Death by Design

6/10 - better than the last two, but still lacking the intrigue of other HM&M series

Ian and Billie are back, but this time they are investigating the murder of Billie's best friend's twin sister. Several of Ian and Billie's friends are suspects, there is a cameo by Al Roker (I believe the writer), and a misunderstanding between Ian and Billie when it appears that his ex-wife is back.

I love that this series is set in my hometown of Seattle, wish it was shot here...but still enjoy the stock footage anyway.

There is a sadness to this mystery series that isn't in the other series and I am not sure why. I love so much of the series...I have loved Holly Robinson since 21 Jump Street, and the actress who plays her aunt Cassandra steels the scene every time she is on. But it just isn't hitting me like some of the others and is no where near my three favorite Hallmark mystery series Hannah Swensen's Murder She Baked, Aurora Teagarden and Mystery 101.

Like the picture perfect series, I would like to like this series more than I do.

Chef Billie Blessings' best friend Marian is hired to redecorate the TV studio. When Marian's twin sister is murdered, Billie must investigate their close friends to find the killer. And with no shortage of suspects at hand such as Riley (Jessica Heafey) was seen arguing with the deceased at the party, Stacey (Michelle Harrison) was conveniently AWOL and covering up something, and Lana (Kimberly Sustad) may be having an affair with Jasmine's husband, Aaron (Michael Teigen). He also has a half a dozen reasons for wanting his wife dead, some of which may be related to flailing tech startup. Then there's Marian, Jasmine's identical twin sister, a noted interior designer and Billie's best friend. She could be the key to the mystery, which means she could also be the killer.

Top notch mystery with two likeable leads, some good characterisation especially with the differences between the twins - all the suspects acts are suitable shifty, the plot fires up enough twists to keep things lively as well as keeping one guessing.

This series is quickly becoming a favorite. It's well written, the mysteries keep you guessing and it's very well acted. In this 5th episode, a twin is murdered and Billie Blessings helps her boyfriend detective, Ian, solve the crime. Another character is murdered too and the plot twists and turns serving up enough possibilities and red herrings to keep it very interesting and intriguing. It's another in the "amateur chef/baker/librarian/florist etc dates the detective and solves the case" genre but the lead characters, Holly Robinson Peete and Rick Fox are credible and comfortable as a couple and are well matched in their acting ability. The supporting cast are well developed and enjoyable to watch too so the show is one of the better ones to watch. Peete and Fox set the "calm" and realistic tone of the series and I look forward to the next one.

The story was fine for Hallmark (which is known for predictable storylines of vanilla flavoured subjects with overly romanticized outcomes}. The main actors don't move like manikins but the co-actors do. Strange. This is rate G, but romances run at snails pace, stereotyping misunderstandings. I do like the main characters who are decent actors.