Bookish Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Slightly Foxed, Part 2

All our main characters participate in solving the case on Bookish Season 1 Episode 2, “Slightly Foxed, Part 2.” It ends with a sudden and sobering twist.

We pick up with Book, Trottie, Jack, and Nora all involved with questioning the main suspects: the dead man’s daughter and the man she ran away with, as well as a landlady who reported the crime but also stands to gain from his will.

While all have viable motives, there isn’t much true evidence against any of them. Toward the end of the episode, Book turns to another person entirely: a town butcher who also admits to killing his wife. Soon, we learn that his mistress helped.

As they are both arrested, she strikes out and he flees. Chased to a tall building and facing the gallows, he jumps to his death. As everyone reels, they learn more about each other and Jack shares that he was arrested for being getaway driver in a burglary.

The first part of the case’s continuation is relatively straightforward, and I love seeing everyone get in on the action. All our characters are just as good if not better at manipulating information out of people that the actual authorities.

The reveal of the butcher does come out of left field, and the explanation behind his motive is hasty. Still, we’re able to be drawn in enough to be affected as Book tries to reason with him, only for him to take his own life anyway.

We’re thrown a lot of twists at the end as the whole story comes to light. Even when it’s a bit rushed, the writing is strong. We even almost feel for our star-crossed lovers – almost because they do kill two people for the sake of their affair.  

As for all those bodies from the plague, we learn that one belonged to the butcher’s wife, carefully manipulated to look like those bones are hundreds of years old as well. (Again, we only almost pity those responsible.)

The dynamics among the main cast continue to be humorous and fun for most of the episode. In a world of gritty crime dramas that want their characters to be just as dark, it’s a refreshing change to see people who can joke and be kind no matter what.

Two exceptions: first, we are all but announcing Book’s secret aloud. In one scene, the romance between Trottie and “someone like him” is mocked. In another, Jack gently asks about their love, only to be gently rebuffed for prying.

Next, now that the truth of Jack’s arrest is out in the open, I expect it’s a omen that could come back into the story. Who knows when potentially violent individuals could come knocking? For now, though, it’s nice to see how swiftly his past is accepted.

Finally, I am curious about the budding relationship between Nora and Jack will go. For having only known each other a few days and especially for being so young, they work great together. I hope we see more of it, whether romantic or platonic.

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Bookish airs Sundays at 10/9c on PBS.

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