One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

I've always enjoyed the Hannah Swenson Movies but losing Cameron as Mike has really hurt the series. I don't doubt that the new guy might work out but there just wasn't enough of him in the movie. They need a bit more of a love interest or something to help the story line.

The mystery is ok but it really lacks any main interesting characters. It just feels like they are off their game. I see there's another one coming so maybe it will get better but I'm sad that this one isn't better.

I'll keep watching as I do like these better than a lot of the other mysteries Hallmark has been doing lately.

I've enjoyed all of the Murder She Baked iterations. Love Alison Sweeney, Barbara Nivens, her sisters, Norman, etc. Not liking the new Chad character, have always enjoyed whatever Victor Webster acts in, just not this. The relationship between Hannah and Chad is just too formulaic. It's like the writing is already on the wall. When Murder She Baked began, I wasn't sure I liked Norman, but he's truly grown as a character and he's kind of quirky, goofy, funny and also a stand up guy that Hannah can count on and I really wish that they'd expand upon that relationship. Absolutely adored Barbara Nivens as a PI.

Yes I miss Cameron Matheson but Hallmark has lost many of the actors tied to key roles. So what do they do? Just drop the whole plot concept? They have to try something else. Maybe they will see what works, what doesn't.

I would at least like to see one more movie and see if they let DA do more. It's so funny because they were so good in several of the movies they did together, husband and wife in Wedding Veil movies. I DO LIKE Norman but he will probably just remain a supportive friend.

I have no problem with her mother or sisters in minor roles. I think her Mom is a riot.

I like appearances by secondary characters, even if they don't have a "meaningful" contribution to each story.

Cameron is not coming back. You no longer want to see any Hannah Swenson mysteries? I do.

Was her interactions with Mike. Those were sorely missing from this movie.

The synopsis suggested she was re-kindling things with Norman, but their interactions seem more brother-sister than romantic partners.

The mystery was perfectly adequate. There's friction with the district attorney, which, of course, means they have a romantic future (even though so far, he does not seem likeable).

The whole thing with the mother becoming a private eye just seemed too ludicrous for words. She is just too ditzy.

The third sister doesn't seem to add anything to the mix. I am kind of surprised they continued with her after the previous movie.

Hannah Swensen Mysteries has consistently been one of my three favorite mysteries on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, along with Aurora Teagarden (the Candace Cameron Bure version) and Mystery 101. This entry has Hannah teaching a baking class at the local community college where she collaborates with literature professor Bradford Ramsey...who not only seems enamored with Hannah, but ends up dead quite literally stabbed in the back with one of Hannah's own knives. This unfortunately puts Hannah on the suspect list.

This entry introduces us to Lake Eden's own all business "I don't have a sweet tooth" county prosecuting attorney, Chad Norton (played by the suave Victor Webster). Most of the cast favorites have returned like Hannah's beloved mom who is played so delightfully by Barbara Niven and our favorite partner-in-crime and local dentist Norman (played by the consistently wonderful Gabriel Hogan). There were some noticeable absences like Hannah's brother in law police officer Bill, but probably more noticeable is Hannah's fiancé the beloved detective Mike, who has been played from the very first film by Cameron Mathison. The story was given that Mike went to Quantico to join the FBI? I am really sad to see Cameron Mathison go, as I really like him as an actor and thought he and Alison Sweeney had amazing chemistry together. On a side note I did enjoy Alison Sweeney and Victor Webster in the Wedding Veil series of movies, they were well matched and it will be interesting to see what develops here.

The series is based on the cosy mysteries written by Joanne Fluke, but this film was actually written by Alison Sweeney herself. The mystery was decent, but what really keeps this amongst my favorites...if not my favorite, is the camaraderie amongst the cast being lead by Alison Sweeney herself. Barbara Niven is not only lovely, but lends so much great comedy to this series. This entry has Delores deciding to be an private investigator...think big hats, sun glasses and trench coats.

Highly recommend this fun mystery series to all the cosy mystery fans out there.