Morning Show Mysteries: Murder Ever After

A new head of homicide is not what morning show host Billie Blessings (Robinson Peete) needs, however. While helping her friend, Maggie Carson (Francesca Bianchi), cope with an attack on her father, Ryan (Steve Makaj), Billie discovers human remains in his basement, a find that puts both Carsons on top of Price's suspect list. He thinks that father or daughter may killed Ryan's much younger second wife, Phoebe (Meghan Heffern), missing since a New Year's party years ago. Billie knows that neither her friend, an assistant district attorney and her former babysitting charge, nor her father, the affable high school gym teacher, are capable of murder, but she also knows that Maggie is not being forthright regarding Phoebe's disappearance

Starts out well, but just crumbles with an unfocused plot, convoluted and dialogue that isn't committed. The acting, however, is good - the lead actress is likeable and smart, but overall a weak episode.

The format was drastically changed for this episode of The Morning Show Mysteries based on Al Rocker's book. Ian and his daughter are off the show having moved to California, the restaurant is closed, the chef is gone, aunt Cassandra is messing around her kitchen and garage organizing things with her trusty label maker, there is a new investigative journalist on The Morning Show named Carlos, and there is a new lead detective on the force named Tyrell Price.

I, for one, am thrilled with the new detective Tyrell played by Colin Lawrence. He is an excellent addition to the cast and I am hoping for an eventual romance between him and Billie Blessings. He added a more serious and by the book take on the role that gave this episode a grittier feel.

One of Billie's friend's father is hospitalized upon discovering a body in his basement. This brings together a reunion of old neighbors of Aunt Cassandra for a murder mystery involving money and infidelity...and strangely a watch.

The Morning Show Mysteries aren't my favorite Hallmark mysteries (those are Hannah Swensen's Murder She Baked, Aurora Teagarden, and Mystery 101), but I love Holly Robinson Peete and have ever since watching her in my teens on 21 Jump Street (The original).

Hopefully they will continue to build a great cast around Holly and I think they have definitely started to do so with the addition of Colin Lawrence. I am not sure how I feel about the new investigative reporter, Carlos, he has an almost phrenetic energy that doesn't mesh well with the rest of the cast. He is playing a foil to Billie and Tyrell...but I don't like him lying so frequently or the phrenetic energy.

Still hopeful and desperate for new mystery content on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries...but can't recommend this series yet.

I have to say that I enjoyed so much the new direction this is taking. It felt like they had to regroup and start fresh. I like Rick Fox but his story line and the back and forth of the relationship felt like it had no where to go. This new addition felt fresh and the chemistry between the Holly Robinson Peete Billie character and. Colin Lawrence Detective Tyrell characters seemed more natural and comfortable.

The new character of Carlos was actually kind of annoying but he helped pushed the story along too. It will be interesting to see how his role develops.

I think that really it trimmed some things that didn't have a place to go. It also felt more suspenseful and edgy than previous ones but still with some warmth and laughs.

After the disaster of an episode in another Hallmark series ' When Calls the Heart' (Elizabeth and Lucas) I was concerned about Billie with another character (not Rick Fox). But It worked! And it worked well! I've enjoyed watching this series and I get attached to characters, but this works. Looking back she and Ian never fully clicked. This new character appreciates her and the chemistry was good. I love her aunt. I enjoy the Phil and Lucy characters and the bond they have with Billie. Not sure about the new reporter, yet. Please keep this series going. I really enjoy it.

Did not enjoy. Will not watch again. Not happy with new characters. Sorry.