Der Duft von Apfelblüten

The good: female lead did a great job in this role. She was very believable and was quite subtle and nuanced. The actress did a great job providing the character with an emotional story arc. You don't necessarily like her character at first, but grow to sympathize with her. Frankly it was one of the best performances I've seen in a Hallmark film. The chemistry between this character and her half sister was also great.

The script was also very good. Generally had sharp dialogue and didn't get too bogged down in unnecessary exposition, which is something Hallmark does a lot.

The less good: Lead actor, who was good in Aurora Teagarden, was subpar here. His character come across quite creepy. This might be a script and direction thing as much as an acting one.

The other thing I didn't love was how a certain pivotal plot point regarding the farm and the lead female's role in it were written. Her reaction didn't really feel true to the character we had been introduced to. She should have been a lot angrier.

Overall this was a real nice film which resonated with me.

I have grown tired of the Hallmark formula applied to every movie so this was a very pleasant change. Still Hallmark, but the tired scripts did a pleasant change up, and it really was a pleasant change. A very enjoyable movie, mystery and romance.

There were both a host of new characters, all likable, and a couple of old standbys, also very likable. Great scenery, so they must have sprung for a slightly higher budget, a good choice. Everybody loves a little mystery, some honest appearing suspense, and a happy ending.

Keep the changes coming and trash the worn out storylines that are totally predictable and boring.

Best Points: The Actors: especially the leads- Niall Matter and LeFevre are excellent . Their difficult and sometimes impossible Jobs are to flesh- out and fill the holes in the underdeveloped script. .. a. Mystery of Family and hidden clues.

Weakest Points: Trying to develop a good and well written storyline in Hallmark's standard 1 1/2 hour format. Really doesn't work well here.

Many layers of the plot and well drawn inter-connection between characters - sadly never happen

Worth the. Watch? Yes, good actors and the location make it worth the short watch, but you leave wanting something more substantial.

The major relationship here was between the two sisters. That was, IMO, very well done, as was the gradual involvement of the lead's life with that of her extended family in the orchard, and her discovery of their history.

Niall Matter is one of my favorite actors in the Hallmark universe, but he was irrelevant here. If anything, I thought he should have gotten together with the sister, not the lead character. I suppose it was an obligatory part of a Hallmark movie, but in this one it wasn't necessary.

To the whiners who say that they don't like the inclusion of LGBTQ, get over it - they're a part of society now, and in this movie they were introduced as just a normal set of friends of the lead. Nothing was pushed, and they weren't pushed into the closet. Lots of Hallmark movies have hetero couples, and a few have gay couples. No big deal.

To sum up, an interesting movie with a non-threatening mystery, and romance was a side-issue.

Tess Delaney (Rachelle Lefevre) is a globetrotting high class art hunter who is too busy for a personal life. She inherits an apple orchid from her father who supposedly abandoned her at birth as told by her absent mother. The other inheritor is her newly discovered half-sister Isabel (Helena Marie). Damhnaic McAuley (Niall Matter) is the estate executor.

This is a Hallmark movie, but they're really pushing the romance that hard. The bigger story seems to be a family mystery turned treasure hunt. I am not overly interested in any of the plotlines although the mystery kept my interest. It's a mixed bag although Hallmark does not set the bar that high.