Ian Weir (Showrunner), L.R. Wright (Novel)

CAST

Rossif Sutherland
Kristin Kreuk
Aaron Douglas
Savonna Spracklin
Marcia Gay Harden

Review

The cozy Canadian crime drama Murder in a Small Town has returned for its second season, and I couldn’t be happier. Rossif Sutherland is back as Karl Alberg, the world-class detective who traded big city chaos for the quiet coastal town of Gibsons, only to discover it has more than its share of dark secrets. Alongside him, Kristin Kreuk returns as Cassandra Lee, the town librarian whose relationship with Karl is getting tested in new ways.

Right off the bat, the premiere throws us into new territory. Karl’s jurisdiction has thankfully expanded, because honestly, Gibsons was running out of townsfolk to kill after season one. I was worried the small-town murder quota was going to get a little too high.

The episode is full of fun surprises, including great guest stars like Marcia Gay Harden, who feels like she’s about to stir up some real drama for both Karl and Cassandra. On the flip side, I was bummed not to see Yen and Kendrick back in this episode. Fingers crossed they pop up later in the season.

If you tuned in for a twisty, complex case, you might have noticed that the actual murder mystery takes a bit of a backseat in this episode. The case is solved fairly quickly, almost like it was an afterthought compared to the character dynamics. But honestly? I didn’t mind too much. The charm of Murder in a Small Town has always been less about the puzzle-box plotting and more about the cozy, character-driven vibe for me.

I have to admit, I needed a light, easygoing show right now, and this season’s premiere hit the spot. It’s comforting, a little quirky, and just grounded enough to keep me invested. Even when the mystery isn’t front and center, the chemistry between Sutherland and Kreuk keeps me watching.

The Murder in a Small Town season 2 premiere might not have tackled this first investigation in the best way, but it makes up for it with heart, atmosphere, and some juicy new character threads that promise drama ahead. I’m glad this cozy little crime series is back. I’ll definitely be tuning in for more.

If you’re enjoying the content, you can help by leaving a like, a comment, or by getting me a coffee: