The honest truth is: I don't make or have much time to watch movies these days. Firstly because I have so many other things going on, like being here on Hive. And secondly: who wants to watch TV when they're in a Tropical Paradise? This was quite the opposite in Ireland, where it was quite the opposite... Too much time to watch TV.

So when I do watch something now, it should be quick and easy to watch. I hate watching half a movie and then pick it back up a day or two later. So when an interesting series comes along, preferably less than an hour per episode, then that could just be the one I watch. Only Murders in the Building has all that. With only 11 episodes that last around 35 minutes each, it's the perfect thing for me.

Source

A little background story

In the Arcadia apartment building in New York, a man is found dead. The police rules it a suicide.
They found a suicide note. But three people, who only have their love for murder mystery podcasts in common, don't agree...

The Cast & Producers

Set in New York, the series starts off with something the city (and most other big cities) is known for: How well do we know our neighbors?
The cast is an interesting one, just like the script is. The three main characters are also the producers of the series.

Selena Gomez, who portrays the artist Mabel Mora, may be more a name that the younger generation will have heard of. I know her because both my eldest child, and the two in the middle would watch the 'Wizards of Waverly Place'. So I've seen the series twice, minus a few episodes.

The has-been actor Charles Haden-Savage is played by Steve Martin, which is quite fitting I think, since he hasn't exactly been on-screen much these last few years. I've always liked him as an actor, comedy is his thing, so don't expect him to get all serious in this one. Or maybe he will?!? Aside from acting, he's also credited as a writer for the series. I do applaud him for that!

A struggling Broadway producer is also thrown in the mix, played by Martin Short, which makes the trio complete, and quite interesting.
I've never been a great fan of him, and always found him rather annoying to be honest but I have to say, he plays the part rather well in this series. I actually managed to find him a little more likeable.

I'm not sure how the three came up to co-produce this together (another producer of the series is John Hoffman), or when. I mean, they don't strike me as the kind of people to party together and then come up with a great idea to work on. I think this question intrigues me even more than the whole plot itself.

The Twists and Turns

The series starts and ends in the Arcadia Apartment building in New York. Not a place for the average Joe but one where the higher middle class may find themselves. Some for decades. The neighbors all know each other, and most have for years. Whether they grew up there as a child, or moved there when they were successful in life, and ended up growing old in the building. A man with an obsession for cats, gossipy old ladies, artists, and even a celebrity: you will find them there.
However, what we're going to ask ourselves as the series progresses is: How well do you actually know your neighbor?

Conclusion

The cast is surprising, yet fit in well together.
Selena, Steve, and Martin perform as expected, maybe even better.

I've always liked Selena Gomez, so I really don't have anything bad to say about her. She has had better, more serious roles in the past, but this character suits her very well. I believe she's a very versatile artist, who can easily switch from comedy to other genres without losing credibility. On top of that she's also a great singer. What's there not to love?

Steve Martin definitely hasn't forgotten any of his skills. He is still very funny when he needs to be. The fact that he co-wrote the script, has given me some new-found respect for the man.

The biggest surprise to me was that Martin Short didn't make me want to stop watching right away, and that he added a little more serious acting to the mix, rather than his try-too-hard-to-be-funny type of thing that I'm used to from him.
The rest of the cast did very well in my opinion, with more than just one familiar face.

The storyline is has many edges, twists and turns.
"Only Murders in the Building" is light & witty, funny at times but not excessively, keeps throwing clues into the mix without giving too much away...

I enjoyed watching it, and was looking forward to the next episode every time. Others seemed to have thought the same, since there will be a second season, coming soon...