This is the fourth film in Hallmark's Garage Sale Mystery series and I think the series is finally hitting it's stride. I still miss both the original actors who played the husband and the daughter...especially the daughter, having trouble warming up to Eva Bourne in that role. Also...they rolled back the time on the daughter, she is now a junior in college again, no mention of the detective boyfriend from the first film or law school, but she has a current boyfriend who is also a junior in college...and they are serious. She seems to be floundering a bit and working in her mom's shop. I do like Steve Bacic, the actor who plays the husband currently, he is a great actor and I particularly liked him in the end of this film.
No appearance by their son in this episode who is at a camp of some kind. The domestic conflict is all about Jennifer and Jason's anniversary, which she thinks he has forgotten...and the mystery revolves around a designer wedding dress that Jennifer and Dani pick up at an estate sale. It ends up being connected to a decades old missing person cold case. Of course, once Jennifer's interest is peaked there is no stopping her!
"The police have a saying...no body, no crime."-Detective Frank Lynwood
I appreciated that in this case there were no malevolent characters...that was kind of refreshing. Jennifer has made friends with the local medical examiner Tramell...who loves his puns almost as much as Jennifer and is still good friends with Frank, aka Detective Lynwood. Frank, on his lunch breaks, is helpful but not encouraging of Jennifer's extracurricular sleuthing in this case of a debutant wedding where the groom goes missing after the vows and pictures, but before the reception!
It was wonderful to see Cheryl Ladd, who is as gorgeous and elegant as ever, in her role as the abandoned bride Helen Whitney Carter.
"You know what happens in these big houses at 4pm? Tea! It almost makes paying the property taxes worthwhile."-Helen
I like the mature characters and the family dynamic in this cosy mystery series. Happily married and mentally healthy core. I like the best friend Dani being quirky, new age-y, vintage clothes wearing, healthful eating oriented and still searching for her special someone...and just answers to life. She seems a good fit for the show and for an antique shop, making a wonderful foil for Jennifer. But the thing I like the most about the series is the antiques! I love seeing slag lamps in the backgrounds of the scenes and hearing about them selling a Bakelite backgammon set. This makes the series really work for me.
This was a decent mystery and an excellent cosy mystery...fans will not be disappointed. This is a strong recommendation from me.
(P. S. I totally agree that digital is like fast food and the old tube radios and receivers are fine dining! Excellent analogy.)
