Not the usual police procedural, this focuses on Rick Castle, a bestselling mystery writer who is shadowing a NYPD detective, the better to use her as a model for the heroine of his next series. I really liked this, because:

1) Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle. What can I say? I'm a fan.

2) Stana Katic as Detective Katherine Houghton "Kate" Beckett--in particular the chemistry between her and Fillion and the witty banter between them.

3) It's set--and filmed--in New York City, my home town--not a Hollywood set or Toronto as a stand-in. And it shows. Adds to the fun.

4) I liked Castle's family. It was nice to watch a good father/daughter relationship.

5) I liked the whole publishing/writing element--there's even a scene early on where Castle has a poker game with other bestselling writers--some real ones playing themselves such as James Patterson.

Really, really fun. ( )

Tremendous fun. Wit and mystery.
We really liked this show, especially the interaction of the secondary characters, and the fact that they actually did detective work and sleuthing, rather than just a police procedural. ( )