Mark Gatiss Shines in Post-War Mystery DramaBookish
So, I just watched the first episode of Bookish , and honestly, I’m already hooked. This isn’t just another detective series in an overcrowded genre—it’s Mark Gatiss doing what he does best, and maybe even something a little more personal this time.
Bookish is a stylish new murder mystery drama that dropped on U&Alibi, and it’s very much Gatiss’s own creation. He not only stars in the lead role but also co-created the series, which takes place in a beautifully atmospheric post-WWII London. Gatiss plays Gabriel Book—yes, Book—an antiquarian bookshop owner who also happens to be an amateur sleuth. But don’t expect cosy fluff. While it has a charming, almost Poirot-like air to it, Bookish strikes a clever tone that balances light detective fun with poignant social undercurrents.
Book isn’t just solving crimes for the fun of it. He’s been given special permission, via a letter from Churchill himself, to help the police. That’s the kind of quirky detail that gives the show its particular flavour. From the very first case—literally bones dumped like a "skeletal salad" on a bomb site—the series dives into mystery with just the right mix of macabre humour and period intrigue. And then there’s Jack, a recently released ex-con (played by Connor Finch), who stumbles into the bookshop and gets reluctantly pulled into Book’s world. His presence adds youthful uncertainty, and maybe even a bit of danger.
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But what really gives Bookish its depth is how it explores its characters' private lives. Book and his wife Trottie (played with flair by Polly Walker) are in a lavender marriage—deeply close, but both hiding aspects of themselves due to the time they live in. It’s 1946, after all, and homosexuality is still illegal. This kind of subtle emotional layering makes the show feel both rooted in genre tradition and unexpectedly modern.
Another thing that makes Bookish stand out is that it wastes no time with unnecessary conflict. Book’s relationship with Inspector Bliss (Elliot Levey) is already well-established, so we don’t get bogged down in the whole “who’s this outsider interfering in our police work” trope. That allows the mysteries to unfold quickly and smoothly across each two-episode arc, making every case feel focused and compelling.
Is the show perfect? Not quite. Some supporting characters, like Blake Harrison’s Sergeant Morris or Buket Kömür’s Nora, feel underused, and the Jack subplot, while promising, sometimes feels a bit rushed. But those feel like issues that a second season could easily fix—and yes, that’s already confirmed.
But the heart of Bookish is clearly Gatiss. His performance as Gabriel Book is a masterclass in tone—quirky, composed, just a little bit odd, but never ridiculous. You can tell he loves the genre, and this show feels like a genuine love letter to classic mysteries and post-war Britain alike. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it gives us a polished, thoughtful spin on a genre we already love, with just enough flair and originality to make it feel fresh.
If you're into cleverly crafted mysteries with character-driven plots, lush visuals, and that signature Gatiss touch— Bookish is well worth your time. And judging by how it all begins, this one’s got the legs to go far.
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