What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedBeyond Paradise
Robert Thorogood · Series · 2023
If you loved Beyond Paradise, start with Death in Paradise (Robert Thorogood, 2011) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Beyond Paradise across media.
What hooked you in Beyond Paradise was the way a fish-out-of-water detective navigates the deceptive complexity of quiet, close-knit communities.
Start with the source
The source
Death in Paradise
Robert Thorogood · Series · 2011
Books on the same thread
Nightshade
Michael Connelly · Book
Shares 2 threads with Beyond Paradise: police procedural, detective fiction.
Like Humphrey in Beyond Paradise, Stilwell faces jurisdictional isolation as he pivots from city life to a secluded environment, highlighting the friction between an outsider and local secrets.
Holly
Stephen King · Book · 2023
Explores: missing persons, elderly sociopaths, investigative process.
If the investigative process in Beyond Paradise kept you engaged, you will appreciate Holly Gibney’s methodical pursuit of dark secrets hidden beneath the surface of a seemingly ordinary town.
The Thursday Murder Club
Richard Osman · Book · 2020
Explores: Retirement, Friendship, Unlikely Detectives.
The Thursday Murder Club echoes the charm of Beyond Paradise by proving that retirement villages and small towns are often breeding grounds for unexpected, high-stakes criminal intrigue.
The Retreat
Sarah Pearse · Book
Explores: isolated setting, wellness culture, hidden pasts.
This story captures the unsettling contrast found in Beyond Paradise, where a picturesque, isolated setting becomes the backdrop for a serious investigation into hidden, buried pasts.
Films on the same thread
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Olivia Newman · Film · 2026
Explores: Grief and healing, Intergenerational friendship, Hidden secrets.
Fans of Beyond Paradise will find the same focus on character-driven healing and intergenerational connections that transform a quiet local setting into a place of discovery and wonder.
Hot Fuzz
Edgar Wright · Film · 2007
Shares 2 threads with Beyond Paradise: Fish Out of Water, Police Procedural.
Hot Fuzz mirrors the fish-out-of-water experience in Beyond Paradise, placing a professional detective into a rural village that is far more dangerous and chaotic than it first appears.
A Haunting in Venice
Kenneth Branagh · Film · 2023
Shares a thread with Beyond Paradise: Detective Fiction.
Much like the detective work in Beyond Paradise, this film centers on a seasoned investigator navigating a strange, atmospheric location where grief and guilt complicate the path to justice.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Rian Johnson · Film · 2025
Shares a thread with Beyond Paradise: Detective Fiction.
This whodunit shares the spirit of Beyond Paradise by examining the moral ambiguity and class tensions that simmer just beneath the surface of a small, tight-knit community.
Podcasts on the same thread
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
If you enjoyed the forensic breakdown of local life in Beyond Paradise, this podcast offers a similar, albeit more comedic, deep dive into the tragedies of provincial settings.
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
The Archers provides an immersive, long-form look at the relationships and community dynamics that define the rural backdrop Humphrey navigates throughout his time in Beyond Paradise.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Beyond Paradise a direct sequel to Death in Paradise?
Beyond Paradise follows the character Humphrey Goodman after he leaves the setting of Death in Paradise. While it features the same protagonist, the series focuses on his new life and role as a Detective Inspector in his fiancée Martha's hometown rather than his previous investigations.
Should I watch Death in Paradise before starting Beyond Paradise?
You do not need to watch Death in Paradise to understand Beyond Paradise. The series is designed as a standalone story following Humphrey Goodman's transition to a new job and a quieter life in a different location, though familiarity with the character provides additional context for his journey.
What is the main premise of Beyond Paradise?
Beyond Paradise follows Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman as he leaves his previous life behind for a quieter existence. He takes a new job in his fiancée Martha's hometown, but he soon discovers that the local crime rate makes the area much louder and more dangerous than he originally anticipated.
Does Humphrey Goodman appear in both Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise?
Yes, Humphrey Goodman is the central character in both series. In Death in Paradise, he serves as a detective, and in Beyond Paradise, he continues his career as a Detective Inspector after relocating to his fiancée Martha's hometown to seek a change of pace.