The Crossword Mysteries: A Puzzle to Die For

The reliable Hallmark pairing of Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliot team up again for the first in what I am sure will be many 'Crossword Mysteries'.

This is good engaging stuff, with nice performances from both the two leads.

I think people have been a bit harsh on it. It's not trying to be anything more than a fairly light-hearted murder mystery, if you accept it as such you'll enjoy it.

Not a bad movie..,.clever plot...well acted...well produced. But again the Canadian inferiority complex screams from the screen. The film was shot mostly in Toronto. I recognized many areas. But it is set in New York City. Why do Canadian filmmakers do this time and time again. If American filmmakers want to shoot in Canada and disguise Toronto as New York, fine. But this was a Canadian produced and Canadian tax supported production. So why wasn't it set in Toronto? Can you imagine Australia doing this? Or India? Or any other country? It is craven and embarrassing. Films should be a window on the country that produces them. What is the point of a Canadian film industry if it does not showcase Canada?

The concept of solving a murder with a crossword puzzle is interesting and could work but the first episode has weak points. The mystery of "who dunnit" pulls you in bc of the intellectual connection between Lacey and Logan. However a romantic chemistry is definitely lacking. Maybe it's a slow start? My main concern is the writing, it feels awkward. May lines don't feel authentic or even appropriate. I'd like to see a more fluid natural flow in the scenes especially the interaction between leading characters. The series has promise if the writing improves. Enjoyable for a mystery movie but needs work.

A gallery owner is killed during an art heist. Police detective Logan O'Connor (Brennan Elliott) finds a strangely half-filled crossword puzzle at the crime scene. He goes to the New York Sentinel to talk to a reporter and raises the interest of crossword puzzle editor Tess Harper (Lacey Chabert). She uncovers unusual clues in the puzzle. Logan is dismissive and she decides to investigate on her own.

Chabert is adorably cute and charismatic. That goes a long way in these types of TV movies. It's not surprising that Hallmark is doing a whole series of these with her. Elliott is functional although it would be great to have someone with a lot more screen presence. The basic premise is a little overly complicated. I get that these types of movies need a hook and it's getting harder to find an original premise. It's workable enough to get this franchise off the ground. Chabert is so sweetly charming that she is able to propel this initially but the sequels will determine whether this is a success or not.

Cast chemistry; low key however a good mystery. liked how crossword puzzle was woven into plot line. Is a romance starting? Yep

hope there are more Crossword Puzzle Mysteries and soon. do not find info on this...