Picture a Murder

Great antique cameras in this Garage Sale Mystery entry.

Thanks to a friendly recommendation, Jen and Dani get their hands on a vintage camera collection after it's owner dies. When Jen discovers film in one of the cameras, she develops it only to discover that the murderer may have been caught on film...that's right the owner didn't die of natural causes and poor Detective Lynwood has to open a case. Enter our familiar Medical Examiner Dr. Tramell who will give you a pun for coffee.

This was not the best mystery in the series, but it was really nice to see our tight knit cast, who are so familiar that they are like family.

The Garage Sale Mystery series isn't my favorite on Hallmark ( that is reserved for Hannah Swensen, Aurora Teagarden and Mystery 101), but it is a show that I enjoy watching for it's antiques and it's friendly camaraderie. If you are a fan of the series you shouldn't miss this one.

It's a most tenuous connection that this murder has to the antique dealing of Lori Loughlin and her shop. A noted philanthropist is murdered at a family gathering and just before he dies he takes a telltale picture with one of those old fashioned Brownie cameras that my family and thousands of others had back in the 50s when I was a lad. I doubt that one could find film for it today for any kind of use.

In addition to the main mystery plot Loughlin and her partner hire two temporary workers each of whom brings a certain strength to the job at the Antique store. But they have only budget for one, so what to do?

And son Connor Stanhope is having another attack of high school angst, but one in this case showing a nice strength of charactdr to him. Must be good parenting.

Fans of the series will not be disappointed.

Jenn gets the photos in an antique camera from the estate of a recently deceased and seemingly wealthy photography enthusiast printed. One of the pictures leads her to believe that the man's death was anything but accidental.

Some of the suspects: Larry's estranged brother is one guy who can't keep his story straight. Larry's estranged business partner and friend, Walter (Donny Lucas), Event photographer and secret sweetheart Sandy (Michelle Harrison) and Ian (John Emmet Tracy).

Garage Sale Mysteries are highly enjoyable, has a well-structured plot, humour, great characters, however in this episode it doesn't totally live up to the aforementioned pluses. It's watchable, has a good idea - murder caught on camera - but it's not as striking as the other episodes.

For some reason, this whole movie felt bland to me. Hopefully I will enjoy the last movie of the series more.

6/10 - just what you'd expect when Jen is on the case!