Is Acorn TV Worth It for Cozy Mystery Lovers? Here’s What You Get

I’m not sure where my love of all things mystery and puzzle-solving came from, but I know that even as a youngster, some of my favorite TV programs were the likes of Frost, Poirot, and Inspector Morse.

Back in those days, we literally had three TV channels, so the options were few and far between. Episodes dropped weekly, and there were almost no repeats, so if you missed something, it was gone.

Of course, things have changed significantly over the decades since then. Virtually every program in the world is available in some form or other on streaming platforms, and that includes cozy crime mysteries from New Zealand to the US and everywhere in between.

The problem is that finding them can be a nightmare. You almost have to subscribe to every platform under the sun, as well as keep up to date with regular TV guides, to find the shows you like.

Sure, you can ‘search’ for them on your TV, but more often than not, you have to know the name of the show you want.

Too Many Channels, Not Enough Time

As an example, in the UK, the older shows I mentioned above are all on iTVX, with some others, like Father Brown, on the BBC.

Netflix has Monk and Psych, and Now TV has newer shows like Murdoch Mysteries. The Mallorca Files moved to Amazon, and Disney+ has Will Trent, Death and Other Details, and Only Murders in the Building.

What I’m saying is that whether you want to watch reruns of Miss Marple or sink your teeth into something brand new, you basically have to spend a fortune on streaming subscriptions to have the best choice of what’s out there.

That goes just as much for US viewers who not only have to contend with ABC, NBC, Fox, PBS, and CBS but all of the streaming platforms such as BritBox, Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+, Paramount, Peacock, etc…

However, I discovered Acorn TV a few years ago, and that has become my number-one go-to place for all things murder mystery, and it is excellent.

So let me tell you a little bit about it.

Acorn, The Home of Murder Mysteries

By the way, I’m not being paid for this; it’s just a helpful opinion if you’re considering whether to sign up for it or not!

So it started out as Acorn Media Group, which focused on distributing DVDs of British television shows in North America.

Then, in 2011, with the rise of digital streaming, the company launched Acorn TV to reach a broader audience online.

Instead of going with a broad selection of genres, they decided to stick with a niche market of international television, especially crime and mystery genres.

They then license all of the various shows that you don’t usually see in your country and stream them. So, for example, Darby & Joan from Australia, The Brokenwood Mysteries, and My Life is Murder from New Zealand or Candice Renoir from France are three of their most popular.

With millions of subscribers all over the world, they then branched out and started creating their own Acorn Originals.

Interestingly, while they do air on Acorn first, they are also licensed out to other TV channels. So while you will get the Madame Blanc Mysteries on Acorn first, you will then be able to watch it on, say, UKTV Play in the UK at a later date.

That doesn’t happen with all of the shows, but it is quite common.

Basically, Acorn TV is about 90% cozy crime, largely from the UK, Ireland, Canada, the US, Australia, and New Zealand, with a few French and Scandinavian shows also included.

Is It Worth It & How Much Is It?

For my money, Acorn TV is well worth the very reasonable subscription fee of £5.99/$5.99 a month. I personally use the standalone app on my TV, but you can also subscribe through Amazon and watch on your TV or mobile device.

So why do I think it’s worth it? Firstly, the range of shows is incredible. From new shows that you can’t get on regular TV channels, to older shows that you might have missed when they first aired, it’s all there.

Secondly, they have Acorn Originals down to a fine art. Fun, quirky, cozy crime mysteries that feature great actors, characters, and puzzles. However, I will say that they only ever tend to be six or eight episodes long, so they do leave you wanting more!

Thirdly, when you’ve watched a show, it doesn’t keep popping up on your feed, so you avoid endlessly scrolling through stuff you’ve already watched.

And fourthly, their Instagram is really good at telling you what’s coming up and what has been renewed, though sometimes you’re still left in limbo trying to figure out if your favorite show is coming back!

On the downside, because nothing is perfect, the air date for shows can vary significantly depending on where you live.

For example, shows like The Brokenwood Mysteries will always air newer seasons in the US months ahead of the UK, which is really annoying – if you live in the UK!

And also, some shows, despite being Acorn Originals, will only be on the channel for a certain period of time before being licensed off elsewhere and removed from the platform for an indefinite period of time.

That said, there is still plenty of time to catch them, so it’s about keeping track of what is getting released and when.

All in all, for the price, you couldn’t ask for a more comprehensive range of drama that you would otherwise struggle to find elsewhere and for a fraction of the cost.

I love it and happily give it the thumbs up!

Original Cozy Crime Mysteries

Acorn TV has made a name for itself not only by distributing popular international series but also by producing its own original content.

Notable original shows include:

Queens of Mystery

Premiering in 2019, this contemporary murder mystery series follows Detective Matilda Stone and her three crime-writing aunts.

Set in the picturesque English village of Wildemarsh, the series is known for its quirky characters, engaging plotlines, and a charmingly whimsical narrative style.

The only issue with this show is that there are only two seasons, and we have never heard if a third will get made, leaving us with a bit of a cliffhanger and no resolution.

Whitstable Pearl

Airing from 2021, Whitstable Pearl is based on Julie Wassmer’s novels, and features Pearl Nolan, a seafood restaurant owner who also runs a detective agency in the quaint seaside town of Whitstable.

Pearl balances her culinary endeavors with solving local crimes, often clashing with local police.

Three seasons are available, but the show has since been canceled, so we won’t be getting a fourth.

The Madame Blanc Mysteries

The Madame Blanc Mysteries centers around Jean White, an antiques dealer who, after the sudden death of her husband, discovers that he had drained their bank accounts before his demise.

Left with nothing but a cottage in the French village of Sainte Victoire, Jean moves there and soon becomes involved in solving mysteries linked to the antiques world.

Season 5 is due out later in 2026.

Signora Volpe

Signora Volpe follows Sylvia Fox, a disillusioned British spy who decides to leave her life of espionage behind and start afresh in the picturesque Italian town of Panicale.

Despite her intentions to retire quietly, Sylvia’s knack for investigation and her spy skills soon draw her into local mysteries and crimes.

The Chelsea Detective

Set in the affluent neighborhood of Chelsea, London, The Chelsea Detective follows Detective Inspector Max Arnold.

Living on a battered houseboat after separating from his wife, Max tackles complex cases that reveal the darker side of this wealthy community.

Each episode presents a new mystery, showcasing Max’s unorthodox methods and deep empathy for the victims.

My Life Is Murder

This Australian series stars Lucy Lawless as Alexa Crowe, a former homicide detective who solves crimes while dealing with the everyday challenges of life.

Known for its blend of light-hearted humor and mystery, the series offers a refreshing take on the crime genre.

Acorn TV’s original productions often focus on character-driven stories with intricate plots, set in visually appealing locations.

They tend to strike a balance between the traditional detective format and more modern, character-centric storytelling.

It is also how Acorn TV differentiates itself in the crowded streaming market, offering viewers high-quality content that they can’t find anywhere else.

So if you’re looking for the best in cozy crime, get yourself a free trial on Acorn and see if you love it as much as I do.