Murder, She Baked: A Deadly Recipe

Things are heating up in the little town of Lake Eden, and Hannah (Alison Sweeney) is caught in the middle. Sheriff Grant (Ty Olsson) is up for reelection, and Hannah's brother-in-law, Bill Todd (Toby Levins), is running against him. This is causing quite a bit of friction in the department. While no one likes Grant, he is throwing his weight around and making people more miserable than normal.

Hannah finds herself involved in yet another murder when the sheriff is found dead in the street, her brother-in-law deputy (who was running against the sheriff in the upcoming election) is accused, and a killer is on the loose.

Detective Mike Kingston can be annoying with his repetitive "Hannah, let me do my job! I got this! Don't get involved!", and he knows she isn't going to listen. It's not long before she starts snooping and comes up with the goods. It's cheesy ( I love cheesiness) but fun. If you're looking for something full of overt darkness and cynical world views and realistic police procedurals, then this isn't for you. If you want something light frothy, engaging and enjoyable, then look no further.

There is a huge mistake about how the car thieves stole the cars. They didn't have the keyless system, they used a slim Jim to gain access. Also, the alarm would go off if the door is opened without having the key they came with the car. Another thing, it doesn't matter if they used the access point to override anything, you can't use another key to start the car. Whoever wrote the story line needs to do better research for the movies.

I think we all have a secret fantasy to show up the police at their job. A movie like Murder She Baked: A Deadly Recipe plays right into that. Also playing into that fantasy were such shows as Murder She Wrote, Mrs. Wainthropp Investigates. And who more than Agatha Christie did that when she created Jane Marple?

Alison Sweeney of Days Of Our Lives has created an interesting character in Hannah Swenson, owner of a small town bakery who likes to dabble in police business. She probably gets away with a lot because like Jane Marple her instincts are right. And she bakes such delicious goods no one wants to incarcerate her especially the cops who love her delivery of them to the station.

But Sweeney is involved in a bad one. Someone murdered the chief of police in the parking lot of the police station. Ty Olsson who plays the victim was not loved by his staff, is in a campaign for re- election, has a messy personal life, and on top of that is getting close to an auto theft ring that's been plaguing his town. So there's a lot of people who have motives.

With Cameron Mathison as one of the deputies who likes Sweeney's instincts and her in general, but gives her some kind of official cover for her own investigations while warning her of the consequences of interfering with police business the two make a good team.

I have to say in the end the motive for the slaying was truly bizarre and the perpetrator a pitiable figure. I can't say more other than the perpetrator gives a great and subtle performance.

My first exposure to this series of which this is the fourth film made for the Hallmark Channel. Sweeney's character is a winning and an interesting one.

If you're looking for a more realistic, accurate, and engaging crime show to watch - you're better off with Law and Order SVU or Chicago PD. Best to leave this fluffy, sugar-coated "feel good" 0 calorie mystery on the shelf. The reason I gave this 2 stars instead of 1 is because there are some who surprisingly enjoy watching these feel good movies and shows to escape reality. I am not one of those people, hence my opinion.

The series is enjoyable if not believable. It's fun, fluff mystery. I don't expect it to be cerebral or realistic. I like most of the characters even if their relationships are childish and shallow. My only real concern is that the two actors portraying the competing love interests look so much alike that I can't tell who she's with sometimes. I actually thought they might be the same actor or actually twins. Casting could have done a better job with that.