Dirty Tricks

This two-part miniseries based on the late Michael Dibdin's 1991 novel could aptly be described as black comedy. Edward (Martin Clunes) teaches English as a Second Language to adults in Oxford and seems normal enough when we first meet him. It doesn't take long, however, to realize that he is a cad. After accidently (or so it seems) killing his friend's wife, with whom he has been having a torrid affair, he marries a wealthy widow. The romance soon cools as Martin is attracted to another, wealthier woman. Meanwhile, his wife turns up dead—did he murder her, too? Part mystery, part comedy, Dirty Tricks is a roller-coaster ride as the lies and the bodies stack up. Winner of a 2001 International Emmy for best drama, this program contains nudity, strong language, and graphic sexual situations. Extras include cast filmographies and an author bio. For public libraries where British programming is popular.—Joan Greenberg, Warminster, PA