A Cozy Mystery Revamped

When you hear the name Agatha Christie, you might immediately picture two iconic detectives: Hercule Poirot or Jane Marple. With a whopping 45 novels and more than 70 short stories, these beloved characters have made murder investigations a cultural staple. But wait! Christie had a whole bunch of other sleuths, and one of them, Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent, is ready to get her moment in the spotlight.

Introducing Bundle with a Twist

Enter Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, a sparkling three-part Netflix adaptation of The Seven Dials Mystery. It’s basically a love letter from Chris Chibnall (yes, the same genius behind Broadchurch and Doctor Who) to modern audiences, all while making sure to add some emotional juice to the plot. So, grab your favorite blanket because this is prime cozy mystery binge material!

The Plot Thickens

Now, while The Seven Dials Mystery is technically the second book featuring our gal Bundle (played by the delightful Mia McKenna-Bruce), the show rewrites the script a bit. It’s not just a continuation; it’s practically a fresh start! We kick things off at a lavish party thrown by the Caterham family in their fancy country estate. Lady Caterham (the fabulous Helena Bonham Carter) is hosting, trying to impress high-society folks, but things go south faster than you can say ‘whodunit.’

Party Crasher: A Murder Mystery

The fun takes a dark turn when a prank involving eight alarm clocks leads to a shocking revelation: one of the guests, Gerry Ward (Corey Mylchreest), is found dead! Talk about a party foul! Bundle, who was buddies with Gerry, is determined to uncover the truth, despite being told to back off by the inevitably unimpressive Superintendent Battle (Martin Freeman).

Who Doesn’t Love a Good Detective Duo?

As Bundle digs deeper, she finds herself teamed up with Battle in a quirky partnership that has all the makings of a classic detective duo. The pair navigate through clues including suspicious friends, unfinished letters, and even a secretive cabal that puts a funky spin on those masked ball scenes.

A Streamlined Whodunit

The mystery at the heart of Seven Dials might not be Christie’s most dazzling, but who needs dazzling when you have charm? There are plenty of twists and breadcrumbs to keep you engaged, and by the time the final reveal hits, you’re likely to be a step ahead. And let’s not forget the clever way it ties into current themes of trauma and history, showing that these characters are all shaped by their pasts.

Bringing Bundle to Life

Let’s take a moment to appreciate McKenna-Bruce’s performance—she lights up the screen! With snappy one-liners and an unyielding spirit, it’s hard not to wish for more adventures starring this Bright Young Thing. Meanwhile, Freeman’s portrayal of Battle complements Bundle’s whirl of energy, even if it takes a moment to adjust seeing him as the lead detective after his role as Watson.

Final Thoughts

While Netflix’s Seven Dials may take liberties with the original story, it captures the essence of Christie’s work beautifully. If you’re looking for a mystery that’s a blend of humor, charm, and just enough seriousness to make you think, this is your jam. So grab your popcorn and settle in—Bundle is ready to solve the mystery!

All three episodes of Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials are available to stream on Netflix now.