DVD Review: Vera Set 4

Continuing to deliver compelling characters, superb performances, and suspenseful mysteries, Vera, Set 4 makes its DVD debut on October 28, 2014 from Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:RLJE) brand. Based on the award-winning novels by Ann Cleeves, Vera stars two-time Oscar® nominee Brenda Blethyn (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Secrets & Lies) as a cantankerous but brilliant detective who solves unthinkable crimes in northeast England. Set 4 includes four all new feature-length mysteries with co-stars David Leon (Rocknrolla) and Jon Morrison (High Times), and guest stars Charlotte Hope (Game of Thrones) and Clare Calbraith (Downton Abbey) ($59.99, AcornOnline.com). The fourth series premiered in April 2014 on ITV and began airing on public television stations in May 2014. Vera will return for a fifth season in 2015. All four series are available to stream any time on Acorn TV, the premier British TV streaming service in North America at www.Acorn.TV.         

Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope (Brenda Blethyn) has an offbeat manner and frumpy appearance that belies a knack for catching killers. Ably assisted by Detective Sergeant Joe Ashworth (David Leon) her colleague, confidant, and surrogate son, Ashworth tries to balance his family responsibilities with the demands of working for a boss who seems to have little else in her life but the job.

In this series, Stanhope and Ashworth take on four new cases on their Northumberland beat: the stabbing of a senior citizen aboard a rush-hour train, the brutal murder of a young professional at a beach resort, the shooting of a loner out on the moors, and the drowning of a respected businessman.

Episodes: On Harbour Street; Protected; The Deer Hunters; Death of a Family Man

Street Date: October 28, 2014                                 SRP: $59.99  

DVD 4-Disc Set: 4 episodes – Approx. 370 min. – SDH Subtitles

UPC 0-54961-2289-9-7                                              ISBN 978-1-62172-289-2

Bonus: Photo gallery

My Thoughts

Vera is an exiting series that features a strong female lead in the role of detective Vera Stanhope. This set includes four fantastic new episodes.

EPISODE 1: On Harbour Street - A senior is stabbed on a train ride, and the main witness is Ashwood's daughter. They travel to the seaside town where the victim lived in the hope of finding her killer.

EPISODE 2: Protected - A young man is beaten to death  at a resort when he should've been at his father's retirement party. At first it looks like one of his father's rivals are to blame, but Vera thinks the real villain could be one of his own family members.

 EPISODE 3: The Deer Hunters - Two poachers are set aflame in their own truck at the same time that another man is shot with a hunting rifle. Vera and the gang find themselves in a town with rural traditions and people who don't want to talk.

EPISODE 4: Death of a Family Man - A successful businessman drowns in what looks like a suicide. But Vera learns there was more to his simple life than met the eye when she discovers he was a wanted man.

I absolutely love this series.  The mysteries and always unique and original and every episode is brimming over with suspense and subtle British humor. However, there is a lot of violence and graphic imagery, so this series is definitely for mature audience only. If you want to take advantage a whole set of great mysteries, this is the series for you. You can order Vera, Set 4 on DVD for only $59.99 at Acorn Media. You can also find it on Amazon.