Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

Having read many poor reviews I braced myself for something truly terrible. Guess what - it was another decent instalment of Murder She Baked (cannot get used to new name).

I don't mind Chad, because I never really cared for Mike. Even though I still find it odd that he's doing more police work than actual police.

Alison took a trip to the Oz world and it works for the better.

Hannah's mother was her usual self, nothing over the top. New sister is still new to me and sticks like a sore thumb.

The real star is Norman (as usual). He's smart, cute, and not just Hannah's admirer. I'd watch a Dentist Mystery!

Still don't like Lake Eden turning into a big city, and Cookie Jar is almost as big as Starbucks now.

The case itself was OK. I've seen better, but still it was a solid 6-7. Thanks to Norman I'm giving it an 8.

I totally agree with the other 2 reviews. What has happened with Delores? Why is she the focus instead of Hannah. Barbara's portrayal is so over the top, it's a huge distraction to the show. What has happened to the strong, independent Hannah. Since when does she giggle at the mention of a man, in this case Chad. I have read all the books in this series and it was a struggle to come to terms with all the radical changes from the books. Especially the description of Hannah. However, I came to terms with that and tried to enjoy the movies. However, since the producers made the change to go in a different direction and bring on Victor Webster's character, Hannah is now portrayed as a simpering shadow of herself. So very disappointing. Please get back to the mystery part featuring a strong and intelligent Hannah and drastically reduce the secondary plot with Delores.

I have loved all the Murder She Baked movies but this one was one I had to force myself to finish. Alison and Victor have no onscreen chemistry whatsoever. His character is too stiff and smug. They have Alison acting like a silly teenager just hoping he will ask her out. But the worst and what makes you want to stop watching is Barbara Niven. Usually a favorite character of mine; they have turned her into an over the top ridiculous drama queen. She must have insisted on having half the lines because you could almost have called it the Barbara Niven Mystery series. They have turned her character into such a completely obnoxious annoying overacting scene stealing caricature of herself it just ruined the whole show. Put Alison back front and center and tone down Barbara for the next one please. Barbara is fun as a small side character but not a main one. One can only take such nonsense in small doses.

I really liked the Murder She Baked movies, but these Hannah Swensen movies are awful. Even Hannah's character has become really goofy. The way she acts every time she sees the District Attorney, is embarrassing. I don't know any middle-aged woman who would behave that way. And why do they keep making the mom more annoying than the last movie? She was at least a bit likable in the Murder She Baked movies, but now I cringe every time she's in a scene. This one was so bad I didn't even watch until the very end. Even though I wanted to know who the killer was, I just couldn't take any more of this silliness.

I like all of the actors in this movie & I used to really enjoy the Murder She Baked movies. However, in the Hannah Swensen movies, I find that Delores has changed from being a loving, somewhat ditzy mother, adding some comic relief, to being annoying. She's disrespectful to Hannah, calling out her wardrobe quite publicly & nastily. She's self-absorbed & irritating.

Despite liking Vistor & Alison, I don't see any romantic chemistry between them. Also, it's pushing plausibility to have Hannah 'helping' a DA.

If the next movie isn't an improvement on these last two, I will not watch future movies.