Pandora's Box

When I saw that the latest Garage Sale Murder Mystery dealt with a family named Andronicus I immediately thought that this would be on the order of a Greek tragedy type epic wrapped in a murder. Shakespeare's play Titus Andronicus would give that kind of impression. Well there are two murders here and the surviving family members and others are suspect.

Lori Loughlin comes into possession of one of those old English puzzle boxes so popular in their old murder mysteries. Comes into it by the grace of Jessie Frazer who was the daughter-in-law of the recently deceased Terry O'Sullivan. Soon enough it's discovered O'Sullivan did not die a natural death and Frazer's body is found and her death was definitely natural.

At the same time Loughlin and her curio shop are the subject of a reality TV show. So she's solving the mysteries and trying to open that box for clues and dealing with the demands of show business.

All this leaves Loughlin unruffled she's as plucky and resilient as ever and her family supports her all the way. Especially her computer minded son Connor Stanhope.

Fans of the series will be pleased.

Jennifer agrees to appear on a new reality TV series. During the show she comes in contact with a mysterious puzzle box, in which the box's now-deceased creator may have placed the clue to her killer. When the dead woman's daughter-in-law is found dead just a few days later, Jennifer's curiosity once again places her in harm's way as she starts her own investigation of the murders.

Lori Loughlin makes a great protagonist in this strong Garage Sale entry which features a rather intricate looking puzzle box which could be a catalyst behind two deaths, which our heroine suspects isn't an accident. Thoroughly engaging and smoothly plotted, this episode got me interested all the way through. I liked the dysfunctional dynamic of the Andronicus family.

I love puzzle boxes and was pleased to see one play a pivotal role in this mystery. The Shannon family and gang are back in this installment of the Garage Sale Mystery series. I love the cast of characters that they have built around Lori Loughlin's character Jennifer Shannon, like her best friend and colleague Dani, detective and friend detective Lynnwood, Medical examiner and punster Dr. Tramell, and her family husband Jason and kids Hannah and Logan.

Dani has signed them up to do a traveling antique tv show, which Jenn has some trouble embellishing the truth on...even if it is to "keep the viewers interest". Logan gets in to a fender bender and has to figure out a way to earn the money to make it right. Hannah starts dating a cop...again. And the Andronicus daughter-in-law brings in a puzzle box for Jenn to help open after her mother-in-law Elizabeth Andronicus passes away.

This was one of the better Garage Sale Mysteries...although a little convoluted and it had a puzzle box! I think fans of the series will love this entry and if you like antiques and cosy mysteries, this might be a series for you.

I've said it once, and I'll say it again, I love the Shannons. While everything is going crazy in Jenn's worlds they are her rock. As for mysteries, I'm always great at guessing the killer but on this one I was nowhere near close. I would have to say this is my favorite of the series so far, but I have the three others cued up so we shall see. Would love to see more Lynwood side stories if possible and I hope that Dani finally finds the love of her life.

As usual, I find myself wishing for more antiques/puzzle box mystery, but the movies tend to be more of Jen running around town here and there. It wasn't bad by any means, but it could have been a little more interesting.