17 reviews
Not the Same Without Cameron Mathison
- cat_woman_01
- Apr 6, 2024
- Permalink
Hannah is back...teaching, running the bakery and solving a murder and I just can't get enough.
Hannah Swensen Mysteries has consistently been one of my three favorite mysteries on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, along with Aurora Teagarden (the Candace Cameron Bure version) and Mystery 101. This entry has Hannah teaching a baking class at the local community college where she collaborates with literature professor Bradford Ramsey...who not only seems enamored with Hannah, but ends up dead quite literally stabbed in the back with one of Hannah's own knives. This unfortunately puts Hannah on the suspect list.
This entry introduces us to Lake Eden's own all business "I don't have a sweet tooth" county prosecuting attorney, Chad Norton (played by the suave Victor Webster). Most of the cast favorites have returned like Hannah's beloved mom who is played so delightfully by Barbara Niven and our favorite partner-in-crime and local dentist Norman (played by the consistently wonderful Gabriel Hogan). There were some noticeable absences like Hannah's brother in law police officer Bill, but probably more noticeable is Hannah's fiancé the beloved detective Mike, who has been played from the very first film by Cameron Mathison. The story was given that Mike went to Quantico to join the FBI? I am really sad to see Cameron Mathison go, as I really like him as an actor and thought he and Alison Sweeney had amazing chemistry together. On a side note I did enjoy Alison Sweeney and Victor Webster in the Wedding Veil series of movies, they were well matched and it will be interesting to see what develops here.
The series is based on the cosy mysteries written by Joanne Fluke, but this film was actually written by Alison Sweeney herself. The mystery was decent, but what really keeps this amongst my favorites...if not my favorite, is the camaraderie amongst the cast being lead by Alison Sweeney herself. Barbara Niven is not only lovely, but lends so much great comedy to this series. This entry has Delores deciding to be an private investigator...think big hats, sun glasses and trench coats.
Highly recommend this fun mystery series to all the cosy mystery fans out there.
This entry introduces us to Lake Eden's own all business "I don't have a sweet tooth" county prosecuting attorney, Chad Norton (played by the suave Victor Webster). Most of the cast favorites have returned like Hannah's beloved mom who is played so delightfully by Barbara Niven and our favorite partner-in-crime and local dentist Norman (played by the consistently wonderful Gabriel Hogan). There were some noticeable absences like Hannah's brother in law police officer Bill, but probably more noticeable is Hannah's fiancé the beloved detective Mike, who has been played from the very first film by Cameron Mathison. The story was given that Mike went to Quantico to join the FBI? I am really sad to see Cameron Mathison go, as I really like him as an actor and thought he and Alison Sweeney had amazing chemistry together. On a side note I did enjoy Alison Sweeney and Victor Webster in the Wedding Veil series of movies, they were well matched and it will be interesting to see what develops here.
The series is based on the cosy mysteries written by Joanne Fluke, but this film was actually written by Alison Sweeney herself. The mystery was decent, but what really keeps this amongst my favorites...if not my favorite, is the camaraderie amongst the cast being lead by Alison Sweeney herself. Barbara Niven is not only lovely, but lends so much great comedy to this series. This entry has Delores deciding to be an private investigator...think big hats, sun glasses and trench coats.
Highly recommend this fun mystery series to all the cosy mystery fans out there.
I liked it!
Yes I miss Cameron Matheson but Hallmark has lost many of the actors tied to key roles. So what do they do? Just drop the whole plot concept? They have to try something else. Maybe they will see what works, what doesn't.
I would at least like to see one more movie and see if they let DA do more. It's so funny because they were so good in several of the movies they did together, husband and wife in Wedding Veil movies. I DO LIKE Norman but he will probably just remain a supportive friend.
I have no problem with her mother or sisters in minor roles. I think her Mom is a riot.
I like appearances by secondary characters, even if they don't have a "meaningful" contribution to each story.
Cameron is not coming back. You no longer want to see any Hannah Swenson mysteries? I do.
I would at least like to see one more movie and see if they let DA do more. It's so funny because they were so good in several of the movies they did together, husband and wife in Wedding Veil movies. I DO LIKE Norman but he will probably just remain a supportive friend.
I have no problem with her mother or sisters in minor roles. I think her Mom is a riot.
I like appearances by secondary characters, even if they don't have a "meaningful" contribution to each story.
Cameron is not coming back. You no longer want to see any Hannah Swenson mysteries? I do.
Half of what made the previous Hannah Swenson movies good ...
Was her interactions with Mike. Those were sorely missing from this movie.
The synopsis suggested she was re-kindling things with Norman, but their interactions seem more brother-sister than romantic partners.
The mystery was perfectly adequate. There's friction with the district attorney, which, of course, means they have a romantic future (even though so far, he does not seem likeable).
The whole thing with the mother becoming a private eye just seemed too ludicrous for words. She is just too ditzy.
The third sister doesn't seem to add anything to the mix. I am kind of surprised they continued with her after the previous movie.
The synopsis suggested she was re-kindling things with Norman, but their interactions seem more brother-sister than romantic partners.
The mystery was perfectly adequate. There's friction with the district attorney, which, of course, means they have a romantic future (even though so far, he does not seem likeable).
The whole thing with the mother becoming a private eye just seemed too ludicrous for words. She is just too ditzy.
The third sister doesn't seem to add anything to the mix. I am kind of surprised they continued with her after the previous movie.
- brenda_loves_to_freecycl
- Aug 31, 2024
- Permalink
Fun mystery! More Norman please!
Who's driving this bus? Because it's headed over a cliff.
The new edition to Hannah Swenson Mysteries
I love the Hannah Swenson mysteries. One of my favorites. I really would love to see Hannah and Mike get back together, however I do love the new prosecutor him and Hannah have been in other movies and they're chemistry is heartwarming and I would love to see them together if Mike never returns to the show. Norman and Hannah are more suited as friends only. I love the fact that you all are bringing her mom in as an investigator. It adds humor to the show.. I also love the way you all bring in her baking and she speaks on the baking and relates it to real life situations. The show is just awesome. All the characters are loved dearly.
A Major League Disappointment
It's amazing how losing a major costar in a movie series can have a huge impact on the next film. With Cameron Mathison's exit, the entire movie fell flat.
I've read Joanne Fluke's all Hannah Swensen mystery novels and watched the Hallmark movies multiple times. But this one is just plain awful. I was tempted to delete it halfway through.
Mike Kingston is a pivotal character. Without him as the lead detective with the Eden Lake sheriff's department, there's no one to play off Hannah's parallel murder investigations. The chemistry between them was what made the movies work.
The DA Chad couldn't replace Mike. He was annoying and added nothing., Lonnie isn't a strong enough character to carry it off. By himself. Having the sheriff involved would have been a better alternative.. DA Chad didn't belong rescuing Hannah from the killer at the end of the movie with Lonnie. That is not a DA's job.
I missed Hannah and Lisa's scenes in the Cooke Jar interacting with the coffee clatch ladies. Very little time was spent in the bakery which was a shame. So many of her best ideas come to her while she's baking.
Delores becoming a private investigator while wearing a black hat and trench coat is silly. She called too much attention to herself in that getup.
It was nice to see Norman Rhodes again, but his appearance wasn't enough.to rescue this terrible movie.
I've read Joanne Fluke's all Hannah Swensen mystery novels and watched the Hallmark movies multiple times. But this one is just plain awful. I was tempted to delete it halfway through.
Mike Kingston is a pivotal character. Without him as the lead detective with the Eden Lake sheriff's department, there's no one to play off Hannah's parallel murder investigations. The chemistry between them was what made the movies work.
The DA Chad couldn't replace Mike. He was annoying and added nothing., Lonnie isn't a strong enough character to carry it off. By himself. Having the sheriff involved would have been a better alternative.. DA Chad didn't belong rescuing Hannah from the killer at the end of the movie with Lonnie. That is not a DA's job.
I missed Hannah and Lisa's scenes in the Cooke Jar interacting with the coffee clatch ladies. Very little time was spent in the bakery which was a shame. So many of her best ideas come to her while she's baking.
Delores becoming a private investigator while wearing a black hat and trench coat is silly. She called too much attention to herself in that getup.
It was nice to see Norman Rhodes again, but his appearance wasn't enough.to rescue this terrible movie.
- nurselibby
- Apr 8, 2024
- Permalink
Great Storyline, good watch!
I've enjoyed all of the Murder She Baked iterations. Love Alison Sweeney, Barbara Nivens, her sisters, Norman, etc. Not liking the new Chad character, have always enjoyed whatever Victor Webster acts in, just not this. The relationship between Hannah and Chad is just too formulaic. It's like the writing is already on the wall. When Murder She Baked began, I wasn't sure I liked Norman, but he's truly grown as a character and he's kind of quirky, goofy, funny and also a stand up guy that Hannah can count on and I really wish that they'd expand upon that relationship. Absolutely adored Barbara Nivens as a PI.
- bfoster-33680
- May 17, 2024
- Permalink
One Bad Apple a Day... Keeps the Viewer Away
This was rotten to the core. And I don't think it was because Mike hit the road or because they've added a new character. Nope. It's just a bad script. Disjointed. Characters thrown in as filler. A plot line that wasn't cohesive. Bad storytelling. Awkward and rushed dialogue. Twenty minutes of the movie had gone by before any crime happened. That's bad pacing.
I've seen it before with other shows. The star suddenly decides they can write or produce. Said show then goes down the tubes.
A few other issues to ponder: Why oh why did they take an over-the-top character like Delores, the mom, and put it all on steroids? She started out loopy; now she's a loopy detective. Who needs that. Have fedora, will investigate.
Victor Webster's character was under-used. His character needed to be more developed in the script. And as he works as the D. A., I can't imagine how they will use him a lot in the future. He won't be involved in a lot of investigation.
I could go on, but the bottom line was this was all over the place. The sisters had no purpose in the plot. The bakery is under-used and under-decorated. Actors that can't enunciate; the students were the worst.
This had the feel of desperation. They threw in everything and the kitchen sink.
I've seen it before with other shows. The star suddenly decides they can write or produce. Said show then goes down the tubes.
A few other issues to ponder: Why oh why did they take an over-the-top character like Delores, the mom, and put it all on steroids? She started out loopy; now she's a loopy detective. Who needs that. Have fedora, will investigate.
Victor Webster's character was under-used. His character needed to be more developed in the script. And as he works as the D. A., I can't imagine how they will use him a lot in the future. He won't be involved in a lot of investigation.
I could go on, but the bottom line was this was all over the place. The sisters had no purpose in the plot. The bakery is under-used and under-decorated. Actors that can't enunciate; the students were the worst.
This had the feel of desperation. They threw in everything and the kitchen sink.
Fun New Beginnings!
The new Hannah Swensen movie- One Bad Apple- featured a returning cast with Hannah featuring her sparkling baker mystery solving prowess! I especially loved Delores as a sleuth who ran around in Where in the World Is Carmen San Diego clothing- fun hats and trench rain coats. Barbara Niven sparkled in that role! Her sisters remain in the cast as does Norman the dentist. But Mike is gone- off to FBI school. He's gone but not forgotten. There is a new guy or two in town, one of whom is murdered. Alison Sweeney was so much fun as Hannah, adding just the right mixture of fun, excitement, and yummy cookies 🍪 🍪 🍪! Much improved story line over the last two plots- a must see for all fans of the series!
Not the Same Without Mike
- sonicgeekette
- Apr 5, 2024
- Permalink
Chad & Hannah & Norman Coming. I am for it.
- rosegardendn
- Apr 24, 2024
- Permalink
grasping at straws
Actually a good one
I actually enjoyed this film. The mystery was quite alright. The characters were enjoyable.
The setting - not so much. The college was too cheesy and fake even for Hallmark.
I know I'm probably the only one, but I didn't miss Mike. Never were a fan of his, he was OK, but nothing more.
Don't mind the new DA, he's quite something. Not sure if I see him as Hannah's boyfriend though. I'd rather watch Delores flirting with him. Don't understand why he was the one to go looking for Hannah with the cop though. He was doing a lot of things that DAs don't really do... Loved Norman being part of a sleuthing team and a proper hero. Not just a dorky admirer.
What I didn't like: still not a fan of Eden Lake being a big city, because it sure looks like one now. And don't understand why we still need another sister when Andrea comes so often (thank God!!!). Bring her husband too!
Hannah looked weird in first scenes, like she did something to her face. Maybe the lighting. Same about Andrea.
Good film anyway.
The setting - not so much. The college was too cheesy and fake even for Hallmark.
I know I'm probably the only one, but I didn't miss Mike. Never were a fan of his, he was OK, but nothing more.
Don't mind the new DA, he's quite something. Not sure if I see him as Hannah's boyfriend though. I'd rather watch Delores flirting with him. Don't understand why he was the one to go looking for Hannah with the cop though. He was doing a lot of things that DAs don't really do... Loved Norman being part of a sleuthing team and a proper hero. Not just a dorky admirer.
What I didn't like: still not a fan of Eden Lake being a big city, because it sure looks like one now. And don't understand why we still need another sister when Andrea comes so often (thank God!!!). Bring her husband too!
Hannah looked weird in first scenes, like she did something to her face. Maybe the lighting. Same about Andrea.
Good film anyway.
- fridaynight-1
- Apr 19, 2024
- Permalink
Here's Hoping We Never See Chad Again!
- ngbnd-56608
- Apr 13, 2024
- Permalink
A Major disappointment.This went downhill fast.
This movie was a major disappointment for me. Even Alison Sweeny seemed to be calling it in at times. I won't watch another in this series , and I've been a fan of the series from the beginning.. I'm used to the concept of humor in the states as slap stick, physical comedy and acting stupid, but this one ramped it up full blast. The mother went from annoying to full fledged clown. Can't your writers write suble humor, play on words, irony, puns and unexpected situational comedy. If it's really funny the actors don't need a sign on their heads.
And a male co star who is not at all invoved in the solving of the crime is just a waste of a good actor. His parts, and the lack of interaction between him and Hannah, just added to the boredom. I hope they do better, or just give up on the series before our memories of it are forever tainted.
And a male co star who is not at all invoved in the solving of the crime is just a waste of a good actor. His parts, and the lack of interaction between him and Hannah, just added to the boredom. I hope they do better, or just give up on the series before our memories of it are forever tainted.