BBC viewers are now able to stream a 'tremendously satisfying' crime drama based on the chilling exploits of a real-life serial killer.

The Black Forest Murders, recently added to the BBC's streaming library, is already garnering a significant following.

With only four episodes in the series, fans are quickly devouring the entire show.

This German production was so well-received in its homeland that the BBC decided to introduce it to British audiences.

Although the series is fictional, it draws inspiration from actual cases, notorious serial killers, and the dedicated police units tasked with bringing them to justice.

The narrative intertwines two cases from 2016 and also takes cues from Walter Roth's non-fiction book SOKO Erle.

As per the synopsis, the story unfolds when a young woman is found brutally murdered, leading detective inspector Barbara Kramer to take charge of the investigation. The stakes rise for the investigators when similarities to a second crime surface, reports the .

Nina Kunzendorf stars as Senior Detective Barbara Kramer, while Tilman Strauß plays Thomas Riedle, a member of her investigative team.

In their review, The Guardian praised the show as "akin to watching a tremendously satisfying puzzle come together."

Good Housekeeping also lauded the series as "absolutely gripping" and "terrifyingly compelling".

Despite not securing a wide-enough release to garner a score or even appear on Rotten Tomatoes, this detective series has been capturing a niche, dedicated audience. It's garnered praise for its no-frills focus on detective work, eschewing the typical personal drama of its characters.

Online commenters have voiced their approval, with one fan saying: "I found it very refreshing to actually focus on the police work for once, and not hear all sorts of love stories or other personal details about the detectives for the 100th time. I still really liked all the actors in their roles and would be happy to see a sequel!".

Another viewer expressed admiration for the series's pacing and authenticity: "We liked the series so much that we watched all the episodes right away. And it never got boring. This crime thriller was free of staged chases and unnecessary action-just good, real police work."

The same fan mentioned a slight technical gripe: "Good actors, though difficult to understand at times. The sound was the only downside to this strong crime thriller."

Meanwhile, another admirer highlighted the show's credible portrayal and atmosphere: "A wonderfully authentic and unpretentious narrative, a crime story like you'd only wish for, not cluttered with ridiculous subplots and overly contrived action. A fantastic team around Nina Kunzendorfer, who always remains believable. Fantastic! I wish there were more original productions with such a dense atmosphere and such well-acted acting."

The gripping realism of police work in the series has been lauded by viewers, with one fan stating: "Just when you think it's going on too long, the suspense wins you over. It shows how meticulous the police work is, and also the hurdles that have to be overcome. Simply brilliant".

The Black Forest Murders is streaming on BBC iPlayer.