Having watched Patricia Routledge in Keeping up Appearances where she played the wannabee posh lady of the house and was called Mrs Bu kay ( Bucket in reality) it was an absolute pleasure to see Patricia Routledge play a kinder character who wanted to help solve peoples problems as a detective. Through the 4 series, she really grew on you as a character, and even tho a bossy streak showed from time to time, her kindness showed in many episodes starting from the first episode where she takes Jeffrey in hand after catching him shoplifting, to taking him on as a partner in her detective agency and providing a home for him. We didn't take long to view the whole 4 series as they were such a pleasure to watch and really wished at the end of it that they had made more than four series.

It also was a joy to find she actually could sing ( unlike her singing in Keeping up appearances). Also the real life interview with her was great as you realised what a talented actress she really was. Each series came with a booklet with info and written interviews with the characters.

Definately recommend this dvd set to other customers as cheaper than buying each series separately.

For those who remember Patricia Routledge only as the insufferably snobbish Mrs Bucket this series is a delightful, all too human, yet compassionate contrast. This is a British series: no high-tech, street-wise detective here. Hetty is thoughtful, compassionate and shrewd, yet not without her very human foibles and failings. The stories are grounded in the ‘reality’ that we can we could have such a detective next door to us, involved in all of life's little dramas, tragedies and gentle humour. This series is a gem, much more focussed on human-interest than contrived plots and so much the better for it. Highly recommended.