Broadchurch: The End Is Where It Begins by Erin Kelly & Chris Chibnall
Genre: Crime
An official and original short story to be read after watching episode one of Broadchurch: Series Two. Containing completely new material not available anywhere else, this is a must-read for all fans of the show.
The first in a collection of eight short stories to run alongside the second series of ITV’s BAFTA award-winning show, Broadchurch. This story will be released at midnight following the broadcast of episode one.
The stories, written by bestselling author Erin Kelly in close collaboration with Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, will consist of 100% original plotlines that are tied closely to that evening’s episode. The stories will offer an unrivalled opportunity to spend more time with the characters, allowing you to delve deeper into their lives, histories and secrets in order to find out what really makes them tick.
This first-time creative collaboration between author and series creator will enhance your enjoyment of the TV series in a completely ground-breaking style. You won’t be able to wait for the next episode and story!
My Thoughts:
This was my third #BoutofBooks read. The week-long read-a-thon. And I think I’m going to be kicked to hell and back for this blog post, but if you’re going to blog and give your thoughts on things then you bloody well better be prepared to stand by them.
I absolutely loved Broadchurch series one. LOVED it. I loved the small town atmosphere and closed in filming directions and characterisations. I particularly loved the final episode reveal and reactions – though I had guessed very early on due to his too perfectness. Anyway, I digress.
Because of the huge public consumption of this programme, someone, somewhere decided that it would be a good idea to have these short stories to go along with series two. And that they should not be released until after each episode has aired. I dutifully watched episode one and was in awe of it again. There was no new dead body, it was still running from where the last series left. And the shocker in court, well, my heart was in my mouth.
But we’re talking about the book.
I bought and read the book. It’s about Ellie and how she got to where we first saw her; in uniform, pulling up a driver in a car and giving him a ticket.
It’s well written and has its own atmosphere. Its dark, bleak, and suffocating as Ellie believes her life to be.
The thing is, I don’t think you needed to wait until after the show to read it. Knowing why you were seeing her in uniform really wouldn’t have hurt the show at all if you’d read it before the show. So for me, it makes the books a gimmick. It’s feeding on the Broadchurch frenzy and obsession. The whole crime watching/reading community is going to be out there buying these shorts. And they are short. I don’t think you needed to have the explanation of why Ellie is in uniform in a short story, it could easily have come out as part of a two sentence tirade in the drama. Plenty of other dramas manage to fit all these details in without the need for these shorts. The novels, yes, these are a great idea, but I just see the shorts as someone seeing a money-making scheme.
If you are a compulsive show lover, I can see you enjoying them, but I won’t be buying any more. If I can’t watch the show and get all the information I need from it, then I’ll not watch it.
Great writing, but worth reading??
I completely understand your feeling, Rebecca. I’ll admit I’ve not watched Broadchurch though I hear good things about it. So would I read the stories? I don’t think so. Well, at least not right now. I prefer stories that can be read and enjoyed independent of a film or television show. Perhaps if I did get into the series it might be different…
It was remade for the States and called Gracepoint, Margot, with David Tennant in the lead again but Anna Gunn (Walter’s wife in Breaking Bad) replaced Olivia Colman as the female police officer. Nick Nolte also appeared. I’ve no idea how well received that version was, though. Thanks Rebecca, I’ll probably not bother with these – one a week, for 8 weeks, is the same price as a full price new paperback! And if there’s nothing new in them then it’s not worth it – I wouldn’t grudge it if there was extra content. Hope you’re feeling better. 🙂
Thanks for that info, Crimeworm. I have heard of Gracepoint, ‘though not seen it.
I’d love to know how it compares – I suppose it’d be a bit pointless watching it, knowing whodunit, but I suspect many people would still watch it…series 2 looks right up my street, as there looks like there’s going to be a bit of a courtroom battle, which I love. Roll on Monday night!
Thanks Crimeworm. This cold virus is still hanging on. It’s a tough one! I suppose it also depends on what happens each week in the program. One week a character story might interest you enough to buy a copy, but that leads me to think that the focus is going to be on one character each week with how this one worked.
I’m not sure if you could read the stories independently of the show Margot… whether they would be interesting enough, Yes there is a story and the writing is of course wonderful, but I think it’s because of the show that they’re important and selling. But for me, it didn’t add anything. I think it’s a gimmick.
I too understand your opinion, and agree would prefer all info to be contained within the programme – not, as you call them, a gimmicky sideline. But, as I did wonder why Ellie is back in Uniform it is tempting ?
She wanted to get away from the location so went to uniform. There was an incident (which was the exciting incident of the story) that upset her and reminded her of her own issues so she went to traffic…. See, she could have cried about that in the cottage at her DI. 🙂
I haven’t seen the show or read the stories, so decide for yourself how valid my opinion is! But for what it’s worth, I think the stories are a gimmick, and I think it’s a bit rich to ask fans to pay 99p a shot for a tiny short story. It puts me off the whole thing to be honest.
I’m glad to see my opinion isn’t completely left of base. I thought I’d be shot down in flames for this. But yes, it does really seem that way.
This is a new twist on fan fiction. Interesting. I don’t watch the show, but I can see where the stories would grab readers, at least once.
That’s a good point about the fan fiction Jacqui. The books will really grab the love of the avid Broadchurch fans. I just didn’t love the concept enough.