THE SUSPICIONS OF MR WHICHER: THE TIES THAT BIND

UK, 2014, 90 minutes, Colour.
Paddy Considine, Nancy Carroll, Helen Bradbury, Alex Robertson, Luke Thompson, Joanna Horton, James Northcote, Gwyneth Keyworth,
Directed by Geoffrey Sax.

This film is the fourth in the television series about Mr Whicher, initially based on a true story and a book by Kate Summerscale, then writers taking the character and inventing murder mysteries. The setting is England in the 1860s, especially in London with excursions, in this case very attractively, to the countryside and country towns, film with lavish detail.

Mr Whicher was in the police force, had failed, has taken up private detection and has been commissioned to follow a wife and her lover, reporting back to the husband who wants to initiate divorce proceedings. Mr Whicher also tracks down the lover, interviews him – and then tracks down his body in the woods.

The initial suspects are the couple who commissioned Mr Whicher, then a young woman with a child who was engaged to the murdered man, her brother who was angry and confronted the man.

There are quite some complications, including the visit of the murdered man’s father, a preacher.

There are some revelations about the couple with whom Mr Whicher was boarding, which leads to scandal, potential blackmail, and a murder and suicide.

Some of this is quite shocking for Mr Whicher who believes in justice and the truth. However, in the previous film he had gone to board with Mrs Piper (Nancy Carroll) and shown some affection for her – and at the end of this film, wanting to step out with her, to which she readily agrees.


1. The popularity of the series about Mr Whicher? Murder mysteries? Investigations? London in the 19th century?

2. The importance of the settings, sunlight in London, the countryside? The scenes in London, Hampstead, the flats, the streets? The country town, the streets and buildings, the elaborate sets? Interiors? The mansion in the countryside? The woods, the river? The 1860s, costumes and decor? The musical score?

3. Paddy Considine as Mr Whicher, the developing character during the series? His past, in the police force, detective, his failure? Leaving the police force? Available for private hire? Mrs Piper and his boarding with her, some tensions between them? The attraction?

4. The opening, Lady Jane and Matthew, the tryst, Mr Whicher following them, the hotel, the affair? His visit to her husband, giving the report? The presence of the lawyer, the issue of divorce? Judges and evidence? Joshua and Ruth and their witnessing? Mr Whicher going to see Matt, the discussion with him, his being willing to be a witness for the divorce? The irony of his not arriving for the divorce proceedings, the reaction of the husband, Jane, the lawyer?

5. Mr Whicher and his visit to Matt, tracking him down, his room, his situation? The relationship with Jane, the plans? Mr Whicher going into the countryside, finding him dead?

6. Boarding with Joshua and Ruth, the talk, Joshua and his work with the horses, Ruth and her hospitality? Mr Whicher returning and staying with them – leading to the solution?

7. Matt’s friend, with the horses, the accusations that he was the murderer, robbery?

8. Emma, the child, her concern about Linus, her relationship with Matthew, fiancee? Linus and the scenes of his anger? His being arrested, angry in jail, Mr Whicher visiting him?

9. The visit of Matthew’s father, interviews with Mr Whicher, going through his son’s belongings, a minister of religion, the revelation of stories from the past?

10. Matthew dead, the husband and his being under suspicion, Lady Jane, the reactions? The true story about the husband, his affairs? Jane, the unhappy marriage, decision to go to the US? Joshua wanting to go with her?

11. Joshua and Ruth, characters, the revelation of the truth, their history, pregnancy, the father kicking the baby and death, their leaving, setting up their life, being detected, Matthew? Ruth and her anger? Joshua and his explanations? The blackmail, Ruth following Matt, killing him, taking the money? Her confession, hanging herself? Joshua and his dismay?

12. Mr Whicher, his experience of the story, his stances for truth and justice, the shock, his saying goodbye to Jane at the station?

13. His return, Mrs Piper, the attraction – and stepping out with her in the future?