Prediction Murder

The latest in the Ruby Herring series of mysteries from Hallmark has Taylor Cole getting a new job at her Seattle TV station changing from consumer reporter to crime reporter. A move that doesn't please all her colleagues but does give her some semi-official status for her work.

It also makes working with her police detective friend Stephen Huszar a bit easier. Their case is a reopened cold case of the murder of a psychic, shot while she was given a reading.

I have to commend the producers of the Ruby Herring series for having Mig Macario's rather openly and stereotypically gay character as part of the seriees. Macario plays Cole's friend and confidante and maybe thie could lead to a feature with some gay overtones in the plot.

This is the third movie in the Ruby Herring Mysteries series but it's even more painful than the others in terms of script, direction, pacing and acting. It also has more of a video quality which adds to the feeling that one is watching a high school play.

Big changes are in store for consumer investigations reporter Ruby (Cole), who after solving two murders has been upgraded to the crime beat. She can finally poke into these cases like it's her job and starts chasing down leads right away when someone leaves a note on her doorstep. The clue helps her find a gun that was used in the killing of psychic Rose Vitello. Rose's killing went unsolved and predictably, none of the suspects are eager to revisit the crime. They don't have a choice though when Detective Jake Killian is at hand.

Some of the suspects are Rival psychic Travis Tru, Rose's ex-boyfriend and Richard, also comes under scrutiny, as well as Rose's estranged daughter, Emily.

Despite some good acting, humour and a good pace, this is a bit of a flat tyre, especially in the first half, but picks up a little but doesn't raise up above average. Ticks the boxes for a time pass.

I enjoyed the first in this series but as the Episodes continue it's all so uninteresting and improbable.

I'm a big fan of Taylor Cole! I know these Ruby Herring Mysteries are not her finest roles, but that is in great part due to the writing. This episode, Prediction Murder, is much better than the previous two. Considering the 100's of movies that Hallmark produces annually, for our enjoyment, I think the series has a chance to grow. We shouldn't complain about the repetition of predictable ending and familiar plots or we could lose it all together. Just watch something else if you don't appreciate Hallmark type productions.