by Oline H. Cogdill
I am so enjoying made-for-TV movies based on mystery writers’ series that have been airing on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel.
These light mysteries based on several amateur sleuth series are that breath of fresh air many of us need. I love hard-hitting series such as Bosch and Longmire, but sometimes I also crave something light and fun.
And Hallmark is delivering.
The latest is Murder She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery, based on the culinary mystery series by Joanne Fluke, which airs at 9 p.m. Nov. 22 on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel. And of course, there will be encores.
This is the second made-for-TV movie based on a Fluke novel; the first was Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery, which ran earlier this year. A third film is schedule for February 2016.
Murder She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery finds Hannah trying to solve the murder of a local entrepreneur known for his wild ideas. His body is found in his office. Suspects are abundant, including ex-wives and angry investors.
Meanwhile, Hannah is trying to make a plum pudding—hence, the title—and get ready for the holidays.
The movie hardly breaks new ground, but it is entertaining and allowed a good break from the Criminal Minds marathon I was caught up with.
Alison Sweeney makes an appealing Hannah, showing the character’s intelligence, strength, and even vulnerability. Sweeney is best known for her Emmy-nominated role of Sami Brady on Days of Our Lives. She also has hosted The Biggest Loser for 13 seasons. And if that wasn’t enough, Sweeney directs episodes of General Hospital and Days of Our Lives.
Emmy-nominated actor Cameron Mathison is exactly what we want from detective Mike Kingston—a handsome and safely sexy foil for Hannah.
There is only one problem with Murder She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery. Fluke has a habit of making chocolate chip cookies to share with her readers at her book events.
Murder She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery airs at 9 p.m. Nov. 22 on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel, with encores.
Photos: Top, Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison; bottom, Alison Sweeney in Murder She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery. Photos courtesy Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel
