Their little investment, Blue Motel, started out as a nice change but right off the bat one of their guests was murdered in his room. That is how their new establishment got the unappreciated nickname “Blue Murder Motel,” although not all of the murders take place there.

This little town of Mōwai Bay where they now live is very different than where they came from back in Australia. But, as the season progresses, there is something the couple is hiding about the real reason they retired from the police and moved to New Zealand.

The Colemans were top notch homicide investigators, so when the first murder occurred, they couldn’t help themselves getting involved in the investigation. It turned out their insights and skills were welcomed by Jamie Haira, the only police officer in the town. And he was so new he had to keep referring to his handbook.

As the episodes roll on, Vanessa and Peter merge their former lives with their new lives running the motel and assisting Constable Haira with the various murders that occur. And for this seemingly quiet little town, there are more murders than this couple ever imagined. But just why did the couple retire in the first place? That is a mystery that winds itself through the season. By the end of the season, viewers will finally understand what prompted their exit from Australia.

Initially, Cole tried to reign in his wife’s investigating. However, she truly missed being a detective. They still make a great team. And in this little New Zealand town, their expertise is very welcomed, especially by Jamie who needs all the help he can get. After all, there is only so much he can learn from his handbook. Under their tutelage he learns the ropes.

Michala Banas stars as Vinny, Brett Tucker is Cole, and Jayden Daniels is Jamie. Stephanie Tauevihi is Maxine, a somewhat permanent resident at the motel, and Jaime McDermott is Saffron, an inquisitive young woman who works as the housekeeper at the Blue Motel but also assists with all their technical issues and computer problems. Both she and Maxine love to pry into whatever investigation is being undertaken, and even though they do not have any law enforcement backgrounds, they add some great insights into the crimes.

The show is not filled with a lot of high-octane drama, but it is a nice little series. “Blue Murder Motel” is filmed in Ōrewa, New Zealand, which is a coastal town on the Hibiscus Coast, about 30 minutes north of Auckland and known for its scenery and beaches.

There are eight episodes in this first season and it has already been renewed for a second season. All episodes of season one are available to stream on Acorn TV, its app, or as an add-on to Prime Video.