The writing was sub-par, they used cheap video tape, I didn't like the 80 year old Agatha Crusty nursing home actress, the cast was super un-attractive.
If you think you'd enjoy a great retro feel mystery, look to the Agatha Christie series Poirot. Sharp stories, great acting and a wonderfully slick 1930's art-deco look.
I disagree with your review. All of the Miss Marples with Joan Hickson are wonderful. She is supposed to be an old woman, not a 20 year old fashion model. She was perfect for the role (Agatha Christie wanted her to play Miss Marple in another project) and the casts were excellent in all of the episodes. The writing is excellent as well. As far as Poirot is concerned, I find that series to be very boring. And the actor who plays Poirot is not ideal for the role. Albert Finney was much better as Poirot.
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
I like both 'Poirot' and this Joan Hickson series of Miss Marple. I would say that both are good at period detail. 'Poirot' pre-war and Miss 'Marple' post-war. 'Poirot' does gain by having a superior recording quality.
Admittedly Joan Hickson is probably the oldest actress to have taken on the role of Miss Marple. Usually they cast a Jane Marple in her early 70s, as was the age of both Margaret Rutherford and Geraldine McEwan when those ladies took on the role. Angela Lansbury was far too young at the age of 55 when she played the character. While I like your 'Agatha Crusty' pun, I think Joan Hickson was so good at playing Marple that I'll forgive her for being a little too old for the job.