Ep 3. Clear Red Skies

In Murder in Paradise season 2 episode 3, titled "Clear Red Skies", viewers are taken to the lush and idyllic island of Saint Marie. The episode opens with a group of locals participating in a charity fun run on the beach, with clear blue skies overhead and a festive atmosphere all around. However, the joyous mood is quickly shattered when a young woman's body is discovered on the beach, leading to a murder investigation that draws the island's detectives into a web of secrets, lies, and deceit.

When lead detective DI Jack Mooney and his team arrive on the scene, they quickly learn that the victim, a wealthy young woman named Julia, had been staying at a luxury villa with her husband and a group of close friends. Though the initial assumption is that Julia had been attacked by a stranger while out jogging, the evidence soon points in a more sinister direction.

As Jack and his team question the victim's husband and friends, they discover that Julia had recently come into a substantial inheritance from her father's estate. Her new wealth had caused tensions amongst her friends, who were used to a more egalitarian lifestyle. Moreover, cracks in her marriage are also revealed.

As Mooney's investigation unfolds, he and his team must navigate the complex relationships between the victim and her inner circle, which become increasingly tangled as secrets are uncovered. Mooney works tenaciously with his team and the island's coroner to gather all possible evidence so as to uncover the identity of the real killer and to solve the case. The picturesque surroundings prove to be an added challenge as the local police work against 'island time' and cultural differences.

While the team continues to unravel the case, a secondary plotline involving an elderly man battling a terminal illness and his son's attempts to come to terms with his father's mortality is also showcased. This adds an emotional depth to the episode, balancing the tension of the investigation with empathy and compassion for the human experience.

As the investigation finally reaches its conclusion, viewers are left on the edge of their seats as the team uncovers secrets that no one in the victim's innercircle had thought would be discovered.

Overall, Murder in Paradise season 2 episode 3, "Clear Red Skies", is a suspenseful and emotionally resonant episode that further cements the show's reputation as a must-watch for fans of compelling crime dramas. The episode is filmed beautifully at the real world location of Guadeloupe, which serves as St. Marie in the show, featuring beautiful beaches, forested hills, and beautiful views throughout.