"Murder Call. Central 10 standing by for VKG."
"Go ahead Central 10."
"We have a deceased at this location. It appears suspicious. Can we have Central Detectives Homicide and crime scene assistance."
"Central 10 copy that."

So starts each episode of Murder Call. For Detectives Steve and Tessa, solving a murder is like a journey from the darkness into the light. She's young, brilliant and enthusiastic, while he's more logical and a bit blasé, but together they make a great team. The duo relies heavily on the skills of their forensic back-up and their boss, Detective Inspector Malcolm Thorne.

The reasons I'm a fan of Murder Call are various. I love the set pattern of each episode - a murder, the autopsy and forensic evidence, some investigation, then Tessa's flash of inspiration to solve even the weirdest of crimes. I also like the lack of dwelling on the main characters home lives - it is somehow incidental to the plots but still a great influence on their actions. However, my favourite episodes are those that let a little bit of their lives slip into the plots - The 'Tootsie' episodes 'Cold Comfort' and 'Dead Offerings' and the 'Dee' episode 'Cat & Mouse'.

Many 'cop shows' employ a big name guest star who inevitably turn out to be the murderer. This is shied away from in Murder Call - it is very difficult to guess whether the big guest star is just decoration or the murderer.

These pages are written from a UK perspective, so the episode guides may not be in the order you saw them, and the articles and sightings may not be complete. If you think I've missed anything then e-mail me at Central Homicide.

Sadly production was suspended on the third season of Murder Call at the end of November '98, and a decision will be made on its future later this year, but don't hold your breath.