Inspector Manara
Upon his involuntary transfer from Milan to a sleepy Tuscan town, inspectors Guido Manara expects to be bored. Shortly after Guido's arrival, a librarian is savagely murdered. Delighted by a dashing policeman, town's female population is eager to avenge the librarian. While a great number of women are willing to assist Inspector Manara in his investigations, things grow quite complicated, as his former flame happens to be a chief of forensics.

La meglio gioventù = The best of youth
Originally shown as a mini-series on Italian television in 2003, The Best of Youth / La meglio gioventù is re-edited for theatrical release. This beautifully crafted drama shows the human side of forty years of Italian history, as it follows the lives of two brothers and their friends and family, starting with their high school days in Rome in the early 1960s.

Don Matteo
After spending some time away from his town, enterprising and slightly meddlesome Don Matteo solves crimes local police is incapable of solving. Bicycling through town in his habit, he always happens to be in the right place at a wrong time.

Swedish

Bron = The bridge
If you can only watch one Nordic Noir series from this list, let it be the Bridge. This Swedish/ Danish masterpiece deserves accolades for being the most uncommon detective and the most realistic portrayal of camaraderie in a workplace. Bridge is an outstanding and rare example of entertainment that allows for a nuanced view of life. Saga Noren, a Swedish detective with unmentioned, but clearly pronounced version of Aspergers' syndrome, must learn to cooperate with a deeply troubled Danish colleague. There is not a single false note in this show, so don't expect a happy end.

Beck
This Swedish television series is based on crime novels of Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo. Unlike his handsome and impulsive partner, Martin Beck is not concerned with appearances. Unlike proper, but eccentric Beck, Gunwale refuses to play by the rules. The good cop, bad cop routine works for this pair of seasoned detectives.

Irene Huss
Married mother of two teens, Irene is dealing with parenting, marriage, crime, and private investigator assignments from a neighbor.

Henning Mankell's Wallander
Want to meet a man that is handsome, intelligent, emotionally complex, and dedicated to his work? Watch Henning Mankell's Wallander. While there is a number of Wallanders out there, most viewers seem to prefer the original Swedish version. Ignore reviews that reflect a shallow, but deeply ingrained Hollywood stereotypes of an "ideal" good looking male protagonist. Krister Henriksson was a very handsome man, is a very a handsome man, and will always be a very handsome man.

British

Fortitude
Fortitude receives my prize for the most unusual geographical setting. Filmed in Iceland, this glacial town of unspecified remote location is populated by scientists and absconders of all walks of life. No one is allowed to die in Fortitude, as it's impossible to be buried in permafrost. The Governor of Fortitude is very eager to attract investors for her glacier hotel project. When several inhabitants of Fortitude are savagely murdered, those plans have to be put on ice.

Broadchurch
Intensively atmospheric, Broadchurch examines the effects of tragedy on an isolated community. Tensions are brewing after a young boy body is found on the beach. It seems like everyone living in this community is hiding a trauma from the past or suffers from a deep character flaw. Confusing dead-ends, deviations from police protocol, brooding anti-social investigator and stunning cinematography seem to be the standard for any foreign police procedural. This show is distinguished by an exceptionally talented cast. After finding a great TV series, I am always fearful of the disappointing second season. Happy to report that the second season consisted of superb courtroom drama, supported by very memorable performances by Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Charlotte Rampling.

Black Sails
A prequel to Stevenson's Treasure Island, this show is not suitable for young audiences. Put your kids to bed and watch a show that finally portrays pirates as brutish, manipulative, and scheming cutthroats.

The Bletchley Circle
Four female former Nazi code-breakers figure out how to apply their skills to solving a series of murders in post-war London. Susan, a housewife dedicated to supporting her husband and children, is beginning to recognize patterns connecting the killings of young women. This inspires her to return to her code breaking past friends Millie, Lucy and Jean. After failing to convince the police to follow up on her calculations, the four friends take matters into their own hands.

Luther
Impossibly handsome, fiercely intelligent, brooding and intensely independent, this British detective is simply irresistible. Completely dedicated to fighting crime, Luther is often tempted to use unorthodox methods of investigation. He perseveres, despite personal problems and a number of law enforcement officers that wish him ill.

House of Cards
The original House of Cards includes charming and Machiavellian Francis Urguhart. It's always a pleasure to watch him wreak havoc all over Parliament.

Death in the Paradise
Sunshine and warm turquoise waves do not appeal to a British detective in charge of a murder on a tiny island in the Caribbean. He just wants to get back to rainy England. Unfortunately his superiors exiled him to Paradise for an indefinite period of time.

Hinterland
Y Gwyll, titled Hinterland in its English edition, is a great addition to the Celtic Noir genre. Filmed around a beautiful coastal town of Aberystwyth, this Welsh import is a refreshing alternative to a typical metropolitan series with glamorous, over-groomed detectives and international intrigue. I was pleasantly surprised by the refreshing idea of casting ordinary people for the roles of ordinary people. DCI Mathias, recently transferred from London, is seeking redemption after a family tragedy. As all crimes in the area are explained by deep dark secrets from the past, DCI Mathias gets into considerable trouble by attempting to uncover long-buried secrets.

Last Kingdom
This historical drama is based on the series of books by Bernard Cornwell. If you like shaggy-haired, battle-scarred Norse warriors, doing the usual burning and pillaging, you will enjoy this show. There are wise blind men, beautiful maidens, but no dragons.

Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders is a period costume drama, best compared to Boardwalk Empire. Recent war veteran and young leader of a crime family is attempting to improve their fortunes by engaging in illegal activity in Birmingham. According to a recent article in the Sunday Times of London, the show is responsible for the increasing sales of a specific flat hat, traditionally worn by Peaky Blinders. The article features a picture of Luther, who might just be a fan of this show.

New Zealand

Top of the Lake
Directed by Jane Campion, Top of the Lake is intensely atmospheric. While on a leave to care for her ill mother, detective Griffin uncovers secrets related to disappearance of a twelve year old girl. Despite beautiful cinematography and fine acting, this show feels a bit contrived and predictable. A number of characters lack depth and complexity.