By OLINE H. COGDILL
Small towns—even the most seemingly idyllic of them—can be hotbeds of deceit, betrayal, and, of course, murder. We mystery readers know that from the novels we read and, of course, from certain TV shows.
The Brokenwood Mysteries from New Zealand is set in a quiet country town that has a population of about 500 people. While it is always in danger of veering into Murder, She Wrote territory, where it seemed that everyone in Cabot Cove was either a victim or a villain, The Brokenwood Mysteries avoid those pitfalls by focusing more on character and the exotic location.
The Brokenwood Mysteries, Series 1 is now available on DVD and Blu-ray from Acorn. This DVD four-disc set and the Blu-ray two-disc set each feature four feature-length mysteries plus bonus cast interviews ($59.99, 376 minutes, AcornOnline.com). The second season currently is in production. Each of the four stories is two hours in length.
New Zealand doesn’t have a tradition of detective television series, so The Brokenwood Mysteries was a revelation for that country’s viewers when it aired in 2014, as it will be for American viewers. This is not The Hobbit’s New Zealand.
The town of Brokenwood is located in a farming belt where the landscape ranges from flat to nearby mountains. Wheat crops, sunflowers, and wineries are located within just a few miles of each other. 
There are actually smaller townships near Brokenwood and each has its own flavor.
And the residents are a varied bunch, from retirees to hippies, from those who have quit their high-powered big-city jobs to those who run health spas, wineries, and horse riding schools.
Taking care of Brokenwood is Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea), who has been assigned to the small town.
An experienced cop, Shepherd has more than his share of quirks, including too many ex-wives to count, a seemingly endless collection of country music cassette tapes and a 1971 “classic” car in which to play his music. (Notice I didn’t say the car was beautiful.) He also talks to the deceased for inspiration in finding the killer—a gimmick that plays better on the screen than on paper. The small town’s slower pace actually suits him better than he will admit.
Shepherd’s new partner, Detective Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland), is at first annoyed by him and a bit resentful at having him as her boss. But Sims, who is nearly 20 years younger than his car, soon grows to respect his unorthodox ways, which are the exact opposite of her by-the-book approach to crime detection.
Theirs is a true professional partnership, not one of those will-they-or-won’t-they setups. Shepherd is no Richard Castle.
The first episode revolves around the death of a local farmer; the second delves into the wine industry, the third takes place at a golf club, and the fourth involves local hunters.
None of these episodes break new ground in detective shows, but the stories get a fresh spin and the twists are realistic. And Rea and Sutherland make for a good team you will want to watch.
The Brokenwood Mysteries unfold at a more leisurely pace than do U.S. detective shows. Still, the stories are interesting and there is no lag time during the two-hour episodes.
The Brokenwood Mysteries, Series 1 on DVD and Blu-ray from Acorn. The DVD four-disc set and the Blu-ray two-disc set each feature four, two-hour long films plus bonus cast interviews ($59.99, 376 minutes, AcornOnline.com).
Photos: Neill Rea and Fern Sutherland, top; Rea, second photo. Photos courtesy Acorn.
