Family History Mysteries: Buried Past

The title seems to be a bit of a misnomer. The mystery, such as it is, does not need the skills of a genealogist to solve it, and Sophie shows no signs of any professional skills. As a supposedly successful New York physician, Jackson should be better placed to find a bone marrow match for his brother. And if he is such a hotshot, why hasn't he done so instead of playing second fiddle to the girl he once had a crush on but never admitted it. As in the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, Niall Matter is once again playing the male eye candy sidekick, rather ineffectual love interest meant to be an intellectual equal but only there as an occasional action man's who goes along with the lead taken by the heroine. And he doesn't really get the girl in the end, either; just a chaste high school sweetheart kiss. Not much history, not much mystery and not much chemistry.

This is one of the best Hallmark movies I've seen. The actors are good, the story line is great as bd different from the usual. The main characters are great, experienced actors. The twin brothers are convincing. It's a movie that is a "feel good" type and yet not overdone. I hope they make it into a series. It's different from the usual sleuth type movies. This definitely would do well as a mini series also. Please don't leave us hanging with this one. A continuation including the main character's biological background would definitely be good. There are so many that we've been left with cliff-hangers. Again, Good job Hallmark.

The two leads had great chemistry!!! I was so happy about that! I really hope they make a second movie! And even a third!

The only thing I didn't care for was making one of the brother's gay. They just snuck that in for no reason. Just to have it in.

I was also very impressed with the casting of the main family! The brothers really looked like brothers, and the dad really looked like he could be their dad!

And the story was compelling! And I loved the sets and props! Loved the "old phone"!

I would definitely watch this again! And I hope the next one is just as good! And I hope we get a good onscreen kiss! The kiss in this one was sweet too!

Sophie McClaren (Janel Parrish) is a genealogist in Buffalo. Her friend Jonathan needs a bone marrow donor. He and his twin brother Jackson (Niall Matter) are lifelong friends. Their mother Dorothy (Sherry Miller) hires Sophie to find their assumed-dead father Clark Higgins who may be still alive.

Sophie has an easy out, but she doesn't take it. She could easily tell the boys that she's looking for any unknown distant relatives for Jonathan's treatment. It's the first indication that the writing isn't good enough. One may have low expectations for a Hallmark movie. I still appreciate stories without giant holes in the writing. The concept has potential and this has a functional mystery. The romance is fine. It's not the worst idea in the world.

Whilst the premise is interesting, the script was terrible. The second half was better, but I found the dialogue to be stilted and awkward for the first. I'm hoping that they continue with the series with tighter writing. I'd give it another chance given the idea seems fresh.

I'm required to write more to submit this review, so I'll tell you that I liked all of the actors and characters in this, especially Niall Matter. I don't recognize the actress in this, but she's likeable, and would probably seem to be a better actor with a better script. I know that the two were supposed to be awkward around each other as they hadn't seen each other in years, but not that awkward.