Murder, She Baked

This first Murder She Baked mystery finds Alison Sweeney delivering baked goods and solving her first mystery. Her fictional town of Eden Lake, Minnesota is on its way to being the Cabot Cove of the old Northwest Territory.

This murder literally arrives at her bakery, it's her delivery truck driver who parks in the rear of her shop and then doesn't come in. Sweeney goes out and finds him in the driver's seat with a bullet in him quite dead.

Her brother-in-law Toby Levins is one of the officers of the local police department, but they get a homicide cop played by Cameron Mattison from Minneapolis. He and the newly arrived dentist in town Gabriel Hogan kind of square off for Sweeney.

The way it always develops whoever is the law enforcement figure is resentful of the amateur horning in. But after awhile they kind of go with the flow, especially if a romantic situation might be developing. No different in Eden Lake.

When a second murder occurs that of the local dairy owner you always assume a connection. There's no shortage of suspects for this guy who doubled in loan sharking.

All I'll say is the connection is tenuous and coincidental. The murderer turns out to be one ruthless individual.

The Chocolate Chip Mystery is nicely baked, right out of the oven.

Thats to say that its a very light hearted "who dun it" in an american town where everyone (almost) is perfect, they have their lives, they all know each other until one day someone is murdered and everyone is quite shocked. Oddly there are very few clues as to "why" - the murder being investigated by the pretty woman who runs the town bakery, assisted by a detective from a nearby City. "She" is out of her depth, he isnt really believable as a policeman and "her" mum - watch closely for this one as she looks almost the same age as her daughter (theyre around 24 years apart in real life but dont look it!). Like all of these things "she" does get there in the end, but only by guessing wrongly. Better than some other stuff you tend to get on freeview

I absolutely love Hannah Swensen and the Murder She Baked Mystery Series. The curious and observant single baker Hannah is endearing and her chemistry with both Mike and Norman is spot on. Her mom is fabulous as the meddling mother...along with her serious Eden Lake police officer brother-in-law and co-conspirator sister.

I'd love to try some of her baked goods and I was inspired to read the books this series was based on.

My three favorite Hallmark Mystery Series remain: Hannah Swensen's Murder she Baked, Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, and Mystery 101.

Hannah Swensen again becomes involved in a mystery in "Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery."

Hannah (Alison Sweeney) is at it again, running her bakery and cafe in Eden Lake, Minnesota, with her mother trying to set her up with men and encouraging her to glamour up. This time mom interviews her to a new dentist in town, Norman Rhodes, a charming man. But having seen subsequent episodes, I know how it winds up.

When her childhood friend Ron, who delivers dairy to the shop, is found dead, Hannah is determined to find out the identity of the culprit. Because Eden Lake isn't used to murders, it brings in Detective Mike Kingston (Cameron Mathison) from Minneapolis.

Hannah doesn't appreciate Mike's arrogance, since she feels that she knows the people in town and can help him. However, she pushes ahead. Then there is another murder, this time of a wealthy man who is suspected of being a loan shark.

Pleasant enough, and I'm assuming this is the first episode. I like Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison, both soap stars of long standing who have strong fan bases. Also it was nice to see Susan Hogan from "Night Heat" after thirty years.

Hallmark deliberately keeps these movies on the bland and homey side because of the demographic they want to attract. I'll watch anything that's a mystery but I'd be lying if I said there was anything particularly special about any of these mysteries. Hallmark is like Lifetime - you take the movies for what they are and don't expect anything else.

Dreadfully observant baker Hannah Swensen finds the body of her childhood friend when he is late delivering milk to her bakery. The town of Eden Lake is shocked by the murder, no more so than Hannah herself. They call in a big city Minneapolis detective, Mike Kingston, to help on the case. Hannah is endearingly curious and can't keep herself for poking around for clues. Meanwhile, Hannah's mom is trying to fix her daughter's life...including finding her a husband.

Funny, great chemistry...just an endearing series that I can't say enough wonderful things about.

(Still my favorite Hallmark mystery series: Hannah Swensen's Murder she Baked, Aurora Teagarden Murder Mysteries, and Mystery 101...they are a whole tier above the rest.)