also a lot of Moonlighting here -- will Thomas and Nora (the female lead) ever get "horizontal"? Who knows? Do we care? Maybe. A little. I am just vapid enough to hope it happens before they end the show.
So, this is just kind of fun but obviously not to be taken as a top-shelf example of the genre. I wish watching Cedergren speed around in his boat was enough to give this ten stars, but it is not.
I am grateful for my membership in the MHz streaming service that makes these gloriously subtitled series available to me. No matter how much I criticize in a review like this, it is true that in general these shows far outshine most US shows of this genre.
Series 7 doesn't work without Thomas
robeart-8811523 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
We waited 6 seasons and 8 years for Nora and Thomas to be together. And they didn't. I understand the 'on again, off again' see-sawing incipient love relationship was a narrative device, engineered to keep audiences watching and guessing and providing meat for the writers to generate fresh ideas from; but, for those who adored seeing the two characters together, it was incredibly frustrating and, in the end, at close of season 6, incredulous. After all that time, nothing was resolved. We were left with a rude edit whereby the two barely kissed - leaving us to ponder the aftermath.... AND, no mention of our hero, Thomas, anywhere in season 7 (How can you erase the memory of someone who was a central character in previous seasons? Of course, we still have the poseur, Hendrik, kicking around...reminding us repeatedly of the commotion Thomas made when he entered Nora's life.
In these troubling times, characterised by uncertainty and sadness, its important viewers find resolution in their beloved character's lives....perhaps the producers and writers of season 7 and beyond may acknowledge that it was the relationship (for what it was worth) between Nora and Thomas that was a major force in attracting audiences to the show and, and....write his character back in! (I say this, realising the actor, Jakob Cedergren, wanted to leave the show and this is why we have a new love in Nora's life). Oh, if only. If just for a short while and let he and Nora finally, finally get together. Come back Thomas!!
In these troubling times, characterised by uncertainty and sadness, its important viewers find resolution in their beloved character's lives....perhaps the producers and writers of season 7 and beyond may acknowledge that it was the relationship (for what it was worth) between Nora and Thomas that was a major force in attracting audiences to the show and, and....write his character back in! (I say this, realising the actor, Jakob Cedergren, wanted to leave the show and this is why we have a new love in Nora's life). Oh, if only. If just for a short while and let he and Nora finally, finally get together. Come back Thomas!!
A family cop
silviazamboni-1619324 April 2020
A very unusual policeman never shooting even in the most dangerous situations. A wonderful place where peace is menaced by a series of murders. Love relationships intertwined with door to door investigations. Quite different from tough cops and screaming sirens! Enjoyable!
Swedish Soap.
keithnovak28 February 2024
If you're looking for gripping Scandi Noir this isn't it ... it's lightweight but easy on the eye and once you accept that it's thoroughly enjoyable. Island hopping in your speed boat, standing at the wheel with your hair streaming out behind you (if you have it) seems to be one of the favoured ways to get around ... or maybe a bicycle in Nora's case as you head off for a clandestine meeting over a coffee in the village to discuss the latest crime, suspected crime ... whatever! It's all rather good fun and each hour and a half episode drifts by you in no time at all.
Nicolai Cleve Broch has been a worthy addition to the series and like Nora is quite vapid much of the time but very at home in their roles as are all the cast. :)
Nicolai Cleve Broch has been a worthy addition to the series and like Nora is quite vapid much of the time but very at home in their roles as are all the cast. :)
Another Scandi Success
Rupert1729 September 2019
Very enjoyable crime series featuring an intelligent woman as the main protagonist.
Established actress Alexandra Rapaport plays Nora, a lawyer living on the the picturesque island of Sandhamn, in the Stockholm Archipelago. Yes, murders happen and Nora gets involved through her sharp-minded curiosity and friendship with police detective Thomas Andreasson. But there is more to the series than just a Midsomer Murders-like repetition of convoluted events in a fictional village
Nora splits with her first husband and becomes a single mother with shared custody. Much of the narrative deals with Nora's relationships and journey to find happiness on an island that is suitable for recluses, but not for Nora who is an attractive, gregarious and well-adjusted individual. Her friendship with policeman Thomas Andreasson always seems to be on the verge of something more intimate except, like her, his past gets in the way .
The murder stories are not perfect or without criticism, but they are acceptable and the character of Nora overrides any plot deficiencies or doubts that may arise. I just enjoyed what was on offer. I believe there will be four more movie-length episodes made next year.
Established actress Alexandra Rapaport plays Nora, a lawyer living on the the picturesque island of Sandhamn, in the Stockholm Archipelago. Yes, murders happen and Nora gets involved through her sharp-minded curiosity and friendship with police detective Thomas Andreasson. But there is more to the series than just a Midsomer Murders-like repetition of convoluted events in a fictional village
Nora splits with her first husband and becomes a single mother with shared custody. Much of the narrative deals with Nora's relationships and journey to find happiness on an island that is suitable for recluses, but not for Nora who is an attractive, gregarious and well-adjusted individual. Her friendship with policeman Thomas Andreasson always seems to be on the verge of something more intimate except, like her, his past gets in the way .
The murder stories are not perfect or without criticism, but they are acceptable and the character of Nora overrides any plot deficiencies or doubts that may arise. I just enjoyed what was on offer. I believe there will be four more movie-length episodes made next year.
Nice TV serie but with frustrating bad investigator
Rob165917 December 2020
Easy to watch, beautiful scenery, but ridiculous at times.
rainoleik26 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
We have watched al nine seasons and have considered the series to be pretty good light entertainment. There are too many murders but mostly not dark or heinous. In season nine the writers seemingly gave up trying to be realistic and settled for emotion and bad comic relief. Nora the featured player is a prosecutor and talented person, but in season nine acts like a dumb teenager. Twice when fearing that someone may be stalking her, she makes a big point of locking an outside door but leaves the main door totally open and guess what the stalker gets in. When two bad guys have weapons drawn against each other, she just stands there somewhat in the line of fire as if she was watching a pickle ball contest rather than exposing herself to gunfire. I recommend skipping season nine.
Fun to watch
rmromberger8 April 2020
Predictability takes away suspense
paaskynen5 August 2012
This is a miniseries in three episodes that is based on the novel "I de lugnaste vatten" by the Swedish detective writer Viveca Sten.
The series is professionally made. It utilises the idyllic scenery of the Stockholm archipelago to good effect and the cast does as good a job with the script as they can. The main performers, Cedergren and Rapaport, do have some chemistry, even if the former is overdoing the "manly-male-who-suffers-in_silence" thing.
The let-down is in the plot, however. It is a rather cliché story featuring a silent cop who keeps on breaking all the rules of policing and yet never gets suspended. His young side-kick still has to learn that a real cop goes by gut feeling and does not bother with methodical work with such boring stuff as, ehm, evidence? By simple elimination the viewer can soon figure out who is the culprit, if only because the plot does not present enough possible candidates, which is deadly for the suspense. Hence, the story very soon fails to engage.
In Sweden the series was a success nonetheless.
The series is professionally made. It utilises the idyllic scenery of the Stockholm archipelago to good effect and the cast does as good a job with the script as they can. The main performers, Cedergren and Rapaport, do have some chemistry, even if the former is overdoing the "manly-male-who-suffers-in_silence" thing.
The let-down is in the plot, however. It is a rather cliché story featuring a silent cop who keeps on breaking all the rules of policing and yet never gets suspended. His young side-kick still has to learn that a real cop goes by gut feeling and does not bother with methodical work with such boring stuff as, ehm, evidence? By simple elimination the viewer can soon figure out who is the culprit, if only because the plot does not present enough possible candidates, which is deadly for the suspense. Hence, the story very soon fails to engage.
In Sweden the series was a success nonetheless.
Frustrating with two main characters...
resukcs17 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
...that love each other but never commit to it. Instead they choose relationships that are destined for disaster. Thomas gets back together with his ex-wife who left him three years ago And the only reason she wants to get together again is to have a baby. Once that is done she's off on her own again. And Nora picks a relationship because she can't stand to be alone. Her first husband is slimy and her subsequent boyfriend brings nothing to the table but jealousy. So this has gone on for 7 years now and neither Thomas or Nora are any closer to committing to each other. Just a strange way to develop a storyline.
Life lesson
lisbethinsydney24 June 2023
Swedish summer murders on an idyllic island sounds familiar, doesn't it? The everyday mysteries in this series are well plotted and believable. Like Midsomer, Sandhamn has an amazingly high murder rate per head of population but there's something else at work in this Swedish series, a life lesson playing out from seasons 1 to 9.
A prosecutor with a house on the island, Nora is an attractive, sympathetic and likeable lead. The always reliable Par, with his sartorial individualism, is also very likeable as her assistant in her work life. But her love life! That's another story. Perhaps the real story. The Norwegian police detective is a breath of fresh air after the rather dull Swede, Thomas. For each love story, there's the will they or won't they game as events manage to interrupt their interludes together.
Cruellest of all is how the message - to take risks, be true to your feelings and seize the day - is finally driven home to us. With the presence of death in each story, we are reminded to live life.
A prosecutor with a house on the island, Nora is an attractive, sympathetic and likeable lead. The always reliable Par, with his sartorial individualism, is also very likeable as her assistant in her work life. But her love life! That's another story. Perhaps the real story. The Norwegian police detective is a breath of fresh air after the rather dull Swede, Thomas. For each love story, there's the will they or won't they game as events manage to interrupt their interludes together.
Cruellest of all is how the message - to take risks, be true to your feelings and seize the day - is finally driven home to us. With the presence of death in each story, we are reminded to live life.
Beautiful scenery and great Story-lines
trijnie-com16 March 2021
This is a wonderful Scandinavian Series based on books.
I binge-watched this and was utterly disappointed that Netflix didn't have the last seasons.
The filming location is marvelous. Summer on a beautiful Island archipelago. The characters are very sympathetic and relatable. The Story-lines are mysterious and most episodes with a very surprising outcome.
I'm totally hooked.
I binge-watched this and was utterly disappointed that Netflix didn't have the last seasons.
The filming location is marvelous. Summer on a beautiful Island archipelago. The characters are very sympathetic and relatable. The Story-lines are mysterious and most episodes with a very surprising outcome.
I'm totally hooked.
Scandinavian version of "Midsomer Murders"
qui_j20 January 2019
The stunning scenery of the Stockholm Archipelago is what carries this series. It's not the acting or the scripts which are childish and amateurish. The setting is breathtaking as is the picture perfect little towns on the islands which all appear to be Summer playgrounds for the very wealthy in Sweden. The episodes are all predictable and it is probably the undercurrents of the private lives of the two lead actors that is more interesting. It's a kind of "will they, won they" ever get together. Compared to the more sophisticated Scandi-noir offerings like "The Killing" or "The Bridge", or their more in-depth dramas like "Borgen", this is a light-hearted, not to be taken seriously genre, crime mystery that is more along the lines of the English series "Agatha Raisin". If you like watching the serious crime dramas from Scandinavia, this is not the series for you. If you are more interested in something more akin to "Agatha Raisin" or similar then this will work.
Marvellous series
gorinimarco5 January 2021
Likeable series with engaging leads
mailbox-971-37145410 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
It wasn't easy but I managed to track down each of the seasons along with subtitles, one way or another... the Swedish isles locations and the chemistry between Jakob Cedergren and Alexandra Rapaport play a significant part in its success, and the show never quite recovers from his departure; no fault of replacement Nicolai Cleve Broch, but the late seasons' stories are not so strong and the character of Nora Linde is largely underused, despite Rapaport's being the anchoring role of the format. The season nine finale ostensibly the last episode of all, brings everything to a disappointingly mean spirited end.
Great series. Can't wait for more
karena-donald9 September 2021
Lightweight
jbpalframan26 January 2021
Season One is a great intro to Swedish television
oasomera19 November 2023
The story wasn't as compelling as the acting and the casual tour of the islands and coast. The acting was quite good and I was a little shocked to see how easily these Swedes feigned being natural. In fact I would say this production is the most impressive I've ever seen in terms of pure unaffected acting. It was truly inspiring to watch though it made me wonder why they're so much better at it than we are.
The two principal roles are vividly rendered by Cedergren and Rapaport who play a policeman and a married woman in a troubled marriage, respectively. The murder mystery is entangled with their being attracted to each other and that too felt realistic. I'm sure women will enjoy that part of it if nothing else.
The two principal roles are vividly rendered by Cedergren and Rapaport who play a policeman and a married woman in a troubled marriage, respectively. The murder mystery is entangled with their being attracted to each other and that too felt realistic. I'm sure women will enjoy that part of it if nothing else.
Wasted time
kristian_lindkjenn2 August 2018
The Sandhamn Murders
wjspears24 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
My review only refers to the first 3 part episode from Season 1, titled "The Sandhamn Murders".
I have never read the novels, hopefully they are better than these premier episode. There is a considerable amount of soap opera theatrics revolving around Nora, the female lead (Alexandra Rapaport) and her jealous husband, Henrik (Jonas Malmsjo). Henrik slaps Nora after a harrowing episode with a suspect and a rifle, because he suspects her of carrying on the police detective, Thomas Andreasson (Jakob Cedergren), who she has met only twice or three times in public in the entire episode to that point.
Worse still though is the ridiculously written plot that leads to Nora's confrontation with the suspect with the rifle.
Detective Thomas is pursuing a very possible murder suspect, who has knowingly fled, and has taken with him a loaded rifle.
Detective Thomas brings civilian Nora along--and only Nora--to track Jonny, the rifle suspect. The plot reason for this ridiculously improper police action is that she believes she knows where Jonny might be hiding.
Even more inexplicably though, Detective Thomas does not call for back-up, nor does he even inform his department that he is going to confront a possible murder suspect who is armed with a rifle. Even the worst of the private eye shows of the past were never written this silly.
Predictably, it is Nora who ends up happening upon Jonny and having to face down the barrel of a loaded rifle. This infuriating script writing is only there to present the audience with that "heart in your throat" moment, of whether sweet Nora will be shot.
There were other annoyingly predictable parts relating to Detective Thomas's shaky relationship with his police mates and his superior, showing us how dull witted they are, and how much of a "lone wolf" Detective Thomas is.
Maybe, hopefully, this series will shed some of this melodrama and opt for more realistic portrayals of police work and human relationships. The two leads (Jakob Cedergren and Alexandra Rapaport) are enjoyable to watch and seem to have chemistry. They deserve better than what this episode gave them to play out.
I have never read the novels, hopefully they are better than these premier episode. There is a considerable amount of soap opera theatrics revolving around Nora, the female lead (Alexandra Rapaport) and her jealous husband, Henrik (Jonas Malmsjo). Henrik slaps Nora after a harrowing episode with a suspect and a rifle, because he suspects her of carrying on the police detective, Thomas Andreasson (Jakob Cedergren), who she has met only twice or three times in public in the entire episode to that point.
Worse still though is the ridiculously written plot that leads to Nora's confrontation with the suspect with the rifle.
Detective Thomas is pursuing a very possible murder suspect, who has knowingly fled, and has taken with him a loaded rifle.
Detective Thomas brings civilian Nora along--and only Nora--to track Jonny, the rifle suspect. The plot reason for this ridiculously improper police action is that she believes she knows where Jonny might be hiding.
Even more inexplicably though, Detective Thomas does not call for back-up, nor does he even inform his department that he is going to confront a possible murder suspect who is armed with a rifle. Even the worst of the private eye shows of the past were never written this silly.
Predictably, it is Nora who ends up happening upon Jonny and having to face down the barrel of a loaded rifle. This infuriating script writing is only there to present the audience with that "heart in your throat" moment, of whether sweet Nora will be shot.
There were other annoyingly predictable parts relating to Detective Thomas's shaky relationship with his police mates and his superior, showing us how dull witted they are, and how much of a "lone wolf" Detective Thomas is.
Maybe, hopefully, this series will shed some of this melodrama and opt for more realistic portrayals of police work and human relationships. The two leads (Jakob Cedergren and Alexandra Rapaport) are enjoyable to watch and seem to have chemistry. They deserve better than what this episode gave them to play out.
Nothing similar
ingheidur-bra24 November 2020
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