Last Scene Alive: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery

Aurora's friend and mystery author, Robin Daniels, is back in town because his book is being made into a film. The lead character is based on Aurora herself. Martin is suspicious of Robin as he briefly dated Aurora in the past. Three days after the crew's arrival, the actress playing her, Celia Shaw, is found murdered in her trailer. Several people involved with the movie had problems with Celia. The plot thickens when the police find out that Celia was both poisoned and then clubbed. Meanwhile, since John moved away to be closer to his grandchildren, Aida gets friendly with the movie director. Another subplot has Martin preoccupied by the disappearance of his CIA partner, Rex, and he leaves for South America at the end of the film to look for him.

The film sets setting and some fine detection make this otherwise routine entry watchable. It's can get confusing with so many suspects with the male actors looking alike. Not the best entry but efficient enough mystery. The killer didn't come as much of a surprise and I missed Lexa Doig- her character is the most entertaining.

Aurora is back living with her mother, Aida, after taking a really good offer on her house which was starting to feel cursed to her. Aida is split up with John because she refused to marry him and therefore he decided to move closer to his grandkids. Aida is helping Aurora "Ro" find a new home.

The Real Murders club is still alive and well, with all of it's usual members...except John, who as mentioned has moved away. A former member of the Real Murders Club and famous author Robin Daniels is in town where they are turning one of his books into a movie (Whimsical murder). Great twist, Ro was Robin's inspiration for the main character in Whimsical Murder...a crime solving librarian. Martin and Ro are still hot and heavy although Martin seems to be a bit distracted helping a former CIA colleague...Rex ends up going missing, much to Martin's chagrin.

Side note: I love that Aurora recommends Agatha Christie for a classic mystery and then Charlaine Harris for a contemporary.

The actress playing Ro consults with the real Aurora...and it turns out there is a best friend reporter based on Sally as well! Aurora decides she better read the script and is invited to come see the set. While on the set...the lead actress is found murdered in her trailer! Cue the murder board and the Real Murders Club.

Martin steps in very aggressively to protect Ro, when he thinks Robin is the murderer and asks Ro to stay away from him.

Another great mystery from the Aurora Teagarden Mystery Series loosely based on the Cosy mystery Series written by Charlaine Harris and still one of my three favorite mystery series on Hallmark along with Hannah Swensen's Murder She Baked and Mystery 101.

This series is a must see if you like cosy mysteries. The mysteries are well done, the core cast is really tight and the acting well done. They have really built a wonderful series.

Enjoyed the previous movies but this one was pretty boring. There is no chemistry between the actors that are dating/together. Aurora is so happy happy all the time it's a little annoying at times, like have you no other feelings. Previous movies had some mystery and had you wondering who is the killer. But with this one I don't really care. Cause there is no emotional connection or sympathy for any of the characters. Bad acting I would say.

First a pet peeve. The reviewer, "westsidechi" keeps copying and posting the same vague negative review on each of the Aurora Teagarden movies. IMDB should delete his entries, since he clearly has no interest in the individual episodes that he is supposed to be reviewing.

For me, this was the least interesting episode thus far of the Aurora Teagarden mysteries.

The main problem was too much change in personnel. Lexa Doig's absence is probably the most serious MIA. The loss of Bruce Dawson, though, is also a serious loss of continuity. Yannick Bisson is in the episode, but this is his last appearance. Bisson's character is distracted by a kidnapped CIA partner, and he is uncharacteristically jealous. In a sense, Yannick Bisson's character is also MIA, in this episode.

Finally, for most of the past episodes, the town of Lawrenceton has been something of a "character" in the shows. With this episode, most of the action takes place on a movie set.

The actual murderer is not that much of a surprise. But the mysteries have never been the strong suit of the show. It has been the interaction and camaraderie between the regulars on the show. That has been disrupted with this new season opener. Hopefully the producers can get the show back on track.

7/10 - cool movie set setting made this mystery one of the most entertaining in the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries series