I love the mysteries on Hallmark and I want to encourage them to keep making them, but I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say that this one was a bit of a stumble for me. Don't get me wrong there were some things I liked...it's based on the series of books by K. K. Beck...only those are set in my hometown, Seattle...not Baltimore like this film. Since they didn't stick with the motivation in the books, I think they had trouble setting up Jane's reasons and ability to run the foundation. In other words there were a lot of holes and some awkwardness around the set up. I thought the police detective was great and I loved the 'disguise room' filled with potential costumes and disguises. I don't know who the costume designer was for this film, but they made some really unusual, colorful and unique choices for outfits both for Jane and her aunt Sadie. Even though there was a conversation at the end between Sadie and Jane about getting over their grief...they never really show that, so it doesn't ring true.
Jane's uncle passes away and she goes home to Baltimore because it was her uncle's dying wish that she take over his foundation which solves cold cases and gets justice for families...even though he was an investment banker and she is a singer with zero training or skills? The first case she works on is for a piano playing girl who dreams of going to Juilliard, but who's mom seemingly looses their savings and then commits suicide.
This lacks some of the great supporting cast connections that other great Hallmark mysteries like Hannah Swensen's Murder She Baked, Aurora Teagarden and Mystery 101 have...but maybe they will be able to grow the show and work on some good scripts. I really want to encourage Hallmark, so they will continue to produce the mystery series that I love. This one doesn't quite make it into a mystery or romance recommendation from me. But I will give it a second chance if they do another.
Jane's uncle passes away and she goes home to Baltimore because it was her uncle's dying wish that she take over his foundation which solves cold cases and gets justice for families...even though he was an investment banker and she is a singer with zero training or skills? The first case she works on is for a piano playing girl who dreams of going to Juilliard, but who's mom seemingly looses their savings and then commits suicide.
This lacks some of the great supporting cast connections that other great Hallmark mysteries like Hannah Swensen's Murder She Baked, Aurora Teagarden and Mystery 101 have...but maybe they will be able to grow the show and work on some good scripts. I really want to encourage Hallmark, so they will continue to produce the mystery series that I love. This one doesn't quite make it into a mystery or romance recommendation from me. But I will give it a second chance if they do another.