Gladys Mitchell (1901-1983) is one of my favorite British mystery writers. She wrote 66 Mrs. Bradley, later Dame Beatrice, novels and Speedy Death is the first, published in 1929. Fortunately, Diana Rigg looks nothing like Mitchell described her in the books where her looks are repeatedly described as reptilian. Indeed, one of her associates nicknames her Mrs. Croc. But Rigg does excellently portray Mrs. Bradley's wit, tolerance, cynicism and reasoning skills. After attending the funeral of one of her ex-husbands, Mrs. Bradley visits the estate of an old friend, Alistair Bing. Mrs. Bradley is his daughter Eleanor's godmother. Eleanor, who was paralyzed as the result of an auto accident some years previously is engaged to Everard Mountjoy. But just prior to the engagement party, Mountjoy is found dead in a bath tub. Thereafter, Eleanor and another young woman are attacked. Mrs. Bradley, a trained psychiatrist, unravels the many twists and turns the plot takes. I liked the gimmick of Mrs. Bradley making asides to the viewing audience. Mrs. Bradley is good at discerning or finding out people's secrets but in this episode, as in a number of the original stories, she does keep one secret from the police. George, Mrs. Bradley's chauffeur, nicely sums up her character when he tells a cheeky stable boy that "She's not mad, she's unique." The production values of this series are great and Diana Rigg shines as Mrs. Bradley. It's a shame only five episodes were made, but at least we have those five. It's a series worth watching more than once.