If you think Scott Frank couldn't possibly create a TV show even more tantalizing than "The Queen's Gambit" or "Monsieur Spade", guess again! Reuniting with Matthew Goode from their 2007 masterpiece "The Lookout", Frank is back with another standout Netflix series: "Dept. Q".

Spanning nine gripping episodes, "Dept. Q" derives from Jussi Adler-Olsen's thriller novels hailing from Denmark. Wait, don’t go reaching for your Viking costume and horned helmet just yet! The backdrop for the gritty crime series is actually the Scottish capital city, Edinburgh.

The wonderful Matthew Goode becomes Carl Morck, an eternally grumpy detective whose social skills would make a hermit look like the life of the party. His word-of-the-day - brilliant but grouch - might as well be printed on his calling card. His professional existence hasn't been sunshine and rainbows either; a poorly handled investigation resulted in him getting shot and his buddy Hardy (Jamie Sives) partly disabled. His smiles-per-year count dropped even lower after a divorce which prompted his move to Edinburgh.

Now, Morck stews in his unhappy life, his boss, Moira (played by the terrific Katie Dickie), doesn't seem too thrilled with him either. An upcoming project to boost case clearances by creating a division for cold cases gives Moira an ingenious, albeit slightly devious, idea: she places Morck in charge. It's not quite the corner office he might have wished for - a basement storeroom would be a more accurate description of his workspace. Yet, like a phoenix from the ashes, Morck kicks it into gear, recruiting fellow throwaways - Akram Salim (Alexej Manvelov), a former Syrian detective, and Rose (Leah Byrne), a cop dealing with her own maelstrom.

Tackling a long-forgotten, 4-year-old missing persons case, this unconventional trio sets out to find answers. Amidst gritty office spaces with broken urinals and dull overhead lighting, they navigate the maze tirelessly, looking for clues and battling their own personal traumas.

Once you've dipped your toes into the world of "Dept. Q", you'll find yourself eager to dive deeper into Adler-Olsen's series. Sure, cold case departments might be old hat in TV land, but Frank's careful crafting of the stories, attention to character development, and dash of classic noir elements give this genre a fresh face. The interplay between characters is utterly delightful and combined with stellar performances by the ensemble cast, including Chloe Pirrie as the resolute prosecutor Merritt and Mark Bonnar as her obstructionist boss, this show is a must-watch.

"Dept. Q" may not be laugh-out-loud funny, but it definitely has moments that tickle the funny bone. Frank's brilliant depiction of Edinburgh as both a tourist haven and a bustling city infuses a unique character to the show's atmosphere.

While the first season encountered slight bumps with cumbersome plot mechanics and could perhaps use some trim-work, Frank and co-creator Chandni Lakhani sure know how to keep one hooked. Just like the enchanting tales of "Slow Horses" and "Reacher", "Dept. Q" is all set to become another feather in Frank's by-now-rather-gaudy cap. With nine more Adler-Olsen novels waiting to be adapted into television gold, it’s highly recommended to buckle up for a thrilling and engaging ride.