Roman Noir: Le Venin du désespoir

All I can say is are they ever going to resume Mystery Woman? Samantha Kinsey, a photographer turned bookshop owner turned to a real life crime solver. She is one of those things that remind us of our productive and curious parts of our childhood (Nancy Drew and Shelby Woo anyone?).

What with Sherlock and Elementary garnering a lot of fans and views, I am most certain those whose hunger for a good mystery is never satiated would appreciate Samantha's quick wit and pleasing personality.

The heroine is welcoming, logical, thoughtful and insightful. She's refreshing and a good character for the children of today to look up to. If they ever pick up on Mystery Woman again, I am quite sure they will pick up a following. I myself may just be a part of it!

I watched this movie tonight, and I was hooked during the entire two hours! I didn't even get up during the commercials because I was afraid I would miss something crucial to the plot. I didn't expect any of the things that happened. I was so happy to see Beth Broderick in a new movie. She is a brilliant and totally versatile actress, and did an amazing job playing Clare Beckman. The whole "Mystery Woman" series is awesome! When you're watching this movie it really seems like you're there. I don't really know how to sum this movie up without giving anything away----so you have to see it. I was never a big fan of Kellie Martin's but after seeing her in this mini-series, I will definitely start to watch more of her movies when they air.

When I first saw the previews for the Mystery Woman series I was convinced they were going to be good. I never thought they could be this good! Excellent casting and plots make this one of the best contemporary mysteries ever. Some may think the Chief is over the top but I grew up in a small town and Chief Conners is just what one would expect. It's his town and he is the only one who knows what is really going on. I especially like Clarence Williams portrayal as Philby,a character with a mysterious past yet as common as the next man on the street. The entire cast is excellent and Hallmark has outdone themselves. I hope this can continue for quite some time. I had just seen "Snapshot of a Murder" and it to was excellent.

Kellie Martin is the new Nancy Drew! My wife and I love this show! We have TiVo'd it to make sure we do NOT miss it. Kellie is Brilliant. If you like a good Mystery then this is the one for you. I have been a fan of Kellie's for a long time and really enjoy her work. You are seeing a mature Kellie Martin, not a kid anymore. Her acting is top notch. Her character owns a bookstore and solves mysteries and pushes to find the truth. Whether it is breaking into a house to look for clues or just plain snooping she finds the answer. I love the way her character can get on others nerves when she starts pushing buttons to get her way. Anyway you go this is a HIT, I can't wait for the DVD's!

Samantha Kinsey is the owner of the Mystery Woman bookstore in her small town. As part of the store's ongoing role within the community, Samantha and Philby organise a Mystery Weekend that involves readings and book signings from several famous mystery authors – including the elusive Claire Beckman. During the event though someone apparently tries to shoot Beckman, with only her good fortune meaning the bullet misses her and hits Sam's friend (Assistant DA Cassie) in the arm. The police are called and a gun is found but things are confused when it is registered to a local woman who wouldn't hurt a fly and appears to have no motive. Seduced by the mystery and that the crime happened in her shop Sam investigates.

This was my first pass at this Hallmark mystery series and considering the channel it was on and from, I didn't have great hopes for it but felt confident that it would deliver a solid mystery in a solid, TVM-style manner. And so it was with this lively if unlikely mystery film with a typically unusual detective in the lead – in this case a young woman with her own book store and an eye for the suspicious, it's all a bit "Murder She Wrote: The College Years" but it is OK. The plot is nicely laid out, of course it is full of holes but it will do the job for genre fans and those used to Hallmark mystery tvm's. The tone is light but enough of an air of mystery to make it work and generally the direction is OK – which is more than acceptable for this type of thing.

The cast are all reasonably alright. Martin is cute and, although an unlikely bookstore owner, is fun and lively in the lead role – like I said "The College Years". Williams was a strange find and he didn't have a great deal to do – he wasn't helped by not having a really clear character to work with. Siemaszko was OK in her minor role but Sander was about as stiff as I've seen a person. Support is mixed but does the job; hard to find turns from Browne and Satterfield anything other than forgettable while Broderick is a bit too hammy and obvious.

Overall this is an OK mystery film that should be enjoyed by those who enjoy the films Hallmark shows and produces. It is nothing that special of course but it does the job and is entertaining if you are in the mood. The direction and cast match the material and it was good enough for me to justify trying the Mystery Woman series again if I get the chance.