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The Best Episodes of Death in Paradise

Every episode of Death in Paradise ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Death in Paradise!

Binge this in 4d 16h•Peaking at 8.7/10

A brilliant but idiosyncratic British detective and his resourceful local team solve baffling murder mysteries on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie.

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Seasons15

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Death in Paradise Season 15 Episode 1 - Episode 1
    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #1 - Episode 1

    S15:E1

    Selwyn’s return to Saint Marie is disrupted by a dramatic death at his offices, where a man has fallen from the roof. Meanwhile, a new family connection arrives in Mervin’s life.

    Director:John Maidens
    Writer:James Hall

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  2. Death in Paradise Season 3 Episode 1 - Death of a Detective
    8.2/10(1022 votes)

    #2 - Death of a Detective

    S3:E1

    DI Poole attends a university reunion, but one of the group is murdered with an ice pick.

    Director:Cilla Ware
    Writer:Robert Thorogood

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  3. Death in Paradise Season 6 Episode 6 - Man Overboard (2)
    8.2/10(693 votes)

    #3 - Man Overboard (2)

    S6:E6

    The team race against the clock in London to solve two murders, after their prime suspect is found dead. Meanwhile, Dwayne has an emotional encounter and Humphrey finds that some advice from an unexpected source helps him come to a big decision.

    Director:Richard Signy
    Writer:Robert Thorogood

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  4. Death in Paradise Season 10 Episode 6 - Fake or Fortune
    8.2/10(657 votes)

    #4 - Fake or Fortune

    S10:E6

    The team have their work cut out in this dramatic conclusion to the two-parter. Neville must solve a mystery from the past that unlocks the truth of who murdered the concert pianist and why. Help is at hand, though, with the return of a former sergeant.

    Director:Jordan Hogg
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Death in Paradise Season 2 Episode 6 - A Dash of Sunshine
    8.1/10(808 votes)

    #5 - A Dash of Sunshine

    S2:E6

    There is an unwelcome blast from the past for DI Richard Poole when a former colleague turns up in Saint Marie.

    Director:Alrick Riley
    Writer:Colin Bytheway

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  6. Death in Paradise Season 2 Episode 8 - A Deadly Party
    8.1/10(774 votes)

    #6 - A Deadly Party

    S2:E8

    When a philanthropist is murdered in broad daylight at a charity fundraiser, DI Poole and his colleagues find themselves up against a daring and elusive opponent.

    Director:Alrick Riley
    Writer:Robert Thorogood

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Death in Paradise

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  7. Death in Paradise Season 8 Episode 6 - Beyond the Shining Sea (2)
    8.1/10(662 votes)

    #7 - Beyond the Shining Sea (2)

    S8:E6

    The team are left stunned by another murder connected to the killing of festival queen Tiana. But there is a new lead—a phone call relating to their initial suspect—so DI Jack and his officers travel over to nearby Rosalie Island, where the owner and employees of a lucrative investment company all fall under suspicion as they are questioned about the mysterious call. Meanwhile, with emotions running high, Ruby encourages her uncle, Commissioner Patterson, to show his emotional side for once.

    Director:Jermain Julien
    Writer:Roger Enstone

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  8. Death in Paradise Season 14 Episode 7 - Episode 7
    8.1/10(357 votes)

    #8 - Episode 7

    S14:E7

    Mervin and the team pull together to pin down the prime suspect in his mother’s murder. But old wounds are reopened as Mervin is forced to confront his past.

    Director:John Maidens
    Writer:James Hall

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  9. Death in Paradise Season 4 Episode 8 - Unlike Father, Unlike Son
    8.0/10(672 votes)

    #9 - Unlike Father, Unlike Son

    S4:E8

    DI Goodman and the team are under pressure when a prisoner is killed in their custody.

    Director:Richard Signy
    Writer:Matthew Barry

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  10. Death in Paradise Season 5 Episode 4 - A Personal Murder
    8.0/10(704 votes)

    #10 - A Personal Murder

    S5:E4

    The team must solve a deeply personal case when Dwayne's old mentor is found dead and a text message from beyond the grave says it was murder. DI Goodman tries to unleash his inner gourmand.

    Director:Audrey Cooke
    Writer:Emma Goodwin

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  11. Death in Paradise Season 6 Episode 5 - Man Overboard (1)
    8.0/10(668 votes)

    #11 - Man Overboard (1)

    S6:E5

    A murder investigation propels the team to London in pursuit of their suspects.

    Director:Richard Signy
    Writer:Robert Thorogood

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  12. Death in Paradise Season 8 Episode 5 - Beyond the Shining Sea (1)
    8.0/10(656 votes)

    #12 - Beyond the Shining Sea (1)

    S8:E5

    A fishing community is excited about the arrival of their festival queen for an annual celebration, but when her boat arrives with only her dead body on board, DI Mooney is left, yet again, with a baffling mystery to solve. What could a missing loaf of bread have to do with the crime? Meanwhile, Florence and Patrice look forward to their wedding, which is only a week away, but a huge strain is put on their relationship when the groom is drawn into the murder case as a former employer and long-time friend of the victim.

    Director:Jermain Julien
    Writer:Sally Abbott

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  13. Death in Paradise Season 12 Episode 7 - Sins of the Detective (2)
    8.0/10(564 votes)

    #13 - Sins of the Detective (2)

    S12:E7

    The team must prove Neville’s innocence after Professor Cartwright is murdered. DI Karen Flitcroft from the Department of Policing Standards takes over the investigation. The investigation leads Naomi and Selwyn to Justin West at the preppers commune.

    Director:Angela de Chastelai Smith
    Writer:James Hall

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  14. Death in Paradise Season 1 Episode 1 - Arriving in Paradise
    7.9/10(1270 votes)

    #14 - Arriving in Paradise

    S1:E1

    When a British policeman is found murdered in a locked room on the tiny paradise island of Sainte-Marie, Detective Inspector Richard Poole is sent to investigate. He's the perfect man to solve the case. Unfortunately for Richard, he hates sun, sea and sand...

    Director:Charles Palmer
    Writer:Robert Thorogood

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  15. Death in Paradise Season 1 Episode 3 - Predicting Murder
    7.9/10(953 votes)

    #15 - Predicting Murder

    S1:E3

    When a woman not only predicts her own murder but also gives a description of the murderer, it all feels too easy for DI Richard Poole. Can a case from the past help solve the present day murder? And more importantly, can Richard convince the team that it has nothing to do with voodoo spirits?

    Director:Charles Palmer
    Writer:Robert Thorogood

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  16. Death in Paradise Season 1 Episode 5 - Spot the Difference
    7.9/10(908 votes)

    #16 - Spot the Difference

    S1:E5

    A murder investigation becomes more than personal for Richard when the victim is murdered while handcuffed to him. With his job on the line, he needs all his British rigour and stoutest brogues to get to the heart of the Paradise Beach mystery.

    Director:Alfred Lot
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Death in Paradise Season 2 Episode 1 - Murder on the Plantation
    7.9/10(844 votes)

    #17 - Murder on the Plantation

    S2:E1

    DI Richard Poole struggles to muster that loving feeling for the local voodoo festival celebrating romance and friendship. However, an understanding of the nature of love, friendship and the ties that bind, proves vital in solving a mysterious murder at a local sugar plantation.

    Director:Keith Boak
    Writer:Delinda Jacobs

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  18. Death in Paradise Season 2 Episode 7 - A Deadly Storm
    7.9/10(769 votes)

    #18 - A Deadly Storm

    S2:E7

    As the island prepares for a hurricane the corpse of Leo Downs, a researcher at the university's meteorological unit is found.

    Director:David O'Neill
    Writer:James Payne

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  19. Death in Paradise Season 3 Episode 8 - Rue Morgue
    7.9/10(715 votes)

    #19 - Rue Morgue

    S3:E8

    The team investigates the apparent suicide of an elderly resident at a retirement home.

    Director:Richard Signy
    Writer:Robert Thorogood

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  20. Death in Paradise Season 10 Episode 5 - Music To My Ears
    7.9/10(586 votes)

    #20 - Music To My Ears

    S10:E5

    A celebrated concert pianist murdered one night in his studio. Catherine’s friendship with the victim’s family puts her in unexpected danger. The first of a two-part story.

    Director:Jordan Hogg
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Death in Paradise Season 1 Episode 8 - Amongst Us
    7.8/10(802 votes)

    #21 - Amongst Us

    S1:E8

    Dwayne ends up embroiled in a murder investigation when a piece of incriminating evidence is found at the scene of the crime. Can Richard solve the case and meet a deadline that means he will finally get what he wants - a return home?

    Director:Paul Harrison
    Writer:Robert Thorogood

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  22. Death in Paradise Season 2 Episode 3 - Death in the Clinic
    7.8/10(765 votes)

    #22 - Death in the Clinic

    S2:E3

    DI Richard Poole and his colleagues are baffled by an apparent suicide at an exclusive plastic surgery clinic.

    Director:David O'Neill
    Writer:Dan Sefton

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  23. Death in Paradise Season 4 Episode 4 - Until Death Do You Part
    7.8/10(693 votes)

    #23 - Until Death Do You Part

    S4:E4

    DI Goodman investigates when a bride-to-be is killed on the last night of her hen party.

    Director:David O'Neill
    Writer:Rebecca Wojciechowski

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  24. Death in Paradise Season 5 Episode 8 - Flames of Love
    7.8/10(674 votes)

    #24 - Flames of Love

    S5:E8

    The team is faced with an impossible murder when a young backpacker is shot inside a sealed room. DI Goodman has a date, plus it is the day of JP's wedding - but will he make it to the altar?

    Director:Richard Signy
    Writer:Matthew Barry

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  25. Death in Paradise Season 6 Episode 7 - In the Footsteps of a Killer
    7.8/10(640 votes)

    #25 - In the Footsteps of a Killer

    S6:E7

    When a tourist claims to alibi a woman convicted for murder eight years ago, the team are forced to reopen the case.

    Director:Simon Delaney
    Writer:Dana Fainaru

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Best Episodes Summary

"Episode 1" is the best rated episode of "Death in Paradise". It scored 8.7/10 based on 3 votes. Directed by John Maidens and written by James Hall, it aired on 1/30/2026. This episode scored 0.5 points higher than the second highest rated, "Death of a Detective".