The Brokenwood Mysteries

Shepherd and his investigative team are called to the remote community of beaches at Pateke Point. Upon arrival they discover a local resident has been bludgeoned to death with an unknown blunt object. The weapon used in the attack remains unidentified by investigators.

Spark to a Flame is a programme presented in the format of an episode. It falls under the generic label of “episode” and is listed simply as a programme, without any further classification. The title itself suggests a focus on a particular incident that will be examined within the running time of the show. In this instalment, Shepherd and his team receive a summons to travel to a secluded coastal settlement known as the beaches at Pateke Point. Upon arrival they discover that a member of the local community has been killed, the victim having suffered a fatal blow from an unidentified blunt instrument. The circumstances of the death are unclear, prompting the investigators to begin an on‑site inquiry. The setting for the investigation is a remote area characterised by its shoreline location, which adds a degree of isolation to the case. The only information provided about the crime is that the weapon used was a blunt object of unknown origin, and that the victim was a resident of the community. Shepherd and his colleagues are therefore tasked with piecing together the events that led to the fatal assault, working within the limited clues available at the scene.