‘Queens of Mystery’ Recap: ‘The Modern Art of Murder’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episodes 203 and 204 of ‘Queens of Mystery’. To revisit the season two premiere, ‘Sparring with Death’, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that our perception of crime and where it is conducted and stems from, is quite stereotypical in nature. Since thoughts of it immediately call up images of seedy places in our minds, where bad people hide in the shadows and ponder upon how best to harm humanity, and anyone that ventures into this dark and dastardly world and survives to the tell the tale, will reinforce the fear that evil wants good to indulge in when thinking of this place. Which might be a bit of a dramatic way to think about or describe our views on crime, but to think that something as sweeping and as powerful as criminal acts can only be created and executed from one place in our proud cities, is just as dramatic. For, crime is everywhere and can come to life at any place at any time. 
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Which is why this week’s episode of Queens of Mystery on Acorn TV, is of note. For ‘The Modern Art of Murder’ explores that harsh reality in the most unique way imaginable, by unleashing crime in a place that shouldn’t be host to it, an art gallery. For when we catch up with the Stone family in this tale, they’ve all gathered at the new EGDE Gallery, to see the showcase its staff has built for Cat’s work and just when it appears as though the day is going to go off without a hitch, a prominent art dealer turns up dead and just like that, Matlida and her aunts are caught up in a whirlwind case. One that makes it seem as though they’ve uncovered a murder born out of greed and indulgence. Since it is revealed that some of the people that were present for the showcase, had ties to crooks that were eager to indulge in forgery and money laundering.

But just when these four intrepid sleuths close in on a major bust involving a bevy of money launderers, the story takes quite the turn. Wherein Matilda is able to figure out that the real culprit of the many murders in this story… isn’t motivated by greed or schemes. Nor did they come from an awful place where evil is born every hour on the hour. No instead, the ‘monster’ in this tale, is nothing more than a broken artist named William Garnet. And why he is referred to as broken here, is simple. For William takes the time to reveal to Matilda, that he has suffered greatly during his time in the art world. Courtesy of emotional abuse and demands, and his soured view of this corner of the creative world, motivated him to take revenge on those who wronged him or could have exposed him for his crimes.

Which made it one hundred percent clear, that crime is not and will never be isolated to specific parts of our world. Nor is it committed by specific individuals. Instead, when the circumstances are right and a person feels as though they have no other recourse, then they will do what they think they must and cross that unfortunate line, consequences be damned. Which is a message that makes this episode quite poignant and powerful in nature, since it truly removes the stereotypes that surround murder in a dynamic and fascinating light. And it was equally as brilliant to inject this kind of darkness into a corner of our world where peace and wonder, and freedom of the mind and the soul are believed to be the norm, since such a move helped to properly hammer home this story’s dynamic message.

But while that underlying commentary will definitely give us plenty to chew upon and will undoubtedly stick with us long after this story has come to its end, we would be remiss to not point out the other elements that helped to sell this tale. For the characters that the Stones encounter in this story, are fully fleshed out and feel complete, which is no easy task to accomplish in a murder mystery, but it is pulled off here in the smoothest manner imaginable. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the mystery in question keeps one guessing and is so full of appropriate and engaging twists that you simply cannot pull yourself away. If anything, this incredible entry in this ongoing saga, just serves to remind us that Queens of Mystery is hands down one of the most refreshing murder mysteries on the air right now, and it will be quite interesting to see what underlying messages await us when season two wraps up, next week. Until then.

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