Having devoured the book and appreciated its masterful pacing and presentation of evidence, the series sadly fails to meet the lofty expectations it set.
Let’s begin with the characters. The book doesn’t delve deeply into the relationships and development of those involved. However, the series demonstrates even less interest in emphasizing the emotional depth and struggles of the characters. Even core characters like Ravi and Pip experience emotional moments that feel contrived and lack thorough examination. The supporting cast – friends, family, and suspects – resemble filler designed to meet episode length requirements rather than the genuine individuals portrayed in the book.
The acting is adequate but falls short of brilliance. At times, it leans too heavily into a “Disney Channel-esque” style, which aligns with the book’s young adult (YA) vibe but ultimately fails to connect with viewers during moments of high emotional impact.
The visual presentation is occasionally intriguing, convincingly depicting a small-town setting. However, the color palette appears somewhat off. The excessive saturation gives the impression of watching “Descendants” on Disney+ rather than a teenage murder mystery. To be clear, we don’t need another “Riverdale” or “Winx Saga,” but at times, it detracted from the story’s brooding and somber tone.
Concerning the plot, having read the book, I was almost screaming at the scriptwriter due to the delayed revelation of critical information (foreshadowing the ending). Six episodes proved insufficient for the extensive information, and the pacing was uneven, with two episodes seemingly stagnant.
Characters were essentially misrepresented to fill the episode’s duration, leading to disjointed and awkward pauses in the narrative.
Overall, my expectations for the story were considerably higher. Much was lost due to the writing, in my opinion. The directorial decisions were peculiar. The incorporation of voice-overs or segments showcasing the evidence, similar to the book, would have enhanced the viewers’ understanding of Pip’s progress in the mystery and increased their engagement.
It’s a shame because this could have been an easy success. Next time, consider consulting the readers and adhering more closely to the book.
